Daily Lectionary | Genesis 40 & Matthew 1:1-17
Genesis 40
Summary
Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and baker are sent to prison and put in Joseph's charge and these two new inmates have dreams that Joseph interpreted. Joseph tells them that interpretation of dreams below to God.
The chief cupbearer has a dream of a vine with three branches. He takes grapes from the vine, presses them into Pharoah’s cup and puts the cup in Pharaoh's hand. Interpretation: In three days he will be released to serve Pharoah the cup again.
The baker’s dream is of three cake baskets, and the birds were eating out of the top basket on his head. Interpretation: in three days the baker will be hanged on a tree and the birds will eat his flesh.
These dreams came true. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him before Pharaoh but he did not.
Reflection Questions
Jacob’s coats are a source of suffering, but how about his dreams?
Matthew 1:1-17
Summary
Matthew chapter 1 functions as more than a list of names in Jesus’ family tree, but sets out the very structure of Israel’s history and previews how Matthew will tell his gospel.
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ” is literally the “book of Genesis.” Just like John’s gospel begins with an echo of Genesis, so does Matthew. Genesis is structured by a series of genealogies, so Matthew gives a genealogy of Jesus.
This genealogy takes us from Abraham to David, from David to the exile, from the exile to Jesus. Matthew tells us there were 14 generations in each section, 14 being a symbolic number of perfection (7 doubled).
Jesus is the “son of David, the son of Abraham.” He will take David’s throne and prove to be the seed of Abraham through whom the promise to the nations will come.
The genealogy contains four women, three of whom are Gentiles (Tamar, wife of Uriah, and Ruth) and Mary.
Why is a genealogy like this important for telling the story of Jesus?
How might the stories of Abraham, David, and the deportation provide themes for Jesus’ ministry?