Daily Lectionary | Genesis 37 & John 19:38-43
Genesis 37
These notes follow closely James B. Jordan’s audio lecture on Genesis 37.
Summary
Joseph brings a “bad report” to his father about his brothers, sons of Bilpah and Zilhah. The text distinguishes Joseph from his brothers rather than presenting Joseph as a tattletale. Israel (Jacob) favored Joseph as his last born and made him and made him a cloak of many colors. The same word for cloak is used in 2 Samuel 13:18 that the daughters of the king wore. We can see this robe Israel gives Jacob as a robe of authority.
Now robed with authority, Joseph has two dreams that bear witness to his coming rule. The sheaves of his brothers’ sheaves will bow down before his sheave. The sun, moon, and stars are associated with rulers. The Lord promises Abraham that his descendants will be like the stars, rulers, and kings. Here, though, Joseph will be the chief star to whom his 11 brothers will give allegiance.
Jacob initially rebukes Joseph for his dreams, but he “keeps these words in mind.”
The theme of sibling conflict continues along with the preference of the younger brother in the life of Joseph. Israel sends Joseph to check on his brothers who are at Dothan but he walks into a conspiracy against him.
His brothers hate Joseph, his dreams, and his robe. The dreams represent God’s revelation. His robe represents his authority. They reject it all, along with Israel’s authority.
Reuben, the oldest son, tries to protect the younger. He does protect him from death but not from being sold off. Joseph is thrown into a pit in the wilderness. The brothers come up with a plan to say that wild beast killed Joseph. Joseph is in the wilderness among wild beast, his brothers persecuting him.
The brothers sell Joseph into slavery to the Ishmaelites who take Joseph to Egypt for 20 sheckles. In Genesis 27, Jacob righteously deceived his Father with goatskin. Now, the sons bring back Joseph’s goat-skinned coat dipped in animal blood to deceive their father.
Reflection
Joseph’s brothers are like Ishmael and Esau who turned on the chosen seed.
Clothing plays an interesting role in Genesis. Consider the different events associated with garments.
How does the narrative set up a contrast between Joseph and his brothers?
John 19:38-43
Summary
Jesus’ passion begins in a garden (John 18:1) and ends in a garden (19:41). The Lord places man in his garden sanctuary at the first creation. Here at Jesus’ death, the Second Adam will be sacrificed in the garden which will bring an end to the first creation. Jesus’ resurrection will also take place in a garden, signalling the new creation Jesus launches.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicoemus are both secret disciples of Jesus and participate in Jesus’ burial. Early in John 3, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and now Joseph comes to request Jesus’ body from Pilate secretly.
Mary has already anointed Jesus in John 12 in a burial preparation. Joseph and Nicodemus prepare Jesus’ body with spices and wrap him in linen garments. At his birth, Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths (though John doesn’t record this), and now at his death he’s wrapped in linen garments.
Reflection Question
Why does John give such detail to Jesus’ burial?