Causes of Division in the Family Genesis 37:1-36.

Causes of Division in the Causes of Division in the FamilyFamily

Genesis 37:1-36Genesis 37:1-36

Character God Can UseCharacter God Can Use

• ““These are the generations of Jacob” (v. 2) These are the generations of Jacob” (v. 2) – A new section of the Book of GenesisA new section of the Book of Genesis– Devoted to JacobDevoted to Jacob– But the chief actor in the “Jacob” section of But the chief actor in the “Jacob” section of

Genesis will be JosephGenesis will be Joseph

• Joseph’s life and characterJoseph’s life and character– We’ll see how God builds character into His man We’ll see how God builds character into His man – Joseph will model integrity for us Joseph will model integrity for us – He will exhibit faithfulness in serving wellHe will exhibit faithfulness in serving well– In the end Joseph will choose grace and In the end Joseph will choose grace and

forgiveness when revenge would be a lot more forgiveness when revenge would be a lot more natural natural

Character on DisplayCharacter on Display

• The character God created in Joseph’s life is The character God created in Joseph’s life is identical to the variety He wants to build into identical to the variety He wants to build into oursours– Joseph - Scripture says almost no negative word!Joseph - Scripture says almost no negative word!

• The greatest single characteristic of Joseph:The greatest single characteristic of Joseph:– Absolute faithfulness to God under all circumstancesAbsolute faithfulness to God under all circumstances

• It is through this that God worked to exalt him so It is through this that God worked to exalt him so mightily mightily

• Joseph Joseph – Never complainedNever complained– Never compromisedNever compromised– As a result, Joseph never lost his power before GodAs a result, Joseph never lost his power before God

The Destructive Dynamics of a FamilyThe Destructive Dynamics of a Family

• Psalms 133:1 Psalms 133:1 – ““Behold, how good and how pleasant it is Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

for brethren to dwell together in unity!”for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

• Jacob’s family didn’t enjoy the Jacob’s family didn’t enjoy the blessings of unity because from the blessings of unity because from the home was divided home was divided

– First two wives were rivalsFirst two wives were rivals– The addition of two concubines didn’t helpThe addition of two concubines didn’t help– One father, four different mothers, and One father, four different mothers, and

twelve sons = the ingredients for multiple twelve sons = the ingredients for multiple problemsproblems

The Destructive Dynamics of a FamilyThe Destructive Dynamics of a Family

• Why did the brothers hate Joseph so Why did the brothers hate Joseph so much?much?

– Genesis 37 shows a family that knew the Genesis 37 shows a family that knew the true and living God and yet sinned against true and living God and yet sinned against Him and each other by what they said and Him and each other by what they said and did did

– The presence of Joseph in the home didn’t The presence of Joseph in the home didn’t createcreate problems, it problems, it revealedrevealed them them

– Destructive forces were at work in this Destructive forces were at work in this family, but God in His grace overruled for family, but God in His grace overruled for their goodtheir good

– Romans 5:20 - Where sin abounded, grace Romans 5:20 - Where sin abounded, grace abounded moreabounded more

Jealousy Causes Division Jealousy Causes Division vv. 1–4vv. 1–4

• Joseph had integrity (v. 2) Joseph had integrity (v. 2) – Joseph was learning how to care for the Joseph was learning how to care for the

sheep from his brother sheep from his brother • Joseph got his start as a servantJoseph got his start as a servant• We don’t know what evil things the men We don’t know what evil things the men

were doing, but whatever their sin was, were doing, but whatever their sin was, Joseph felt that their father needed to know Joseph felt that their father needed to know about itabout it

– Did Joseph have the right to “tell on” Did Joseph have the right to “tell on” his brothers? his brothers?

• Joseph had common sense and discernmentJoseph had common sense and discernment• Whatever his brothers were doing must Whatever his brothers were doing must

have been terribly wicked or Joseph wouldn’t have been terribly wicked or Joseph wouldn’t have mentioned it to his fatherhave mentioned it to his father


• Joseph was the favorite son (vv. 3–Joseph was the favorite son (vv. 3–4)4)

– Blatant favoritismBlatant favoritism• Swindoll says, “passive fathers tend to favor Swindoll says, “passive fathers tend to favor

the child who’s easiest to raise.” the child who’s easiest to raise.” • Joseph was probably super compliantJoseph was probably super compliant• Joseph was the son of his favorite wife, Joseph was the son of his favorite wife,

Rachel, and the human heart sometimes Rachel, and the human heart sometimes plays tricks with the mind and makes people plays tricks with the mind and makes people do strange thingsdo strange things


• Joseph was the favorite son (vv. 3–4)Joseph was the favorite son (vv. 3–4)– Blatant favoritismBlatant favoritism– Joseph’s “coat of many colors” (KJV), Joseph’s “coat of many colors” (KJV),

“richly ornamented robe” (NIV)“richly ornamented robe” (NIV)• Joseph’s “coat” reached to the ankles and had Joseph’s “coat” reached to the ankles and had

long sleeveslong sleeves• The garment of a ruler, not what a shepherd The garment of a ruler, not what a shepherd

needed out in the fieldsneeded out in the fields– Jacob probably had more than fashion in Jacob probably had more than fashion in

mind when he gave Joseph this special mind when he gave Joseph this special coatcoat

• Letting the family know that Joseph had been Letting the family know that Joseph had been chosen to be his heir chosen to be his heir

• It’s no surprise that they hated JosephIt’s no surprise that they hated Joseph

Envy Causes Division Envy Causes Division vv. 5–17vv. 5–17

• Envy and MaliceEnvy and Malice– Envy is “the most precious daughter of the Envy is “the most precious daughter of the

devil because it follows his footsteps by devil because it follows his footsteps by hindering good and promoting evil” hindering good and promoting evil”

– Envy has a sister named Malice, and the two Envy has a sister named Malice, and the two usually work together usually work together

• Titus 3:3 - For we ourselves were also once Titus 3:3 - For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one anotherhateful and hating one another

– Envy causes inward pain when we see others Envy causes inward pain when we see others succeedsucceed

– Malice produces inward satisfaction when we Malice produces inward satisfaction when we see others fail see others fail

– Envy and malice usually generate slander and Envy and malice usually generate slander and unwarranted criticismunwarranted criticism

Should Joseph have told his dreams to Should Joseph have told his dreams to the family?the family?

• The two dreams couldn’t help but make The two dreams couldn’t help but make things worse for him things worse for him

– When Joseph reported the second dream, even When Joseph reported the second dream, even his father became upset and rebuked him; but his father became upset and rebuked him; but privately, Jacob pondered the dreamsprivately, Jacob pondered the dreams

– Jacob had received messages from God in Jacob had received messages from God in dreamsdreams

• Joseph was right in sharing them with the Joseph was right in sharing them with the family family

– It was the will of GodIt was the will of God

• The immediate result: his brothers hated The immediate result: his brothers hated and envied him even moreand envied him even more

Questions - vv. 12–17Questions - vv. 12–17

• Why were Jacob’s sons pasturing their flocks fifty Why were Jacob’s sons pasturing their flocks fifty miles from home? miles from home?

– They didn’t want anybody from the family spying on They didn’t want anybody from the family spying on themthem

• Why did they return to the dangerous area near Why did they return to the dangerous area near Shechem when Jacob’s family had such a bad Shechem when Jacob’s family had such a bad reputation among the citizens there? reputation among the citizens there?

– The brothers were involved with the people of the The brothers were involved with the people of the land in ways they didn’t want Jacob to know aboutland in ways they didn’t want Jacob to know about

Questions - vv. 12–17Questions - vv. 12–17

• Why were Jacob’s sons pasturing their flocks fifty Why were Jacob’s sons pasturing their flocks fifty miles from home? miles from home?

• Why did they return to the dangerous area near Why did they return to the dangerous area near Shechem when Jacob’s family had such a bad Shechem when Jacob’s family had such a bad reputation among the citizens there?reputation among the citizens there?

• Why did Jacob send him out to visit them alone Why did Jacob send him out to visit them alone and wearing the special garment that had and wearing the special garment that had aggravated them so much? aggravated them so much?

– One of Jacob’s servants could have performed the One of Jacob’s servants could have performed the same tasksame task

– Psalms 105:17 - “He sent a man before them, even Psalms 105:17 - “He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant”Joseph, who was sold for a servant”

– God was working to accomplish His divine purposes God was working to accomplish His divine purposes for Jacob and his family, and ultimately for the whole for Jacob and his family, and ultimately for the whole worldworld

Conspiracy Causes Division Conspiracy Causes Division vv. 18-30vv. 18-30

• Conspiracy (vv. 18–24) Conspiracy (vv. 18–24) – When he came into sight of his brothers, they immediately When he came into sight of his brothers, they immediately

recognized him afar off and began to make their plansrecognized him afar off and began to make their plans– Jealousy and envy simmers in the heart and waits for the Jealousy and envy simmers in the heart and waits for the

spark that will set off the explosionspark that will set off the explosion– All they needed was the opportunityAll they needed was the opportunity

• Indifference (vv. 23–30) Indifference (vv. 23–30) – It must have given them great pleasure to strip Joseph of It must have given them great pleasure to strip Joseph of

his special robe and then drop him into the empty wellhis special robe and then drop him into the empty well– How could they sit down and calmly eat a meal while their How could they sit down and calmly eat a meal while their

brother was suffering and begging them to set him free?brother was suffering and begging them to set him free?– Just then a Midianite camel train came by, and this gave Just then a Midianite camel train came by, and this gave

Judah an ideaJudah an idea– They could sell their brother as a slave and at the same They could sell their brother as a slave and at the same

time get rid of him and make some moneytime get rid of him and make some money

God was still in control!God was still in control!

Deception Causes Division Deception Causes Division vv. 31-35vv. 31-35

• Proverbs 28:13Proverbs 28:13– ““He who covers his sins will not prosper” He who covers his sins will not prosper”

– God’s unchanging law, but people still think God’s unchanging law, but people still think they can defy it and escape the consequencesthey can defy it and escape the consequences

– One sin led to another as the men fabricated One sin led to another as the men fabricated the evidence that would deceive their father the evidence that would deceive their father into thinking that Joseph was dead, killed by a into thinking that Joseph was dead, killed by a wild beastwild beast

– Jacob’s own sons were following in his Jacob’s own sons were following in his footstepsfootsteps

Deception Causes Division Deception Causes Division vv. 31-35vv. 31-35

• Jacob years later, “All these things are Jacob years later, “All these things are against me”against me”

– Actually all these things were working for him - Actually all these things were working for him - Romans 8:28Romans 8:28

– Doesn’t mean that God approved of or Doesn’t mean that God approved of or engineered the brothers’ hatred and deceptionengineered the brothers’ hatred and deception

– God is so great that He can work out His God is so great that He can work out His purposes even when people are doing their worstpurposes even when people are doing their worst

– The greatest example of this is CalvaryThe greatest example of this is Calvary

• Joseph years later, “You meant evil against Joseph years later, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20)50:20)

God Overrules Division God Overrules Division v. 36v. 36

• God Meant It For Good (v.36)God Meant It For Good (v.36)– Joseph’s - a great example of the benevolent Joseph’s - a great example of the benevolent

providence of Godprovidence of God– The doctrine is spelled out in Romans 8:28The doctrine is spelled out in Romans 8:28

• ““And we know that in all things God works for the And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”according to his purpose”

– God brought Joseph safely to Egypt and saw to God brought Joseph safely to Egypt and saw to it that he was sold to one of Pharaoh’s chief it that he was sold to one of Pharaoh’s chief officersofficers

• Potiphar is called “captain of the guard” which Potiphar is called “captain of the guard” which meant he was head of Pharaoh’s personal meant he was head of Pharaoh’s personal bodyguardbodyguard

• The important thing wasn’t that Joseph was The important thing wasn’t that Joseph was connected with such a powerful man in Egyptconnected with such a powerful man in Egypt

• The important thing was that “the Lord was with The important thing was that “the Lord was with Joseph and he prospered” (Genesis 39:2)Joseph and he prospered” (Genesis 39:2)

God’s ProvidenceGod’s Providence

• The workings of God’s providence are The workings of God’s providence are awesomeawesome

– A great source of encouragement to us in the A great source of encouragement to us in the difficult circumstances of life difficult circumstances of life

– Daniel 4:35Daniel 4:35• ““He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven

and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’ ”done?’ ”

– God uses little things as links in the chain of God uses little things as links in the chain of circumstances circumstances

• When these things are happening, we seldom When these things are happening, we seldom realize how important they arerealize how important they are

• Looking back, we can see that God was at work ‑ Looking back, we can see that God was at work ‑ often when we were least aware of his workingoften when we were least aware of his working

PrinciplesPrinciples

1.1. God removes familiar props to lay His God removes familiar props to lay His foundationfoundation

– We all want securityWe all want security– The problem is, we begin to depend on The problem is, we begin to depend on

the familiar props to provide us what God the familiar props to provide us what God alone will give usalone will give us

– Character is built into us by God, but it Character is built into us by God, but it often comes at the price of something we often comes at the price of something we lovelove

– God did some pretty drastic demolition God did some pretty drastic demolition work in Joseph’s life, in order to get work in Joseph’s life, in order to get Joseph to trust in Him aloneJoseph to trust in Him alone


1.1. God removes familiar props to lay God removes familiar props to lay His foundationHis foundation

2.2. God’s curriculum is seldom one we’d God’s curriculum is seldom one we’d selectselect

– We do not get a voteWe do not get a vote– God knows precisely the kind of work God knows precisely the kind of work

that must be done to make us into His that must be done to make us into His personperson


1.1. God removes familiar props to lay His God removes familiar props to lay His foundationfoundation

2.2. God’s curriculum is seldom one we’d God’s curriculum is seldom one we’d selectselect

3.3. God prepares people before He uses God prepares people before He uses themthem

– God cannot work greatly through us until He God cannot work greatly through us until He works deeply in usworks deeply in us

– Pain and suffering are a part of God’s program: Pain and suffering are a part of God’s program: • Because they press us trust Him alone Because they press us trust Him alone • Trusting Him in the middle of affliction brings you to a Trusting Him in the middle of affliction brings you to a

closer walk with Himcloser walk with Him• When Joseph is finally exhalted, there won’t be a When Joseph is finally exhalted, there won’t be a

doubt in His mind about Who put him theredoubt in His mind about Who put him there


4.4. God never leaves us aloneGod never leaves us alone– Genesis 39:2 - And the Lord was with JosephGenesis 39:2 - And the Lord was with Joseph– Verse 3: The Lord was with himVerse 3: The Lord was with him– Verse 5: the Lord blessed the Egyptian‘s Verse 5: the Lord blessed the Egyptian‘s

house on account of Josephhouse on account of Joseph– Verse 23: The Lord was with him and Verse 23: The Lord was with him and

whatever he did, the Lord made to prosperwhatever he did, the Lord made to prosper– Jesus says, “I will be with you always, even to Jesus says, “I will be with you always, even to

the end of the age”the end of the age”

4.4. God never leaves us aloneGod never leaves us alone– Paul writes in Romans, “what shall separate us Paul writes in Romans, “what shall separate us

from the Love of Christ? Persecution, famine, from the Love of Christ? Persecution, famine, sword, peril?”sword, peril?”

– Will people, circumstances, cancer, friends or Will people, circumstances, cancer, friends or brothers who turn their back on us? No. brothers who turn their back on us? No.

– Not any of those, or any other thing we‘ll ever Not any of those, or any other thing we‘ll ever experience - because God has sworn to be experience - because God has sworn to be faithful to us!faithful to us!

– He constantly tells us, “You are Mine. I have He constantly tells us, “You are Mine. I have called you by name. You follow Me. You trust called you by name. You follow Me. You trust Me. You walk with Me. You be faithful to Me.” Me. You walk with Me. You be faithful to Me.”



4.4. God never leaves us aloneGod never leaves us alone– The source of Joseph’s characterThe source of Joseph’s character– Joseph didn’t “reach down deep inside Joseph didn’t “reach down deep inside

himself” and find character on his ownhimself” and find character on his own• Joseph believed GodJoseph believed God• He knew GodHe knew God• He trusted GodHe trusted God• God was with himGod was with him

– The evidence: “You meant it for evil, but God The evidence: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good”meant it for good”

PrinciplesPrinciples5.5. God is determined to move your God is determined to move your

trust to Him alone trust to Him alone – God will grow you in faith, and He God will grow you in faith, and He

anticipates a response -- one like we’ll anticipates a response -- one like we’ll see produced in Joseph’s lifesee produced in Joseph’s life

– It will hurt at timesIt will hurt at times– It will be costly at timesIt will be costly at times– But the character He develops in you is But the character He develops in you is

always well worth italways well worth it– He’s always right next to usHe’s always right next to us

Causes of Division in the Family Genesis 37:1-36.

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Transcript of Causes of Division in the Family Genesis 37:1-36.