Lessons on faith, patience, and God’s divine plan.
Genesis 37 (World English Bible - WEB)
1: Jacob lived in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
2: These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a youth with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.
3: Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. He made him a coat of many colors.
4: When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and couldn’t speak peaceably to him.
5: Joseph had a dream, and told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.
6: He said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed:
7: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood around and bowed down to my sheaf.”
8: His brothers said to him, “Do you indeed reign over us? Or do you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
9: He dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, saying, “Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”
10: He told it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him, and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”
11: His brothers envied him, but his father kept the saying in mind.
12: Now his brothers went to feed the flock in Shechem.
13: Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He said to him, “Here I am.”
14: He said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me back word.” So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
15: A man found him wandering in the field. The man asked him, “What are you seeking?”
16: He said, “I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me, where they feed their flocks?”
17: The man said, “They have gone from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan.
18: When they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him.
19: They said to one another, “Behold, this dreamer comes.
20: Now therefore, come and let us kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and say, ‘Some evil beast has devoured him.’ We will see what will become of his dreams.”
21: Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hands; and said, “Let us not take his life.”
22: Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hand, to bring him back to his father.
23: So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him.
24: They took him, and cast him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25: Then they sat down to eat bread. They lifted up their eyes, and looked, and behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, going to carry them down to Egypt.
26: Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?
27: Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh.” His brothers agreed.
28: Then there passed by Midianite traders; and they drew Joseph up, and lifted him out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt.
29: Reuben returned to the pit; and behold, Joseph was not in the pit. He tore his clothes.
30: He returned to his brothers, and said, “The child isn’t; and I, where shall I go?”
31: They took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood.
32: They sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, “We have found this. Examine now whether it is your son’s coat or not.”
33: He recognized it, and said, “It is my son’s coat! An evil beast has devoured him. Joseph is surely torn in pieces.”
34: Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
35: All his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted, and said, “No, I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” And his father wept for him.
36: Meanwhile, the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the guard.
"And Joseph said unto his brethren, ‘I dreamed a dream, and, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.’" – Genesis 37:7
Table of Contents
Introduction Joseph’s Dreams Brothers’ Jealousy Betrayal and Sale God’s Providence 5-Minute PrayerIntroduction
Joseph’s Dreams (Genesis 37:5-11)
Joseph received dreams from God that indicated his future prominence. Dreams often reveal God’s purpose, even if they are not immediately understood.
Reflection: Are you listening to God’s dreams and guidance, even when others may not understand?
Brothers’ Jealousy (Genesis 37:12-28)
Joseph’s brothers envied him because of their father’s favoritism and his dreams. Jealousy can lead to destructive choices, but God remains sovereign.
Teaching Point: Guard against envy and trust God’s plan rather than comparing yourself to others.
Betrayal and Sale (Genesis 37:28, 36)
Joseph was sold to traders and taken to Egypt. Even in betrayal, God’s providence was unfolding. Adversity does not thwart God’s plans.
Reflection: When you face unfair treatment, remember God is still in control and can use circumstances for your good.
God’s Providence (Genesis 37:36)
Though Joseph was imprisoned in a foreign land, God’s plan was leading to the fulfillment of His promises. Trust in God’s timing and purpose.
Encouragement: Keep faith in God’s guidance, even when your path seems uncertain or challenging.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Joseph and his unwavering faith. Help us trust Your plans even when we face jealousy, betrayal, or hardship.
Lord, strengthen our hearts to resist envy, maintain integrity, and remain faithful in trials. May we see Your providence at work in every situation.
Father, guide us to walk in obedience and patience, knowing that You work all things together for good for those who love You. Protect us from discouragement and help us cling to Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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