Joseph's been forgotten, and he's in jail for an offense he did not commit. Is he ever gonna get out? We've been reminded several times through this story that Yahuah's been with him and has been blessing everything he does. They can't keep him in jail forever, can they? ...Probably... But that's beside the point.
Beresheet (Genesis) 41:1-8 "Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows te up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh."
Long section, I know, but it's important to keep it together. Anybody else have a wild guess about who might be brought up (possibly out of a nearby jail) to interpret Pharaoh's dream? What are your thoughts on his dream?
Beresheet 41:9-13 "Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: 'I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.'"
Why do you suppose the butler is referring to Pharaoh in the third person? According to Dictionary.com, it came from the word meaning "Great House" So perhaps the name is actually referring to the palace the Pharaoh inhabited? Maybe it was against the law to talk to Pharaoh in first person? I don't really know, but it's something to ponder.
Beresheet 41:14-15 "Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.'"
Aside from the obvious, that Joseph probably really needed a shave, a haircut, and some clean clothes, it was Egyptian fashion for a very long time to have a clean shaven face. Many Egyptians would also shave their heads and wear wigs instead to avoid lice. Why do you see pictures of Pharaohs wearing these weird, fake, rectangular beards? Why did a couple of Egyptian queens also wear these? I remember a show on the Discovery Channel a long time ago that explained that the fake beards were a status symbol. Here's a link for more research on the topic.
Beresheet 41:16 "So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, 'It is not in me; Elohim will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.'"
Smart Joseph, methinks Pharaoh has reached the end of his rope with all the magicians and wise men and just wants an answer, even if it comes from One whom he's never heard of before.
Beresheet 41:17-24 "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: 'Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.'"
Any guesses as to what the dreams might mean?
Beresheet 41:25-32 "Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'The dreams of Pharaoh are one; Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by Elohim, and Elohim will shortly bring it to pass.'"
If Elohim wanted to kill the Egyptians, he could easily blast them off the face of the earth, and chances are they wouldn't see it coming. Why is He telling Pharaoh what's going to happen?
Beresheet 41:33-36 "'Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of thse good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.'"
Ah-ha! He set it up exactly so that Joseph would save Egypt. He did bless him in all that he does, remember?
Beresheet 41:37-38 "So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of Elohim?'"
Saying Joseph converted Pharaoh is a huge stretch, considering the Pharaoh was himself considered a god among people. However, it's not such a stretch that maybe Pharaoh believes in Him too. In addition to the dozens of other gods. Yeah... This is not the best way to go about things if you're going to start believing in Yahuah, ideally, you'll believe in Him and Him alone.
Beresheet 41:39-41 "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as Elohim has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.' And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.'"
Wow. Just, wow. Who'd have thought? As far as I know, in all of Egyptian history, no Pharaoh ever gave all authority to a Hebrew ever again. Not because Joseph messed up, but because they were considered second class citizens. Joseph was the exception to the rule.
Beresheet 41:42-45 "Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, 'Bow the knee!' So he set him over all the land of
Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, 'I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.' And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of [an Egyptian god whose name I'll not record]. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt."
There appears to be a bit of a discrepancy over what Zaphnath-Paaneah means. Here's what Dictionary.com has to say about it.
Beresheet 41:46-50 "Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable."
I'm thinking they'll probably be able to make it through the seven years, considering Egypt still exists today... But they might've cut it close.
Beresheet 41:51-52 "And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of [an Egyptian god whose name I'll not record], bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: 'For Elohim has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.' And the name of the second he called Ephraim: 'For Elohim has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.'"
There's a common blessing in Israeli tradition, bestowed upon the sons of the family. It goes: May Yahuah make you like Ephraim and Manasseh. (The daughters have one that goes: May Yahuah make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.) Those names mean fruitful and forgetful, by the way. Why have Ephraim's name before Manasseh's in the blessing? Manasseh is the oldest, isn't he supposed to go first? We'll find out pretty soon.
Beresheet 41:53-57 "Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, 'Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.' The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands."
Scientists today might call that global warming, climate change, a solar flare-up, or something. How else could a famine cover the entire earth? Stop trying to explain it away. Even if that were the case, no one has 14 years of premonition in their dreams without Someone influencing it. Simple point, if Joseph weren't in that jail, if the butler didn't remember him, if Pharaoh hadn't had that dream or hadn't worried about it, then that famine that occurred a few thousand years ago could very well have killed us all off. It's all happening according to a plan, but what is the goal of the plan?
Music: "My Savior, My God" -Aaron Shust
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Butler and the Baker (No Candlestick Maker)
Quick recap: Joseph told on his brothers and thus became his father's favorite and someone whom they despised. Joseph told all of the above of his strange dreams regarding their wheat or their stars bowing down to his. Joseph was sent by his father to go check on the brothers, who then threw him in a pit. Reuben left the camp for a moment and he came back to find that Joseph had been sold and though he knew the likely consequences of their actions, he helped cover it up. I'm skipping the Tamar and Judah issue in this sum-up. Joseph was sold to Potiphar; a pretty important guy in Egypt. After proving himself, he is given the job of running the house. Potiphar's wife thinks Joseph is a hottie and follows him like a stalker. When he won't sleep with her, she grabs his clothes and he runs off. She told her husband that he tried to sleep with her, and Joseph is sent to jail, which is where we are now.
Beresheet (Genesis) 40:1-4 "It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for awhile."
Do the people who work at the prison still take orders from the captain of the guard or the prison keeper anymore? Looks like most of the authority went to Joseph. Also, what in the world could both the butler and the baker have done to tick off the Pharaoh?
Beresheet 40:5-8 "Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man's dream in one night and each man's dream with its own interpretation. And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the custody of his lord's house, saying, 'Why do you look so sad today?' And they said to him, 'We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.' So Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to Elohim? Tell them to me, please.'"
Ok, we all know Joseph has had some funky dreams. Good kind for him, notsogreat kind for his brothers. Hence, they sold him. But can he actually interpret dreams? Dreams in general are pretty funky. People have dreamed of everything from flying with angel's wings to making friends with geckos to being covered with spiders (the latter being a nightmare) and everything in between! Sometimes they mean something, sometimes they uncover something the person is worrying about, and sometimes they're just there to help pass the time between evening and morning. Sounds like Joseph is planning on leaving the actual interpretation to Yahuah, which is easily the smartest way to go about this.
Beresheet 40:9-11 "Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, 'Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.'"
This doesn't sound like a sad dream at all. If anything, it's a nice dream. Maybe the baker freaked him out with a similar dream on the same night, but I don't really see why the butler would be sad.
Beresheet 40:12-15 "And Joseph said to him, 'This is the interpretation if it: The three branches are three days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you his butler. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.'"
Happy day for the butler! I read somewhere (can't remember exactly where) that the butler to the king was also likely the wine taster. Basically, he took a sip of the king's wine, and if he dropped dead, the king was not going to sip the same wine. Very important man, maybe that had something to do with him ending up in jail?
Beresheet 40:16-17 "When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, 'I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.'"
Hmm... Though it is nice to feed the birds, I don't know if this is necessarily a good dream...
Beresheet 40:18-19 "So Joseph answered and said, 'This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh from you.'"
Ouch!! I wonder what he did that was this horrible. Maybe he tried to kill Pharaoh by baking poison into the bread? Maybe he was simply insolent? Maybe he was grouchy because he had a bad day? Either way, this guy's a goner.
Beresheet 40:20-23 "Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. But he hanged the chief baker; as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."
Everything's going exactly as Joseph said it would, but he was forgotten?! That's pretty sad for Joseph, but this isn't the end of the story; just the end of the chapter. Also, happy day for the butler!
If you have little brothers or sisters, kids of your own, or you happen to enjoy an animated movie, check out the movie Joseph: King of Dreams. It was one of Dreamworks' few animated films that was not entirely done on a computer. It's a good movie, and it tells the entire story of Joseph. It's not as epic as Prince of Egypt (made by the same company), but it's still good stuff.
Beresheet (Genesis) 40:1-4 "It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for awhile."
Do the people who work at the prison still take orders from the captain of the guard or the prison keeper anymore? Looks like most of the authority went to Joseph. Also, what in the world could both the butler and the baker have done to tick off the Pharaoh?
Beresheet 40:5-8 "Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man's dream in one night and each man's dream with its own interpretation. And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the custody of his lord's house, saying, 'Why do you look so sad today?' And they said to him, 'We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.' So Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to Elohim? Tell them to me, please.'"
Ok, we all know Joseph has had some funky dreams. Good kind for him, notsogreat kind for his brothers. Hence, they sold him. But can he actually interpret dreams? Dreams in general are pretty funky. People have dreamed of everything from flying with angel's wings to making friends with geckos to being covered with spiders (the latter being a nightmare) and everything in between! Sometimes they mean something, sometimes they uncover something the person is worrying about, and sometimes they're just there to help pass the time between evening and morning. Sounds like Joseph is planning on leaving the actual interpretation to Yahuah, which is easily the smartest way to go about this.
Beresheet 40:9-11 "Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, 'Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.'"
This doesn't sound like a sad dream at all. If anything, it's a nice dream. Maybe the baker freaked him out with a similar dream on the same night, but I don't really see why the butler would be sad.
Beresheet 40:12-15 "And Joseph said to him, 'This is the interpretation if it: The three branches are three days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you his butler. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.'"
Happy day for the butler! I read somewhere (can't remember exactly where) that the butler to the king was also likely the wine taster. Basically, he took a sip of the king's wine, and if he dropped dead, the king was not going to sip the same wine. Very important man, maybe that had something to do with him ending up in jail?
Beresheet 40:16-17 "When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, 'I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.'"
Hmm... Though it is nice to feed the birds, I don't know if this is necessarily a good dream...
Beresheet 40:18-19 "So Joseph answered and said, 'This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh from you.'"
Ouch!! I wonder what he did that was this horrible. Maybe he tried to kill Pharaoh by baking poison into the bread? Maybe he was simply insolent? Maybe he was grouchy because he had a bad day? Either way, this guy's a goner.
Beresheet 40:20-23 "Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. But he hanged the chief baker; as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."
Everything's going exactly as Joseph said it would, but he was forgotten?! That's pretty sad for Joseph, but this isn't the end of the story; just the end of the chapter. Also, happy day for the butler!
If you have little brothers or sisters, kids of your own, or you happen to enjoy an animated movie, check out the movie Joseph: King of Dreams. It was one of Dreamworks' few animated films that was not entirely done on a computer. It's a good movie, and it tells the entire story of Joseph. It's not as epic as Prince of Egypt (made by the same company), but it's still good stuff.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Dangers of Being Good Looking
The Joseph cliffhanger is officially over as of right now. We're done with Judah's drama, and we're back on track. Now we get to find out what what happened to Joseph.
Beresheet (Genesis) 39:1-6 "Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. Yahuah was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that Yahuah was with him and that Yahuah made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that Yahuah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahuah was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance."
Ok, what did we just learn here in this huge chunk of writing? Joseph was sold, but the Egyptian who bought him treated him well, and everything's looking up, things are going good! He's even a good-looking guy. Is this an extra bonus or could it mess stuff up later? One line in particular is interesting to me: "And he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate." What is this saying? That Joseph is in charge of everything, but he's taking nothing for granted? What are your thoughts?
Beresheet 39:7 "And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me.'"
...What?! I totally understand he's a hottie, but really? Didn't she know she could get in major trouble with your husband for this?!
Beresheet 39:8-9 "But he refused and said to his master's wife, 'Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohim?'"
Smart man. He knows his master literally trusts him with his life. He also knows that he has to be worthy of that trust or he'll easily lose everything. As far as the house goes, Joseph is in charge of everything. The master gave him the reins and he'll take them back if he sees fit.
Beresheet 39:10 "So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her."
It doesn't say anywhere that Joseph is tempted. If anything, the exact opposite is being said. He's not interested in this woman, but she's pining after him like a girl with a crush. All the power and authority that she would get from being the woman of the house is being undermined by her foolish actions. I don't know about you, but I don't see her as an authority figure like I would any other woman of any other house.
Beresheet 39:11-15 "But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me.' But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, 'See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.'"
Oh snap. There went Joseph's credibility and station. This stalker with a crush appears to be of the opinion that if she can't have him, no one can, so she's now out to ruin him.
Beresheet 39:16-18 "So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, 'The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.'"
Do you think his master has a better idea of his character than this, or will he send him away?
Beresheet 39:19-23 "So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, 'Your servant did to me after this manner,' that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoner's were confined. And he was there in the prison. But Yahuah was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because Yahuah was with him; and whatever he did, Yahuah made it prosper."
Sadly, Potiphar does not know his wife. Maybe she stalked him once too. At any rate, it's the servant's word against his wife's. Guess who wins. Even though Joseph's in jail now, it's still sort of looking up.
Music: "Be Still" by Storyside: B
Next time, we find out what happens while he's in prison.
Beresheet (Genesis) 39:1-6 "Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. Yahuah was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that Yahuah was with him and that Yahuah made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that Yahuah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahuah was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance."
Ok, what did we just learn here in this huge chunk of writing? Joseph was sold, but the Egyptian who bought him treated him well, and everything's looking up, things are going good! He's even a good-looking guy. Is this an extra bonus or could it mess stuff up later? One line in particular is interesting to me: "And he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate." What is this saying? That Joseph is in charge of everything, but he's taking nothing for granted? What are your thoughts?
Beresheet 39:7 "And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me.'"
...What?! I totally understand he's a hottie, but really? Didn't she know she could get in major trouble with your husband for this?!
Beresheet 39:8-9 "But he refused and said to his master's wife, 'Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohim?'"
Smart man. He knows his master literally trusts him with his life. He also knows that he has to be worthy of that trust or he'll easily lose everything. As far as the house goes, Joseph is in charge of everything. The master gave him the reins and he'll take them back if he sees fit.
Beresheet 39:10 "So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her."
It doesn't say anywhere that Joseph is tempted. If anything, the exact opposite is being said. He's not interested in this woman, but she's pining after him like a girl with a crush. All the power and authority that she would get from being the woman of the house is being undermined by her foolish actions. I don't know about you, but I don't see her as an authority figure like I would any other woman of any other house.
Beresheet 39:11-15 "But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me.' But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, 'See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.'"
Oh snap. There went Joseph's credibility and station. This stalker with a crush appears to be of the opinion that if she can't have him, no one can, so she's now out to ruin him.
Beresheet 39:16-18 "So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, 'The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.'"
Do you think his master has a better idea of his character than this, or will he send him away?
Beresheet 39:19-23 "So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, 'Your servant did to me after this manner,' that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoner's were confined. And he was there in the prison. But Yahuah was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because Yahuah was with him; and whatever he did, Yahuah made it prosper."
Sadly, Potiphar does not know his wife. Maybe she stalked him once too. At any rate, it's the servant's word against his wife's. Guess who wins. Even though Joseph's in jail now, it's still sort of looking up.
Music: "Be Still" by Storyside: B
Next time, we find out what happens while he's in prison.
Soap Opera Drama!
Warning: This is another kid-unfriendly chapter. You'd be surprised how much of the Bible would be considered R-rated if it were accurately depicted onscreen.
Even though many of us have read the Bible (or at least the stories inside), the writers still decide to add some cliffhangers. The chapter that we're reading today will have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Joseph. Yes, we will get back to him, but first we have some family drama to deal with. Why does this chapter have nothing to do with Joseph? Why deal with a cliffhanger? I'm guessing this is because Genesis is largely a chronological book. There is not a whole lot of skipping around. Foreshadowing, yes. Actual skipping, no.
Anyway, let's read this soap opera of a chapter and next post deals with what happens to Joseph next.
By the way, I mean no disrespect by calling it a soap opera. I'm merely explaining that the drama that occurs in this chapter sounds like something that you might watch on Days of Our Lives.
Beresheet (Genesis) 38:1-5 "It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her. So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him."
Why they specify a "certain Adullamite" and a "certain Canaanite" is beyond me. It's almost like we're expected to know who these men are. Methinks we're missing some back story. I also think we probably won't be filled in.
Beresheet 38:6-10 "Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahuah, and Yahuah killed him. And Judah said to Onan, 'Go in to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.' But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased Yahuah; therefore He killed him also."
There was a tradition in biblical times, and it went that if a man was married and he died before they had a son, then the next closest male relative was supposed to become a kinsman redeemer. That is, he was supposed to make sure that his relative's bloodline continued rather than going extinct with him. The son would be considered his relative's son, and everybody's supposed to be happy and honored. Onan did not honor his brother and do his job. He wanted to have his own son, which he would probably have been allowed to do, had he followed the law of the time. But he did not, so Yahuah killed him.
Beresheet 38:11 "Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, 'Remain a widow in your father's house till my son Shelah is grown.' For he said, 'Lest he also die like his brothers.' And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house."
I understand waiting for Shelah to grow up, but why does he suddenly sound so sneaky?
Beresheet 38:12-19 "Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah's wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And it was told Tamar, saying, 'Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.' So she took off her widow's garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. Then he turned to her by the way, and said, 'Please let me come in to you'; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. So she said, 'What will you give me, that yo may come in to me?' And he said, 'I will send a young goat from the flock.' So she said, 'Will you give me a pledge till you send it?' Then he said, 'What pledge shall I give you?' So she said, 'Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand.' Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. So she arose and went away, and laid aside her veil and put on the garments of her widowhood."
I know that was a long piece, but I was having a hard time finding a good break-off point. Anyway, wow. What can I say? I really don't know. What kind of man is Judah if he sees who he thinks is a prostitute and automatically goes and asks to sleep with her? I understand his wife is dead, but really? I'm guessing Tamar is making Judah act as Er's kinsman redeemer now. On a semi-separate note, a signet ring is a ring that is unique to the person. There is only one of that exact design in the whole world. There are lots of signet rings, but they are all different.
Beresheet 38:20-24 "And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand, but he did not find her. Then he asked the men of that place, saying, 'Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?' And they said, 'There was no harlot in this place.' So he returned to Judah and said, 'I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.' Then Judah said, 'Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.' And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, 'Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore she is with child by harlotry.' So Judah said, 'Bring her out and let her be burned!'"
Can you hear the DUN DUN DUN too? I sure do. On a side note, wouldn't um... what Judah and Tamar did be a bit difficult to do without him finding out who she is? Maybe the lights were dim or the veil was really tight. I don't know, and I don't really care to find out. Just pondering. This seems to happen fairly often... *cough cough Jacob and Leah cough*
Beresheet 38:25 "When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, 'By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.' And she said, 'Please determine whose these are -- the signet and cord, and staff.'"
Is Judah going to pretend he doesn't know what's happening and burn her anyway, or will he acknowledge that he royally messed up? By the way, he's about ready to burn her for sleeping with someone else, but he can go and impregnate a harlot without consequence? Double standard!
Beresheet 38:26 "So Judah acknowledged them and said, 'She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.' And he never knew her again."
Judah might be irritated by his little brothers, he might go and sleep with a harlot, he might sell his younger brother, he might even keep his youngest son from becoming his big brother's kinsman redeemer, but he's not all bad. There's some honor in him.
Beresheet 38:27-30 "Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb. And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, 'This one came out first.' Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, 'How did you break through? This breach be upon you!' Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah."
...Why do they care which one came out first? The firstborn son always got a ton of perks in his inheritance. The lion's share, if you will. The second, third, fourth, etc.? Notsomuch. It all works out though, except perhaps in cases where one or the other is the parent's favorite. Example: Jacob was his mom's favorite. Joseph was his dad's favorite. Bad stuff happens when parents play favorites!
Next time, we'll get back to Joseph.
In the meantime, if you could use a laugh after all this soap opera drama, check out Nigahiga's Rant on Asian Dramas on Youtube. No, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Bible, but it's funny and I couldn't find any soap opera-y songs. I know they exist, I just didn't look very hard.
Even though many of us have read the Bible (or at least the stories inside), the writers still decide to add some cliffhangers. The chapter that we're reading today will have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Joseph. Yes, we will get back to him, but first we have some family drama to deal with. Why does this chapter have nothing to do with Joseph? Why deal with a cliffhanger? I'm guessing this is because Genesis is largely a chronological book. There is not a whole lot of skipping around. Foreshadowing, yes. Actual skipping, no.
Anyway, let's read this soap opera of a chapter and next post deals with what happens to Joseph next.
By the way, I mean no disrespect by calling it a soap opera. I'm merely explaining that the drama that occurs in this chapter sounds like something that you might watch on Days of Our Lives.
Beresheet (Genesis) 38:1-5 "It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her. So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him."
Why they specify a "certain Adullamite" and a "certain Canaanite" is beyond me. It's almost like we're expected to know who these men are. Methinks we're missing some back story. I also think we probably won't be filled in.
Beresheet 38:6-10 "Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahuah, and Yahuah killed him. And Judah said to Onan, 'Go in to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.' But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased Yahuah; therefore He killed him also."
There was a tradition in biblical times, and it went that if a man was married and he died before they had a son, then the next closest male relative was supposed to become a kinsman redeemer. That is, he was supposed to make sure that his relative's bloodline continued rather than going extinct with him. The son would be considered his relative's son, and everybody's supposed to be happy and honored. Onan did not honor his brother and do his job. He wanted to have his own son, which he would probably have been allowed to do, had he followed the law of the time. But he did not, so Yahuah killed him.
Beresheet 38:11 "Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, 'Remain a widow in your father's house till my son Shelah is grown.' For he said, 'Lest he also die like his brothers.' And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house."
I understand waiting for Shelah to grow up, but why does he suddenly sound so sneaky?
Beresheet 38:12-19 "Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah's wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And it was told Tamar, saying, 'Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.' So she took off her widow's garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. Then he turned to her by the way, and said, 'Please let me come in to you'; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. So she said, 'What will you give me, that yo may come in to me?' And he said, 'I will send a young goat from the flock.' So she said, 'Will you give me a pledge till you send it?' Then he said, 'What pledge shall I give you?' So she said, 'Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand.' Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. So she arose and went away, and laid aside her veil and put on the garments of her widowhood."
I know that was a long piece, but I was having a hard time finding a good break-off point. Anyway, wow. What can I say? I really don't know. What kind of man is Judah if he sees who he thinks is a prostitute and automatically goes and asks to sleep with her? I understand his wife is dead, but really? I'm guessing Tamar is making Judah act as Er's kinsman redeemer now. On a semi-separate note, a signet ring is a ring that is unique to the person. There is only one of that exact design in the whole world. There are lots of signet rings, but they are all different.
Beresheet 38:20-24 "And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand, but he did not find her. Then he asked the men of that place, saying, 'Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?' And they said, 'There was no harlot in this place.' So he returned to Judah and said, 'I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.' Then Judah said, 'Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.' And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, 'Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore she is with child by harlotry.' So Judah said, 'Bring her out and let her be burned!'"
Can you hear the DUN DUN DUN too? I sure do. On a side note, wouldn't um... what Judah and Tamar did be a bit difficult to do without him finding out who she is? Maybe the lights were dim or the veil was really tight. I don't know, and I don't really care to find out. Just pondering. This seems to happen fairly often... *cough cough Jacob and Leah cough*
Beresheet 38:25 "When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, 'By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.' And she said, 'Please determine whose these are -- the signet and cord, and staff.'"
Is Judah going to pretend he doesn't know what's happening and burn her anyway, or will he acknowledge that he royally messed up? By the way, he's about ready to burn her for sleeping with someone else, but he can go and impregnate a harlot without consequence? Double standard!
Beresheet 38:26 "So Judah acknowledged them and said, 'She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.' And he never knew her again."
Judah might be irritated by his little brothers, he might go and sleep with a harlot, he might sell his younger brother, he might even keep his youngest son from becoming his big brother's kinsman redeemer, but he's not all bad. There's some honor in him.
Beresheet 38:27-30 "Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb. And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, 'This one came out first.' Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, 'How did you break through? This breach be upon you!' Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah."
...Why do they care which one came out first? The firstborn son always got a ton of perks in his inheritance. The lion's share, if you will. The second, third, fourth, etc.? Notsomuch. It all works out though, except perhaps in cases where one or the other is the parent's favorite. Example: Jacob was his mom's favorite. Joseph was his dad's favorite. Bad stuff happens when parents play favorites!
Next time, we'll get back to Joseph.
In the meantime, if you could use a laugh after all this soap opera drama, check out Nigahiga's Rant on Asian Dramas on Youtube. No, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Bible, but it's funny and I couldn't find any soap opera-y songs. I know they exist, I just didn't look very hard.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I'm Not Alright
We had one chapter on Esau and now we're back to Jacob and his family.
Beresheet (Genesis) 37:1-2a"Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob."
Finishing up Jacob's story, moving onward.
Beresheet 37:2b "Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father."
At seventeen, this guy is still telling on his brothers? Really? Dang. I guess he is the second youngest, and that's kinda what they do, but still! You'd think he'd learn by now that that is no way to make friends with your older sibs.
Beresheet 37:3-4 "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him."
Don't you hate it when people play favorites and you're not the favorite? And how does Joseph qualify as the son of Israel's old age? Didn't Rachel die bearing Benjamin? Wouldn't he be the son of his old age? Maybe they were both his favorites, but Benjamin hasn't grown out of the cute munchkin stage yet and therefore, his brothers don't appear to hold a grudge against him yet. On another note, if you have siblings, then you know you probably tease each other and drive each other crazy. Most sets of siblings also love each other, so it all evens out but Joseph's brothers don't, so it doesn't. There's nothing keeping them from being total jerks.
Beresheet 37:5-7 "Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, 'Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.'"
Dreams are often symbolic, and the brothers know it. They don't like it at all. Many of them probably remember the years before Joseph was born, they can't imagine actually bowing down to him. If you're an elder sibling, do you expect respect from your younger sibling(s) or do you expect to elevate them well above your station? Can you see how this would irritate his ten big brothers?
Beresheet 37:8 "And his brothers said to him, 'Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?' So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words."
See what I mean? As far as they're concerned, this simply isn't done. There are major perks to being the first born, not the second-to-last.
Beresheet 37:9 "Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, 'Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.'"
Why? Why tell them this?? They already hate your guts, Joseph! They don't want to hear your dreams! You need to be trying to make things better with them, not telling them your dreams of being elevated above them!
Beresheet 37:10-11 "So he told it to his father and 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 down to the earth before you?' And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind."
Not even his dad likes the idea of Joseph being elevated so high.
Beresheet 37:12-14 "Then his brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, 'Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.' So he said to him, 'Here I am.' Then he said to him, 'Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me.' So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem."
Formerly a thriving city, Shechem is now a field to feed the sheep at. He got in trouble with his brothers once for telling on them, and he's being asked to do it again. I'm not sure how much more he can alienate himself.
Beresheet 37:15-17 "Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, 'What are you seeking?' So he said, 'I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks.' And the man said, 'They have departed from here, for I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan".' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan."
So... A random guy is wandering around in the field too and knows who and where Joseph's brothers are? That would be mighty peculiar if we didn't know that angels visited earth from time to time in this book.
Beresheet 37:18-20 "Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. Then they said to one another, 'Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, "Some wild beast has devoured him." We shall see what will become of his dreams!"
Really?!? They really truly hate their brother! They would kill their brother, cover it up, and break their father's heart just to be rid of him!
Beresheet 37:21-22 "But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, 'Let us not kill him.' And Reuben said to them, 'Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him." -That he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father."
Thank you Reuben! As an eldest sibling, I would do just about anything to keep my sibs safe, even if I'm mad at them. Reuben seems to have the same idea.
Beresheet 37:23-24 "So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it."
Yeah, I'd stick my baby sister in a well if it meant her life would be saved, but just thinking of who is threatening Joseph's life is terrible.
Beresheet 37:25-28 "And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. So Judah said to his brothers, 'What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 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.' And his brothers listened. Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt."
So... Why get rid of him when you can get rid of him and make money? Judah, really? Do the last seventeen years of your life with your little brother mean nothing to you? I know little sibs can be annoying, but really??
Beresheet 37:29-30 "Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. And he returned to his brothers and said, 'The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?'"
Ah, so Reuben wasn't in on this. He did want to bring Joseph back home anyway. I imagine he probably just went to get a drink of water from the stream or maybe something for Joseph, came back, and he wasn't there. But hey! He gets two shekels out of the deal, there's a bright side to this, right? Right? No. Not really. A brother is worth way more than two shekels. FYI: A shekel is worth about a third of a dollar. They sold him for a little under $7.00. Though you do have to count for a few thousands years of inflation... Nope, not worth it.
Beresheet 37:31-32 "So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, 'We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?'"
Dang. They're good at cover-ups, but I imagine Reuben couldn't look his father in the eye for awhile after this.
Beresheet 37:33-35 "And he recognized it and said, 'It is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.' Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, 'For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.' Thus his father wept for him."
Jacob's sons literally sent him into a spiraling depression. Also, since when are Jacob's daughters plural? The only one we've heard of is Dinah, though I guess there could be more. There isn't a whole lot of mention for females in the Bible. Unless a woman plays an extremely important part (like Eve being the mother of all mankind), she simply isn't named. Also, do you know what sackcloth is? Think about it. Sack + cloth. When you go to buy rice in those big brown cloth sacks, they're made of burlap. That's some of the itchiest, most uncomfortable cloth that I know of. A wool sweater is itchy too, but it's warm. Burlap is not. Sackcloth isn't made for comfort, it's made to hold stuff.
Beresheet 37:36 "Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard."
That's a long way from home. Let's hope stuff starts to look up soon.
I think this song could sum up Jacob/Israel, Reuben, and especially Joseph right now. "I'm Not Alright" -Sanctus Real
-Kj
Beresheet (Genesis) 37:1-2a"Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob."
Finishing up Jacob's story, moving onward.
Beresheet 37:2b "Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father."
At seventeen, this guy is still telling on his brothers? Really? Dang. I guess he is the second youngest, and that's kinda what they do, but still! You'd think he'd learn by now that that is no way to make friends with your older sibs.
Beresheet 37:3-4 "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him."
Don't you hate it when people play favorites and you're not the favorite? And how does Joseph qualify as the son of Israel's old age? Didn't Rachel die bearing Benjamin? Wouldn't he be the son of his old age? Maybe they were both his favorites, but Benjamin hasn't grown out of the cute munchkin stage yet and therefore, his brothers don't appear to hold a grudge against him yet. On another note, if you have siblings, then you know you probably tease each other and drive each other crazy. Most sets of siblings also love each other, so it all evens out but Joseph's brothers don't, so it doesn't. There's nothing keeping them from being total jerks.
Beresheet 37:5-7 "Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, 'Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.'"
Dreams are often symbolic, and the brothers know it. They don't like it at all. Many of them probably remember the years before Joseph was born, they can't imagine actually bowing down to him. If you're an elder sibling, do you expect respect from your younger sibling(s) or do you expect to elevate them well above your station? Can you see how this would irritate his ten big brothers?
Beresheet 37:8 "And his brothers said to him, 'Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?' So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words."
See what I mean? As far as they're concerned, this simply isn't done. There are major perks to being the first born, not the second-to-last.
Beresheet 37:9 "Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, 'Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.'"
Why? Why tell them this?? They already hate your guts, Joseph! They don't want to hear your dreams! You need to be trying to make things better with them, not telling them your dreams of being elevated above them!
Beresheet 37:10-11 "So he told it to his father and 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 down to the earth before you?' And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind."
Not even his dad likes the idea of Joseph being elevated so high.
Beresheet 37:12-14 "Then his brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, 'Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.' So he said to him, 'Here I am.' Then he said to him, 'Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me.' So he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem."
Formerly a thriving city, Shechem is now a field to feed the sheep at. He got in trouble with his brothers once for telling on them, and he's being asked to do it again. I'm not sure how much more he can alienate himself.
Beresheet 37:15-17 "Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, 'What are you seeking?' So he said, 'I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks.' And the man said, 'They have departed from here, for I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan".' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan."
So... A random guy is wandering around in the field too and knows who and where Joseph's brothers are? That would be mighty peculiar if we didn't know that angels visited earth from time to time in this book.
Beresheet 37:18-20 "Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. Then they said to one another, 'Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, "Some wild beast has devoured him." We shall see what will become of his dreams!"
Really?!? They really truly hate their brother! They would kill their brother, cover it up, and break their father's heart just to be rid of him!
Beresheet 37:21-22 "But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, 'Let us not kill him.' And Reuben said to them, 'Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him." -That he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father."
Thank you Reuben! As an eldest sibling, I would do just about anything to keep my sibs safe, even if I'm mad at them. Reuben seems to have the same idea.
Beresheet 37:23-24 "So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it."
Yeah, I'd stick my baby sister in a well if it meant her life would be saved, but just thinking of who is threatening Joseph's life is terrible.
Beresheet 37:25-28 "And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. So Judah said to his brothers, 'What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 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.' And his brothers listened. Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt."
So... Why get rid of him when you can get rid of him and make money? Judah, really? Do the last seventeen years of your life with your little brother mean nothing to you? I know little sibs can be annoying, but really??
Beresheet 37:29-30 "Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. And he returned to his brothers and said, 'The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?'"
Ah, so Reuben wasn't in on this. He did want to bring Joseph back home anyway. I imagine he probably just went to get a drink of water from the stream or maybe something for Joseph, came back, and he wasn't there. But hey! He gets two shekels out of the deal, there's a bright side to this, right? Right? No. Not really. A brother is worth way more than two shekels. FYI: A shekel is worth about a third of a dollar. They sold him for a little under $7.00. Though you do have to count for a few thousands years of inflation... Nope, not worth it.
Beresheet 37:31-32 "So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, 'We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?'"
Dang. They're good at cover-ups, but I imagine Reuben couldn't look his father in the eye for awhile after this.
Beresheet 37:33-35 "And he recognized it and said, 'It is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.' Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, 'For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.' Thus his father wept for him."
Jacob's sons literally sent him into a spiraling depression. Also, since when are Jacob's daughters plural? The only one we've heard of is Dinah, though I guess there could be more. There isn't a whole lot of mention for females in the Bible. Unless a woman plays an extremely important part (like Eve being the mother of all mankind), she simply isn't named. Also, do you know what sackcloth is? Think about it. Sack + cloth. When you go to buy rice in those big brown cloth sacks, they're made of burlap. That's some of the itchiest, most uncomfortable cloth that I know of. A wool sweater is itchy too, but it's warm. Burlap is not. Sackcloth isn't made for comfort, it's made to hold stuff.
Beresheet 37:36 "Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard."
That's a long way from home. Let's hope stuff starts to look up soon.
I think this song could sum up Jacob/Israel, Reuben, and especially Joseph right now. "I'm Not Alright" -Sanctus Real
-Kj
What Happened to Esau?
Most of this chapter is genealogies, and since I'm trying to keep a teenage/ young adult audience interested, I'll skip straight to the interesting part for you. You can read the rest on your own time if you like, but the names can be tongue-twisters.
Beresheet (Genesis) 36:6-8 "Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom."
He didn't leave Jacob on bad terms, they just had too many livestock. Grass in a field can only feed so many goats before they start running around and eating everything else.
Did you make it through the genealogies? When reading all those funky names, remember that they're not just random conglomerations of letters, they actually have meanings. Our names still have meanings today, aside from the obvious Faith, Hope, Destiny, etc., think of the other names out there...
I'll name myself and a few of my friends and family as an example: Krystal ("Clear" or "Ice"), Kelsey ("Ship Victory"), Bethany ("House of Figs" or "House of Poverty", depending on where you look), Steven ("Crown"), Jordan ("descend" or "flow down"), Howard ("Guardian"), Jennifer ("Fair"), Rachael ("Ewe"), Denah ("Judgement"), Diana ("Heavenly, Divine"), Rick (Short for Frederick, "Peaceful Ruler"), Danielle/Daniel (God is My Judge), Josiah ("Yahuah Supports"), etc.
Sometimes names give away part of the character of a person. For example, my dad's name is Howard, which means "Guardian", and he's the protector of his house. I couldn't ask for a better guardian.
Homework: Where is Edom now?
-Kj
P.S. All name definitions come from this website: www.behindthename.com
Beresheet (Genesis) 36:6-8 "Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom."
He didn't leave Jacob on bad terms, they just had too many livestock. Grass in a field can only feed so many goats before they start running around and eating everything else.
Did you make it through the genealogies? When reading all those funky names, remember that they're not just random conglomerations of letters, they actually have meanings. Our names still have meanings today, aside from the obvious Faith, Hope, Destiny, etc., think of the other names out there...
I'll name myself and a few of my friends and family as an example: Krystal ("Clear" or "Ice"), Kelsey ("Ship Victory"), Bethany ("House of Figs" or "House of Poverty", depending on where you look), Steven ("Crown"), Jordan ("descend" or "flow down"), Howard ("Guardian"), Jennifer ("Fair"), Rachael ("Ewe"), Denah ("Judgement"), Diana ("Heavenly, Divine"), Rick (Short for Frederick, "Peaceful Ruler"), Danielle/Daniel (God is My Judge), Josiah ("Yahuah Supports"), etc.
Sometimes names give away part of the character of a person. For example, my dad's name is Howard, which means "Guardian", and he's the protector of his house. I couldn't ask for a better guardian.
Homework: Where is Edom now?
-Kj
P.S. All name definitions come from this website: www.behindthename.com
A Long Awaited Family Reunion
Today, my dear readers, is the last day of Sukkot, and therefore a high holy day. I would've written on the first day of Sukkot, on Yom Kippur, and on Rosh HaShanah, but I was spending time with my friends and family on those days and didn't have time to post. I'll still be hanging out with my family today, but not friends (we had all had dinner together last night), so I have more time today.
Beresheet (Genesis) 35:1 "Then Elohim said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to Elohim, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.'"
Anyone else remember Bethel? Here's a hint: Jacob slept there with a stone as his pillow on the night he ran away from home. He even changed it's name, it was originally Luz. That was where he dreamed of the angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. In case you're wondering, Bethel is a word composed of two other words (like our prefixes and suffixes in English). Beth means house in Hebrew, and El means God. So Bethel could be roughly translated to mean House of God.
Beresheet 35:2-4 "And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to Elohim, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.' So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem."
One question: Why in the world would any of Jacob's camp even have idols at this point? I don't know. Let's hope he hid them where no one else can find them and does not intend to dig them back up. As far as their location, it would appear that they're just now leaving Shechem. Remember Shechem? The place that Simeon and Levi totally destroyed because of what happened to Dinah? You don't? Well read the post before this one (provided you're old enough to handle it) and come back when you're done.
Beresheet 35:5-7 "And they journeyed, and the terror of Elohim was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there Elohim appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother."
It would appear that the citizens of Luz haven't caught on to the name-change yet.
Beresheet 35:8 "Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth."
Allon Bachuth literally means Terebinth of Weeping. Can you imagine? Jacob's sons and daughter have never met Rebekah, so Deborah must've been like a grandmother to them in her place. It is a very, very sad day when a grandma dies.
Beresheet 35:9-15 "Then Elohim appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And Elohim said to him, 'Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel should be your name.' So He called his name Israel. Also Elohim said to him: 'I am Elohim Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.' Then Elohim went up from him in the place where he talked with him. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where Elohim spoke with him, Bethel.
Jacob's name was changed to Israel a couple of chapters ago. Maybe he hasn't caught on to the name-change yet either. Also, he needs to think of some more names for places. He and Yahuah are creating a personal relationship here. If he names every place where he's spoken to Yahuah "Bethel," then it will be very hard to give any directions in the area. It's a great name for a place, but it will get to be quite confusing if he's drawing a map.
Beresheet 35:16-20 "Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, 'Do not fear; you will have this son also.' And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni, but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day."
In case you're wondering why Jacob/Israel changed the child's name, Ben-Oni means "Son of my Sorrow," while Benjamin means "Son of my right hand." This is another very sad day. If you recall, Rachel was the one and only woman Jacob/Israel originally intended to marry. She was the only one he truly loved. Yes, he still has three wives, and he very well could've grown to love them too, but none of them are the one. On a separate note, when do you think "to this day" refers to? It could be the time it was written in Hebrew, it could be the time it was translated into the KJV back in the 1400s, it could be the time it was translated into the NKJV more recently, or it could be right now. If anyone cares to help me figure this one out, I'd be much obliged. According to Blue Letter Bible (online), they say it a total of 85 times in the entire NKJV Bible.
Beresheet 35:21-22a "Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard about it."
Deborah and Rachel died, and Reuben slept with his... I don't know what to call her, so let's say she's an aunt. Is there no good news?
Beresheet 35:22b-26 "Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; the sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin; the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali; and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan Aram."
Summing up, I think we already know this, but okay.
Beresheet 35:27-29 "Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt. Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years. So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Another sad day!! ='(
This is a depressing chapter! Nothing's going right! The chapter before wasn't pretty either. Let's hope things start to look up soon.
Music for the chapter: "After Today" and "Benjamin" by Sanctus Real.
-Kj
Beresheet (Genesis) 35:1 "Then Elohim said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to Elohim, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.'"
Anyone else remember Bethel? Here's a hint: Jacob slept there with a stone as his pillow on the night he ran away from home. He even changed it's name, it was originally Luz. That was where he dreamed of the angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. In case you're wondering, Bethel is a word composed of two other words (like our prefixes and suffixes in English). Beth means house in Hebrew, and El means God. So Bethel could be roughly translated to mean House of God.
Beresheet 35:2-4 "And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to Elohim, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.' So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem."
One question: Why in the world would any of Jacob's camp even have idols at this point? I don't know. Let's hope he hid them where no one else can find them and does not intend to dig them back up. As far as their location, it would appear that they're just now leaving Shechem. Remember Shechem? The place that Simeon and Levi totally destroyed because of what happened to Dinah? You don't? Well read the post before this one (provided you're old enough to handle it) and come back when you're done.
Beresheet 35:5-7 "And they journeyed, and the terror of Elohim was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there Elohim appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother."
It would appear that the citizens of Luz haven't caught on to the name-change yet.
Beresheet 35:8 "Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth."
Allon Bachuth literally means Terebinth of Weeping. Can you imagine? Jacob's sons and daughter have never met Rebekah, so Deborah must've been like a grandmother to them in her place. It is a very, very sad day when a grandma dies.
Beresheet 35:9-15 "Then Elohim appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And Elohim said to him, 'Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel should be your name.' So He called his name Israel. Also Elohim said to him: 'I am Elohim Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.' Then Elohim went up from him in the place where he talked with him. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where Elohim spoke with him, Bethel.
Jacob's name was changed to Israel a couple of chapters ago. Maybe he hasn't caught on to the name-change yet either. Also, he needs to think of some more names for places. He and Yahuah are creating a personal relationship here. If he names every place where he's spoken to Yahuah "Bethel," then it will be very hard to give any directions in the area. It's a great name for a place, but it will get to be quite confusing if he's drawing a map.
Beresheet 35:16-20 "Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, 'Do not fear; you will have this son also.' And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni, but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day."
In case you're wondering why Jacob/Israel changed the child's name, Ben-Oni means "Son of my Sorrow," while Benjamin means "Son of my right hand." This is another very sad day. If you recall, Rachel was the one and only woman Jacob/Israel originally intended to marry. She was the only one he truly loved. Yes, he still has three wives, and he very well could've grown to love them too, but none of them are the one. On a separate note, when do you think "to this day" refers to? It could be the time it was written in Hebrew, it could be the time it was translated into the KJV back in the 1400s, it could be the time it was translated into the NKJV more recently, or it could be right now. If anyone cares to help me figure this one out, I'd be much obliged. According to Blue Letter Bible (online), they say it a total of 85 times in the entire NKJV Bible.
Beresheet 35:21-22a "Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard about it."
Deborah and Rachel died, and Reuben slept with his... I don't know what to call her, so let's say she's an aunt. Is there no good news?
Beresheet 35:22b-26 "Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; the sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin; the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali; and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan Aram."
Summing up, I think we already know this, but okay.
Beresheet 35:27-29 "Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt. Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years. So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Another sad day!! ='(
This is a depressing chapter! Nothing's going right! The chapter before wasn't pretty either. Let's hope things start to look up soon.
Music for the chapter: "After Today" and "Benjamin" by Sanctus Real.
-Kj
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Dinah
Parental Advisory: Today's portion deals with some major adult-type issues, so if you'd rather any children in the area find something else to do, Veggie Tales is a good movie series for the kids. Anyways, Beresheet (Genesis) 34:
Beresheet 34:1-4 "Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, 'Get me this young woman as a wife.'"
The number of things wrong with this picture isn't very large, but the things that are wrong are huge. Dinah just wanted to go hang out with some other girls. She's lived her whole life with eleven guys, so this is totally understandable. She might've gone to a party or something, but it says she went to "see the daughters of the land" not to find a man. Finding a husband wasn't even her job! But Shechem saw her and he had to have her. In more ways than one. You'll notice he took her and then he loved and sweet-talked her. This is backwards and very wrong and missing the very important element of marriage. One of the few things that will still shock the modern American is rape, and this is also the case with the culture there and then. This shock, my dear readers, is an understatement, as you will soon find.
Beresheet 34:5-10 "And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing which ought not to be done. But Hamor spoke with them, saying, 'The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves. So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.'"
Hamor understands that his son royally messed up, and he is trying to make amends. Make an alliance, so maybe they won't be attacked. Jacob could very well have been practically a king in those days. True, he and his family were nomads, but it was a very large family, with a lot of servants and people in the camp. A prince is pleading for an alliance with Jacob, but will he get it? Also, Jacob's sons are growing up, not all of them are little kids anymore and they love their sister. Imagine being a girl with eleven brothers. Do you honestly think any guys who treat you badly will get away with it?
Beresheet 34:11-12 "Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, 'Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.'"
Excuse me Shechem, but you need to butt out. It's understood and obvious that you want this girl. You took her and stole her virginity. You need to shut up. Your dad is trying to make things better, but you're not helping. Oh, and another thing, Dinah's brothers will definitely take you up on that offer.
Beresheet 34:13-17 "But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. And they said to them, 'We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us. But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.'"
Circumcision is an outward sign of a man's devotion to Yahuah. Asking an entire city of pagans to become circumcised is a big deal; if the city really wanted to do it, it would be like converting a ton of people, but no, these two men are speaking for an entire city. They don't know if the individuals living therein actually want to join with Jacob or not, and they're making a big, painful promise. I have no idea how painful, as I am a girl and never had to go through it, but I've heard it'll have a perfectly healthy, strong man laying in bed in pain for a few days. As far as I know, they didn't have any local anesthetic back then either.
Beresheet 34:18-19 "And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son. So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father."
I will have to assume that the last sentence in that paragraph was true, even though up until now it's seemed pretty unlikely. If a rapist is more honorable than the household of his father, then what in the world has his father's household been up to?? ...Don't answer that, I don't want nightmares.
Beresheet 34:20-24 "And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying: 'These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters. Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.' And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city."
Hamor is pretty dang sneaky. He knows what to say to get the men of the city interested; plenty of ladies and free property and livestock? I'm beginning to understand the idea that Shechem might be more honorable than his father, as nasty as that suggestion might be.
Beresheet 34:25-29 "Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field, and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses."
That's a pretty low blow, somehow I doubt Jacob was in on it.
Beresheet 34:30-31 "Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, 'You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.' But they said, 'Should he treat our sister like a harlot?'"
If it takes the Canaanites and Perizzites together to come up with a force big enough to take down Jacob, he can't be that small. It's a legitimate fear though, the neighbors probably saw what was going on. They could've heard about the deal made; every male circumcised in exchange for living in peace. The deal was made and Simeon and Levi broke it. That labels Jacob's household as being untrustworthy and blood thirsty, and it would be a good idea to get out of there. It definitely sets an example for the other nations; you mess with Jacob's daughter, you will die.
I noticed one thing in my research, Dinah's name is only mentioned 8 times in the entire NKJV. We don't know how her story ends. We don't know if she had Shechem's kid. We don't know if she married or died alone. We don't know the end of this story. So the homework for this passage is listen to the song "Beautiful Ending" by Barlow Girl. Let's hope Dinah's story had an ending like this, the story is depressing enough without a good ending.
Beresheet 34:1-4 "Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, 'Get me this young woman as a wife.'"
The number of things wrong with this picture isn't very large, but the things that are wrong are huge. Dinah just wanted to go hang out with some other girls. She's lived her whole life with eleven guys, so this is totally understandable. She might've gone to a party or something, but it says she went to "see the daughters of the land" not to find a man. Finding a husband wasn't even her job! But Shechem saw her and he had to have her. In more ways than one. You'll notice he took her and then he loved and sweet-talked her. This is backwards and very wrong and missing the very important element of marriage. One of the few things that will still shock the modern American is rape, and this is also the case with the culture there and then. This shock, my dear readers, is an understatement, as you will soon find.
Beresheet 34:5-10 "And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing which ought not to be done. But Hamor spoke with them, saying, 'The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves. So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.'"
Hamor understands that his son royally messed up, and he is trying to make amends. Make an alliance, so maybe they won't be attacked. Jacob could very well have been practically a king in those days. True, he and his family were nomads, but it was a very large family, with a lot of servants and people in the camp. A prince is pleading for an alliance with Jacob, but will he get it? Also, Jacob's sons are growing up, not all of them are little kids anymore and they love their sister. Imagine being a girl with eleven brothers. Do you honestly think any guys who treat you badly will get away with it?
Beresheet 34:11-12 "Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, 'Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.'"
Excuse me Shechem, but you need to butt out. It's understood and obvious that you want this girl. You took her and stole her virginity. You need to shut up. Your dad is trying to make things better, but you're not helping. Oh, and another thing, Dinah's brothers will definitely take you up on that offer.
Beresheet 34:13-17 "But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. And they said to them, 'We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us. But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.'"
Circumcision is an outward sign of a man's devotion to Yahuah. Asking an entire city of pagans to become circumcised is a big deal; if the city really wanted to do it, it would be like converting a ton of people, but no, these two men are speaking for an entire city. They don't know if the individuals living therein actually want to join with Jacob or not, and they're making a big, painful promise. I have no idea how painful, as I am a girl and never had to go through it, but I've heard it'll have a perfectly healthy, strong man laying in bed in pain for a few days. As far as I know, they didn't have any local anesthetic back then either.
Beresheet 34:18-19 "And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor's son. So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father."
I will have to assume that the last sentence in that paragraph was true, even though up until now it's seemed pretty unlikely. If a rapist is more honorable than the household of his father, then what in the world has his father's household been up to?? ...Don't answer that, I don't want nightmares.
Beresheet 34:20-24 "And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying: 'These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters. Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.' And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city."
Hamor is pretty dang sneaky. He knows what to say to get the men of the city interested; plenty of ladies and free property and livestock? I'm beginning to understand the idea that Shechem might be more honorable than his father, as nasty as that suggestion might be.
Beresheet 34:25-29 "Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field, and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses."
That's a pretty low blow, somehow I doubt Jacob was in on it.
Beresheet 34:30-31 "Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, 'You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.' But they said, 'Should he treat our sister like a harlot?'"
If it takes the Canaanites and Perizzites together to come up with a force big enough to take down Jacob, he can't be that small. It's a legitimate fear though, the neighbors probably saw what was going on. They could've heard about the deal made; every male circumcised in exchange for living in peace. The deal was made and Simeon and Levi broke it. That labels Jacob's household as being untrustworthy and blood thirsty, and it would be a good idea to get out of there. It definitely sets an example for the other nations; you mess with Jacob's daughter, you will die.
I noticed one thing in my research, Dinah's name is only mentioned 8 times in the entire NKJV. We don't know how her story ends. We don't know if she had Shechem's kid. We don't know if she married or died alone. We don't know the end of this story. So the homework for this passage is listen to the song "Beautiful Ending" by Barlow Girl. Let's hope Dinah's story had an ending like this, the story is depressing enough without a good ending.
So tell me, what is our ending?
Will it beautiful? So beautiful?
Will my life find me by your side?
'Cause your love is beautiful, so beautiful...
Next time: Beresheet 35.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Jacob and Esau Meet Again
Today's reading is from Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 33.
Beresheet 33:1-3 "Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother."
Now why do you suppose he would do something like that? We know Jacob and Esau weren't exactly on good terms when Jacob fled (to say the least), but is he afraid Esau is still out for his blood? Sure looks like it. You notice how he arranged his family, with the maidservants up front, nearest where he will eventually meet Esau, Leah in the middle, and his beloved Rachel in the back? Is that his way of doing his best to protect those closest to him?
Beresheet 33:4-5a "But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, 'Who are these with you?'"
Crisis averted!!
Beresheet 33:5b-7 "So he said, 'The children whom Elohim has graciously given your servant.' Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down."
It's safe to say that their bowing is a sign of respect, not of worship. This reminds me of my martial arts classes, the teacher, Master Chang, had all his students give a small bow before sparring, as a sign of mutual respect. We also bowed when entering and leaving the dojo (studio).
Beresheet 33:8-11 "Then Esau said, 'What do you mean by all this company which I met?' And he said, 'These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.' But Esau said, 'I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.' And Jacob said, 'No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of Elohim, and you were pleased with me. Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because Elohim has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.' So he urged him, and he took it."
Remember the servants Jacob sent ahead with all that livestock? That's what Esau's asking about here. Why give him so much when he already has enough? Jacob wanted to create peace, hence the presents.
Beresheet 33:12-14 "Then Esau said, 'Let us take our journey, let us go, and I will go before you.' But Jacob said to him, 'My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.'"
This is a legitimate concern. For all we know, Esau brought the four hundred men and no women or children. Even though his own new livestock would probably slow him down a bit too, Jacob's marching with toddlers. He has to let the weak set his pace, even if it doesn't match the pace of the welcoming party.
Beresheet 33:15-17 "And Esau said, 'Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.' But he said, What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.' So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth."
You may think Jacob is being a suck-up to his (slightly) older brother with all this "my lord" business, but if you think about it for a moment, you may remember that the eldest son got the greatest portion of the inheritance, he's the one who gets the perks. Jacob's simply giving him the respect he didn't give him when they were younger. He might be going a bit overboard, I'm certainly no expert on ancient Hebrew traditions, but his number one goal is to make peace with the man who wanted him dead. Also, little fun-fact, Succoth is literally translated to mean "booths".
Beresheet 33:18-20 "Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money. Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel."
It looks like the world is still so new that if you go to a town, you could very well learn that the person the town is named for is still alive! Lifespans were still declining from the olden days, when people could live to over 900, but a town doesn't need to be 900 years old to be a decent sized place.
And thus, the chapter has ended. The estranged brothers are reunited, and all is well. In the spirit of happy family reunions and general peacefulness, I have a song for you to check out. Look up "Hold Us Together" by Matt Maher. You can try Youtube, but I've found I like Grooveshark better.
Shalom!
-Kj
Beresheet 33:1-3 "Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother."
Now why do you suppose he would do something like that? We know Jacob and Esau weren't exactly on good terms when Jacob fled (to say the least), but is he afraid Esau is still out for his blood? Sure looks like it. You notice how he arranged his family, with the maidservants up front, nearest where he will eventually meet Esau, Leah in the middle, and his beloved Rachel in the back? Is that his way of doing his best to protect those closest to him?
Beresheet 33:4-5a "But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, 'Who are these with you?'"
Crisis averted!!
Beresheet 33:5b-7 "So he said, 'The children whom Elohim has graciously given your servant.' Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down."
It's safe to say that their bowing is a sign of respect, not of worship. This reminds me of my martial arts classes, the teacher, Master Chang, had all his students give a small bow before sparring, as a sign of mutual respect. We also bowed when entering and leaving the dojo (studio).
Beresheet 33:8-11 "Then Esau said, 'What do you mean by all this company which I met?' And he said, 'These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.' But Esau said, 'I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.' And Jacob said, 'No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of Elohim, and you were pleased with me. Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because Elohim has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.' So he urged him, and he took it."
Remember the servants Jacob sent ahead with all that livestock? That's what Esau's asking about here. Why give him so much when he already has enough? Jacob wanted to create peace, hence the presents.
Beresheet 33:12-14 "Then Esau said, 'Let us take our journey, let us go, and I will go before you.' But Jacob said to him, 'My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.'"
This is a legitimate concern. For all we know, Esau brought the four hundred men and no women or children. Even though his own new livestock would probably slow him down a bit too, Jacob's marching with toddlers. He has to let the weak set his pace, even if it doesn't match the pace of the welcoming party.
Beresheet 33:15-17 "And Esau said, 'Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.' But he said, What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.' So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth."
You may think Jacob is being a suck-up to his (slightly) older brother with all this "my lord" business, but if you think about it for a moment, you may remember that the eldest son got the greatest portion of the inheritance, he's the one who gets the perks. Jacob's simply giving him the respect he didn't give him when they were younger. He might be going a bit overboard, I'm certainly no expert on ancient Hebrew traditions, but his number one goal is to make peace with the man who wanted him dead. Also, little fun-fact, Succoth is literally translated to mean "booths".
Beresheet 33:18-20 "Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money. Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel."
It looks like the world is still so new that if you go to a town, you could very well learn that the person the town is named for is still alive! Lifespans were still declining from the olden days, when people could live to over 900, but a town doesn't need to be 900 years old to be a decent sized place.
And thus, the chapter has ended. The estranged brothers are reunited, and all is well. In the spirit of happy family reunions and general peacefulness, I have a song for you to check out. Look up "Hold Us Together" by Matt Maher. You can try Youtube, but I've found I like Grooveshark better.
Shalom!
-Kj
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