So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe--the robe of many colors he was wearing-- So when Joseph came to his brothersJoseph, the favored son of Jacob, was sent by his father to check on his brothers who were tending flocks in Shechem. This journey highlights Joseph's obedience and trust in his father, despite the animosity his brothers held against him. The brothers' location in Dothan, a significant distance from Hebron, suggests a deliberate move away from their father's oversight, possibly indicating their rebellious nature. This moment foreshadows the fulfillment of Joseph's earlier dreams, where his brothers' actions set the stage for God's providential plan. they stripped him of his robe
The act of stripping Joseph of his robe symbolizes the brothers' deep-seated jealousy and resentment. The robe, a gift from Jacob, represented Joseph's favored status and the special love his father had for him. By removing it, the brothers sought to strip Joseph of his identity and the favor he held. This act of violence is a precursor to the suffering and trials Joseph would endure, paralleling the suffering of Christ, who was also stripped of his garments before His crucifixion. the robe of many colors he was wearing
The robe of many colors, often interpreted as a richly ornamented tunic, signifies the unique position Joseph held in his family. This garment set him apart, not only as Jacob's favorite but also as a symbol of authority and future leadership. The robe's removal is a pivotal moment, marking the beginning of Joseph's journey from favored son to a position of power in Egypt. This event can be seen as a type of Christ, who, though stripped of His earthly glory, was exalted to a position of authority and honor. The robe also connects to the theme of garments throughout Scripture, symbolizing righteousness, identity, and divine favor. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe favored son of Jacob, known for his dreams and the special robe given to him by his father, symbolizing his favored status. 2. Joseph's BrothersThe sons of Jacob who were envious of Joseph's favored position and his dreams, which foretold his future prominence over them. 3. The Robe of Many ColorsA special garment given to Joseph by his father Jacob, symbolizing his father's favoritism and the source of his brothers' jealousy. 4. DothanThe location where Joseph found his brothers and where they plotted against him. 5. Jacob (Israel)The father of Joseph and his brothers, who unwittingly set the stage for the brothers' jealousy by showing favoritism to Joseph. Teaching Points Jealousy and Its ConsequencesThe account of Joseph and his brothers illustrates how jealousy can lead to destructive actions and broken relationships. The Symbolism of the RobeJoseph's robe represents not only favoritism but also the unique calling and destiny God had for him, which his brothers could not see. God's Sovereignty in AdversityDespite the brothers' evil intentions, God used their actions to fulfill His greater plan for Joseph and the nation of Israel. Forgiveness and ReconciliationJoseph's later actions towards his brothers demonstrate the power of forgiveness and the restoration of relationships. Trusting God's PlanLike Joseph, believers are called to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem dire or unjust. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the act of stripping Joseph of his robe reflect the deeper issues within his family dynamics? 2. In what ways can jealousy manifest in our own lives, and how can we guard against it? 3. How does Joseph's account encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when we face betrayal or hardship? 4. What parallels can we draw between Joseph's experiences and the life of Jesus, particularly in terms of suffering and redemption? 5. How can we apply the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation from Joseph's account to our own relationships today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 37:3-4Provides context for the brothers' jealousy, as Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph is highlighted. Genesis 37:31-33Describes the brothers' deceitful actions following the stripping of Joseph's robe, leading Jacob to believe Joseph was dead. Matthew 27:28Draws a parallel to Jesus being stripped of His garments, highlighting themes of betrayal and suffering. Acts 7:9Stephen's speech references Joseph's betrayal by his brothers, connecting it to God's providential plan. Hebrews 11:22Joseph's faith is commended, showing his trust in God's promises despite his brothers' actions. People Bilhah, Ishmaelites, Jacob, Joseph, Medanites, Midianites, Pharaoh, Potiphar, Reuben, ZilpahPlaces Canaan, Chezib, Dothan, Egypt, Gilead, Shechem, Valley of HebronTopics Brethren, Brothers, Coat, Colors, Colours, Joseph, Ornamented, Pass, Reached, Richly, Robe, Sleeves, Strip, Stripped, Tunic, Varicolored, Vest, Wearing, WoreDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 37:23 5145 clothing
5915 ornaments Genesis 37:1-35 5738 sons Genesis 37:12-33 5661 brothers Genesis 37:17-23 5817 conspiracies Genesis 37:18-27 8828 spite Genesis 37:18-28 5828 danger Genesis 37:19-24 4221 cistern Genesis 37:23-24 5589 trap
5824 cruelty, examples
8765 grudge Genesis 37:23-28 5365 kidnapping
7447 slavery, in OT Library Joseph, the Prime Minister
'And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Man's Passions and God's Purpose
'And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
Thomas De Witt Talmage was born at Bound Brook, N.J., in 1832. For many years he preached to large and enthusiastic congregations at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. At one time six hundred newspapers regularly printed his sermons. He was a man of great vitality, optimistic by nature, and particularly popular with young people. His voice was rather high and unmusical, but his distinct enunciation and earnestness of manner gave a peculiar attraction to his pulpit oratory. His rhetoric has been criticized …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8 The Crucifixion.
"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."--Isaiah liii. 7. St. Peter makes it almost a description of a Christian, that he loves Him whom he has not seen; speaking of Christ, he says, "whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Again he speaks of "tasting that the …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 37:23 NIVGenesis 37:23 NLTGenesis 37:23 ESVGenesis 37:23 NASBGenesis 37:23 KJV
Genesis 37:23 Commentaries
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