Genesis 37-38

Chapter 37

From chapter 37 to the final chapter of Genesis, chapter 50, the story unfolds centering on Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob. Chapter 37 describes how Joseph, who was loved by Jacob, became hated by his brothers and was eventually sold into Egypt. Because of the dreams in which he would become the leader of the family, Joseph was hated by his brothers (verses 1–11). However, through these dreams, God reveals, within His redemptive plan and providence, the kind of life Joseph would live. Then, when Joseph goes to find his brothers on his father’s errand, he is sold into Egypt due to their jealousy (verses 12–18). Afterward, his brothers lie that Joseph was killed by a wild animal, causing Jacob deep sorrow (verses 28–36).

Q1) What were the contents of the dreams that Joseph repeatedly had (verses 6–7, 9–10)?

Q2) What did Joseph’s brothers call him, and what did they plot to do (verses 18–20)?

Q3) What did Judah propose to the brothers who were trying to kill Joseph (verses 26–27)?

Chapter 38

Chapter 38 is a passage that records the story of Judah, the son of Jacob, in the middle of Joseph’s narrative. From a redemptive-historical perspective, this chapter is intentionally included for two reasons: first, it shows the genealogy through which the Messiah would come, and second, it reveals how the people of Israel were becoming influenced by the moral corruption of Canaan, thereby setting the stage for their migration to Egypt. Judah failed to fulfill his duty of levirate marriage to his daughter-in-law Tamar (verses 1–11). As a result, Tamar disguised herself and seduced her father-in-law Judah, becoming pregnant and giving birth to Perez and Zerah (verses 12–30).

Q1) Where did Judah go after leaving his brothers, and with whom did he associate (verses 1–2)?

Q2) Why did Tamar disguise herself and wait for her father-in-law Judah (verses 14, 18)?

Q3) How did Judah react when he heard the news of Tamar’s pregnancy (verse 24)?

Source: Becoming Church (Tistory)