Genesis 36-50…
I missed yesterday’s post. It had been a long week so I went to sleep relatively early and planned to catch up some today. Have also added walk aerobics to my usual pilates exercise routine so I have been spending a decent amount of time each morning/evening on that as well. My sister recommended it actually and I am really glad that she did 
Anyways, on to today’s reading…I am deciding to finish up Genesis today so the reading will be Genesis 36-50. So it will be a much longer post than usual. This is partially to catch up from yesterday and partially because I know I may have to be a little less disciplined about getting my reading done over the next week because I am traveling to Philadelphia so I am trying to make up for that on the days when I know I will have time. So here goes…
Chapter 36
Yep, more descendants.
Chapter 37
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age” Also, I think the fact that Joseph was the first born of the wife he actually loved (rachel), didn’t hurt either.
“Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” Ironic, isn’t it, that their attempt to prevent his dreams from coming true was actually what set them into motion? Always interesting how God works through different situations. The story of Joseph is one of my favorites actually.
“Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him.” I understand that they didn’t like their brother and were jealous of him, but it still seems like it would have been difficult to watch their father go through this knowing that they had caused it.
Chapter 38
“Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.”" I’m sure I just don’t understand the culture at the time very well. I understand that what he did was wrong by not giving her to his third son (even though, by today’s standards, being passed from brother to brother is a little creepy), but she tricked her father-in-law into sleeping with her so I don’t see her as any more righteous than he was. I understand he didn’t keep his word, but she was deceitful as well so, in reality, they are both wrong.
And, though I think it was wrong for Judah to promise to give her to his third son and then not do it, I can’t blame him for being a little weirded out by the fact that he had to watch two of his sons die when they were married to her. I would be pretty disturbed too, to be honest. Though, on the other hand, I also feel badly for Tamar in this situation. Geez…and I thought I had problems with guys…
Chapter 39
“The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” I have always been impressed by Joseph’s ability to continue walking with God and making the right decisions in difficult situations. Especially since he came before the time when the Old Testament was written. He didn’t have written guidelines to follow, but he trusted what he did to God’s care and God took care of him through all of that. That’s why the story of Joseph has always been one of my favorites. Because you can see the hand of God in Joseph’s life and you can see that Joseph always did his best to please God in return (even during the more trying times of his life).
Chapter 40
“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” To be honest, the cupbearer at this point probably didn’t want to rock the boat and anger the pharoah again, any more than he already had. He had a pretty narrow escape there. So, where I think that he was wrong to not talk to the pharoah about Joseph, I can see where he had just been through a very difficult situation and most likely didn’t want to end up there again.
Chapter 41
“Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.” At least the cupbearer did redeem himself when, admittedly, he did not have to tell pharoah about Joseph at this point and risk reminding the pharoah of his initial displeasure with him.
“”I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”" Joseph’s actions throughout his life seemed to be a very good lesson in humility. He doesn’t take credit for being able to interpret these dreams, but acknowledges that he couldn’t do that without God.
“Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah” I always wondered what it was like to have to get used to a completely different name (especially one ~three times as long as your original one). Though he would hardly complain about that when he was made 2nd in command of Egypt I guess, right?
“Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” See, even pharoah didn’t want to pronounce his new name, did he? 
Chapter 42
“But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”" I understand that Jacob’s sons with Rachel were his favorites, but he seems a little shameless about admitting that to his other sons.
Chapter 43
It must have been a kodak moment when the brothers realized that they were seated in age order. I would be pretty surprised/weirded out too.
Chapter 44
“If any of your servants is found to have it [the master’s cup], he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves” Next time, guys, I would recommend thinking before speaking, that’s all.
“”Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father.”" I always thought the scenario that Joseph set up was interesting. It was interesting to see that the brothers had learned from their mistake with Joseph and were willing to sacrifice themselves for their brother Benjamin.
Chapter 45
Though several years had passed, it still amazes me that Joseph was able to forgive his brothers the way that he did. I’m sure it helped to see that they were protective of Benjamin, but I can’t help but wonder if I would be as forgiving in his situation. But there is no way for me to know that.
Chapter 46
I always loved the image of Jacob and Joseph meeting after all those years. Always a sucker for the tear-inducing moments, I guess.
Chapter 47
Not too much to say about this chapter really.
Chapter 48
“Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations” Well, considering Jacob’s personal history I guess I could see why he was partial to younger brothers. Seriously though, how did he know that the younger brother would be greater? Had God told him this?
Chapter 49
Not too much to comment on here. Except that I wonder what his sons were thinking when they heard these predictions from their fathers…because some of them were pretty unpleasant.
Chapter 50
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Once again, Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers was really pretty amazing. And the fact that he could go through slavery, prison, etc. and still appreciate the good that God brought out of the situation always made his story stand out to me from others in the Old Testament.
That’s it for today. Next I will move on to Exodus…