Day 10 Reading Schedule: Genesis 35-39

Genesis 35: The Altar of Bethel and Jacob 

[Overview]

After going through numerous trials, Jacob finally reached a place of spiritual and physical maturity in faith. This chapter records the appearance of Jacob's family who have now completely returned to God. Jacob abandons all the customs and things of Canaan, purifies himself, and goes up to Bethel to build an altar (verses 1-8). Here, we can see Jacob's return as a normal descendant of the covenant. Therefore, God gives Jacob the blessings He had given to Abraham and Isaac (verses 9-15). This is a consideration that confirms once again that Jacob is the rightful heir of the covenant. Or, by recording the deaths of Rachel and Isaac and the names of his twelve sons, it implies that the old generation is passing away and the new generation of the covenant is opening (verses 16-29).

In Genesis 34, we see Jacob's painful side, but in this chapter, we see Jacob's blessed side again. With this chapter, the main story of Jacob, the son of Isaac, which began in chapter 27, comes to an end. After the descendants of Esau are introduced as an appendix in chapter 36, a new story centered on Joseph and Judah unfolds from chapter 37 until chapter 50. This chapter introduces the sad events that Jacob experiences in Bethel, namely, the sorrow of losing his beloved wife Rachel and the sorrow of losing his father Isaac.

Genesis 36 ：Descendants of Esau 

[Overview]

Just as the genealogy of Keturah and Israel was introduced before Abraham died and Isaac’s history began (cf. Gen. 25:1-18), this chapter introduces the genealogy of Esau before Jacob’s era ended and Joseph’s era began. That is, it records the descendants of Esau who lived in Mount Seir (vv. 1-19), and the genealogy of the Horites, the indigenous people of Mount Seir (vv. 20-30). And finally, it records the descendants of Esau who ruled during the ancient kingdom period (vv. 31-43). By recording the genealogy of foreign tribes, this chapter shows that God’s salvation is not only for Israel but for all mankind.

In Genesis 36, the fact that Esau, the eldest son of Isaac and Rebekah, settled in the land of Seir and prospered to become a nation is recorded in detail in the form of a genealogy. This means that the word of God in Genesis 25:23, that there were 'two nations' in Rebekah's womb, was fulfilled. In other words, the prosperity of Jacob's descendants, whom God chose, was important, but in a broader sense, the prosperity of Esau's descendants was also part of the fulfillment of God's prophecy. This chapter ends by recording that the ancestor of the Edomites was Esau.

Genesis 37： Joseph's Dream and Joseph Being Sold 

[Summary]

Now, Jacob's era is coming to an end, and Joseph's era, which will be the last of the patriarchal era, is beginning. This chapter deals with Joseph, who was loved by Jacob, being sold to Egypt due to his brothers' hatred. Because of his dream of becoming the head of the family, Joseph is hated by his brothers (verses 1-11), but God shows Joseph's life through his dreams according to the plan and providence of redemption. Then, following the incident where Joseph, who went to visit his brothers on his father's errand, is sold to Egypt due to his brothers' jealousy (verses 12-18), Joseph's brothers lie about Joseph being killed by a beast, and Jacob is shown to be sad because of this (verses 28-36).

From Genesis 37 to the last chapter of this book, Genesis 50, the story unfolds around Joseph, Jacob's eleventh son. The main chapter deals with the fact that he monopolized his father's love and that he was hated and envied by his brothers because he told them two dreams given to him by God when he was 17, and was eventually sold to Egypt.

Genesis 38: The Incident of the House of Judah 

[Summary]

This chapter appears suddenly in the middle of Joseph's story. However, from a redemptive historical perspective, it can be seen as an intentional record in that it first shows the genealogy of the Messiah's bloodline and second, it shows the Israelites' moral corruption in Canaan, leading to their migration to Egypt. It records the fact that Judah did not fulfill his duty of descent to his daughter-in-law Tamar (verses 1-11), and the incident where Tamar seduced her father-in-law Judah, became pregnant, and gave birth to Perez and Zerah (verses 12-30).

This chapter is filled with the shameful sins of Jacob's son Judah. ​​That is, Judah left his brothers, lived in Adullam, had children, and later two of his sons died for their wicked deeds. Judah did not perform the consummation of his daughter-in-law Tamar's second marriage, and was caught up in his wife Tamar's plan. He ended up committing adultery with her and fathering twin sons.

Genesis 39: Potiphar’s wife’s temptation and Joseph 

[Summary]

The story of Joseph, which had been paused in Genesis 38, begins again. This chapter shows in earnest how God leads Joseph through suffering. Joseph, who was sold to Potiphar, the captain of the guard in Egypt, became the household manager through his sincerity (verses 1-7). However, he was imprisoned again for trying to keep his chastity from Potiphar’s wife who tried to seduce him (verses 8-19). Even in these sufferings, Joseph maintained his faith in God and a sincere life, and received God’s grace and was given the position of managing the prisoners in prison (verses 20-23). ​​No matter what the circumstances of life, God is showing that He is with those who trust Him. In this way, this chapter tells us through Joseph how those who are with God live victorious lives.

Genesis 38 is a record of Judah’s shameful history, that is, adultery. On the other hand, chapter 39 of Genesis is a record of Joseph’s proud history, that is, his victorious faith in adultery. This chapter is a continuation of chapter 37 of Genesis, and Joseph, who was hated by his brothers and sold to Egypt, was sold as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of the Egyptian guard, and suffered many trials. However, it mentions the fact that he overcame all of these trials with faith. At the same time, this chapter foreshadows the ultimate public ministry of Christ, who overcame temptations and endured trials.