Genesis 37:1 - Meaning and Application

Moses says no more about the Edomites, except where they happen to cross Israel’s path. He now turns to the story of Jacob’s family: “These are the generations of Jacob.” This is not just a dry family list like Esau’s in Genesis 36:1. It is a meaningful and useful history.

First, Jacob is shown living as a sojourner with his father Isaac, who was still alive in Genesis 37:1. We will never truly be at home until we come to heaven.

Second, Joseph is a shepherd, feeding the flock with his brothers in Genesis 37:2. Even though he was his father’s favorite, he was not raised in laziness or comfort. Parents do not truly love their children if they do not train them for work, discipline, and self-denial. Pampering children is often the same as spoiling them. Children who are trained to do nothing are likely to be good for nothing.

Third, Joseph is loved by his father in Genesis 37:3, partly because of his dear mother Rachel, who had died, and partly because of Joseph himself, since he was the greatest comfort of Jacob’s old age. He likely waited on his father and was more attentive than his brothers. He was a child who acted with the seriousness and good sense of an older person, a child, but not childish. Jacob showed his affection by giving him finer clothes than the others, a coat of many colors, which probably pointed to greater honor ahead for him.

This gives a useful lesson. Children are rightly happy when their good character wins special affection from their parents. But parents should be wise not to favor one child over another without clear and serious reason, such as different levels of obedience or disobedience. A father’s rule in the home should be fair and steady.

Fourth, Joseph is hated by his brothers in Genesis 37:4. They hated him because their father loved him, and when parents show favoritism, children quickly notice it. That often starts trouble and division in a family. They also hated him because he told their father about their bad behavior. Jacob’s sons did things away from his eye that they would not have done at home. Joseph reported their conduct so his father could rebuke and restrain them. He was not acting like a slanderer who spreads trouble, but like a faithful brother who could not safely correct them himself and therefore brought their faults to one who had the right to correct them.

This is common, friendly warnings are often treated like attacks. Those who hate correction hate the people who try to correct them (Proverbs 9:8). It is also common for those whom God loves to be hated by the world. Whom heaven blesses, hell curses. When God speaks kindly to some, wicked people often refuse to speak peaceably to them.

It is also said here that Joseph “was with the sons of Bilhah.” Some read this as meaning that he served them, and they made him do the lowest work.