Daily Devotions
Genesis
"The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant." Psalm 105:9-10
Text: Genesis 37:1-36
A FATHER’S LOVING CONCERN
Yes, Israel loved Joseph especially. But did he not have any feelings for his other sons? The following text reveals an important truth. He cared for his sons, for they were his own flesh and blood.
“Then his brothers went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.
And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers feeding
the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.’ So he said to him, ‘Here I am.’
Then he said to him, ‘Please go and see if it is well with
your brothers and well with the flocks, and bring back
word to me.’ So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron,
and he went to Shechem.” GENESIS 37:12-14Feeding the sheep in Shechem
Israel had every reason to feel concern for his sons. They had chosen to go to Shechem to graze their flock. The reputation of the sons of Jacob was abysmally low because of what they did to the Shechemites (Cf. Genesis 34:25-29). Nevertheless, they were unafraid of possible reprisals. Jacob could not dismiss his fears easily. He just needed to know if anything untoward had happened to his sons!
Sending of Joseph
Interestingly, Israel did not send Joseph to tend the sheep with his brothers. He was allowed to remain at home with his younger brother Benjamin, who was obviously too young to go out and tend the sheep!
Israel had little or no news concerning his sons. They did not send back word to their father. They could have done that easily enough. The family had many servants! There did not seem much of a choice. Joseph had to be sent out to find out about the well-being of his sons in Shechem!
Instant compliance from Joseph
Joseph’s response to his father tells us just why he was so well loved! Among other features, the following stood out.
1. Courage
Joseph must have known just why his father was deeply concerned about his siblings. There was an element of danger that could not be dismissed easily! But when his father decided that he would send him, there was immediate and whole-hearted response on his part! He was not afraid to make the long journey on his own!
2. Compliance
Joseph gave instant and complete compliance to his father’s instructions!