Genesis 31-41

(I seem to have taken no notes on Genesis 31-34 a year ago when I wrote these. See introductory comment on Genesis 18-25.)

Genesis 35-36
35:8 - Death of Rebekah's nurse. Is Rebekah still living? Don't remember an account of her death.
35:29 - Death of Isaac in Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac had lived before, and where Abraham and Sarah were buried (23:19; 25:10)
36:1 - Esau's wives and sons born in Canaan: Adah - Eliphaz; Oholibamah - Jeush, Jalam, and Korah; Basemath (Ishmael's daughter) - Reuel. Esau moved away from Jacob because their possessions were so great. He settled his family in the hill country; his family became Edom.

Genesis 37
v. 2 - Joseph was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah - his father's "wives" -- actually, originally his wives' handmaids. Could this have affected their attitude toward him? They were half-brothers, and their mothers were not sisters, as would have been the case with Reuben and Judah.
v. 3 - Jacob loved Joseph best because he was "the son of his old age."
v. 26 - It was Judah's idea to sell Joseph for money. Judah – the earthly ancestor of Christ – who would later also be betrayed for money. Also, this act puts an Israelite in Egypt, which would later be the salvation for the Israelites. Is it providential that it's Judah who suggests it?

Genesis 39
v. 3 - Success breeds success. Potiphar was impressed with Joseph's prosperity. That is what indicated to Potiphar that God was with Joseph. He also saw that Joseph achieved it honestly; he trusted him completely – until his own wife accused Joseph of impropriety (v. 19). Oh, the wiles and power of a ruthless woman!
v. 21 - In contrast, God was faithful. "But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love." (NRSV)

Genesis 40-41
Joseph's ability to interpret dreams that was so annoying in his youth now becomes his salvation in Egypt – and ultimately the salvation of his family.
41:34-36 - The value of an emergency fund? In this case, 20 percent! And, according to 41:57 -- there would be enough in this emergency fund not only to take care of Egypt's needs during the famine, but people from many other countries as well. A lesson here? We save not only for ourselves, but others as well.
41:39 - Pharaoh respected Joseph because he was guided by God.