Day 21: The Selling of Joseph

Back in familiar Sunday school territory now, with the story of Joseph. (Yesterday and chapter 34 definitely wasn't Sunday School territory! Though maybe it should be. But that's another thought.) Soaps are telling us nothing new. The drama potential of dysfunctional families has been around since the Bronze Age.

Jacob's sons take revenge
Genesis 34:13-31
Jacob's return to Bethel
Genesis 35:1-9, 11-15
Death of Rachel at Benjamin's birth
Genesis 35:16-19, 38:7, 35:20-22
Jacob's return to Hebron
Genesis 35:27, 37:1
Joseph's early days and dreams
Genesis 37:2-11
His brothers' conspiracy
Genesis 37:12-35
Sold into Egypt
Genesis 37:36, 39:1
Judah's first three sons
Genesis 38:1-5, 1 Chronicles 2:3

Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, who have learned deceit well, commit murder to get her back. I'll reflect more on this story in a separate blog post.
I can't help but feel uneasy about what happens next. Jacob moves on to Bethel, meets with God there, who renews all his promises to him. Not a word about the evil that was committed in Shechem. It's as though those people didn't count. God is only focussing on Jacob and his dynasty. That's why I've included a separate post, something I wrote years ago, reflecting on this story from the pont of view of a Shechemite woman. The women were treated as possessions, the foreigners were despised. And God doesn't tell them off for it.
In chapter 37, we hear that the brothers are grazing their flocks in Shechem, and Joseph is sent off to that fateful place. We've heard about his pride, how he relished his "favourite son" status, and how the others hated him for it, and sure enough, they rise against him. Only Reuben demurs - Reuben was the only one of Leah's sons not to avenge the rape of his sister with such violence. He's the oldest, and seems to be the wisest. Nevertheless, Joseph is sold into slavery in Egypt, and the brothers look to have rid themselves of him for good.

By the way, it's good to know that a few friends are following me in this Bible reading journey - thanks fir the company! Feel free to leave a comment, then I'll know you've been here. And don't worry about falling behind, I've got a feeling I'll need a pause for breath one day.