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Genesis 37:1-28
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
  • Bereshit 37: Massoretic, Hebrew, Aramaic, JPS.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Navigating the Bible: Text/Rabbinic commentary and Divrei Torah.
  • Chapter IV of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
  • Chapter X, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • Epistle LXVIII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 254)
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • Commentary on Genesis, John Calvin.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The more God shows himself favourable to his own, the more the malice of the wicked rages against them."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "In Joseph's history we see something of Christ, who was first humbled and then exalted."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "And as Joseph was sold by the contrivance of Judah for twenty pieces of silver, so was our Lord Jesus for thirty, and by one of the same name too, Judas."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Their hatred to Joseph must have had a far deeper seat. It must have been produced by dislike to his piety and other excellencies, which made his character and conduct a constant censure upon theirs, and on account of which they found that they could never be at ease till they had rid themselves of his hated presence."
• Contemporary References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Resources specific to the Narrative Lectionary for September 21, 2014, Genesis 39:1-23:
    • Commentary, Jacqueline E. Lapsley, Working Preacher, 2014.
    • "Neon Starbursts," video, John Stevens, Dollar Store Children's Sermons, 2014.
    • "Joseph in Prison," podcast, Cameron Howard, Craig Koester and Kathryn Schifferdecker, Working Preacher, 2014.
    • "Poor Poor Joseph," commentary and discussion, RevGalBlogPals, 2014.
    • "Joseph in Prison," Rob Myallis, Lectionary Greek, 2014.
    • "Prosperous Joseph," Beth Scibienski, 2014.
    • "Prosperity and Punishment," Sharron Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2014.
  • Commentary, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Cameron B.R. Howard, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "Discussions of the providence of God go hand-in-hand with questions of theodicy, and preachers should navigate the topic with care."
  • "Our Dysfunctional Families," David Lewicki, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2014. Video: "Families Are Complicated."
    • "At the end of this portion, Jacob, like Rachel before him, cannot be comforted. The loss of Joseph is hell, made worse by the truth that this hell is partially of his own making."
  • "The Favored Child," Stan Duncan, If You Lived Here You'd be Home by Now, 2014.
    • "I think it would be helpful to list for your listeners the four reasons why his brothers hated him. And then link them to possible experiences they might have had."
  • "Dysfunctional Families in the Purpose of God," Steve Godfrey, Church in the World, 2014.
    • "How does this story move you to pray for your own family of origin?"
  • "Death to the Tattletale!" John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2014.
    • "This is fully a Genesis tale: trickery and hatred and deception abound, and the hero is finally not so heroic after all."
  • "Livin' the Dream," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2014.
    • "It may take years for the vision of the God's compassion and peace and justice and freedom to really get inside us so that we become the compassion and peace we long for in this world. But when it does, then we will be truly "living" the dream."
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
  • Commentary, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Kathryn Schifferdecker, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "In our text for today, sibling rivalry comes close to murder and sets in motion a chain of events that occupy the rest of the book of Genesis (chapters 37-50)."
  • "Joseph and His Brothers," Frederick Buechner, Peculiar Treasures.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • The Old Testament Readings: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28. Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "Through the many twists and turns of their history, and their perilous journey through the wilderness, they will find that God remains with them. This persistent presence is not the result of any righteousness on this family?s part. We have abundant evidence of that in both the Jacob and Joseph stories. It is solely at the prerogative of the one who makes the promise."
  • Genesis 37:1-28, Pentecost 13, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "While Joseph is not the youngest we are seeing a repeat of what happened with his father who was the younger and therefore not the one who was supposed to be the head of the family."
  • Commentary, Genesis 37:5-11, 19-20, Luke A. Powery, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
    • "Pits do not necessarily destroy us or our dreams. Waiting does not kill us. We are still alive."
  • "Chance or Providence?" Tim Bulkeley, 5 Minute Bible (podcast).
  • Desert Scribblings, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Geoff McElroy.
    • "And here is the gospel, the good news found in the Joseph cycle: the dream of God prevails over the plans of human beings."
  • "Unjust Justice," guest essay by Don Thorsen, Professor of Theology at Azusa Pacific University, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
    • "Ultimately, it is God who is responsible for righting every wrong and for providing eternal life.  In the meantime, we are called to partner with God?s grace for loving our neighbors as ourselves in advancing the good news?good news that includes compassionate ministries and advocacy for the sake of justice and peace."
  • Parshah Vayeishev, text, commentary, stories, sermons & articles from Chassidic Masters and others, from Chabad Lubavitch.
  • "Joseph, Don't Go!" by Prof. Eliezer Segal, University of Calgary.
    • "We live in a world in which the petty deeds of individuals seem to count very little against mighty political and historical forces. How many false political gods have been founded on the premise that "the end justifies the means," that immoral acts can find their justification in the furthering of exalted destinies!"
  • "Words as Real as Actions," Torah Commentary by Vanessa Ochs. BeliefNet.
    • "Speech can make worlds come into being--and must therefore be used with utmost care."
  • Parshas Vayeishev, Divrei Torah from The Project Genesis Torah Study. Index to numerous Orthodox articles and studies on Genesis 37:1 - 40:23.
  • Parshat Vayeishev, articles and commentary by the Jewish Community of Atlanta, at The Torah From Dixie.
  • "Jacob, Joseph, Jealousy, and a Journey to Egypt," from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "No one is on more dangerous ground than the one who is complacent and smugly secure. No one is safer, regardless of their environment, than he or she who is looking only to God for protection and provision for the need of the moment."
  • "Exile," program highlights, discussion & reflection questions and more from the Bill Moyers PBS series Genesis: A Living Conversation.
    • "What are the costs of assimilation?"
  • "Le temps dans l?histoire de Joseph (Gn 37?50). Repères temporels pour une analyse narrative," Andre Wenin, Biblica 83, 2002. (Abstract in English)
    • "The story of Joseph thus appears as a story showing how the healing and humanization of human relations are achieved by telling the story of a life."
  • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Broadway Musical Home.
    • "Way, way back many centuries ago, not long after the Bible began..."
  • Mysteries of the Nile website from PBS's Nova special. Features historical & archaeological information, panoramic virtual reality photos, and more.
    • "Explore the Pyramids, temples, and other monumental architecture of ancient Egypt through riveting 360° photos shot during this NOVA/PBS Online Adventure."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Coats, George W., "The Joseph Story and Ancient Wisdom: A Reappraisal," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1973.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Coats, George W., "Redactional Unity in Genesis 37-50," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1974.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Cohen, Jeffrey M., "Early traditions on the kidnapping and sale of Joseph,"Jewish Biblical Quarterly, 2010.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Cohen, Jeffrey M., "Early traditions on the kidnapping and sale of Joseph, pt 2."Jewish Biblical Quarterly, 2010.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Fritsch, Charles T., "'God Was With Him': A Theological Study of the Joseph Narrative," Interpretation, 1955.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Huddlestun, John R., "Divestiture, Deception, and Demotion: the Garment Motif in Genesis 37-39," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Hyman, Ronald T., "Questions in the Joseph Story: The Effects and Their Implication for Teaching," Religious Education, 1984.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Jacobs, Mignon R., "The Conceptual Dynamics of Good and Evil in the Joseph Story: An Exegetical and Hermeneutical Inquiry," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Jarvis, Cynthia A., "The Shadow Side," The Christian Century, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Kaminsky, Joel S., "Reclaiming a Theology of Election: Favoritism and the Joseph Story," Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • King, J. Robin, "The Joseph Story and Divine Politics: A Comparative Study of a Biographic Formula from the Ancient Near East," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Matthews, Victor H., "The Anthropology of Clothing in the Joseph Narrative," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Rendsburg, Gary A., "Literary Structures in the Qur'anic and Biblical Stories of Joseph," Muslim World, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Shapiro, Elayne, "'Ye shall be a Gods knowing good and evil', Using the Bible to Teach Conflict," Religious Education, 2009.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Smith, Bryan, "The Central Role of Judah in Genesis 37-50," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Tiessen, Terrance, "Does Yahweh Take Risks?" Didaskalia, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Wildavsky, Aaron, "Survival Must Not Be Gained through Sin: The Moral of the Joseph Stories Prefigured through Judah and Tamar," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Williams, Michael J., "Lies, Lies, I Tell You! The Deceptions of Genesis," Calvin Theological Journal, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
• Sermons:
  • "The Story of Joseph," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," August 10, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 and Mufao's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe, Romans 10:5-15 and Mary Wrightly, So Politely by Shirin Yim Bridges, Matthew 14:22-33 and Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman. 2011.
  • "Joseph's Beautiful Coat," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • The Story of Joseph, activities & crafts for children, DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids.
  • "Joseph & the Colorful Coat," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
  • "A Coat and a Dream," Linda Edwards, The Children's Chapel.
  • "Joseph Is Sold by His Brothers," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
  • "Joseph and His Coat," online computer java-based coloring pages from Grace Baptist Church of Feeding Hill.
• Drama:
  • Mustard Seeds, "Risk and Faith," Proper 14, 2011. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "Joseph (This Is Your Life)," Andy Lund, dramatix.
  • "Joseph's Story," Annette Wetherbee, dramatix.
  • "A Midsummer Canaanight's Dream," Eric Stapleton, dramatix.
  • "Joseph's Family," Michael English, Milton Parish Church Drama Resources.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art: Story of Joseph, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
  • Joseph and His Brothers PowerPoint Slide Masters. Henry Martin, sermons4kids.com.
  • Joseph Sold by His Brothers - Scripture Pics - graphics relating to RCL texts, Matt Baker, Germantown UMC, Ohio.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • At Oremus Hymnal:
    • Give to our God immortal praise
    • Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
    • Now thank we all our God
    • O God of Bethel, by whose hand
    • O praise ye the Lord! praise him in the height
    • Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation
    • The God of Abraham praise
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Joseph
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study links and resources for the Book of Genesis

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• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
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