NEX-GEN Everywhere!

We meet so many young people (and older people) who don’t like reading the Bible. The reason they give, if they are honest, is almost always the same, “The Bible is Boring!” Wow . . . did we just say that? Did we actually put that in print? Have we ever felt the same? YES!

We believe there is a good reason for this boredom. We have been taught to “study” the Bible, not to enjoy it. Normally in life we “study” when there is a problem to be solved, a test to pass, a talk to give, or an argument to win. Thus, our Bible “study” is reduced to a mental exercise.

The Bible is a story, a God story, a human story, a story about connections and disconnections. But the story must be interacted with. We need to use our gift of wonder and step into their shoes or sandals. “Study” without “Imagination” is like the TV show where people sit behind the one-way glass and play the spectator.

We would like you to just read the next three verses as you would normally read the Bible.

Joseph’s Dream  (Genesis 37: 1-3)
Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
This is the account of Jacob.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.

Okay, could you pass a test on the information?

Now let’s dive in with our imagination.

Let’s start by wondering a bit about the title. The title if you noticed is “Joseph’s Dream”. This sounds like it could be good, but than it talks about this guy Jacob. Who is Jacob? Is that Joseph’s last name (Joseph Jacob) or nickname, or a misprint? How old is Jacob? Perhaps the Father is Joseph? What does this land of Canaan look like, smell like, feel like? Perhaps lots of Mountains . . . snow covered tips. I wonder if they skied in Canaan? Why did Jacob live there, but his Father only stayed there? Perhaps there was a nice little hotel there? Who knows, but let’s imagine mountains.

Then it says: “this is the account of Jacob”. Okay you think the title must be a misprint and the story or account must be about Jacob. He must be the guy who has this dream.

But wait . . . it brings back this name Joseph. Who is this Jacob, who is Jacob, who is Jacob? Where is the connection between Jacob and Joseph? Anyway this Joseph guy is seventeen. Let’s say he was of average height, had zits, a huge appetite, and growing muscles . . . in my imagination it is from skiing. He is trying to impress the girl next door. If he were writing these verses for his teacher, he would have to do a rewrite because it is very confusing.

He was tending the flocks. Stop everything! He is a farmer! A farmer of sheep, goats or geese, perhaps all of the above! We know the mountains are probably not covered with snow at least at this time and the smell is . . . well not hard to imagine. If Joseph was out with the sheep what did he looked like? What do you think he has stepped in today?

Now if you have flocks (more than one) you must have many flock watchers. These flock watchers happened to be his brothers. So we guess that the flock thing is a family business. Perhaps this father who stayed there was staying with flocks as well?

If it is not interesting already what about this . . . these brothers are from different mothers, Bilhah and Zilpah, who tied last year at the contest for “worst names to give a daughter”. Our minds go all over the place with these names, but we will return to the story.

Joseph’s dad, had these ladies as wives at sometime, and he still has the boys! And these boys were doing something bad, at least something worth being a tattle tail about. Joseph must be the youngest, because it is only the youngest, which runs to their Father with a bad report. If he were an older brother he would have controlled the younger siblings, with their controlling desire. Dan knows this because he was a little brother and Suzie was and older sister!

We end in verse 3, with a love statement from Israel to Joseph. At first we thought this was the country, but countries do not love 17-year-old boys, then we though this was the neighbor girl, but then we see that it was his father, (who’s name is Israel). So Joseph’s father loves him, more then the other brothers. That could cause some trouble, especially when you are a better loved brat who tells on bad brothers. The Father is old . . . playing ball in the yard is not happening for this kid and his dad. Not only is he loved more, but also he is wearing a billboard coat to prove to siblings and sheep that he is better (this kid gets everything he wants).

Take some time and read on. Use your imagination. Don’t say I know how the story ends and ruin the adventure. Read it like the first time! Read it like a kid with questions. Read it like a snoopy aunt who has lots of questions about everything.

We think this will help you not to be so bored.

This week read as far into the story as you can, but take lots of time to wonder. The imagination is a gift from God . . . use it!

Tags: Bible, creativity, humor

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