That’s definitely not a new phenomenon. to a story from Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 38, a text filled with midrashic interpretations and expansions of biblical narratives, and see what we can glean from the drama surrounding Jacob and his sons.
The scene is set: Jacob is dwelling peacefully, seemingly, in the land. But beneath the surface, things are brewing. The text tells us, "Then Jacob dwelt safely and in peace in the land of his possession, and in the land of his birth, and in the land of the sojournings of his father." It sounds idyllic. But remember, peace is often a fragile thing.
Rabbi Ishmael offers a fascinating insight into Jacob's special affection for Joseph. We all know the verse: "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age" (Genesis 37:3). But Rabbi Ishmael challenges this simple reading. Was Joseph really the son of Jacob’s old age? What about Benjamin?
The answer, according to Rabbi Ishmael, is deeper. Jacob, through prophetic insight, foresaw Joseph’s future greatness. He knew Joseph would rule. That’s why he favored him. And as the text continues, “And they envied him with a great envy, as it is said, ‘And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren; and they hated him’” (Genesis 37:4). Can you imagine the tension?
It gets worse! Joseph, young and perhaps a bit naive, shares his dreams of future dominion. "And they hated him yet the more" (Genesis 37:8), the text tells us. These dreams, foretelling his rise above his brothers, only fuel their resentment.
But it's not just dreams. Joseph also brings reports to Jacob about the behavior of his father’s concubines' sons. Apparently, they were engaging in some pretty gruesome practices – eating the flesh of live animals! This, understandably, didn't sit well with Joseph, and his tattling further alienated him from his brothers. The result? "And they could not speak peaceably unto him" (Genesis 37:4). The rift is widening, the tension palpable.
Now, Jacob, concerned about his sons and the flock, sends Joseph to check on them. “Go now, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flock” (Genesis 37:14). This seemingly simple act sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything.
Here’s where it gets really interesting. The text says, "And the lad was wandering in the field, and the angel Gabriel met him, as it is said, 'And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field' (Genesis 37:15)." But who is this "man"?
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer identifies him as none other than the angel Gabriel. The text clarifies that the word "man" in this context is Gabriel, referencing Daniel 9:21: "The man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision." Gabriel, a powerful messenger of God, appears to Joseph as he’s wandering, lost and searching for his brothers. What was Gabriel's role? The text doesn't explicitly say. Was he there to guide Joseph, to test him, or perhaps to set the stage for the unfolding drama?
This encounter with Gabriel adds a layer of divine intervention to the story. It reminds us that even in the midst of human drama, there are forces at play beyond our immediate understanding. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a powerful reminder of the complexities of family, the dangers of envy, and the ever-present hand of the divine in our lives. What do you think Gabriel's purpose was in meeting with Joseph? What do you think this says about divine interventions in our own lives?