Bring me an answer from the flock
Preaching Outline on Genesis 37:14 – “And he said to him: Now go, see how your brothers are, and how the flock is, and bring me word. So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.”
Introduction to Genesis 37:14
In Genesis 37:14, we find Jacob, the patriarch, imbued with a deep paternal concern, sending his young son Joseph on a delicate mission: “And his father said unto him, Go, I pray thee, see how thy brethren do, and how the flock doth, and bring me word.” This apparently simple phrase echoes down the ages and invites us to reflect on the importance of care, responsibility and zeal, both in our family relationships and in our spiritual lives.
Jacob’s command to Joseph reveals the deep connection between the shepherd and his sheep. The flock, a source of sustenance and wealth in those days, represented much more than material goods. Each sheep was important, and Jacob longed to know about its well-being. This attitude brings us back to the love and care of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who knows each of his sheep and gives his life for them.
Jacob’s request for an answer demonstrates his desire for precise information about the situation of the flock. He is not content with assumptions or half-truths. This quest for clarity and truth inspires us to be diligent in our search for God and His teachings. We should desire to know Him deeply and understand His will, just as Jacob desired to know about his flock.
The mission entrusted to Joseph transcends the task of simply observing. He must provide an answer, a complete and detailed report on the state of the flock. This responsibility calls us to be active in our faith, not mere spectators, but active participants in God’s Kingdom, bearing witness to his love and fulfilling the mission he has entrusted to us.
Development
The herd as a responsibility
Just as Jacob entrusted Joseph with the care of the flock, God entrusts us with the responsibility of caring for one another. We are called to be shepherds of our neighbors, showing love, compassion and caring for the physical and spiritual well-being of those around us.
Caring for the flock requires attention, dedication and sacrifice. The shepherd needs to be attentive to the needs of each sheep, protecting them from danger, guiding them to green pastures and still waters. In the same way, we must be attentive to the needs of our brothers and sisters, offering support, comfort and direction.
In John 21:15-17, Jesus, after the resurrection, asks Peter three times: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” And with each affirmative answer from Peter, Jesus commands him: “Feed my lambs… Feed my sheep… Feed my sheep.” This command reinforces the importance of caring for Christ’s flock and calls us to assume our role as shepherds of one another.
The search for answers
Jacob longs for an answer about the state of his flock. This search for information reflects the human need for understanding and certainty. In the same way, we should seek answers to our spiritual doubts and concerns, deepening our knowledge of God’s Word and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The search for answers drives us to grow in faith. We must be like the Beroeans, who “received the word with all eagerness, searching the Scriptures daily to see whether the things were so” (Acts 17:11). We must not be content with a superficial faith, but seek the truth with diligence and sincerity.
Jesus presents himself as the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the answer to our deepest searches, the source of all wisdom and knowledge. By approaching him with humility and a thirst for learning, we will find the answers we so desperately crave.
The importance of communication
Jacob’s request to Joseph “bring me an answer” highlights the importance of communication in the relationship between shepherd and sheep. Just as Jacob wanted to keep informed about his flock, we must cultivate open and sincere communication with God and with our brothers and sisters.
Prayer is the channel of communication that connects us to God. Through it, we can express our joys, sorrows, doubts and longings. Reading the Bible allows us to hear God’s voice and understand His teachings. And fellowship with other Christians strengthens and encourages us on our journey of faith.
In Hebrews 10:25, we are exhorted not to stop meeting together as a church, “encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching”. Communication is essential for the growth and maturity of the church, as it allows us to share experiences, offer and receive support, and together seek God’s will.
Conclusion of Genesis 37:14
The mission entrusted to Joseph in Genesis 37:14 teaches us valuable lessons about responsibility, care and communication. Just as Jacob showed concern for his flock, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for each one of us with love and dedication.
May we be inspired by the example of Jacob and Jesus, assuming our role as shepherds of one another, seeking answers to our doubts and cultivating open and sincere communication with God and our brothers and sisters. May the phrase “bring me an answer from the flock” echo in our hearts, motivating us to be diligent in our faith and zealous in fulfilling the mission entrusted to us.
Preaching Outline on Genesis 37:14 – “And he said to him: Now go, see how your brothers are, and how the flock is, and bring me word. So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.”
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