SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 37
BIBLE VERSES:
“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 an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” (Genesis 37:3-4)
“So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.” (Genesis 37:23-24)
“So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.” (Genesis 37:28)
“Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” (Genesis 37:31-32)
“Meanwhile, the Midianites[c] sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.” (Genesis 37:36)
JOSEPH’S DREAMS (vs. 1-11)
Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. He made a richly ornamented robe for him. His brothers got jealous and would not speak to him.
Joseph had two dreams. The first dream he said: “We were binding sheaves of grain our in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves, gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” (v. 7). The second dream:” I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” (v.9). He told theses dreams to his brothers and father. And the more his brothers hated him.
JOSEPH SOLD BY HIS BROTHERS (vs. 12-36)
While Joseph’s brothers were grazing flocks near Shchem, Jacob asked Joseph to go there and see if they and the flocks are well. So Joseph went there. When the brothers saw him, they plotted to kill him. But REuben tried to rescue him from their hands. He suggest to throw him into the cistern. So, when Joseph arrived, they stipped him of his richly ornamented robes and threw him into the cistern. Meanwhile, a caravan of Ishmaelite came from Gilead on their way to Egypt. When Judah saw them, he suggested to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites instead of killing him. His brothers agreed. So Joseph was sold to Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver. They slaughtered a agost and dipped Joseph’s robe in the blood. They took the ornamented robe back to the father and told him they found the robe. When Jacob recognized it, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for Joseph. Meanwhile, the Medianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s official, the captain of the guard.
THJOUGHTS:
Joseph was greatly loved by his father, but he was hated and envied by his brothers. He was sold as a slave and suffered. But he went from suffering to glory when Pharaoh put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. God’s goal for us is glorious. But the process will be painful.
Jacob killed a beast and lied to his father to get the birth right. NOw, his own son killed a goat, put its blood on Joseph’s robe to lie to him. He was reaping what he had sowed.
The robe became a symbol of Jacob’s favoritism towards Joseph. This aggravated the strained relations between Joseph and his brothers. Favoritism in family is divisive and can affect the relationship of siblings. Parents should avoid showing favoritism.
Joseph fueled fire with his immature att itude by telling his dreams to his brothers. His boastful manner had caused him to be sold to get rid of him. We should learn not to brag but to be humble.
Jealousy if left unchecked will grow quickly and lead to serious sins. The longer you cultivate jealous feelings, the harder it is to unroot them. Deal with jealousy immediately when you notice it.