Genesis 37:28 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.
I get the brothers wanting to put Joseph “in his place.” I’m not saying it’s right, but I can understand the thought process–Joesph was the favorite, he knew it, everyone knew it. He had prophetic dreams and openly, gleefully shared them. Bless his oblivious heart.
Genesis 37:29-30 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”
However, the brothers wanted to 1. Kill him. 2. Put him in a hole and leave him. And 3. Sell him into slavery. None of those things are brothers just jostling for position within the family hierarchy. And then they took Joseph’s coat, soaked it in goat blood, and then took it to their father, saying “We think this is Joseph’s. What do you think?” That all just feels borderline evil.
Genesis 37:31 Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.
Precious Savior, People can pluck our last nerve in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons, but today’s scripture reminds us that there is a very fine line when it comes to how we choose to react to such behavior. Help us to react to others in a way that glorifies You. Help us to remember that vengeance is Yours, not ours to attain. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 37:32 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.”
Have a blessed day.