Genesis 37:19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.
My first reaction is, ‘They can’t be serious.” I know Joseph is annoying, but to kill him? That’s extreme. And while I applaud what Reuben is trying to do–”Let’s not take his life….Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him…”–I’m wondering if he is trying to navigate a line of pleasing God and man with this bizarre request.
Genesis 37:20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
Part of me wants to say, “Joseph’s brothers plan to KILL him! At least Reuben is doing SOMETHING.” But is that something enough? Shouldn’t Reuben take a bolder stand against his brothers? If he did, would that just make him a target, too? Would that get him killed in addition to Joseph being killed?
Genesis 37:21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.
Precious Savior, I’m seeing extremes and asking questions, which I know makes You happy. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer 29:13). I also feel You calling us to boldness when it comes to standing up for others in Your name. Help us to understand what You are calling us to do so that we can shine Your light for all. Amen.
Genesis 37:22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
Have a blessed day.