Genesis 37:23-24 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.
If you look down at verse 26, Judah, whose line is the line of Jesus, is the brother who hatches the plan to SELL Joseph to the Ishmaelites instead of killing him. The reason he proposes selling Joseph is because if the brothers just kill Joseph and cover it up, they gain nothing. At least this way they’ll earn a little coin in the process.
Genesis 37:25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.
Let that sink in a minute. Judah is the one who suggested selling Joseph for a profit. Yet God uses Judah to establish Jesus’s family line. I need to remember that the next time I am tempted to discount someone because of the things they have done.
Genesis 37:26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
Precious Savior, We are all guilty of passing judgment on others. We are all guilty of using what others have done as a measure of how worthy or useful they can be. Thank You that You do not work that way. Help us to be more like You in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 37:27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.
Have a blessed day.