None of us has a perfect family. I think we probably all have a couple of skeletons in a closet somewhere. Or at least a family member you would prefer NOT to see on the evening news after a tornado blows by.
But Joseph’s family makes most of ours look like angels! I mean, I don’t THINK the suggestion of murder has come up at any of our family get-togethers. How about yours?!?
Last week we looked at the verse where the brothers saw Joseph coming toward them and plotted to murder him. Today they actually discuss the details.
Genesis 37:19-24
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
19 They said to one another, “Look, here comes the hero of those dreams! 20 Let’s kill him and throw him into a pit and say that some wild animal ate him. Then we’ll see what happens to those dreams.”
21 Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 22 “Don’t murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a dry well out here in the desert.” Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father.
23 When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat 24 and threw him into a dry well.
Here are the truths I found in these verses:
– When a person’s power or position is threatened by your dreams (goals, visions), they may go to great lengths to try to stop you from being successful.
– There needs to be a voice of reason in a crowd of crazies.
– Things we treasure can be taken from us in a moment by someone who doesn’t value them like we do.
– When we don’t fulfill our life-giving purpose, we become empty and dry and full of death.
The cistern was no longer fulfilling its role. It was designed to collect water to be used during dry spells. But it was empty, so the brothers were going to use it as a grave for Joseph’s body after they killed him.
One of our purposes is to take what God blesses us with and share it with those who come to us with a need. If we don’t, we can end up empty and dry–with no life to offer anyone.
Application Questions:
– What person(s) am I spending my time with who doesn’t believe in my dreams? What am I risking by being in close relationship with them?
– Am I more likely to be the voice of reason or part of the crazy crowd?
– What treasure have I had taken from me? How did I react?
– Who has come to me thirsty and left me still thirsty? What do I need to do to be better prepared?
See you next week!