We continue to see God at work in Joseph’s life.

Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. Genesis 37:17

The “bros” see the dreamer coming. It stirs up their bitterness once again. In fact, while they’re out here away from everybody, they hatch an evil plot.

“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 becomes of his dreams.”  Genesis 37:20

Did you hear the word, “kill?”

At least the oldest brother, Reuben, has some sense of decency. He tells his brothers,

“Let’s not take his life. Don’t shed any innocent blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Genesis 37:22

Reuben reasons that when the brothers are asleep, he will rescue Joseph and take him back to their father.

The brothers apparently agree to the plan. (Thank you, brother Reuben.) However, for Joseph, which would be worse? Be killed quickly or left to starve to death in a hole in the ground. Either way, the brothers seem ruthless and uncaring.

When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his richly ornamented robe and threw him in the cistern. Genesis 37:23, 24

I can imagine they taunt and tease him slowly, enjoying their advantage, while they release a steady flow of their pent-up jealousy and anger. No doubt Joseph cries and pleas for help as he struggles to be released, but with several strong hands and restraining arms around him, he hasn’t a chance.

Callously, they sit down to eat a meal, ignoring his pleas for help from the dry cistern.

Our next God-incident is about to happen. A caravan of Ishmaelite traders comes down the road and brother Judah has an idea.

”What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 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.” Genesis 37:27

I always wish for voice inflection and facial expression to decipher statements like, “. . . after all, he is our brother.” Was he being facetious or was there any genuine concern? Were the brothers thinking of Joseph or the money or modifying their vengeance? Whatever their motives, they agree to the deal, Joseph is sold for 20 shekels of silver, and off he goes to Egypt.

Once again, we see how God intervenes. He prompts Reuben to delay a killing, provides a foreign caravan, and plants the selling idea in Judah’s head—all because God wants Joseph to get to Egypt.

While Joseph may be thankful to have escaped the pit, the prospects of heading toward slavery can’t be a welcoming thought. Our hero is alive, but oh the lessons he must face.

Have you ever felt like, “This is the bottom of the pit?” That’s when the Lord really has our attention. Next week, some good news.

~ Joyce ~