Connecting Scriptures:  Genesis 43:26, 44:14, 50:20 Acts 7:9, Psalm 37:12, Romans 8:28 

One big idea stands to to me in reading today’s scripture:  These are not holy and righteous people, the sons of Israel, they are covenant carriers.  God is the only bright light and He is choosing to make a way for them in their sin.   From this point forward, we will not see God coming to each of these men and giving them the same message as He did for Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  God is here though, working and bearing in patience, rescuing and guiding, giving dreams and holding onto Israel even as they pursue wickedness and fight for life.  

Joe is daddy’s favorite and a snotty snitch in the eyes of his brothers.  What a tough spot.  Israel is taking after his father here as he elevates one son over all the rest.  Having been the second best in Issac’s eyes, you think he would have registered that favoritism has no place in the home.  Neither does polygamy though, and a lot of the issues we see today stem from an unbalanced family order and sons who lacked fatherly oversight.  

Armed with a colorful coat and a head full of dreams (was Joseph the only one hearing from the LORD?) he obediently searches for his brothers who should have been in Shechem.  Remember Shechem from a few chapters before?  Maybe they were told to take the sheep here, but I can guarantee that the sons of Israel didn’t want to be anywhere near a place they had massacred.  From fear of retaliating family or shame, or maybe just plain indifference, Joseph goes to find his brothers and is led even further from home and straight into danger.  But, God is working to protect Joseph (through the oldest Rueben’s plans to make amends with this father and Judah having some kind of humanity to not kill, but only sell his brother).  It might not look like protection.  In fact, it seems like chaos run rampant in the hate filled hearts of men who were passed over.  Yet, God is keeping Joseph alive and also brining consequential judgement on the rest.  When the 10 return with a blood soaked cloak, it destroys their father.  Sure, the annoying fathers favorite is gone, but in his wake the father goes as well.  Refusing to be comforted, Israel’s affections do not fall on the remaining sons.  They lose a lot more than Joseph that day.  

Meanwhile, God is putting the promise he gave to Abraham into action through the evil means of Cain-like brotherhood.  Yes, God is working.

Questions for Reflection:

1.  Have you ever had a dream or anointing on your life that caused others to dislike, or even hate you for?  How does seeing the steady hand of God, who makes a way in harsh circumstances, encourage you today?

2.  What can be learned about the destructive power of favoritism in these verses?

3.  What parallels can be seen in the life of Joseph when compared to Jesus thus far?