Finally, we're getting to the great story of Joseph! Of course being Rebekah's son and Rebekah being Jacob/Israel's favorite and beloved wife, Joseph was a bit spoiled. His older brothers resented the attention given to him and the fact that he was younger he was not always expected to do the hard work of shepherding as they were expected to do.
In Joseph's day, everyone had a robe or cloak for an outer garment. Cloaks were used to warm oneself, or used to bundle clothes or belongings for a trip, for wrapping up babies, to sit on, or used for security for a loan. Most robes were knee length, short sleeved, and plain. But not Joseph's!
Joseph's robe was the kind worn by kings! Long sleeved, ankle length, and bounding in color, Joseph's robe became a symbol of the favoritism toward Joseph felt by their father, and it truly aggravated the brothers! Already with strained relationships between Joseph and his brothers, the coat aggravated the situation.
Then one day, Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him all the more. He hurried to the fields anxious to share it, and said to them, "Listen to my dream. We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose--and stood upright.. Your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it!"
The brothers were even more fueled with rage toward Joseph and said, "Do you intend to reign over us, little brothers?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream. He then had a second dream, similar to the first, where the sun, moon, and stars bowed to him. He told his father as well as his angry brothers and his father Jacob/Israel said, "What is this? Your mother and I and your brothers are to come and bow to the ground before you?" Israel kept the matter in mind, but Joseph's brothers became more and more jealous and angry.
One day soon afterward, Joseph's brothers had all gone to Shechem where their father's flocks were grazing. Israel sent Joseph to them to see if all was going well with them. Israel said, "go and see how things are and bring word back to me," and he sent him off.
When Joseph arrived at Shechem, his brothers were not there, so Joseph asked a man, "Can you tell me where my brothers are grazing their flocks?" The man answered, "They have moved on to Dotham for greener fields." So Joseph followed and found them in Dotham. But the brothers had seen him coming in the distance and plotted to kill him. When Rueben heard this, he said, "No. Let's not take his life or shed blood. Throw him into the cistern here, but don't hurt him." Rueben's intent was to later rescue him and take him back to his father.
When Joseph finally got to them, they stripped him of his beautiful robe and threw him into the empty cistern. Then, hurriedly sat to eat their meal. As they ate they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming with loaded camels carrying spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to Egypt.
Judah said, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to these travelers." And his brothers agreed and sold Joseph for 20 shekels of silver. Rueben, being the oldest, was aghast to find Joseph sold, but only worried about what his father would think of him, the eldest and not stopping the treachery.
So, the men took Joseph's beautiful robe and slaughtered a goat to cover the robe with blood.
Israel tore his clothes, believing Joseph had been devoured by a ferocious animal, and mourned his son by Rebekah. But Joseph was on his way to Egypt! Sold as a slave to Potiphar, one of the Pharoah's officials and the captain of the guard. He was to make a good name for himself over the years. Egypt was good for him.
This story, real as our Bibles claim, is full of deceit and jealousy, which tore a family apart. The father, Jacob, had been deceitful in his day, against his Uncle Laban, and his brother, Esau, and his own father. Consequences do come for hurtful acts, even to those who are blessed by God.
Our world is filled with the same kind of emotions and acts as we see in the bible.. Take a list of known emotions sometime and check off how many you have felt over one thing and another. For instance, how many of us have felt jealous? Wanted revenge? Wanted to get even with someone? Anger in itself can be a help. Find out why you are angry and the faulty emotion will hopefully pop right up. Get rid of the offense by asking forgiveness, or forgiving yourself. God wants us to be at peace with the blessing and joy of goodness in our lives. (Such a list of emtions may be offered through AA or NA.)
Sitting here, I see my robe is pretty plain,,and by the looks of things...needs to be laundered! But it keeps me warm!
Jo INMN
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