From the description in the Bible, it was a long robe with long sleeves, unlike the usual robe which was normally sleeveless and came only to the knees. So, it stood out as special even if it wasn't the bright striped colors that I remember seeing on the posters in Sunday School as a child. His father "loved him more than any of his other children." Right there - a problem. Perhaps that is what started the jealousy with his brothers.
Envy and jealousy - there we have it showing up again in this chapter. How that gets us in trouble over and over. "If only I had this," or "if only I could do that" - I've said it and thought it more times than I care to remember.
And what were the results - a plot, a plan, a scheme? And then, worse - a scheme, a plan, a plot to cover it all up. Can you imagine hearing your father "weep" over a son that he thought was dead, and you can't or won't say anything to ease his grief? Every time they heard their father cry, or talk about what Joseph might have been or might have done, they surely had guilty feelings. Hard to live with yourself I'd think. At least Reuben planned to go back and release Joseph from the pit. Did he leave to check on the flock or maybe he was hunting? Only he waited too late. They "sat down and ate" while Joseph was in the pit. I hope it was far enough away so they could not hear his cries.
I'm certain they eventually had regrets, as we all do - over something we have done, something we should not have done; something we said, or something we left unsaid.
Thank God - for His mercy endures forever. "Nothing is too hard for the Lord" - His plans were not thwarted, in fact, perhaps this was the plan He had for Joseph so that he could eventually save the twelve tribes of Israel. God can certainly turn our thoughtless acts or our planned schemes into something glorious if we will but surrender and let him.
Suggestion:
ReplyDeleteI am not sure which one of you set up the blog, so I don't know who to direct this to.
It would be nice to have the scripture links at the bottom moved up to the top of the page over on the right.
I access Planted everyday by clicking on a link that I have set to the main page, which is getting pretty long now, and is a lot to scroll through to get to the links. (And, yest I know how silly it sounds to complain about having to scroll down a page) Just thinking this might make it more accessable for others too.
Harriet
Again, such amazing insight Mrs. Barbara! The story of Joseph has always been one of my favorites. "From the Pit to the Palace" is such a great lesson of God's sovereignty and His control over EVERYTHING. As Joseph said so well later in Genesis, "What you meant for harm, God meant for good." If that does not give you peace, comfort and security, I don't know what will!
ReplyDeleteSo, Jacob (now Israel) had to bury his beloved Rachel. There is so much more I wanted to know!!! Don't you??? And, whoa at the multiplying Esau did! Yikes! Now about this Joseph......why didn't this guy just get a clue?? The brothers didn't receive the first dream well, (even his Dad didn't) and yet he tells them the next dream, too? C'mon little bro! Thankfully for him and all of his brothers, God is sovereign.....you ladies are exactly right, "What you meant for harm, God meant for good." It is the anthem of this chapter, and I love it!
ReplyDeleteIF YOU LOOK AT THIS DISFUNTIONAL FAMILY YOU WONDER HOW IT TURNED OUT AS GOOD AS IT DID. THE ANSWER IS GOD WAS IN CHARGE OF PUTTING ALL THESE BROKEN PIECES TOGETHER FOR HIS PLAN TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE. JOSEPH WAS A BIG PIECE OF THE PLAN THAT WAS RESENTED BY HIS BROTHERS. I WONDER IF HE KNEW GOD HAS A PLAN FOR HIS LIFE AND HE JUST WENT WITH IT OR WAS HE GROPPING IN DARKEST AND JUST FOLLOWING THE PLAN. WE HAVE A PLAN FOR OUR LIVES JUST LIKE JOSEPH. WE HAVE TO GO DOWN IN THE PIT AND PRAY SOMEONE WILL HELP US OUT. BUT WE ALL HAVE THE BLESSING OF KNOWING THE END OF THE STORY. I DON'T THINK JOSEPH HAD THAT TO HIS ADVANTAGE. ON THAT BAD DAY JUST THINK OF ALL JOSEPH WENT THROUGH. THANK YOU GOD FOR THE BIBLE.GOOD NITE
ReplyDeleteAmen to God's Sovereignty and Control over everything.
ReplyDelete