From Privilege to the Pit

Searching For His Brothers (v. 12-17)

The Brothers take the flock to Shechem.

It is surprising that the brothers would take the flocks to Shechem because that is where they murdered the sons of Hamor.

Shechem is about a five day journey from Hebron on foot.

Perhaps they were trying to get away from Joseph and their father.

It does have good land and water sources for sheep or cattle.

Joseph sent to Shechem

Why was he not with his brothers? - The text does not say, but it is tempting to read Joseph’s privilege into the text here as well. Perhaps Jacod didn’t want to be without Joseph for so long.

Joseph was to bring a report back to Jacob on his brothers wellbeing.

Remember: Genesis 37:2 “This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.”

Jacob is either ignorant or naive concerning his brothers hatred of Joseph.

The Brothers have moved on.

A “chance” meeting with a stranger

Joseph finds out that his brothers have moved on to the fields near Dothan another 15 miles north of Shechem.

How is the providence of God shown in this chance meeting? - What if Joseph never found his brothers?

Ambushed By His Brothers (v. 18-24)

Hatred Roused (v. 18-20)

Here comes the dreamer! - sarcastic

“even before he came near” - suggests that it didn’t take them long to come to this conclusion. How did they recognize him from so far away? Was it because He was wearing something distinctive?

They conspired to kill him. - then we shall see what becomes of his dreams. So, as we said last week, the dreams seem to have been the tipping point for the brothers.

Dictionary: to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest:

Biblically speaking, there are positive and negative aspects to hatred. It is acceptable to hate those things that God hates; indeed, this is very much a proof of a right standing with God. “Let those who love the Lord hate evil” (Psalm 97:10a).

1 John 2:9-11 “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

1 John 4:20 “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”

What is John getting at? That if someone lives in continual unrepentant hatred they are not a beliver. Believers can struggle with hatred, but through the indwelling ministry of the Spirit we cannot live in that hatred.

Hatred is a poison that destroys us from within, producing bitterness that eats away at our hearts and minds. This is why the Scriptures tell us not to let a “root of bitterness” spring up in our hearts (Hebrews 12:15). Hatred also destroys the personal witness of a Christian because it removes him from fellowship with the Lord and other believers. Let us be careful to do as the Lord advised and keep short accounts with everyone about everything, no matter how small, and the Lord will be faithful to forgive, as He has promised (1 John 1:9; 2:1).

Hatred Restrained (v. 21-22)

Reuben restrains his brothers murderous plot.

Why? We don’t really know, but I suspect that he was going to try and use this circumstance as a means of getting back in his fathers good graces. Reuben had all but ruined his relationship with his father by sleeping with Bilah. If he could claim that he saved Joseph, Jacob’s favorite, perhaps this would smooth things over with Jacob.

The downside is that Reuben’s suggestion of throwing Jospeh into the pit was also what gave the other brothers the time they needed to sell Joseph into slavery.

Reuben planned to return later and rescue Joseph.

Hatred Realized (v. 23-24)

Finally, their hatred boils over. Their complaints, frustraitions and animosity has led to the moment when they strip Joseph of his robe and cast him into the pit.

This is what happens when hatred is left unchecked. You cannot internalize it forever. It will boil over, spill out or erupt.

Application - the truth is that any of us are capable of this kind of hatred when we lack the filling of the spirit. (can someone who genuienly knows the Lord commit murder? Ask David)

Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”

To be filled with the Spirit implies freedom for Him to occupy every part of our lives, guiding and controlling us. Then His power can be exerted through us so that what we do is fruitful to God. The filling of the Spirit does not apply to outward acts alone; it also applies to the innermost thoughts and motives of our actions. Psalm 19:14 says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Sin is what hinders the filling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained. Ephesians 5:18 commands that we be filled with the Spirit; however, it is not praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the filling. Only our obedience to God’s commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. Because we are still infected with sin, it is impossible to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. When we sin, we should immediately confess it to God and renew our commitment to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.

Sold By His Brothers (v. 25-36)

Caulousness Exposed (v. 25)

With their brother in the pit, they sit down and eat a meal.

This level of caulousness reveals very hard hearts.

Their hatred has gone beyond the reactionary into the realm of the sadistic.

If you enjoy the pain of your enemy you have a major heart problem.

Opportunism Engaged (v. 26-28)

Life is full of opportunities some good, some bad.

A temptation is nothing more than an opportunity to sin.

Cauloused, hard hearts tend to give into sin more readily because it was often selfishness that made the heart heart in the first place.

As they waited by the pit an opportunity presented itself that they could not ignore. An opportunity to not only get ride of their brother, but to line their pockets while they did it.

Judah even tries to justify the opportunity. “We cannot kill our own flesh and blood” So they sold him for 20 shekels of silver.

Deceiption Employed (v. 29-36)

One sin often leads to another. When we sin how often do we have to lie to cover it up?

The best way to quit smoking is to never start, or the best way to never get drunk is to not drink in the first place.

It only takes a spark to set a forest aflame so don’t play with the matches.

The brothers assulted Joseph which led to lying to their father. A lie they had to maintain for years.

Jacob continued mourning for so many days that finally his sons became seriously concerned and tried to “comfort” him (a sharp commentary on their hypocrisy). His daughters also tried to comfort him.