Sometimes we think we know things that we really don't know.

Evidence

(Genesis 37:12-36, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 12, 2015)

[12] Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. [13] And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” [14] So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. [15] And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” [16] “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” [17] And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

How might life have been different for Joseph without this one man? But why go there? Only the Lord is God.

[18] They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. [19] They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. [20] Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” [21] But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” [22] And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. [23] So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. [24] And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Even intense envy and hatred may have some restraints. But it can get out of control quickly.

[25] Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. [26] Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? [27] Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. [28] Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Judah would be very important in the drama that would follow years later. This was not his finest hour. Yet the Lord was already using him to save a life. Joseph was always in God's hands. The Lord had a plan for good even in the evil actions of his brothers (Genesis 50:20). See also Acts 2:23 concerning the cross of Christ, the center of faith.

[29] When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes [30] and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” [31] Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. [32] And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son's robe or not.” [33] And he identified it and said, “It is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” [34] Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. [35] All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. [36] Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Reuben was devastated and unable to lead in any good direction. The decision to lie to their father was cruel, and they were all guilty for this. Jacob was devastated. How would he/they ever survive? Only by the grace of God.

Put the Word to Work: What even a godly man may consider to be “without doubt” in the midst of his worst nightmare may be entirely wrong. We will only find solid joy through the blood of Jesus. What story do the garments of Jesus tell (John 19:23-24)? What is the message of His death and resurrection? Our Savior, revealed to us so reliably in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is our only stable foundation for godly living.

Memory Verse from the Songs of Ascents—Psalm 132:9

[9] Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.

Gospel Reading—Matthew 23:37-39 – Lament over Jerusalem