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I. THE VICTIM. Joseph. What were his crimes?

1. He had done his duty as superintendent of the shepherds; even though it must have been painful to him to convey bad tidings about his brethren, and painful to grieve his father's mind by doing so. Yet he only discharged the duty of his office. The fault was theirs, not his.

2. He had been marked as his father's special favourite and confidant. But they should have tried to be more worthy of trust themselves.

3. He had been favoured with wonderful dreams, in which their future subordinate relation was clearly indicated.

II. THE PLOTTERS.

1. Ten against one. Cowardice of this. Combination of thought and strength for a wicked purpose.

2. Ten brothers against one brother. Fratricical struggles the worst of all. Of all relatives, such near ones as these should agree.

3. Ten men, and brothers, against a youthful brother. Might and numbers are not always a proof of right (once all the world was against our elder Brother).

4. Ten wicked men against one good man. "Though hand join in hand, wickedness shall not go unpunished."

5. Ten sons against a father. In plotting against Joseph they were fighting against Jacob. Those who oppose Jesus are rebelling against God.

III. THE PLOT.

1. The opportunity.

(1)  They are away from home.

(2)  They are alone.

(3)  Joseph, in his coat of honour, approaches to inspect the flocks.

2. The conspiracy. "The dreamer cometh." All agree on one point. Joseph to be put out of the way. First resolve to kill him and tell a lie to hide the crime (ver. 20). Reuben intercedes, intending to rescue him (ver. 22). They agree to this, thinking he would die of starvation. Thus they would not shed his blood, and yet would take his life. They strip off his offending coat. Approach of the merchants. Judah would make a profit by the transaction. He little thought of the great profit his wickedness would yield (see Genesis 45:7, 8). Joseph is sold. Imagine his cries and tears, &c. (see Genesis 42:21). The remorse of Reuben, and the joy of the rest.

3. The consequences. One sin leads to another. They must resort to lying, &c. The trouble that comes upon Jacob (vers. 34, 35). Learn:

I. Innocent people are often surrounded by evil (Jo. 16:33).

II. Virtue and truth to be pursued, notwithstanding danger.

III. One sin leads to another. Ultimate concealment impossible.

IV. God makes the wrath of man to praise Him.

V. Jesus has saved us from going down into the pit, and has redeemed us from bondage.

(J. C. Gray.)

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KJV: Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

WEB: Come now therefore, and let's kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, 'An evil animal has devoured him.' We will see what will become of his dreams."