"Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!" Come now, let us kill himThis phrase reflects the deep-seated jealousy and animosity Joseph's brothers harbored against him. Joseph was favored by their father, Jacob, which fueled their resentment. This act of plotting murder highlights the severity of their hatred. In biblical context, this mirrors the story of Cain and Abel, where jealousy led to fratricide. It also foreshadows the rejection and eventual crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who was also despised by those He came to save. and throw him into one of the pits.
The "pits" refer to cisterns or dry wells common in the region, used to collect rainwater. These pits were often deep and difficult to escape from, making them suitable for imprisoning someone. This act of casting Joseph into a pit symbolizes the depths of betrayal and abandonment. It prefigures Christ's descent into the grave and His subsequent resurrection, as Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt mirrors Christ's victory over death. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him.
This deception planned by Joseph's brothers is significant in its attempt to cover up their sin. The use of a "vicious animal" as an excuse is ironic, as it reflects their own beastly behavior. This lie parallels the deceit of Satan, the "father of lies," and the false accusations brought against Jesus. It also underscores the theme of sin leading to further sin, as the brothers' initial jealousy spirals into a web of deceit. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!
Joseph's dreams, which foretold his rise to prominence and his brothers bowing to him, were a source of their envy. This statement is filled with sarcasm and disbelief, as the brothers sought to thwart God's revealed plan. However, their actions inadvertently set the stage for the fulfillment of those dreams. This reflects the biblical principle that God's purposes prevail despite human opposition, as seen in Romans 8:28. Joseph's story is a type of Christ, who was also rejected and yet fulfilled God's redemptive plan through His suffering and exaltation. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe favored son of Jacob, known for his dreams which foretold his future rise to prominence. His brothers' jealousy leads them to plot against him. 2. Joseph's BrothersThe sons of Jacob, who are envious of Joseph's favored status and his dreams, which suggest he will rule over them. 3. The PitA cistern or dry well where Joseph's brothers plan to throw him, symbolizing betrayal and abandonment. 4. DothanThe location where Joseph's brothers conspire against him, highlighting a place of treachery. 5. DreamsJoseph's dreams are central to the account, representing God's revelation and future plans for Joseph. Teaching Points Jealousy and Its ConsequencesThe account of Joseph's brothers teaches us about the destructive power of jealousy and how it can lead to sinful actions. Believers are called to guard their hearts against envy and to seek contentment in God's provision. God's Sovereignty in AdversityDespite the evil intentions of Joseph's brothers, God's plan prevails. This reminds us that God can use even the most difficult circumstances for His purposes and our good. The Power of ForgivenessJoseph's eventual forgiveness of his brothers is a powerful example of grace and reconciliation. Christians are encouraged to forgive others as God has forgiven them. The Role of Dreams and VisionsJoseph's dreams were a form of divine revelation. While not all dreams are from God, believers should be open to how God might communicate His will through various means. Trusting God's TimingJoseph's journey from the pit to the palace was marked by patience and trust in God's timing. We are reminded to wait on the Lord and trust His perfect timing in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the jealousy of Joseph's brothers compare to instances of jealousy in your own life, and how can you address it biblically? 2. In what ways can you see God's sovereignty at work in your current circumstances, even if they seem challenging? 3. Reflect on a time when you had to forgive someone who wronged you. How does Joseph's account inspire you to offer forgiveness? 4. How can you discern whether a dream or vision is from God, and what steps should you take to seek His guidance? 5. What are some practical ways you can cultivate patience and trust in God's timing, especially when facing uncertainty? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 50:20This verse reflects Joseph's understanding of God's sovereignty, where he acknowledges that what his brothers intended for harm, God intended for good. Matthew 27:18The jealousy of Joseph's brothers parallels the envy of the religious leaders towards Jesus, leading to His crucifixion. Acts 7:9Stephen's speech references Joseph's betrayal by his brothers, illustrating God's providence and faithfulness. People Bilhah, Ishmaelites, Jacob, Joseph, Medanites, Midianites, Pharaoh, Potiphar, Reuben, ZilpahPlaces Canaan, Chezib, Dothan, Egypt, Gilead, Shechem, Valley of HebronTopics Animal, Beast, Becomes, Body, Cast, Cisterns, Death, Devoured, Dreams, Evil, Ferocious, Holes, Kill, Let's, Pit, Pits, Slay, Throw, We'll, WildDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 37:1-35 5738 sons Genesis 37:12-33 5661 brothers Genesis 37:17-22 6634 deliverance Genesis 37:17-23 5817 conspiracies Genesis 37:18-20 5047 opportunities, in life
6718 reconciliation, believers Genesis 37:18-27 8828 spite Genesis 37:18-28 5828 danger Genesis 37:19-24 4221 cistern Library Joseph, the Prime Minister
'And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Man's Passions and God's Purpose
'And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
Thomas De Witt Talmage was born at Bound Brook, N.J., in 1832. For many years he preached to large and enthusiastic congregations at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. At one time six hundred newspapers regularly printed his sermons. He was a man of great vitality, optimistic by nature, and particularly popular with young people. His voice was rather high and unmusical, but his distinct enunciation and earnestness of manner gave a peculiar attraction to his pulpit oratory. His rhetoric has been criticized …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8 The Crucifixion.
"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."--Isaiah liii. 7. St. Peter makes it almost a description of a Christian, that he loves Him whom he has not seen; speaking of Christ, he says, "whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Again he speaks of "tasting that the …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 37:20 NIVGenesis 37:20 NLTGenesis 37:20 ESVGenesis 37:20 NASBGenesis 37:20 KJV
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