It all started as a normal day. A young brother was sent to check on his older
brothers so their father could be assured everything was okay. The older brothers
were envious of Joseph for he was their father’s favorite. To make matters
worse, their father Jacob had given Joseph an expensive coat that clearly set
him apart from his older brothers.
It never occurred to Joseph as he left home
that morning that this would be the last time he would see his home. When his
brothers saw Joseph coming, the extent of their hatred and bitterness is recorded
in Genesis 37:19. "Here comes that dreamer. Let’s kill him and say some
ferocious animal devoured him. Then what will become of his dreams."
Thank God one of the brothers was mature
enough to interject some sensibility into the situation. No matter how
justifiable your anger and hatred may seem, God will give you an alternate way to
respond to save you from the disaster hatred creates. Your responsibility is to
listen and act according to the message and help that God sends to you.
__________________
When his brothers
realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him – they
wouldn’t even speak to him.
~GENESIS 37:4 The
Message
“You have heard
that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell
you, practice loving your enemies and praying for your persecutors, to prove
that you are children of your Father in heaven…”
~MATTHEW 5:43-45a Williams
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