Joseph brothers hated him so much that they threw him in a dry cistern and left him to die. When a better opportunity presented, they pulled him out and sold him to Midianite merchants. How will they cover up their crime? What will their father’s reaction be? Will it work out like they thought? Today we continue our story with Joseph from Genesis 37:31-36.
31–32 They took Joseph’s coat, butchered a goat, and dipped the coat in the blood. They took the fancy coat back to their father and said, “We found this. Look it over—do you think this is your son’s coat?”33 He recognized it at once. “My son’s coat—a wild animal has eaten him. Joseph torn limb from limb!”34–35 Jacob tore his clothes in grief, dressed in rough burlap, and mourned his son a long, long time. His sons and daughters tried to comfort him but he refused their comfort. “I’ll go to the grave mourning my son.” Oh, how his father wept for him.36 In Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, manager of his household affairs.
Joseph’s brothers believed the lies of our enemy satan. Get rid of your brother and all your problems will be solved. What they did not count on was having to live with their lies and their father’s deep grief.
What do I do if I find myself in a situation where my own sin just created a huge mess? The good news is if we go to the Lord, He will show us how to correct the situation. To correct the problem may not be easy. The people we offended or hurt may not want to listen to us or trust us. Even if people don’t want to hear our apology, we can confess our sins to the Lord and ask the Lord to forgive us.
For all who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, forgiveness has been freely given. If we acknowledge our wrongs and ask for forgiveness, God will forgive us – no questions asked: 8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8-9
7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8
Where in your life is the Lord calling you to confess your sin to him and ask for forgiveness?
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Ge 37:31–36). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Jn 1:8–9). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Eph 1:7–8). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.