January 24, 2017. Genesis 35-37.

 

In chapter 37 we are told a story that most are very familiar with, Joseph and the coat of many colors.  Joseph gets sold into slavery by his brothers, who are jealous that their father loves Joseph more; add on top of that he is having dreams prophesying that his brothers will be bowing down to him at some point in the future. 

Let us focus on someone who does not always get much attention throughout this story, Reuben.  He is the eldest of Jacob’s children and should be the leader and role model to his younger brothers. However that is not the case.  When his brothers start planning to kill young Joseph out of their jealousy and hate, he offers a different approach, instead of having blood on their hands, to just throw him in a pit instead.  

21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

Thinking that it would by him some time to try and figure out what to do, but his brothers go on without him and sell their brother into slavery.  

26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

Reuben could have stood up to his brothers and disagreed and told them no.  He could have warned Joseph and told him to go back to their father. Reuben could have done many different things to save his brother, but instead of standing up to his brothers and making them dislike or disapprove of him as well, he took the back seat.  

Is there a situation going on in your life that you do not agree with? Are you walking on the straight and narrow, or following the flow of traffic? Being a Christ follower is not easy, sometimes we have to go against what others think, at times that may even include family.  What are you keeping silent about?

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