
Joseph was the youngest son of a large family. Being the youngest, he was the most spoiled by all of his mothers (yes, that was legal back then) and his father's favorite. Jacob was likely older when Joseph was born, so it is possible that he was a little bouncing bundle of surprise. How many of us haven't felt that feeling?
His brothers were all jealous. The lesson here - not from the brother's point of view, or from Joseph's, but looking toward the parents - is that siblings can feel this. Jealousy is a natural reaction when they feel they are being slighted (or worse) by the people who are supposed to love them the most. We look to our parents for equality in actions, and for an equal amount of love. And when that is not given, the children can feel it. Kids are not stupid. They see and feel everything. Be careful what you say and what you do. It will leave a lasting impression.
His brothers reacted in anger. A natural reaction, although still not acceptable. They beat their baby brother, threw him into a hole, sold him into slavery (30 pieces of silver, no doubt), and the lied about it. Not ok, brothers! Control your anger and learn to deal with your feelings. Life isn't fair. Get over it.
But none of this goes into what Joseph was feeling. I can imagine, hurt, lost, betrayal, anger, confusion, fear. He was taken to a foreign country, made a slave, falsely accused of a crime, thrown into prison, and wasted there for seven years...
Until...
God was ready to use him.
The lessons from all of this - see Part 2. Coming soon.
Until then...
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Re-Inventing the Impossible
~Lori
Loretta Sinclair
Sinclair Publishing
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Jesus is my Life Coach!