From Pride To The Pit

We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!

Genesis 37:7

FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, we’re going to look at the familiar story of Joseph, one of the Bible’s most memorable men. Jacob had twelve sons, but he loved Joseph more than the others (Genesis 37:3). And as expected, such obvious parental favoritism did not play well with the older brothers. Let’s recall some of the story’s details.

First, Jacob dressed Joseph better than he clothed the older brothers—Joseph’s colorful coat contrasted with the brothers’ plain, drab robes (Genesis 37:3). Earlier, Joseph had come home from tending sheep and tattled on two of his brothers. Finally, we’re told that his brothers hated him and wouldn’t even speak to him decently (Genesis 37:4).

When he was seventeen, Joseph boasted about a dream he had in which his brothers symbolically bowed down to him (Genesis 37:6-7). Did he really think this would endear him to them? Was he trying to prove that God was on his side? Not long after this dream, Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit and debated about killing him, but instead, they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:26-28).

The evidence suggests that Joseph may have been an overly confident teenager. Fortunately, we have the rest of the story: He grew into a godly man of wisdom, integrity, forgiveness, compassion, and humility. Take time now to consider how these godly characteristics are reflected in your own life.

BOTTOM LINE

One of the keys to growing in godliness is spending more time focusing on God than on ourselves. Even so, sometimes an honest self-evaluation is helpful.

Moment of Strength: Genesis 37:1-11