Then Joseph dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.
Genesis 37:9–11, ESV
Jealousy is a difficult sin. It is also easy to understand the brothers and their feelings about Joseph. Prior to this, it is made known that Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son. As a father, I know the importance of not having favorites in your children. It may be this account that is a good reminder of not doing this, but is jealousy truly the problem here? I would say, No. The issue of jealousy plays a part, but ultimately the rebellious spirit of the brothers is at play. They were unwilling to ask questions about why Joseph was having these dreams. Even Jacob, a.k.a. Israel, did not fully comprehend the significance. Though it does say, he kept the saying in mind. Our pride gets in the way of truly bowing before God. One could argue that Joseph was also prideful. That may be true, but one could surmise his innocence. He may have never even thought of the implications, which we don’t fully know. We see the result as Joseph is plotted first to be killed, but greed gets in the way of that, so he is sold into slavery. God didn’t make them commit the sin, but he knew the sin in the hearts of the brothers and utilized something that was unimaginable to do something incredible. Similar to how our Lord used a Cross to save the world, God uses the brothers’ jealousy to save a nation.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.