Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age and he made him a long tunic.
” Admit it! Admit it! Mom always liked you best. “
There is a green eyed monster that always shows up in families. It is the green eyed monster of jealousy. I have a brother 9 years older than me and an sister 2 years younger. There was never any sibling rivalry between my brother and me . When he turned 18 he went into the Army. He married and started a family before I graduated from High School. My sister and I have funny stories about our rivalry but it was simple things. We all love each other.
As adults my sister’s house was about 3 blocks from my own. She was a single mom and I had lent her my lawnmower. There was an extreme amount of overtime at work and I had a short window to cut my grass because of the summer rain. The grass was extremely high. I went to get the lawnmower and my sister had lent it to another single mom who didn’t have a lawnmower. She never asked me and my nose was a little out of joint. Short story. All was forgiven. I eventually cut my lawn. Sometimes our good intentions step on toes.
That is why I couldn’t understand why there was so much animosity toward Joseph by his older brothers . Remember, the wealth of the father transferred to the oldest son which was, Reuben. So money was not the issue. It says that Israel loved Joseph more, but doesn’t say how he treated his other sons. I sure he loved them as well.
What could cause these murderous thoughts?
It was pride. The story almost parallel’s that of Jesus. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The heir is the Gospel parable was also killed for money. However, just like Jesus, Joseph turned defeat into victory.
Much as in Joseph’s time, power, money and influence are just as big a threat today in our society. It is also most prevalent in families. Examples can be found in the local and national news stories.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The story goes on for Jesus and Joseph to one of forgiveness and fruit. Therefore I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.
How do we become a people who produce fruit?
We can’t do anything to influence the world, our country or our city. What we can do is forgive, forget and show mercy to the people around us. The forgiveness we show may not make the national or local news, but it will be noted by the Kingdom of God. It is the fruit we produce. Our fruit influence the world we live in. It is how we evangelize to the world.
As we continue in Genesis we learn what happened to Joseph and his brothers. There was a famine and the brothers came to Joseph for help. Israel found his long lost son and the family was saved from famine. If Joseph had not forgiven them he may not have ever been reunited with his father.
Sometimes there is an unbeknownst problem. We forget to forgive ourselves before we can forgive others. We have to be humble before we can accomplish this. Joseph was humbled. He was wise enough to accept his humanity. We all sin and have a sinful nature. This is not an excuse but acknowledging our weakness and that we are in need of improvement.
Just as Joseph was reunited with his father. Forgiveness reunites us with the rest of the world. In a hundred years no one will remember today’s grievances. Joseph was humbled but he understood human nature and that the important thing was the love he had for his father. Forgiveness was the only thing standing in his way.
We may not need to forgive anyone today but don’t forget to forgive yourself.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
