Day 26 - Week 4 Day 5 Favourite Son

Today's reading (Bible in 1 year)

Genesis 37
Psalm 24
Isaiah 22:15 to the end of 22
Matthew 18:1-20

Thoughts for the day

Today we read about some of Israel's (Jacob's) family dynamics.  He had a bunch of sons but Joseph was his favourite and his brothers hated Joseph for it.  It sounds like Jacob also favoured him with gifts such as his coat of many colours, or if you saw the broadway show, a technicolor dream coat!

Joseph was 17 years old when this story is told.  Like many teenagers, Joseph talks too much and shares too much.  Teenagers who may seem quiet, can be very vocal with their own brothers and sisters.  In this case, I think wisdom says don't tell your brothers about your dream.  Joseph didn't use a lot of wisdom here.  He had 2 dreams.  One interpretation said his brothers will bow down to him and the second interpretation he told his father and brothers (that is interpreted as his Mother, Father and brothers) will bow down to him.

We know the story.  The brothers hatred for Joseph is so great that they start planning to kill him but then they simply end up selling him off as a slave.  

As we will be reading more of the story, we'll find out that God actually uses these circumstances for good and the dreams are shown to be true.

I was never sold off as a slave but I was the youngest child and just like Joseph I was perceived as treated better than my brother and sister.  I suspect though it was just me being a bit of a rebel, ignoring the discipline of my parents as I got into my older teens.  Thankfully, my siblings did not hate me.

The actions Josephs' brothers took that were decisions driven by hatred, had an effect.  They made the decision not to kill him, so Joseph lived. They could have easily made the decision not to sell him to the traders.  Each decision has its effect and in this case, they had to kill a goat, tear up their brother's coat, cover it with blood and take it to their father as proof of Joseph's "death".  Jacob would grieve the loss of a son.

Every decision we make has its effect.  If your decisions are based on loving God and loving others, then decisions are generally made with wisdom.  Decisions based on hatred are seldom wise.  Remember from our reading in Psalm today "The earth is the LORD's, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it for He has founded it......"  

Remember when you make decisions to make your decisions based on loving God and loving people.  

"Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, 
The LORD mighty in battle"

"Who is the King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, 
He is the King of glory" 

Let God fight your battles for you.  His ways are just and true!

Thanks for reading today.
I'd love to hear from you if you're finding these posts helpful.  You can comment on the blog or I am on Facebook, Bluesky and X.  If you want to contact me, my email is steve.d.pauls@gmail.com

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