Do we know our siblings?
Joseph might well have considered, “Who is my brother” before he ventured into the wilderness to find the eleven.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 37:12-17
Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.”
How out of touch is Jacob?
I don’t know Joseph’s age is at this point, and I don’t know how safe or threatening is the vicinity (the settlers are tribal), and I don’t know if Jacob knew his sons very well… but it seems to me, for Jacob to send is youngest son to find the brothers — and to observe and bring back an assessment — seems naive.
How out of touch is Joseph?
Did Joseph have any idea how much his brothers hated him? Was he so arrogant as to think he was beyond vulnerability?
And when he couldn’t find his brothers, Joseph was found by a stranger wandering around with no idea what to do.
Joseph, sent by his father who favours him over all his brothers, is walking into danger without a clue. His father has sent him, also without a clue of danger.
Echos in History
Has anyone else noticed there is an echo of David being sent by his father to see his brothers, and being totally mocked by them. Did David’s father know the story of Jacob? (1 Samuel 17)
What is it about Hebrew families? Perhaps it is that they have the same human issues that other families have. Or perhaps it is that with the families where there are marriage issues, sibling rivalries, and the like, there is a bitterness that is beyond the imagination of the father.
Today’s message
Surely the take-away from this, pertinent to today, is just how valuable and essential it is to have a good father/son relationship within families. Love, intimacy, and interaction are important and when there are multiple wives, even more-so.
Favouritism is unhelpful as is jealousy. Looking down on someone because of their youth or favour, or doubting their usefulness because of their youth, is short-sighted. Over and over, we see favour on the young, and blessings following them. Jacob was the younger of two sons. Samuel was a mere child when GOD called him. David was the chosen one; though he was young, he proved his physical strength, his courage, and his faithfulness. GOD honours those after His heart,
Those who are the elder, do not look down on those younger. Those who are young, do not despise your youth. GOD will choose whom He will choose and it will not be based upon sight, but by the heart of the person.
Blessings,
Sarah