Life Lessons: Decisions and Deception (Joseph)

Reading: Genesis 37:12-36

I have a little brother and I have been pretty darn mad at him a few times during the course of the last three decades but never have I considered physically harming him, much less murdering him, but Joseph’s brothers considered just that when they had the opportunity. What does that tell you about their hearts and their relationship with Joseph? I’d argue that it shows they had murdered him in their heart long before they spoke the words out loud and this just happened to be the convenient moment, far from home and those they knew, when they had the opportunity to get rid of what they considered their biggest problem. 

Don’t you wonder what final outcome they truly envisioned with this plan? Is there any way this couldn’t end in heartache? Better yet, did they not fear the holy Lord at all? I’ve read this story a dozen times and have even taught on it in the past but when I was rereading it for this writing I had a new appreciation, or perhaps disgust, for verse 26, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?” What will we gain? Were their murderous hands not stayed by fear of the Lord or their heart for their brother but rather their desire to benefit all they could from this horrific situation? 

It seems too horrible to even consider and yet, when we murder people in our hearts (Matthew 5:21-26), pride, jealousy and the like have a way of creeping in and convincing us to get all we can out of what we feel is a justified situation. Can I use this moment to get ahead in my career? Make myself more attractive to him? Seem more important to them? Maybe, for a bit, but eventually the truth will meet you face to face. 

Yes, Joseph’s brothers got rid of their “problem” for the moment and yes, they deceived their father into thinking he had been killed to cover their crime but they also deceived themselves into thinking they would now have a better life or less trouble with Joseph gone. They deceived themselves into believing that the ends justified the means. They deceived themselves into thinking that he deserved what he got. They deceived themselves into believing that their unhappiness in life was a result of him and not their poor attitudes and ultimately, they deceived themselves into believing they would not be held accountable by a holy and just God. 

I’d be a bad friend if I tried to say we don’t fall for these lies and deceptions at times. Satan is really great at using comparison and sinful justification to get us to buy into his schemes which is why we need to daily ask the Father for wisdom and discernment when approaching all areas of our lives. God will never call you to do something that goes against His word, even if you can argue in favor of it until the cows come home. 

Today’s Prayer

Father, I’m sorry for all the times I have murdered people in my heart. Please open my eyes to anybody I need to apologize to or someone I need to forgive who has treated me this way. Help me to recognize Satan’s schemes for what they are and to flee from them in Your power.