Today we are reading Genesis 37. In this chapter we read about Joseph and his jealous brothers. “These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.” Genesis 37:2-5 ESV Jealousy is often a problem with siblings. In this account, the sibling rivalry goes way beyond envy. Joseph’s brothers want to kill him! This is partly the father’s fault for obviously favoring Joseph. It is also partly Joseph’s fault for the way he reported on his brothers. Finally, it is the fault of the brothers who could not overlook these failings of their father and little brother. If the story stopped here, it would be very tragic. How have you resolved things in your family? Have you made peace? What next steps can you take to build bridges with your family members? Pastor Tim
