Bible Commentaries

Joseph and His Brethren

Genesis 37:18

We will divide this subject into two parts. First of all, let us consider it from the point of view of the brethren, and then as it concerns Joseph.

I. The Attitude of the Brothers.—1. A distinction without a difference.—First of all, notice the distinction these men draw between actual murder and casting him into this pit and letting him die there. Do you know, we are sometimes inclined to draw the same distinction in our conduct towards people? Are there not a great many men and women who would rather cut off their right hand than take the life of another, though they will make the life of that other a living death? Put forth their hand to slay a brother? Not so; but by their words day by day, and by their conduct day by day, they will make the life of that friend, that one who perhaps should be very near and dear to them, a misery by unkind words and insinuations and suggestions, by unkind, thoughtless, careless conduct. And what of our relation to our Lord? There are many people who will not boldly throw Him over by joining the ranks of the atheists, who yet bring grief and sorrow and pain to His loving heart day after day.

2. Willing to receive gifts.—Notice also that these brethren were quite willing to receive the gifts brought by their brother Joseph, and yet cast him into the pit. Can you find anywhere a scene of greater callousness and cruelty than this scene? Again let us take care lest we do the same.

3. Evil minds find evil everywhere.—And then, while thinking of the brethren, notice how evil minds will always find evil, noisome, pestilent food wherever they come. What possible temptation to any man could be a caravan of merchantmen on their way down to traffic? and yet here are these brethren with minds bent on evil, falling under the temptation to wrongdoing found in such an innocent thing as a caravan of men going down to Egypt.

II. Lessons from Joseph.—Now let us turn our thoughts for a few minutes to Joseph; we may learn three very useful lessons from this incident.

1. Life is not easy.—First notice that life is not a very easy thing after all. Here is Joseph, no doubt as bright and beautiful a specimen of a boy as you would wish to see anywhere, full of good resolutions, full of high ideals, realizing God's blessing within him, realizing God's gifts and power working and expanding and growing within him. I suppose he thought that he was going to sweep away all difficulty, and then suddenly there comes this terrible thing, this awful difficulty. I suppose we all start more or less like Joseph started, thinking that we are going to make something of life, and that we are going, whatever happens to other people, straight ahead. But disillusionment comes before very long. There comes an awakening, and we find that life is a way beset with briars and thorns, that there are difficulties and dangers.

2. Difficulties meant to strengthen.—Here we learn that all these difficulties and trials of life are not sent to destroy but to strengthen. They are sent in the way of attainment. Joseph had a great life-work before him. He was to become ruler of a mighty nation, to save the life of a nation. He must be prepared for that work by the suffering, the toil, and the trial. Let us lay hold of that thought for our comfort. God wants you to do some great work in the world, not great perhaps as the world counts greatness, but some great and good work for Him. He wants your life to be a useful, noble, and true life, and the way he fits it is by trial, difficulty, danger, that you may be taught where strength is to be found, how truly to make life noble and successful.

S. No true life except by death.—We learn finally that there is no true life except by death. Joseph had to learn many bitter lessons in the dark and slimy pit. He had to learn that good resolutions and high resolves are not sufficient. God requires that you and I should die to ourselves and live unto Him.

References.—XXXVII:19.—H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, Sunday Lessons, vol. i. p249. XXXVII:23-36.—A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture— Genesis , p240. XXXVII:26.—A. G. Mortimer, The Church's Lessons, vol. ii. p269. XXXVII:28.—J. Banstead, Practical Sermons, vol. i. p32. XXXIX:2.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxvii. No1610. M. Biggs, Practical Sermons on Old Testament Subjects, p74. XXXIX:8 ,9.—J. T. Bramston, Sermons to Boys, p109.