A Brother's Love

How much can one person take, and still choose to offer kindness.

In Genesis Chapter 37, verses 12–36, 17-year-old Joseph is sent by his father to visit his brothers, who were tending the family’s flock of sheep in the countryside.

Rather than the friendly check-in he expected, Joseph’s brothers initially plotted to kill him out of jealousy, but instead sold him into slavery to a group of Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. Among the brothers, only Reuben wished to leave Joseph unharmed, attempting (but failing) to set up a situation where he could rescue his brother and return him to their father.

In Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused of a crime, thrown into prison, became an interpreter of dreams for Pharaoh, and eventually attained a seat of power over Egypt.

When famine hit the land where his brothers lived, they came to Egypt to buy grain. They didn’t know Joseph was not only alive, but was now the governor of Egypt. To their surprise, Joseph wasn’t angry at his brothers, but showed them compassion when he saw them again. Instead of taking revenge, he took them in and cared for them. Joseph knew everything that had happened was part of God’s plan, and what his brothers intended for harm, God intended for good.

Ephesians 4:2 says, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

The story of Joseph teaches us that humility, patience, gentleness, and love are not just qualities to be saved up for those who deserve it; God asks us to approach others with love even if they have offended or caused us harm. 

Let’s pray.

Lord, sometimes the people in our lives are disappointing, frustrating, or downright hurtful. Help us to love those who fall short and need our forgiveness the most, and to bear with each other with patience, and with grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:01):
How much can one person take and still choose to
offer kindness?
In Genesis chapter 37, verses 12through 36, 17-year-old Joseph
is sent by his father to visithis brothers who were tending
the family's flock of sheep inthe countryside.
Rather than the friendlycheck-in he expected, Joseph's
brothers initially plotted tokill him out of jealousy, but

(00:22):
instead sold him into slavery toa group of Ishmaelites heading
for Egypt.
Among the brothers, only Reubenwished to leave Joseph unharmed,
attempting, but failing to setup a situation where he could
rescue his brother and returnhim to their father.
In Egypt, Joseph was falselyaccused of a crime, thrown into
prison, became an interpreter ofdreams for Pharaoh, and

(00:44):
eventually attained a seat ofpower over Egypt.
When famine hit the land wherehis brothers lived, they came to
Egypt to buy grain.
They didn't know Joseph was notonly alive, but was now the
governor of Egypt.
And to their surprise, Josephwasn't angry at his brothers but
showed them compassion when hesaw them again.
Instead of taking revenge, hetook them in and cared for them.

(01:07):
Joseph knew everything that hadhappened was part of God's plan.
And what his brothers intendedfor harm, God intended for good.
Ephesians 4 2 says, Becompletely humble and gentle, be
patient, bearing with oneanother in love.
The story of Joseph teaches usthat humility, patience,

(01:29):
gentleness, and love are notjust qualities to be saved up
for those who we think deserveit.
God asks us to approach otherswith love even if they have
offended or caused us harm.
Let's pray.
Lord, sometimes the people inour lives are disappointing,

(01:50):
frustrating, downright hurtful.
God help us to love those whofall short and need our
forgiveness the most and to bearwith each other with patience
and with grace.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.