HATRED’S DESTRUCTIVENESS

HATRED’S DESTRUCTIVENESS

 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… His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. —Genesis 37:4-5, 8

 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. —Genesis 37:18

 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. —Genesis 37:27-28

 And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. —Genesis 37:32-35 

 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! —Matthew 12:12

             Hatred toward someone or a group of people leads to devaluing them and lifting self or another group of people up as more important.  There are many who would not value another individual or group as more precious than sheep.  This type of hatred fermenting can and will lead to other ungodly actions if not checked.

            Joseph’s brothers absolutely hated him for the favoritism their father showed toward him and for the dreams of dominance over them that he had and told to them.  They could not even speak peaceably to Joseph because of that hatred for him.  Not only could they not speak appropriately with him, but they also allowed that inner hatred as a group to plan violence against him.  Initially they wanted to kill him.  That is where unchecked hatred can lead, but Reuben talked his brothers out of it and encouraged them to just throw him into a pit.  Reuben was going to rescue him later.  But, while Reuben was gone his brothers sold Joseph to the Midianite traders and Joseph would be sold as a slave in Egypt.

            To cover up their deed they made it look like Joseph was eaten by wild animals.  They soaked his cloak in blood, showed their father to see if he could identify it and their father concluded what they desired— that Joseph had been eaten by wild animals.  Jacob could not be comforted at the loss of his son.

            Yes, hatred led these brothers to consider killing their bother.  Instead they put him in a pit to die, but then decided to sell him into slavery.  Not only that, but they devised a deception so their father would think Joseph was killed by a wild animal.  This they did to their own brother and father and extended family.  This deception would last for 22 years.  Do you have hatred for someone or a group of people.  Resolve it before it gets out of hand.

Dear Father please help me never to hate anyone.  I am not any better or worse than anyone else.  Help me to have a proper perspective by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So be it!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b07AIQA3_00&list=UUf1NPIFOBwzTLVQiEDnq4Cw&index=5