Genesis 37:18-20

Today we start a 4 day conversation about Joseph. He really was resilient and he went through a lot. For context purposes, let's get a history here. Joseph is one of Jacob’s sons. Jacob, like his parents, had favorites. That is such a dangerous thing to do in families.

I don’t think the Bible has the number of daughters born to Jacob recorded, but we know through 4 women he had 12 sons. The Bible says Joseph was born to Jacob in his old age & that’s why he loved him more. (Genesis 37:3) Jacob had a robe made for Joseph and that made his brothers hate him even more.

Once Joseph started having dreams & telling them to his brothers, they were done. As we have established, the first born in Jewish culture was usually the most important, not the next to youngest. Our verses are after Joseph told them 2 different dreams. His dad sent him out to see how his brothers were doing with the sheep. (Joseph would tell Jacob if they were doing bad things. Genesis 37:2)

I have never hated someone so much that I wished they were dead. Especially not a family member, but these guys had hatred in their heart for their little brother. This event started Joseph’s life on a very different path from what he originally thought, I bet. What are your thoughts on this beginning to Joseph’s life?