Introduction: Yesterday we learned that Joseph was the 11^th brother out of 12 sons of Jacob, and that he was dad’s favorite.  Both Jacob and Joseph did things that made the brothers jealous, whether they had intended to or not.  

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2) What Joseph’s Brothers Did, from Genesis 37

So one day, Jacob sent Joseph to find his brothers and give him a report.  They were about sixty miles from home, tending the sheep, when they saw him coming across the field.   “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.  “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”

Reuben, the oldest brother, cautioned them: “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this well here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.”  So they did.

While Joseph was in the well, Judah, the fourth-oldest brother, saw a caravan of traders coming their way.  “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?  Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites (traders) and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. 

(Pause here, and think about it: “What will we gain if we just kill him?  Let’s sell him instead…”)

So Joseph was sold.  Then the brothers “got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”

Jacob saw it, and knew – or thought he knew – that his favorite son was dead.  His family tried to comfort him, but the aggrieved old man would not be consoled.  “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.”

But this is not the end of Genesis 37.  There's one last line: “Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.”

So one man sees the story ending.  But the author tells us it is just beginning.  

Make it a great trip!

Daddio