(Genesis) Genesis 37:20-26
The brothers' plot to kill Joseph is foiled by Reuben's intervention, but Judah's plan to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites ultimately leads to Joseph's enslavement in Egypt.
In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph and his brothers from the book of Genesis. The speaker highlights the actions of Reuben, who shows maturity and compassion by suggesting that they do not kill Joseph but instead throw him into a pit. Reuben's intention was to later rescue Joseph and bring him back to their father. However, when Joseph is thrown into the pit, a group of Ishmaelites passing by purchase him as a slave and take him to Egypt. Judah also intervenes, suggesting that they should not kill Joseph but instead profit from selling him. The speaker emphasizes the significance of these actions and the consequences they have on Joseph's life.
Full Transcript
And verse 20, "'Come now, therefore, and let us slay him. Cast him into some pit, and we'll say, Some evil beast hath devoured him, And we'll see what will become of his dreams.' Now, Reuben here, who has already lost his position as the firstborn, it'll be transferred to Judah. But Reuben actually stands out in a good light here.
He has more mature judgment than the others. And verse 21, I'm reading, "'And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, And said, Let us not kill him.' They would have slain him right there and then. But Reuben intervened, and he rescued him, And said, Look, brethren, let's not kill him.
And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into the pit that's in the wilderness. Lay no hand upon him, that he might rid him out of their hands, To deliver him to his father again.' Now, it was Reuben's avowed purpose that when he was put in the pit, that he would slip back and take him out of the pit and take him home to his father and tell him what had happened. But when he was put in the pit, it came to pass, verse 23, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him.
In other words, that coat was like waving a red flag in front of a bull because they hated him. That set him apart from them, and they certainly didn't like that by any means because several of them, according to the law of primogeniture, that is, that the elder has prior claim, why there were several of them that were older than he was. And they took him and cast him into a pit, and the pit was empty.
There was no water in it, and they sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. These were traders that were going by. And Judas said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood? In other words, Judah now intervenes.
It doesn't seem to be a very good plan of his, but at least he doesn't want murder to take place, and he doesn't want the blood to be on the hands of the brothers of Joseph.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Genesis 37:20-26
- II. The Plot to Kill Joseph
- A. The brothers' plan to slay Joseph
- B. Reuben's intervention to save Joseph
- III. Reuben's Motivation
- A. To rescue Joseph and return him to their father
- IV. The Ishmaelites and the Pit
- A. The Ishmaelites' arrival and the brothers' decision
- B. Judah's intervention to prevent murder
Key Quotes
“'Come now, therefore, and let us slay him. Cast him into some pit, and we'll say, Some evil beast hath devoured him, And we'll see what will become of his dreams.'” — J. Vernon McGee
“'And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, And said, Let us not kill him.'” — J. Vernon McGee
“'Shed no blood, but cast him into the pit that's in the wilderness. Lay no hand upon him, that he might rid him out of their hands, To deliver him to his father again.'” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should not let jealousy and resentment lead us to harm others.
- God can use even the most difficult circumstances to bring about His plan and purpose.
- We should seek to rescue and protect those who are vulnerable and in need.