Devotion:
Read Genesis 37:13-28.
Tomorrow in both our devotional reading and our worship services, we will be looking at a situation much later in the story of Joseph. Prior to that, we need to be reminded of this part of his life, because it is the key part of the “backstory” leading to the part for tomorrow.
Joseph was the eleventh in a line of twelve brothers, sons of Jacob (Israel). His dad had made it rather clear that he favored Joseph over the others. That fact, as well as Joseph’s behavior caused most of his brothers to not like him at all. The verses we read today tell of the time when they had tolerated him all they could and were ready to get rid of him. Some wanted to kill him, but then they saw an opportunity to sell him to slave traders and they did just that. So first, he is humiliated by being thrown into this hole in the ground, then sold and sent away to a foreign land, separated from his beloved father and family.
As you read further in the story, he is falsely accused of something and put in prison, where he spent over two years. All of that gave him plenty of time to develop a deep hatred of his brothers. Tomorrow, we will look at how his life changed and what he did when he later encountered his brothers.
Personal Worship Option:
What are those circumstances and who are those people that have caused you to feel mistreated in your lifetime? How have you dealt with that? How has it affected your relationship with God? Is there any deep-seated anger or hatred toward other people from which you need to be healed? Seek the guidance of a counselor or trusted colleague who can help you release whatever may be continuing to corrode your spirit.
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