(a) Highlight the problems encountered by Joseph with his brothers. (b) Indicate how Joseph and his brothers were reconciled (c) What three lessons can be l...

Answer Details

(a) Problems Joseph encountered with his brothers (Genesis 37)

Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob, born to him in his old age by Rachel, and Jacob made him a long robe with sleeves (a coat of many colours). His brothers hated him because their father loved him more than all of them, and they could not speak peaceably to him.

Joseph increased their hatred when he brought a bad report of his brothers to their father, and when he told them his dreams. In one dream their sheaves bowed down to his sheaf; in another the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed down to him. They understood these to mean that he would rule over them, and they hated and envied him the more.

One day Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were pasturing the flock at Shechem. When they saw him coming from afar, they conspired to kill him, saying, "Here comes this dreamer. Let us kill him and throw him into a pit, and we shall see what will become of his dreams." Reuben, wishing to save him, persuaded them not to shed blood but to cast him into a pit. So they stripped Joseph of his robe and threw him into an empty pit. As they sat to eat, a caravan of Ishmaelites (Midianite traders) passed by, and at Judah's suggestion they sold Joseph to them for twenty pieces of silver, and he was taken to Egypt. They then dipped his robe in the blood of a goat and sent it to Jacob, who believed a wild beast had devoured his son and mourned bitterly.

(b) How Joseph and his brothers were reconciled (Genesis 42-45)

Years later, during a severe famine, Joseph had risen to become governor of Egypt, in charge of the grain. His brothers came down to Egypt to buy grain and, not recognising him, bowed before him, fulfilling his dreams. Joseph recognised them but concealed his identity, tested them by accusing them of being spies, kept Simeon as a hostage and demanded they bring Benjamin. On their second visit he hid his cup in Benjamin's sack to test their loyalty. When Judah offered himself in place of Benjamin for their father's sake, Joseph could no longer control himself. He sent out the Egyptians and wept aloud, then made himself known: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt." He reassured them not to be distressed or angry with themselves, for God had sent him ahead to preserve life and save them during the famine. He kissed his brothers and wept, and invited the whole family, including his father Jacob, to come and settle in the land of Goshen.

(c) Three lessons from the relationship between Joseph and his family

• Envy, hatred and favouritism breed conflict and can lead to great evil within a family.
• Forgiveness and reconciliation are better than revenge; Joseph forgave his brothers freely.
• God can turn evil intentions into good and works out His purpose despite human wickedness.