Topical Bible: Envy: Joseph's Brethren

◄ Envy: Joseph's Brethren ►

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Introduction

Envy, a destructive and consuming emotion, is vividly illustrated in the biblical narrative of Joseph and his brethren. This account, found in the Book of Genesis, serves as a profound example of how envy can lead to familial discord and moral decay. The account of Joseph and his brothers is a cautionary tale that underscores the dangers of allowing envy to take root in one's heart.

Biblical Account

The account of Joseph and his brothers is primarily recorded in Genesis 37. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, was favored by his father, which sowed seeds of envy among his brothers. Genesis 37:3-4 states, "Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made him a robe of many colors. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."

Joseph's dreams further fueled the envy of his brothers. In these dreams, Joseph saw himself in a position of authority over his family, which he shared with them. Genesis 37:5-8 recounts, "Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, 'Please listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.' 'Do you intend to reign over us?' his brothers asked. 'Will you actually rule us?' So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements."

Consequences of Envy

The envy harbored by Joseph's brothers led to a series of grievous actions. Initially, they conspired to kill him, but Reuben, the eldest, intervened, suggesting they throw him into a pit instead, intending to rescue him later. However, when an opportunity arose, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery to a caravan of Ishmaelites heading to Egypt. Genesis 37:28 records, "So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt."

The brothers then deceived their father, Jacob, by dipping Joseph's robe in goat's blood, leading him to believe that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal. This act of deceit compounded their sin, causing deep sorrow to their father and further illustrating the destructive power of envy.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the account of Joseph and his brothers highlights the moral and spiritual dangers of envy. Envy is a sin that not only harms relationships but also blinds individuals to the blessings and providence of God. The brothers' inability to see Joseph's dreams as part of God's divine plan for their family and nation led them to act out of selfishness and malice.

The narrative also demonstrates God's sovereignty and redemptive power. Despite the brothers' sinful actions, God used the situation to fulfill His purposes. Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt and his role in saving his family from famine reveal how God can transform human sin into opportunities for grace and redemption.

Moral Lessons

The account of Joseph and his brethren serves as a moral lesson on the perils of envy. It warns believers to guard their hearts against this vice and to cultivate contentment and gratitude. The account encourages individuals to trust in God's plan and timing, recognizing that His ways are higher than human understanding.

In summary, the account of Joseph and his brothers is a timeless reminder of the destructive nature of envy and the importance of seeking God's will above personal desires. Through this narrative, believers are called to reflect on their own hearts and to strive for righteousness and harmony within their families and communities.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 37:11
And his brothers envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Joseph, the Youngest of Jacob's Sons, was Envied by his ...
... 3. But God, in opposition to their envy, sent a second vision to Joseph, which was ...
and that, as suspecting nothing of ill-will from his brethren, when they ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how joseph the.htm

How Joseph was Thus Sold by his Brethren into Egypt, by Reason of ...
... itself much worse, while they determined to take him off out of envy at his ... 4. When
Joseph's brethren had done thus to him, they considered what they should do ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how joseph was.htm

A Calm Evening, Promising a Bright Morning
... And Joseph said unto his brethren, I:die: and God will ... dread, and, probably, not
a little of the old envy. ... lost by their slowness to believe in Joseph's love! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a calm evening promising a.htm

Joseph
... We all, surely, know the story"How Joseph's brethren envy him and sell him for a
slave into Egypt"how there for a while he prospers" how his master's ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vii joseph.htm

Letter xix. Submission to the Will of God; Dependence Upon Him for ...
... "Let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, curse David." Thus, also, the
Lord employed the envy of Joseph's brethren, to save the lives of all his ...
/.../letter xix submission to the.htm

Chapter xxxvii
... as prefiguring what transpired in the life of the great Antitype, Jesus Christ,
the following: "the envy and hatred of the brethren against Joseph and the fact ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvii.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... this cause of dreams and of these words ministered the more fume of hate and envy.
Joseph saw another sweven and told to his father and brethren: Methought I ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... By these, the minds of his brethren were inflamed with envy and hatred against him.
The opportunities were, the sending of Joseph to his brethren by his father ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... Joseph's brethren were filled with bitter hatred of him, debated about killing him ...
on other instances, the chief priests and Pharisees, full of envy, rose up ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

Recognition and Reconciliation
... learned by any other means his brethren's feelings, and ... It has washed away all the
envy along with it ... Joseph, against whom they had sinned, takes the initiative ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/recognition and reconciliation.htm