Tehillah Generation Chapel
Daily Manna | Monday, July 2, 2018 | Topic: Conscience 60
Scripture: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6
Note: Joseph’s potential, revealed through dreams shared with his brothers and his father, became the biggest threat to his life. The negative effect of his shared dreams created a snowball effect of an atmosphere that became the breeding ground for envy and jealousy on the part of his brothers. Joseph’s brothers were so much obsessed with the noxious effect of seeing their younger brother, Joseph, who by the laws of inheritance and their Hebrew culture, in their estimation, didn’t deserve to be equal with them, worse still surpassing them and ruling over them.
The desire to see the downfall of Joseph was strong and unanimous among Joseph’s brothers. The plot began the day and moment he innocently shared his dreams with them. Joseph was young, innocent and ignorant of the wicked machinations of men, his brothers included. He trusted his brothers, being one blood with them. He opened up to them without any reservation, fearing nothing. Unknown to Joseph, he had indirectly invited the death sentence on himself as his brothers looked for the best opportunity to put him away for good, in a manner that wouldn’t attract suspicion from a doting father.
Joseph wandered in the fields of Shechem to no avail, until a stranger found him and directed him to Dothan. How grateful Joseph must have been for this wonderful assistance and how excited Joseph must have been on seeing his brothers from afar off. Yet, unknown to Joseph, the positive emotions of joy and gladness that flooded through his body, copiously showing on his face, at finally locating his brothers, was in sharp contrast to the negative emotions of envy, jealousy and anger emanating from his brothers, who wanted him dead.
Positive emotions of gladness and goodwill from one person towards others, are Christlike and the right attitude to be encouraged within interpersonal relationships. It’s good and to be encouraged among Christians, but these virtues don’t necessarily guarantee a return of the courtesies extended to others. Joseph’s innocent mind didn’t know and neither did he anticipate the rude shock that was about to him, coming from his own brothers. Every approaching step of his was a walk into a well planned, very detailed master plan that had been hatched and designed to summarily execute Joseph, without any trace of his body parts.
Food for thought: Good intentions are not necessarily guarantees for protection. For safety is of the Lord.
Declaration: And when they saw Joseph afar off, even before he came near to them, they conspired against him to slay him. Genesis 37:18
©Author: Rev Fred Aboe
