Genesis 37:12-36
When I was growing up, we lived in the country, so I had several horses and trained and showed them. Now, for the most part, my horses were gentle, responsive and loving toward me. However, if something happened that scared or spooked them, that behavior would change very quickly, and without some intervention, they could easily run out of control, cause damage and hurt themselves.
That's kind of the picture I got here with Joseph's brothers. They are operating unchecked, motivated by jealousy. It's a slippery slope with one bad decision leading to another and so on.
So what does Genesis 37:12-36 show us about unchecked jealousy? What will you do the next time you sense jealousy setting in? Tami W.
Jealousy has a way of snow-balling. Joseph's brothers were threatened by Joseph's favored position with their father, and by the dreams. (They probably knew in their hearts that Joseph was going to rise above them in some way.) They felt the need to do something about it. They did not know that they were furthering the plan of God. That's not to say what they did was right. This passage shows us that when jealousy is unchecked things go further than we want them to go. It's like lust in the book of James. It is conceived, it grows, then it produces sin. I would like to say that I stop jealousy in its tracks by praying and applying the word, but sometimes I don't even recognize it operating unless the Holy Spirit points it out. Then I quickly ask forgiveness, and try to pray for the person I was jealous of. There is a lot of jealousy in the Body of Christ. For the person envied, usually God rewards them in some way (blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake). For the one who is jealous, if they don't turn thru repentance, their condition will snowball to something worse. Jealsousy eats you up inside, leads to sin, and it is sin!
Unchecked jealousy can lead to disastrous results. You do and say things that are not pleasing to God. Awhile back I learnt on a Christian radio programme that “its not fair to compare”. I think that’s where jealousy starts, with comparisons. But I guess, if you do start to compare I think a good thing to do is to try to refocus on the blessings God has bestowed on you. Thank Him for specific things like getting to work safely, relatively good health, etc.
I think remembering that God is in control of our lives and He is our source and not we ourselves, will help up to keep jealousy at bay.
as in the scrip. i would pray to god to forgive my brothers. but we must take note also that jealousy is born in all of us but how we deal with its circumstances is another. let us remember that our god says he;s a jealous god!so its not so much of the jealousy but it is how its been dealt with.
I try to redirect my feelings of jealousy or envy into feelings of contentment in what God has given me. How am I using His gifts? Is there someone I should be caring for instead of wasting my time with envy? Having an accountability partner helps "check" my temptations.
I think jealously is a result of taking our focus off of God and focusing towards man. We look at what another person has or is like and want that for ourselves. When we don't get it, we then feel "cheated" and begin the comparison process as mentioned by Gen above. Many times instead of looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith and what he has bestowed upon us, we look at what other people have and want that and become jealous and disappointed when we don't receive it. It is at those times that we must readjust our focus and ensure that we are looking to god and not man for our sustainment.
I also redirect my feelings of jealously and envy by looking at my life and seeing the things that God has blessed me with and there is so much. Other people may have things that I don't and that's ok because my love of God overrules. Jealousy feeds anger and resentment and I've been down that path. The only one who suffered from it was me. God blesses each and every one of us in His on way.
I can't help but wonder if they would have been so jealous if they had focused on their relationship with their father? Reuben was more focused on his father's desires than his own desire for praise. When I think on the Truth found on the pages of scripture, I find myself very content with who I am. The key for me is the Word. :)
Did not Cain kill his brother out of jealous too? And he was even warned by GOD! When jeaousy and evny rear their ugly heads, I am afraid amigos that I "must" retreat back into the prayer closet and pray.
I know that jealousy can lead to depression, poor self image, bitterness and gradually eats away our insides like cancer. Certainly, parents need to be careful how they relate to their children as this definitely can cause severe jealousy. I am just overcoming the pain of jealousy, because I always thought my mother preferred a sibling to me. Even in the Church, fellowship is key. At times we are not even aware of the root cause of an ailment, but many times it stems from jealousy.
Each time i study about Joseph's life in Genesis 39.It helps me to learn to have endurance in the mist of trial especially when i know
i did no wrong to deserve it.And also trials can come in sucession.
so i need to keep holding on, till my deliverance comes through.
And for any temptation on my way God has made a way of escape if only i will cling on him and not handle it with human wisdom and sympathy.