There's a reason jealousy is referred to as a green-eyed monster, and boy, do we ever get a glimpse of that in Genesis 37:12-36. I have no doubt that Joseph's brothers were pretty normal people--hard working, logical, and that family was important to them--but when jealousy wormed its way into their lives, things changed. Rational thinking went right out the window--so much so that they were ready and wanting to murder Joseph (accept for Reuben).
What did Genesis 37:12-36 and the situation with Joseph's brothers reveal to you about jealousy and unchecked sin? Tami W.
Indolence, is wishing the weeds were gone from your garden...but doing nothing to remove them. Like praying for someone (I.e. James 2:15) to be warm and filled with life giving food, yet doing nothing to make it so... Or wanting a God-centered leader to lead our Nation, the voting for a holocaust man....
We want to come closer to God, we want to live better, yet we say that it isn't our tongues that are wicked, that the tongue is morally neutral... But the fruit proves differently.......
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. If your Pastor only preaches/teaches what makes you feel good, your missing the 2/3 of the message of Salvation.
Even Jesus said, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand".
Every medium you pay need to, radio, movies, tv etc... Is teaching you the broadcaster/authors theology, worldviews....
To believe any different is to lie to oneself.
Grace and Peace,
Until Judgment Day
What did I learn about jealousy & unchecked sin? The Scripture is very revealing: When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they ploted against him to put him to death (Gen. 37:18) Then they say down to eat a meal... Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it for us to kill our brouther and cover up his blood?" (Gen. 37:25-26). The brothers had planned something so wicked for Joseph, and yet, very revealing to me: the next action is to sit down & eat.
We hear similar stories on the news today about family tragedies - plotting, scheming, murder... It's true, there is nothing new under the sun.
The heart is desperately wicked. Who can know it? All have sinned and have come short of God's glory.
As you said, the brothers wer pretty normal people -- hard working, logical & family was important to them. Who could tell just by looking at them what they did? No one, not even their own father suspected the cruelty done to Joseph, the brother. It reminds me that we look on the outward, but God sees the heart & nothing is hidden from His eyes. I need to realize this - are my thoughts, motives and actions pure in HIS sight?
Jeaulousy & unchecked sin will lead to hatred and sinful actions.
There are a few things that hit me this time reading through. I wonder if Joseph was bragging to his brothers while sharing his dreams and taunting them with his new coat. I wonder if his purpose was an innocent sharing or an immature "look at me". I know in my own life I can do that very thing. But it comes from insecurity, not a desire to share and build others up. I am also hit by Israel's favouritism for Joseph. I have recently read that not only do the children that aren't favoured suffer, but also the one who is (Focus on the Family). I ponder to see if I treat my children equally. Lastly, it's amazing the power of jealousy. I believe it's root is pride and insecurity. When it festers in a group it becomes a monster. I see this happen in the Christian Community. Yet the Word says that we will be known by our love. I'm sure this is but one reason that the Christian example is so powerless. If se truly want to radiate Christ, we need to confess jealousy immediately. Nip it in the bud... and whatever you do, don't share your jealousy with others except to confess and be changed.
That it is a very very dangerous if we do not deal with it and turn it over to God.We all experience it in one way or another but by confessing it ,it lets God to help us deal with it and work through it.
Genesis 37 12-36 proves that temptation leads to sin and sin to death. When you let it fester as they did among each other it just grew to more hatred that they eventually acted on their emotions and feelings believing that they were justified.
Jealously doesn't really hurt or bother the person who is jealous but it destroys anyone that they love. From the reading it didn't seem to do anything to any of the brothers except for Ruben. It destroyed the father. So the question I have is: What good comes from being jealous and who does it not destroy or hurt?
How can someone justify being jealous.
Everyone seems to have done a great job of summarizing things. It behooves us to keep a short account with God.