Joseph was one of 12 brothers. Reuben being the oldest of the 12 and Benjamin the youngest.
Most of us probably know the story of Joseph... he was the favorite of his father, Jacob; his father gave him the coat of many colors, he watched over the sheep, and he was a dreamer. The Lord gave him dreams that he would one day do great things and rule over many.
What’s on my heart is not particularly Joseph, but who and what surrounded him. He was cast into a pit and left to die by his OWN brethren because they didn’t like the dreams the Lord had given him... they didn’t like that he was the father’s favorite. But, I want to focus in on one person in particular, and that’s the oldest of the 12 sons, Reuben.
When the younger brothers came to him suggesting that they just kill Joseph, Reuben spoke up and said (Gen. 37:22), “cast him into a pit in the wilderness”. Reuben was in the position to do what was right, to stop and stand up to what was about to happen. But instead of standing for what was right, and instead of standing up for his younger brother Joseph who was being left for dead for no reason at all... he chose to cast Joseph into a pit, in hopes that his hands would not be found in the situation.
Thoughts to ponder on... who was found the most accountable? The brothers who wanted to kill Joseph? Or the oldest brother Reuben, who had the opportunity and obligation as the elder brother, to help and save his brother Joseph, and yet he chose not to?
If you look earlier on (Gen. 35:22), you’ll find Reuben already had skeletons in the closet. He chose to sleep with his father’s concubine... he defiled his father’s bed, secretly taking what wasn’t his.
Now, let’s bring it closer to home. Those who are in positions, men and women that the Lord has called to a named position, or anyone whom we look to for guidance and help... what happens when the things we have preached and taught against, come to pass in a person’s life, and they come to us for guidance or help and with a broken heart. Instead of taking hold of that position and standing for what is right, you instead cast that person into the pit, leaving them alone, in hopes that your hands won’t be found in the blood prints.
(James 4:17),”Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
We claim to take a stance for truth and against sin, yet we’re found doing the same as Reuben. Overlooking is the same as condoning... Joseph was left for dead, and that is exactly what we have chosen to do by taking the sinful side, or overlooking the sinful action.
I do believe we have a misconception of the Christian life, and I beg you to take at least this one thing to heart. You can follow A, B, C, look the part, sing in the choir, and serve in church your entire life, but that WILL NOT keep you from devastation. I’ve seen too many of my generation walk away because they followed the rules, were told life would work out perfect, and then they’re left lying in the dust wondering why God let what happened to them, happen.
It’s time we as Christians stop sugarcoating the reality that bad things happen to good people.
We must live beyond requirements and out of genuine, sincere, love and service. That doesn’t mean trials won’t still come, it just means we won’t be alone when they do and we’ll be able to withstand them because we have anchored our feet in THE firm foundation.
One of my all time favorite quotes, “All may change, but Jesus never... Glory to His name.”
We were never promised that life would be easy or bad things or bad people wouldn’t come, but we can rest in knowing that our faith lies in the changeless Savior.
So as most would say, I did run a rabbit there ;)
You will never know when you will be someone’s lifeline of survival and encouragement when they reach out.
We all know that later on in the scriptures, Joseph became a helper to the King and provided his brothers, including the brother who could have used his position to have avoided the betrayal altogether, provided them with wheat during a famine. Joseph became their way of survival when he was put in the position to do something, and could have cast them away as they did him, but he served and loved, and chose to become accountable to not only his family but to his God.
Reuben‘s descendants suffered because of his lack of true leadership (Numbers 16:1). Korah and his family were swallowed up by the earth due to his failure to lead and be accountable in his position to his family (Numbers 16:32). But that is no surprise because he was just following the legacy his forefathers left for him.
Our lack to stand for what is right now will lead to the demise in our families for generations to come.
May we stand for what is right when we’re given the opportunity to be accountable! And may we be prepared to do so at any given time.
Be a stepping stone in a world full of stumbling blocks! ❤️
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