Alright, folks, gather ’round because today, we’re diving into a story. But hold onto your hats because this tale might not be what you’re expecting.
INTRO: A teenage boy is sent out by his dad to go looking for his brothers. But what he stumbles upon is nothing short of betrayal and deceit. Stripped of his prized coat and tossed into a dark pit, things take a turn for the worse real quick. And let me tell you, it’s a wild ride from there.
Welcome back to another episode of Five Broken Loaves! If you’re enjoying what you’re seeing, don’t forget to hit that like button and hit subscribe for more content like this. And hey, if you’re digging the storytelling vibe of this video, drop me a comment down below and let me know!
So, let’s take a moment to step back and really get a sense of the scene here. Let’s first take a moment to paint a picture of Canaan during this time. Imagine rolling hills adorned with olive groves and vineyards, stretching as far as the eye can see. The sun casts a warm, golden glow over the landscape, while herds of sheep graze peacefully in the meadows. Canaan is alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life, with markets bustling and families tending to their fields. It’s a land of abundance, teeming with life and vitality, providing the backdrop for the unfolding drama of Joseph and his brothers.
Ok, so the whole clan is gathered in the land of canaan. And let me tell you, it’s not a small gathering by any means. We’ve got Jacob the dad along with Joseph and his ten brothers and who knows how many sisters, and amidst this family dynamic, it’s clear that Jacob has a particular fondness for Joseph. He’s the standout, the favored one, evidenced by this elaborate coat that Jacob crafts for him. It’s like a beacon, declaring Joseph as the chosen one among his siblings. But why? Well, Joseph holds a unique position as the youngest amidst a brood of ten, and considering Jacob’s advancing age, it’s almost as if he sees Joseph as his last opportunity to revel in fatherhood. Of course, we know that number 12 comes along a bit later but we’ll save Benjamin’s story for another time.
Indeed, it’s not uncommon for parents to have a soft spot for their youngest child, especially when there’s a significant age gap between siblings. In the case of Jacob and Joseph, it’s easy to imagine how the dynamics of their family played out. With Joseph being the youngest and Jacob likely doting on him, it’s understandable that Joseph may have received more attention and affection from his father than his older brothers. This favoritism, while perhaps unintentional, undoubtedly played a role in fueling the jealousy and resentment that brewed among Joseph’s siblings.
It’s a heartbreaking turn of events, isn’t it? The jealousy and resentment Joseph’s brothers harbored toward him ultimately poisoned their relationship to the point where they couldn’t even stand to be in the same room without boiling over with anger. It’s difficult to fathom the depth of animosity that must have existed within the family for things to reach such a state. Yet, unfortunately, sibling rivalry and jealousy are as old as cain and abel, and they can lead to some truly destructive outcomes, as we’ll soon see in Joseph’s story.
Joseph, bless his heart, didn’t exactly help his case. He goes running to his dad, tattling on his brothers for slacking off. Sure, if they were shirking their duties, someone needed to say something. But it’s like he couldn’t resist being the messenger. I’m not saying he was wrong, but let’s just say his brothers probably didn’t appreciate it much.
Now, let’s pause and think about Joseph’s decision to share his dreams with his brothers. I mean, come on, he had to know they already resented him, right? It’s not like they were exchanging friendship bracelets and sharing secrets. So, why spill the beans about these dreams? It’s like he was pouring gasoline on a fire.
And what were the dreams about? Basically, Joseph’s brothers are all bowing down to him. Now, that’s like tossing a lit match into a room full of fireworks. And the next day, just to up the ante, he throws in the part of his new dream about the sun, the moon, and the stars bowing down too. Apparently the sun and moon are mom and dad and the stars are, once again, his brothers. Talk about adding fuel to the fire!
Jacob’s reaction to Joseph’s dreams was mixed, to say the least. He wasn’t thrilled about the idea of everyone bowing down to his son, but he didn’t just brush it off either. Instead, he tucked it away in his mind, maybe wondering if there was something more to these dreams than just Joseph’s imagination running wild. After all, Jacob was no stranger to divine revelation himself, so perhaps he saw a glimmer of prophecy in Joseph’s visions.
It’s hard to say for sure what Joseph’s intentions were when he shared his dreams. Maybe there was a bit of youthful arrogance there, or perhaps he was simply naive to the potential consequences. After all, being the youngest and seemingly favored by his father, he may have been unaware of just how deeply his brothers resented him. It’s also possible that he shared his dreams innocently, without fully understanding the impact they would have on his relationships with his family. Whatever the case, it’s clear that these dreams played a significant role in escalating the tension between Joseph and his brothers.
So, you’ve got Joseph, the youngest of the bunch, already dealing with a heap of animosity from his older brothers. Then, add to that mix his dreams about his family bowing down to him. These brothers are seething with jealousy, and now they’re envisioning themselves, the proud older siblings, bowing before their little brother? It’s a recipe for disaster.
So, here’s the scene: Joseph’s dad, Jacob, sends him out to check on his brothers who are out tending the family flock. Now, whether Joseph was intentionally left behind or he just decided to hang back, we can’t be sure. But what we do know is that Jacob wants Joseph to make sure everything’s cool with his brothers out there in the fields.
Now, hold on to your seats, folks, because Joseph’s brothers were nowhere near the family flock. Nope, not even close! Instead, they decided to take a little detour to Dothan, a bustling trade center about 67 miles away, taking the old trade roads. That’s a good 3-4 days’ journey on foot. So, what gives? Why the sudden trip to Dothan?
Well, we’re not exactly clued in on the specifics of their plans, but we do know that Dothan was a major hub for trade back in the day. So, maybe they were up to some business dealings or who knows what else. But one thing’s for sure: they weren’t exactly tending to their family duties as they should have been.
Get this: Joseph sets out to find his brothers in Dothan and his brothers spot him from afar: their immediate reaction? “Let’s end this dreamer’s life!” Can you believe it? Talk about drastic measures! But hold on, folks, because Reuben, the voice of reason in this chaotic scene, steps in with a slightly less murderous proposal. Instead of spilling blood, he suggests tossing Joseph into a pit to meet his demise. Now, you might be thinking, “Reuben, you’re not much better!” But here’s the kicker: Reuben’s got a plan up his sleeve. He’s secretly scheming to rescue Joseph later on and bring him back home safe and sound. Who saw that coming?
The brothers were totally on board with Reuben’s plan. They snatched Joseph’s coat and chucked him into the pit without a second thought. Why take the coat? Well, they needed that coat to sell their story to their father later on, making it look like Joseph had met his end in the wilderness. And get this, folks: after their little pit stunt, they didn’t skip a beat. Nope, they casually strolled over to the nearest deli and ordered up some gazelle kebabs. Now, that’s what I call cold-hearted. But then again, these guys were contemplating straight-up murder, so I guess a little gazelle lunch isn’t too surprising.
You’d think that would be the end of the road for poor Joseph, right? But hold onto your hats, folks, because this story’s just getting started. Lo and behold, the brothers spot a caravan of traders rolling into town. And guess where they’re headed? Egypt! These traders are packing some serious goods too—gum, balm, myrrh, you name it. And no, we’re not talking about your everyday chewing gum here. This stuff’s more like a resin from Acacia trees, used for everything from paint to makeup.
Are you thinking what the brothers are thinking? “Let’s cash in on Joseph.” Judah lays it out for them: What’s the point of offing our brother and trying to cover it up? It’s like he’s saying, “If we’re gonna do this, let’s at least make some dough.” He’s quick to add that this way, they can wash their hands of their brother’s blood—literally. “We don’t have to kill him ourselves,” he says. “We’ll just sell him off and pocket the cash.” And you know what? The brothers are sold on the idea.
Imagine Joseph’s thoughts as his brothers haul him out of that pit. What must have been going through Joseph’s mind? Did he dare to hope that his brothers had a change of heart? Was there a flicker of relief as they pulled him from the pit? Though Joseph may not have even noticed, we know that Reuben, the one who had a shred of decency, was nowhere to be seen.
Joseph’s brief moment of hope shattered like glass as he realized his fate. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, his life took a drastic turn. While likely relieved that he wasn’t facing death, the knowledge that his siblings saw fit to profit from his misfortune must have been a bitter pill to swallow. To us, the sum they received seems insignificant, a mere $120.00. But to them, it represented months of labor or even years of hard work. Yet, in the hands of those who betrayed him, for all we know – it vanished as quickly as it came.
The absence of Reuben at the time of Joseph’s sale raises questions. Did the brothers intentionally exclude him from their scheme, or was he simply unaware of their actions? Regardless, when Reuben returned to the pit and discovered Joseph missing, his anguish was palpable. He tore his clothes in a gesture of despair, overwhelmed by the weight of what had transpired. In his distress, he may have even contemplated fleeing, unable to face the inevitable reckoning with his father.
The brothers’ treachery on the other hand knew no bounds. With hearts cold and minds steeped in deceit, they dipped Joseph’s coat in goat’s blood and presented it to their father. “Identify it,” they said, their voices a chilling echo of their sinister intentions. Can you imagine the audacity? To thrust the stained garment before Jacob, feigning ignorance while the truth lay drenched in crimson? Only Reuben, it seemed, remained untouched by the darkness that enveloped his brothers.
So, they lied to their father, and he was absolutely crushed. The whole house mourned with him and tried to console him, but he wasn’t having it. He wished he were dead. And there you have it. A pack of wolves who hated their brother so much they were willing to kill him, backed off a little and decided to sell him into slavery instead. Jacob and half the household think Joseph is dead, and the brothers are strutting around like they just pulled off the crime of the century. I wonder if they talked amongst themselves and said things like, “I guess we won’t be bowing down to him now,” or were they just a little bit worried that they let him live? I wonder if they thought, there’s no way a slave is going to be anything but a slave – but what if?
What happens next… Well, that’s another story for another time.