JOSEPH’S BRETHREN

BEACONS OF THE BIBLE
by Henry Law, 1869

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.” Genesis 42:21

Sin is altogether vile. Its mildest look is loathesomness. It always frowns a hideous monster. Its weakest breath is poison. Its feeblest step treads down God’s lovely law. But guilt has shades. Iniquity has diversities of stature. In some sins we see the crimson dye–the giant form–the condensation of all evil. They seem the cage, in which all foul birds flutter–the field, in which all weeds rankle. In this class are ranked the violations of nature’s ties–transgressions against domestic bonds. Such enormity is full-grown in Cain. His hands are stained with the blood of his mother’s son. It frightfully reappears in Joseph’s brethren.

Reader! we must not shun this hateful picture. But it is sweetly relieved. A halo of Gospel-light surrounds it. Joseph suffers cruelly. Sin acts its direst part. But at every turn Jesus shines forth. We loathe the evil, while bright foreshadowings of salvation’s scheme intermingle holiest delight. In this study faith weeps and joys. The Beacon saddens, while the interwoven Gospel cheers.

The opening story names Joseph as his father’s dear delight. “Now Jacob loved Joseph more than all his children.” Genesis 37:3. He was the first-born of Rachel–his heart’s joy. The birth was late, when hope had almost ceased to hope. Attractive qualities, also, made the youth more dear. The pious love commands all praise. But its display was ill-considered. In fallen nature passions soon lose just balance.

The brothers mark this partiality. The sight is wormwood to their suspicious minds. The parent’s preference kindles their jealousy. Dry leaves flare when a slight spark falls.

They hate him, also, because their vicious conduct finds no congeniality in him. He shuns their evil and complains.

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