Joseph
One of the troublesome ideas that I have but can’t trace back to the Bible is the idea that Joseph is an arrogant little brat because he reported that dream that God sent him to his brothers. No where else in the Bible, as far as I know, does God punish one of His for reporting a dream that he sent.
First, the embroidered coat is a sign that his father thought his conduct superior to his brother. It was a sign of approval. Later, Egyptian reactions to this enslaved boy tend to substantiate God and Jacob’s judgment. His brother’s behavior also seems to reinforce God’s judgment. We should be more willing to respect another’s blessing and look to our own failings. When Christ announces his mission, his brothers attempt and succeed in killing him.
The whole theme seems to have begun with the Cain and Abel episode. Abel is singled out by God as being approved and Cain is less than approved. Cain takes action to kill brother, Esau and Jacob, Jesus and Judas, Isaac and Ishmael. A repetitive theme. But for some reason, Joseph is reproved, not only by his family, but a fairly large number of Sunday School teachers.
When Samuel reports his dream to Eli, there is no record of his “brothers” spending much time caring. The Israelite nation treated Moses who has just delivered them with a considerable amount of abuse. One of the most important commandments is to love your brother. Perhaps it is a rather careless cultural thing.
Jesus is our brother. The world tries to humiliate and destroy him. Throw him In a hole, sell him and his people into slavery. And how will he and his kin react to this arrogant, irrational cruelty. Punish them back or help to save them.
Do something for your arrogant, cruel, ungrateful brothers this week. Quietly, without fanfare or identification do something for your brothers.
My Bible Study Notebook 