The Patriarchs and Their Younger Brother
J. W. Burn. Acts 7:9-15 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,… This picture of patriarchal life is not a flattering one, and was "written for our learning." Jacob, by no means a model son, was not a model parent, and was blind to the evils of parental favouritism so signally illustrated in his early history. There can be no doubt that his conspicuous preference for Joseph was the root, if not the immediate occasion, of the "envy" of the text. Joseph's brethren, however, stand in a worse light. No one, much less a brother, should suffer for the faults of others. Even supposing that parental affection was having an ill effect on their young relative, fraternal influence ought have done much to check it; and brotherly chivalry should have suggested a less drastic course than that which they pursued. Note — I. THEIR MOTIVE — "envy." 1. Its ultimate cause. Occasioned by Jacob's partiality, it grew to portentous proportions by Joseph's dreams. No doubt Joseph was very foolish to tell them his dreams, knowing, as he must have done, their attitude towards him, and, as he might have guessed, the motive which they would impute to him. Even Jacob protested against the dream which indicated that "sun and moon" as well as "the eleven stars" would have to bow down to the young dreamer. Hence Joseph has been credited with egregious vanity; but there is nothing in the narrative which is inconsistent with childish simplicity. 2. Its evil. Apart from its consequences, envy is the greatest curse with which a man can be afflicted. It is not hard to read between the lines and see the misery of the eleven patriarchs as they brooded over their brother's offence and plotted his ruin. We see the evil of it nowadays in the wretchedness of the men who nurse revenge, or who are covetous of their neighbours' talents, position, or wealth. II. THEIR ACT. There are no lengths to which envy will not go. 1. They plotted Joseph's murder, and how many men's reputation, fortune, or even life, have been murdered through envy! And they were guilty of it inasmuch as it was in their heart. 2. Reuben's timely interposition gave their rage time to cool, and Judah's cool calculation saw ultimately a personal advantage in sparing their brother's life. Envy at white heat studies only revenge regardless of consequences; envy with a dash of reason in it plots for one's own advantage at another's expense. Hence they argued, "What is the use of killing him when sparing him means money." So they sold him into Egypt. Not that their hard hearts were in the least softened, for they knew that in all human probability he was going into a life that was worse than death. III. THEIR FRUSTRATION. "But" — what a turn this little word gives for better or for worse I If we read something good about a man the conjunction prepares us for the inevitable detraction which follows. Naaman was a great man, "but he was a leper." The word, however, gives a bright turn sometimes to history, as in the text. 1. Joseph was delivered out of all his afflictions. 2. He was made governor over all Egypt. The opposite of all they intended came to pass. How often are the designs of envy thus frustrated, and the evil passion smothered by what it hoped to consume! IV. THEIR HUMILIATION. 1. They became dependents on their evil-intreated brother. Imagine the situation. They were now begging bread of the lad whom they thought to murder; the eleven stars were prostrate before the star they thought to eclipse. Many other envious men have been brought into the same situation. 2. Joseph overwhelmed them with his forgiveness and generosity; showing the other side of revenge, and the proper attribute of the Christian towards those who envy him. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him," etc.Learn — 1. How uncalculated forces in human life may operate to the dismay of the wicked and to the frustration of evil plans. The patriarchs, like all persecutors, left God out of their calculations. 2. How the very means employed to afflict the righteous may be the very instruments of their prosperity. Had Joseph not been sold to the Ishmaelites he had never been governor of Egypt. 3. How what is intended for the destruction of one may be the salvation of many! Had Joseph not been sold into Egypt, Egypt might not have had its bounteous harvest, and Joseph and his whole family might have perished. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, WEB: "The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him,