Genesis 37:23-30 – Slavery

Joseph’s brothers strip him of his coat and throw him in a pit where they leave him seemingly to starve to death. They are so full of envy and hatred, that they show no remorse, but just sit down and eat after doing this terrible thing. They are pleased to think that they have turned the tables on their brother. But during all this time, everything that happens is following God’s plan and being used for His purposes. Whenever men think that they have succeeded in doing evil, they are wrong. They will always reap the consequences sometimes on earth and definitely after death.

Judah, when he sees slave traders passing by, comes up with a better idea than leaving Joseph to die. His motive isn’t compassion but greed. Selling Joseph as a slave takes care of the problem of being guilty for murder and leaves them with money to spend. But even this plan shows a careless disregard for the life of their brother. Little do they realise that it is God who is restraining them from killing Joseph, God who is directing the slave traders their way, God who is sending Joseph to slavery in Egypt – all for His purposes of raising Joseph to a position of honour and deliverance. Even Reuben’s plans of delivering Joseph are ruined, but this is a good thing because Joseph needs to go to Egypt, so he can one day deliver Reuben and the others from starvation. God takes the evil, the disappointments, and the frustrations of the plans of men and uses them all for His good purposes.