Day 17: Genesis 37:1-38:30
Jealousy fills the mind with thoughts that has the potential to destroy ones heart and hurt others in the process. "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind." James 3:16
Sibling jealousy will turn a family upside down and inside out and will destroy peace and love and rip families a part.
Joseph, the son of Jacob found out the hard way how his brothers felt about him being the favorite son and receiving gifts from their dad that they never got. The brothers rage, anger and envy boiled over when Joseph was out in the field telling his brothers that he had a dream that one day, all of them will bow down before him. I have to admit, that is a bit arrogant, but maybe Joseph was naive to think that his brothers would be an awe of his dream and be congratulated that God chose him to be the master over them.
The dream only infuriated his brothers and opened the door for their jealousy to take action against him. So, they plotted a scheme to throw Joseph in an empty tank that stored water and smear his coat in blood and tell their dad that an animal killed him. As they worked out the details, one cleaver brother, came up with the idea of selling their brother into slavery...so they did and told their dad that a wild animal attacked Joseph and he is dead.
Jealousy brings out the worst in us. It takes us to places that hurts others and destroys lives and reputations. "Anger kills the fool, and jealousy slays the stupid." Job 5:2
Instead of allowing jealousy to control our thoughts and actions, work harder "Being kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ." Ephesians 4:3.
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