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The Life of Joseph – Day 5

Genesis 37:28-30

When the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”

The Thought

We have jumped a few important verses telling us that as Joseph approached his brothers, they saw him coming and planned to kill him, but Reuben the eldest brother, who was far from perfect himself (Genesis 35:22), was against that decision (Genesis 37:2-22).

As a consequence of Reuben’s objection, Joseph’s life was saved, and God’s plan for Joseph’s life advanced! He was sold to the Midianites/Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt and sold him to be a slave to Potiphar, the captain of the guard for the leader of Egypt: Pharaoh (Genesis 37:36).

It could be that Joseph stayed calm trusting God and remembering his dreams and the Bible does not confirm this, but I think there must have been many moments of panic prayer by Joseph during those days.

Action

Think again today about Joseph’s story:- prophetic dreams from the Lord from a very early age, the trust of his father when he was still quite young, put in a pit and left to die by his brothers, then pulled out and sold to foreigners! There must have been times when he wondered what God was doing. Maybe the earlier visions encouraged him to trust God in the difficult times.

Look back on some of the difficult times in your own life and thank God for seeing you through and for the strengthening they brought you.

Pray with confidence for others you know who are struggling with a problem at the moment. Ask The Lord to give you a word of encouragement for them.

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This post discusses Day 5 of the series on “The Life of Joseph,” covering Genesis 37:28-30. Joseph’s brothers sell him to the Ishmaelites, and Reuben is shocked by his disappearance. Despite hardships, Joseph’s life advances God’s plan. Reflect on personal struggles, thank God for guidance, and pray for others in need.