Joseph and his Brethren
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Joseph’s brethren purposed to kill him, but were finally content to
sell him as a slave, to prevent his becoming greater than themselves.
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They thought they had placed him where they would be no more
troubled with his dreams, and where there would not be a possibility
of their fulfillment. But the very course which they pursued, God
overruled to bring about that which they designed never should take
place—that he should have dominion over them.
The chief priests and elders were jealous of Christ, that he would
draw the attention of the people away from themselves, to him. They
knew that he was doing greater works than they ever had done, or ever
could perform; and they knew that if he was suffered to continue his
teachings, he would become higher in authority than they, and might
become king of the Jews. They agreed together to prevent this by
privately taking him, and hiring witnesses to testify falsely against
him, that they might condemn him, and put him to death. They would
not accept him as their king, but cried out, Crucify him! crucify him!
The Jews thought that by taking the life of Christ, they could prevent
his becoming king. But by murdering the Son of God, they were
bringing about the very thing they sought to prevent. Joseph by being
sold by his brethren into Egypt, became saviour to his father’s family.
Yet this fact did not lessen the guilt of his brethren. The crucifixion of
Christ by his enemies made him the Redeemer of mankind the Saviour
of the fallen race, and ruler over the whole world. The crime of his
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enemies was just as heinous, as though God’s providential hand had
not controlled events for his own glory and the good of man.
Joseph walked with God. He would not be persuaded to deviate
from the path of righteousness, and transgress God’s law, by any
inducements or threats. And when he was imprisoned, and suffered
because of his innocence, he meekly bore it without murmuring. His
self-control, and patience in adversity, and his unwavering fidelity
are left on record of the benefit of all who should afterward live on
the earth. When Joseph’s brethren acknowledged their sin before
him, he freely forgave them, and showed by his acts of benevolence
and love that he harbored no resentful feelings for their former cruel
conduct toward him. The life of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, was a
pattern of benevolence, goodness and holiness. Yet he was despised
and insulted, mocked and derided for no other reason than because of
his righteous life, which was a constant rebuke to sin. His enemies