73. José vendido pelos irmãos (Gn 37.12-36)

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The speaker greets the audience and expresses gratitude for coming together to worship. They mention starting the week with praise, reading from the Bible, and preparing to delve into the story of Joseph from Genesis 37.

Opening Remarks

• The speaker greets everyone with peace in the name of Jesus and acknowledges those joining online.

• Introduces the reading from Genesis 37, inviting listeners to follow along from verse 12 onwards.

Context Setting for Joseph's Story

• Recapitulates previous messages about Jacob's story leading into Joseph's narrative.

• Discusses reasons behind Joseph being disliked by his brothers: bearer of bad news, favored by Jacob, dreams of leadership.

Exploring Joseph's Journey

Delving deeper into why Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers and setting the stage for understanding Israelites' journey to Egypt.

Reasons Behind Betrayal

• Brothers' deep hatred towards Joseph due to various factors like bad news bearer and dream revelations.

• Brothers initially planned to kill Joseph but ended up selling him as a slave due to divine intervention.

Significance of Joseph's Story

• Importance of narrating Joseph's tale before entering the Promised Land; explaining Israelites' history in Egypt.

• Introduction of Efraim and Manasseh, grandsons of Jacob through Joseph, crucial for understanding inheritance rights.

Jacobs Sends Joseph to Check on His Brothers

Detailing Jacob sending Joseph to check on his brothers pasturing in Shechem.

Sending Joseph on a Mission

• Jacob sends young Joseph to Shechem where his brothers are pasturing their flocks.

• Contextualizing Shechem as a place with prior violent incidents involving Dinah and subsequent retaliation by Simeon and Levi.

Concern for Safety

• Jacob's worry upon learning his sons are in Shechem due to past events; fear prompts him to send Joseph for updates.

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In this section, the speaker discusses Joseph's journey to find his brothers after they moved their flock. Joseph faces challenges due to his unfamiliarity with the terrain and lack of geographical knowledge.

Joseph's Search for His Brothers

• Joseph embarks on an 80 km journey north from Shechem but struggles to locate his father's flocks or brothers.

• Due to his young age during their previous stay in the region and the absence of GPS, Joseph wanders aimlessly, unaware of his location.

• A local resident encounters Joseph wandering lost in a distinctive tunic and guides him towards his brothers who had gone to Dotan.

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This part delves into how Joseph receives information about his brothers' whereabouts in Dotan and sets off on a challenging journey to reunite with them.

Journey to Dotan

• A local informs Joseph that his brothers have traveled to Dotan, located 27 km north, prompting Joseph to pursue them.

• The reason for Jacob's sons leaving Shechem for Dotan remains unclear; speculation includes feeling threatened by locals or seeking better pasture due to their large flock size.

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Here, the narrative unfolds as Joseph tracks down his brothers in Dotan, showcasing his determination and loyalty contrasted against his siblings' negative traits.

Reunion in Dotan

• Despite facing dangers on the journey, Joseph eventually locates his brothers in Dotan as he faithfully fulfills the task assigned by his father.

• The text contrasts Joseph's character as pious and trustworthy with his brothers' traits of hatred, betrayal, and violence.

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This segment explores how Joseph's brothers conspire against him upon seeing him approach from afar, planning to kill him before Reuben intervenes.

Conspiracy Against Joseph

• Moses details the siblings' plot to murder Joseph upon spotting him approaching from a distance due to jealousy over his dreams and favored status.

• The brothers decide to kill Joseph upon seeing him approach while Reuben suggests sparing him but not shedding blood by casting him into a desert cistern.

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The discussion continues with insights into the conspiracy against Joseph by his siblings based on envy triggered by God-given dreams predicting leadership roles for him.

Envy Over Dreams

• Ruben intervenes out of concern for saving Joseph's life from their murderous plans by proposing an alternative that avoids direct harm.

Detailed Analysis of the Plot to Kill Joseph

The brothers of Joseph plan to kill him, drawing parallels to biblical stories of fratricide and deceit.

Brothers' Sinister Plan

• The brothers intended to kill Joseph, influenced by previous acts of violence committed by Simeon and Levi.

• Part of their plan involved disposing of Joseph's body in an empty cistern, a common method for concealing murder.

• They strategically chose a remote cistern in the desert to make discovery challenging.

• To cover up the crime, they fabricated a story about Joseph being attacked by a wild animal, exploiting the region's dangerous wildlife.

Ruben's Intervention and Alternative Proposal

Ruben attempts to save Joseph from his brothers' murderous plot through intervention and proposing an alternative punishment.

Ruben's Intervention

• Ruben recalls the story of Cain and Abel, influencing his decision to prevent bloodshed among siblings.

• He suggests throwing Joseph alive into a desert cistern as a form of punishment without directly causing harm.

• Ruben's hidden agenda is revealed as he plans to rescue Joseph later from the pit.

Joseph Sold into Slavery

Despite Ruben's intentions, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers instead of being killed.

Betrayal and Sale

• Judah proposes selling Joseph to Ishmaelites rather than killing him, emphasizing their familial bond.

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The text discusses the initial actions of Joseph's brothers towards him, including stripping him of his tunic and throwing him into an empty cistern.

Actions of Joseph's Brothers

• When Joseph arrives, his brothers immediately surround him, strip off his tunic (a symbol of significance), and throw him into an empty cistern with apparent intentions of leaving him to die.

• Despite Reuben's plan to scare Joseph, the brothers' true intention seems to be abandoning Joseph in the cistern to perish.

• Genesis 42:21 reveals that Joseph pleaded with his brothers when thrown into the pit, expressing deep anguish and a desire to be rescued.

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The narrative delves into Joseph's desperate pleas for help while his brothers callously ignore his distress.

Joseph's Pleas for Help

• In deep distress, Joseph implores his brothers not to leave him in the cistern to die, yet they disregard his cries while casually eating nearby.

• The insensitivity displayed by the brothers highlights how hatred can render individuals indifferent to others' suffering and needs.

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Ruben exits the scene as the brothers spot a caravan of Ishmaelite/Midianite merchants passing by.

Ruben's Departure and Merchant Caravan

• Ruben likely leaves due to unbearable anguish or rotational responsibilities. His departure coincides with the sighting of Ishmaelite/Midianite merchants passing by.

• The interchangeability between Ishmaelites and Midianites in naming suggests possible tribal mingling or geographical proximity between them.

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Details about the origins and trade activities of the merchant caravan observed by Joseph's brothers.

Origins and Trade Goods of Merchants

• The merchants are identified as coming from Gilead, known for fertile lands across River Jordan. They carry spices like balsam and myrrh for trade purposes.

• Possible explanations for using both Ishmaelite and Midianite terms include tribal intermingling or residing in regions close to each other.

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Insights into the destination, goods carried, and nature of business conducted by the merchant caravan encountered by Joseph's brothers.

Destination and Goods Traded

• The merchants are headed south towards Egypt for trade. They possess aromatic spices such as balsam (renowned resin perfume from Gilead) and myrrh.

Understanding Slavery in Historical Context

The speaker clarifies that when discussing slavery, it is essential to consider the historical context. Slavery in the past involved individuals from various conquered peoples, not solely based on skin color.

Clarification of Historical Slavery

• Slaves came from diverse backgrounds as they were often individuals defeated in wars, highlighting that enslavement was not tied to race but rather to being on the losing side of conflicts.

• Educated slaves existed who served as caretakers, laborers, tutors, and even educators for their owners' children, showcasing a different aspect of slavery compared to the Brazilian perspective.

• Contrasting with Brazilian plantation-based slavery, some slaves undertook roles like caring for children or becoming eunuchs and harem attendants.

The Fate of Joseph

The narrative shifts towards Joseph's story, focusing on his sale by his brothers and the subsequent deception perpetrated against their father.

Joseph's Sale and Deception

• Joseph was sold by his brothers for silver coins; however, he was not present during the transaction due to being absent from the well where he was initially left.

• His brothers deceived their father Jacob by staining Joseph's tunic with blood and presenting it as evidence of his death by a wild animal attack.

• Despite attempts at consolation from family members, Jacob refused comfort and mourned deeply for his lost son.

Reactions and Consequences

Delving into the reactions following Joseph's disappearance sheds light on familial dynamics and deceitful actions taken by his brothers.

Reactions and Deceit

• Ruben's despair upon discovering Joseph's absence reflects genuine concern as he questions how to explain this event to their father.

• The brothers' plan involved staining Joseph's tunic with goat blood before showing it to Jacob as proof of his demise, displaying calculated cruelty towards their father.

The Story of Joseph: God's Providence and Human Responsibility

The narrative follows the journey of Joseph, highlighting his sale into slavery in Egypt and the intricate providence of God amidst human decisions and actions.

Joseph's Journey to Egypt

• Jacob's sons, including Joseph, travel towards Egypt passing through Hebron where Jacob lived.

• Joseph is sold as a slave in Egypt to Potiphar, an official serving Pharaoh.

• The story emphasizes slavery as common in ancient Egypt and other contemporary societies.

Divine Providence in Action

• The absence of direct mention of God underscores divine providence through subtle events.

• Various incidents like overhearing conversations and chance encounters reveal God's invisible hand at work.

Lessons on God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

• Potiphar purchasing Joseph from among many reflects divine orchestration for future purposes.

• Illustrates that human decisions align with God's plan despite attempts to thwart it.

God's Sovereignty and Human Freedom

Delving into the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human freedom illustrated through the actions surrounding Joseph’s sale into slavery.

Balancing Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice

• Despite free choices made by individuals, they unknowingly fulfill God’s overarching plan.

• People freely decide actions like selling or buying slaves while contributing to God’s ultimate purpose.

Understanding Sin Through Joseph's Story

Examining how the narrative of Joseph exposes deep-seated sin within humanity, emphasizing the pervasive impact of sin on relationships.

Sinful Nature Revealed

Evangelho e a Necessidade da Graça de Deus

The speaker discusses the significance of the Gospel and the need for God's grace in human lives, emphasizing the rescue from sin and corruption through Jesus Christ.

Understanding the Significance of the Gospel

• Sin deeply affects every individual, necessitating humility and compassion towards those who have fallen.

• True believers may face cruel and challenging situations despite their faithfulness to God, as illustrated by Joseph's story of betrayal and suffering.

• Believers, though devoted to God, are not exempt from trials such as being thrown into pits or becoming slaves, highlighting that serving God does not shield one from life's hardships.

• Trusting that God will ultimately turn all experiences for good is crucial amidst trials like illnesses, financial struggles, or family issues caused by sin's pervasive impact.