Genesis 37:1-17
Genesis 37:1-17
Sin comes in all different shapes and sizes. Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph, but it also highlights the effects of two major sins, favoritism and jealousy, and the damage they cause.
Jacob had long waited for a child to be born from his (favorite) wife, Rachel. So when Joseph was born he became Jacob’s favorite son. Scripture tells us that he loved Joseph more than his other sons and lavished him with gifts, including a multi-colored coat. This sin of favoritism caused major division within the family that would last decades.
Jacob’s favoritism of his son, Joseph, led his other 10 sons to be jealous of Joseph. The other brothers allowed that jealousy to fester into outright hatred of Joseph, which would ultimately lead to them planning to murder him.
What is this passage teaching us? Two things.
God is at work - even in our sin. Obviously, God does not want us to sin, but God is sovereign in the midst of our sin and he is using it for his glory. Jacob’s favoritism and the sons' hatred led to Joseph going to Egypt, becoming 2nd in command, and saving God’s people from famine. There are always consequences to sin and sometimes those consequences stay with us - but we can never mess up so bad that God can’t redeem/use us for his glory.
God is at work - in us. God is not done with us. We still have sin in our own lives that he wants to remove and sanctify. Pray that God would be gracious to show you how your heart is sinful, and when he shows you - run to Christ! Our savior never grows tired of forgiving and redeeming us.
Family Discussion:
By: Joe Weaver
Sin comes in all different shapes and sizes. Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph, but it also highlights the effects of two major sins, favoritism and jealousy, and the damage they cause.
Jacob had long waited for a child to be born from his (favorite) wife, Rachel. So when Joseph was born he became Jacob’s favorite son. Scripture tells us that he loved Joseph more than his other sons and lavished him with gifts, including a multi-colored coat. This sin of favoritism caused major division within the family that would last decades.
Jacob’s favoritism of his son, Joseph, led his other 10 sons to be jealous of Joseph. The other brothers allowed that jealousy to fester into outright hatred of Joseph, which would ultimately lead to them planning to murder him.
What is this passage teaching us? Two things.
God is at work - even in our sin. Obviously, God does not want us to sin, but God is sovereign in the midst of our sin and he is using it for his glory. Jacob’s favoritism and the sons' hatred led to Joseph going to Egypt, becoming 2nd in command, and saving God’s people from famine. There are always consequences to sin and sometimes those consequences stay with us - but we can never mess up so bad that God can’t redeem/use us for his glory.
God is at work - in us. God is not done with us. We still have sin in our own lives that he wants to remove and sanctify. Pray that God would be gracious to show you how your heart is sinful, and when he shows you - run to Christ! Our savior never grows tired of forgiving and redeeming us.
Family Discussion:
- Why is letting sin go unconfessed in our hearts dangerous?
- How can we guard against harboring sin in our hearts?
- How have you seen God redeem a sinful/bad decision?
By: Joe Weaver
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