Joseph - the Hatred Explodes

 

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. (Genesis 37:18–24 ESV).

 

A dormant volcano can look peaceful and calm on the outside, yet deep within its core, hot lava continues to build up pressure. It may take centuries, but the volcano probably will again “blow its top.” Hot lava is rarely contained forever. Hatred can simmer a long time too. It boils deep down in the soul. Sometimes it leaks out a little, but people who long for revenge and satisfaction for their hate will bide their time as it stews within. They wait patiently for just the right time to make their move. As a result, the victims of hatred are often taken by surprise when it erupts. Joseph too was blindsided. He never saw it coming; nor did father Jacob.

 

But as Joseph journeyed toward his brothers at Dothan, they noticed him in the distance and saw their chance. Far away from home and from Jacob’s protection, this would be the perfect time and place to get rid of “that dreamer” once and for all. So, they made their move.

 

Then, after throwing Joseph into the cistern, the brothers sat down to a meal as if nothing unusual had happened. With hatred, people believe that their acts of revenge are justified. Sometimes we nurse our grudges and bitterness in self-righteousness. Make no mistake. While God may seem patient as He delays in making all things right, no act of hatred will go unnoticed or uncorrected. We must guard against our tendency toward hatred or retribution toward others, even when they are in the wrong.