Our Little Motives
I just wanted to point out a small observation. I thought that it was interesting that the motives of Reuben are clearly mentioned in this chapter.
Vs. 21-22 – “Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.”
It seems that God is letting us know that Reuben, at least, had some good motives in wanting to rescue Joseph. He failed. But I think that the Lord still cared that Reuben was less blameworthy because he wanted to save Joseph.
This was encouraging to me as I thought about how God cares about our little motives. Sometimes we have good motives, but things just don’t work out. Yet, God still cares that our hearts were at least somewhat in the right place.
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on November 10th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Its interesting to note that when the brothers first came to Joseph in Egypt. Joseph through Judah in prison (the second oldest) and told the others to come back with Benjamin before he would be released. Perhaps Joseph showed compassion on Reuben (the oldest, the one who would be a more appropriate ransom) because of the compassion Reuben had shown him. I guess this would of been on Judahs mind the whole year he was being held in an Egyptian dungeon. Why am I here and not my older brother? I wonder if he ever looked back on the past and clicked that the Egyptian governer was in fact his brother, Joseph who he sold.
on November 10th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I think it was actually Simeon who was held in prison. See Genesis 42:24. And he is the second oldest. Judah was fourth, I believe. See Genesis 29.
But I am sure you are right that Simeon may have questioned that. You do wonder if Joseph never went down to visit him during that whole time! You would hope that he did.
Hannah
on November 10th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Yeah, in this scene you really want to cheer Reuben on, and hope that he can save Joseph. Its an interesting scene, with some mob mentality going on. You have a whole gang of thugs turning on Joseph, but how much could Reuben actually do?
on November 10th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
quite right it was Simeon. Thank you.