When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. —Genesis 37:4 NIV
Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these [pits] and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams. —Genesis 37:18-20 NLT
But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty [pit] here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. —Genesis 37:21-22 NLT
Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the [pit] and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. —Genesis 37:25-28 NLT
Don’t forget your
.
When it appears God is not working
you, trust that God is working
you.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. —Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds. Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. —James 1:2-4 NIV
In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28 NIV