Session 9
his brothers’ reaction to Joseph’s approach.
18 They saw him in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him.
19 They said to one another, “Oh, look, here comes that dream expert!
20 So now, come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the pits.
We can say that a vicious animal ate him.
Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”
21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them.
He said, “Let’s not take his life.”
22 Reuben also said to them, “Don’t shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him” -
intending to rescue him from them and return him to his father.
Believers must guard against following peers bent on hurting others.
Dream expert
In the original language this phrase literally translates as “the lord of dreams.”
By using this phrase to designate Joseph and by deciding to kill him,
the brothers exposed their concern about his dreams.
Their words revealed not only their jealousy,
but also their determination to act in such a manner as to guarantee that Joseph’s dreams would not be fulfilled.
In plotting to kill Joseph, the brothers schemed to get rid of the dream by destroying the dreamer.
Jacob sent Joseph to find his brothers, who were away from home, caring for Jacob’s flocks.
talk about different ideas about Reuben’s motives for saving Joseph’s life. Acted responsibly. do you think the brothers would have responded the same way if they had not been together.
Believers must guard against following peers bent on hurting others.
Encourage adults to suggest some weaker or marginalized groups today
consider their own attitudes about these groups
list ways they can stand up for those who need help.
Urge them to find ways to stand up for individuals and groups who can’t defend themselves.