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Second Sunday of Advent
Joseph
Genesis 37 (NRSV)

Joseph came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired 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 shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.”  But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

At first glance, this is a tragic story about how mean people can be to each other, even siblings.  Jealousy is one of the strong vices that causes people to do things that are clearly wrong.  It is painful to hear stories of family members who no longer speak to each other, who fought over inheritances, money and power.  Even more difficult are the stories of abuse by the had of older brothers and sisters.  Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery where he ended up in Egypt.  However, the story does not end there.  When a famine comes upon the brothers, they go to Egypt to get food and Joseph is the one who is distributing the rations.  Even out of painful, sinful experiences, God continues to work things to the good for those who look to him.  We believe that Joseph’s success in Egypt was not due to his own efforts, but God was guiding it all as Joseph remained faithful in spite of the hurt and pain fo the past events.  The celebration fo Jesus’ coming a Christmas is also an event where God the father works toward the good for those who seek Him.

Jacob was blessed with many sons. One of his sons was named Joseph. To show his love to Joseph, Jacob gave him a colorful coat.  Joseph's brothers were jealous and sold him. He became a slave in Egypt, but God had a plan to protect Joseph. God allowed Joseph to have a powerful position in Egypt. Because of his position, he was able to help save his family—God's people. Joseph's brother Judah is a part of the family Jesus came from. Once again God was protecting his plan to bring us a savior by protecting Joseph and his family.

The family is a beautiful place God designed for human beings to grow and develop, but it is also the place that is marred by sin.  Painful events happen among the people who should be loving, caring and supportive of each other.  Talk together about the joys and sorrows of family life and explore commitments that can be made to each other as together you realize that God designed your family and your brothers, sisters, parents are not just random but gifts from God.