Joseph is a young dreamer. He imprudently tells his brothers all about his dreams of the sun, the moon, and eleven stars all bowing down to him and of his brothers' sheaves of wheat bowing down to his own sheaf. Since Joseph is already their father's favorite (so much so that their father gave Joseph a beautiful robe), his brothers are not inclined to be sympathetic or encouraging. In fact, they are violently jealous, and Joseph doesn't yet know how to keep his mouth shut.
When Joseph comes to check on his brothers and their flocks one day, the brothers decide that they will get rid of this kid once and for all. Reuben manages to talk them out of murder. He tells them to throw Joseph in a pit instead, meaning to rescue him later (and perhaps give him a bit of lecture in tactfulness). But before Reuben can do anything more, Joseph's other brothers sell him as a slave.
Just think of how Joseph must have felt. Sure, he's a little boastful and a little arrogant, but he doesn't deserve to be sold by his own brothers. Yet God has a plan for Joseph and for his family. God needs to set Joseph in a particular place so that he can actually provide for his family when the day comes.
We know how Joseph makes his way to Egypt and climbs the ladder of success all the way to second in command to the Pharaoh. We know how Joseph's brothers come to Egypt for food in time of famine. They don't recognize their brother, and he makes them squirm a bit (okay, more than a bit) before revealing his identity. God has indeed set Joseph up to save his family from certain death. He can see so much further than we can. He will work all things for our good. Why do we not trust Him?
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