“Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” (Genesis 37:20).

Malice is defined as the intent to harm others or their reputations. Since Cain slew Abel, men have continued to allow evil into their hearts out of jealousy and envy. The Bible tells us to be content with such things as we have. In Hebrews 13:5, the word reminds us: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Satan is the great deceiver and the father of every lie, and he will take a foothold in our lives any way possible. His objective is to arouse feelings of distrust and inadequacy that lead to actions that do not display love for our brethren; his ultimate plan is to destroy our trust, obedience, and faithful witness in God. We must guard our hearts and minds against these subtle attacks that disguise his actions as rational behavior.

The account of Joseph’s attempted murder by his own brothers is a prime example of how a landmine of jealousy can easily be set right in our pathway of life; it can sneak into the heart through any combination of events, leaving us second-guessing God and our own self-worth, sending us head-on into destruction.

Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. In actuality, he was the favorite of only two sons from Jacob’s true love, Rachel. Genesis 37:3-4 states, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.”

The father’s partiality had begun to sow the seeds of evil in his other sons’ hearts. Parents must pray for guidance to guard their actions against showing favoritism, which can cause contention between children. Joseph was also a dreamer, which further exasperated their contention with him… And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. (Genesis 37:5). Ultimately, they contrived to kill their brother. Still, under the direction of the oldest son, they selfishly sold him off to a group of Ishmaelites and led his father to believe that a wild animal killed him.

Joseph’s life appeared to be a lost cause (my friends…but we must never count God out of the equation!) A series of events, all induced by jealousy and envy, had him locked in prison and separated from his family. But God was orchestrating His divine will. The same parental love and dreams that led his brothers to hate him were God’s plan for him to be the deliverer of His people, Israel. God’s favor on his life sent him from prison to second-in-command to the Pharaoh. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). And to that I can only say AMEN!

It is a blessing to know that the things we encounter, whether contrived or simply life circumstances, are all guided by God’s providential care. He wins every time…what appears to be plans for evil, God turns into victory. Genesis 45:8 records Joseph’s self-revelation to his brothers and God’s preservation of him for their good. “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

When we realize that the Lord truly orders our steps, we can walk in confidence and peace, knowing that He has the ultimate plan. Even in the midst of injustice and circumstances that momentarily seem to destroy our witness, peace, and joy, we are empowered by the Holy Ghost to embrace His unfailing love and extend forgiveness not only to others but also to ourselves. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32).

My friends, let us hold fast to the truth that God’s love is unconditional. He is sovereign and has divine providence over all things.  Praise God that we can walk in this assurance now and forever! “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17).

May God’s blessings of peace and assurance be with you always. Remember, God wins every time!

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