Bible Study Online Article
Life would continue on as normal for Jacob's household, despite the hatred that Joseph's brothers had develop towards him. So it was during one of these normal days we learn that Joseph's brothers, which were the ten that were older than him, had headed out towards the land of Shechem to graze their father's flocks. We must keep in mind that it had not been to long ago that Simeon and Levi (Jacob's sons through Leah) had lead a deceptive and fatal attack against the Shechemites for what prince Shechem had done to their sister Dinah. So it's only natural for Jacob to have some concerns when it came to surrounding neighbors trying to seek revenge or retaliation against his household, because of that fatal event. After all, to them - Jacob and his family were foreigners in the land, and the Shechemites were a respected royal family from within the land of Canaan. So when it came to his sons being so close to the place, where they had enacted their fatal plot against the Shechemites, it's only natural for Jacob to have concerns for the safety of his sons. Jacob does a wise thing and sends forth his most trusted and favorite son Joseph, to go and make sure that his brothers are doing well. "As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I'm going to send you to them. Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me," Jacob (Israel) would instruct his son. Joseph would obey his father and headed out to see about his brothers. But when he reached the area that his father had instructed him to go, he would find that his brothers weren't there. As he grew concern, Joseph would begin to search for them. A stranger would notice the 'interpreter of dreams' looking and searching frantically for someone "What are you looking for?" the man would ask him. "I'm looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they might be grazing their flocks?" Joseph would ask. "They have moved on from here. I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan,'" the man replied. Now Dothan wasn't very far from Shechem, so Joseph would head out in search for his brothers over in that area. As he approached Dothan, he would spot his brothers from afar off. His brothers had also seen their brother coming in from the distance as well. So they plotted to murder Joseph, as they saw him approaching. "Here comes that dreamer. Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal had devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." Note: My translation uses the word 'cistern' to describe the place in which Joseph's brothers were intending to discard his body at. Other translations uses the word, 'ditch.' I'm just pointing this out - no big deal. But, basically a cistern - is an artificial reservoir that's used for storing water. So this could have been an abandon well also, as we go forward - the scriptures would seem to indicate this. Could their disdain when it comes to possibly paying homage to their younger brother, had become so fretted - that they're willing to go towards a level that's so dark and blood-thirsty against their own sibling?
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 69) Joseph the Interpreter of Dreams 70) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 71) Joseph & The Pit of Darkness 72) Jacob the Father of Sorrow 73) The Importance of Judah's History 76) Tamar's Revenge 78) Joseph the Servant of Favor 79) Potiphar's Wife Pursues Joseph 82) The Dreaming Cupbearer & Baker 84) Joseph's Dark Dreams Interpretation 85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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