The Birth of Hatred 

Genesis 37 

Joseph, Lesson 5 

Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his bothers while he was still a youth…and Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. Genesis 37:2-3 

The phrase ‘These are the records of the generations of Jacob‘ is actually a very important line in understanding the book of Genesis. Eleven times in the Genesis the phrase ‘records of the generations of …’ is used. They are like ‘mile markers’ on an interstate that alert you where you are at on the journey or in the case of Genesis, where you are at in the early journey or in the Genesis of the story of God’s plan of Redemption. In chapter 37, we are at the ‘mile marker’ of Jacob and his generations or descendants. There will be more on this later.

The story of Joseph dominates the record of Jacob’s generation in Genesis chapters 37-50. We will find that Joseph does some pretty honorable things in his life. He will be a pre-shadow of Christ in that he will live righteously in a foreign land, be falsely accused, bear the ridicule and punishment silently, trust in God and ultimately saves his people. But as we open the story, he is a seventeen-year-old kid. He is the youngest of 12 sons, the father’s obvious favorite who can do ‘no wrong’, and he clearly has an attitude. 

So, how did the brothers feel about Joseph? 

• His brother saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms, vs 4 
• Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more, vs 5 
• Then his brothers said to him, ‘are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?’ So, they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words, vs 8 
• His brothers were jealous of him… vs 11 
• When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death, vs 18 
• ‘Here comes the dreamer. Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits’, vs 20. 

Irritation became jealousy; jealousy became disdain; disdain became hatred; hatred became the desire to murder; desire became intent. The same progression happened to Cain. His brothers had a growing hatred for Joseph and Joseph didn’t do anything to mitigate the problem. Yes, all that happened is part of God’s plan but it doesn’t remove the responsibility of the brothers. They fell into the trap of allowing temptation and jealousy to grow to extreme measures.

The apostle James gives us guidance in this area of our lives: 

Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. James 1:13-15. 

When we feel contempt and hatred for others, we like to point to the person, the object of our hatred, and blame them. It’s natural to do but as citizens of heaven and alien residents on earth, the blame-game shouldn’t be part of our play book. Yes, if they would change their actions, it would be a lot easier to not hate them. This story is a reminder that we can’t control others actions, but we can control ourselves. As Christians, we are responsible for our feelings and actions, not theirs.

The simple truth to reflect upon today is that we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us to calm our human tendency to hate. He can calm our contempt for others and keep our minds stayed on the big picture. The beautiful irony of this described situation is that with God’s help, He can cultivate love and compassion within us so that we can stay focused on the big picture, God’s purpose to redeem sinners.

The apostle Paul writes of this principle in Romans 12:14-21

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God…But if your enemy is hungry, feed Him, and if He is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Dear Father, the issue of resentment, jealousy and hatred is a tough issue for many. But Your Holy Spirit is able to change us. Sometimes quickly and other times, step-by-step. Either way, indwell us, fill us and bless us to show grace, forgiveness and love toward all, even those who have wronged us. Guide our progress in this area, keep our thoughts upon the big picture; your work to redeem sinners; and how we can advance Your purposes, for Your glory. Amen!