Read Genesis 37:1-4
Verse 1-4 -
In Joseph's history we see something of Christ, who was first
humbled and then exalted. It also shows the lot of Christians, who
must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom. It is a
history that has none like it, for displaying the various workings
of the human mind, both good and bad, and the singular providence of
God in making use of them for fulfilling his purposes. Though Joseph
was his father's darling, yet he was not bred up in idleness. Those
do not truly love their children, who do not use them to business,
and labour, and hardships. The fondling of children is with good
reason called the spoiling of them. Those who are trained up to do
nothing, are likely to be good for nothing. But Jacob made known his
love, by dressing Joseph finer than the rest of his children. It is
wrong for parents to make a difference between one child and
another, unless there is great cause for it, by the children's
dutifulness, or undutifulness. When parents make a difference,
children soon notice it, and it leads to quarrels in families.
Jacob's sons did that, when they were from under his eye, which they
durst not have done at home with him; but Joseph gave his father an
account of their ill conduct, that he might restrain them. Not as a
tale-bearer, to sow discord, but as a faithful brother.
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