“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 Able, men have continued to allow evil to enter in their hearts for reasons of jealousy and envy. The bible tells us to be content with such things that we have, Hebrews 13:5 the word reminds us to “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 will take a foothold into our lives anyway possible. It is his objective to arouse feelings of distrust and inadequacy that leads to actions that do not display love for our brethren; his ultimate plan is to destroy our faithful witness before God. It is crucial that we guard our hearts and minds against his attacks, keeping in remembrance that he is subtle and disguises his actions as rationale behavior of the mind.

The account of Joseph’s attempted murder by his own brothers is a prime example of how a landmine of jealousy is set right in our pathway; it can sneak into the heart through any combination of events that leave us second guessing our own self-worthiness and send 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 colours. 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 partiality of the father had begun to plant the seeds of evil in the hearts of his other sons. Parents must pray for the guidance to guard their actions against showing favoritism which can cause contention between children. Joseph was also a dreamer… 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, but under the directions of the oldest son, they selfishly sold him off to a group of Ishmaelites and led his father to believe that he was killed by a wild animal.

Joseph’s life appeared to be a lost cause. A series of events all induced by jealous and envy, had him locked in prison and separated from his family. But God was orchestrating His divine will. The same 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.

It is a blessing to know that the things that we encounter in this life whether they are contrived or just life circumstances, are all guided by the providential care of God. He wins every time…what Satan plans for evil, God plans for victory. Genesis 45:8 gives the account of Joseph’s revelation of himself 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 recognize that our steps are truly ordered by the Lord, we can walk in confidence and peace. He has the ultimate plan. Even in the midst of injustice and what appears to be man’s plan to destroy our witness…we have the ability to exhibit the new life that lives within us. The bible admonishes us to live as the light of the world.

In the face of adversity, we are empowered by the Christ within us to show love and forgiveness “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32.

God’s love is unconditional; He is sovereign and never forget that He has divine providence over all things. We can walk in this assurance “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

God’s blessings of peace and assurance be with you always!