Gen. 37:21-2521And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. 23And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; 24And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. (Genesis 37:21‑25)
“And Rueben heard it, and he delivered him (Joseph) out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.” vv. 21,22.
In the midst of this hatred and intrigue on the part of Joseph’s brethren, it is refreshing to read of Reuben’s vigorous opposition to their intent to slay their younger brother. Reuben was not present when the other brothers were planning their murderous act and when he learned their purpose he would not be a party to it.
It was the religious and political rulers who rejected Jesus and continually sought to put Him to death, and at last God permitted them to do so. Yet there were some who were not a party to their hatred and who openly sought to change the purposes of their countrymen. One of these was Nicodemus, whose name appears three times in New Testament scriptures — each time coming out more boldly for the Saviour whom he loved. Another was Joseph of Arimathea, a ruler who “had not consented to the counsel and deed of them” and who with Nicodemus, took the body of Jesus from the cross and tenderly provided an honorable burial. Then, too, when Jesus ascended Calvary’s hill there was a great company of people who wailed and lamented Him.
“And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread.” vv. 23-25. Joseph continues to present a most beautiful type of Christ, for being cast into the pit was a symbol of death. But, of course, the picture must fall short here, for Joseph could not go through actual death and still be the preserver of his people, as was later to be the case. By contrast, Christ “tasted death” and in His death brought forth victory.
In the present chapter no expression is heard from Joseph, for he was a type of the One who “as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so opened He not His mouth.” But at a later date, when the consciences of these evil brothers stirred them, they had to say: “We saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear.” Their callous hearts would not hear his cries; they had no sympathy for his sufferings. “They are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.” Amos 6:66That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (Amos 6:6).
Turning briefly to Matthew’s account of Jesus’ death we read: “After that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him” — an amazing parallel to what Joseph experienced. Again: “And sitting down they watched Him there.” Joseph’s brethren “sat down to eat bread” as they listened to his cries. These similarities are not casually given. May our thoughts turn increasingly to the Person of the Lord Jesus as The story of Joseph reminds us of Him, the Saviour of sinners.
ML 02/19/1967