Chapter 2: The Prison of Jealousy
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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. Hebrews 13.5 Lord, help me accept your purpose for my life, and be content. Keep me from envying others who have greater material blessings, or from longing for a more public platform. Help me govern my conversations, and bless others.

Keep me from jealousy and negativity. Help me to be grateful. I am your child and you have given me the greatest gift of all, eternal life. You are always with me and will never leave me. I have all I need in you. Teach me to walk humbly with you and pursue your eternal rewards. This world is not my home. You are. Amen.

Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. Welcome to this episode of the Heroes in the Bible series of podcasts on the life of Joseph. I'm Ed Young, and I look forward to walking with you in this series through the dramatic and fascinating account of this godly and Christlike individual.

As we learned in the first episode, Joseph's story takes him from a life of privilege as the favorite son of his father Jacob to the pit where he thought he would be left to die, to slavery and prison in Egypt, and ultimately to an exalted position of prominence and power. It's a story of the pit to the pendulum, from the bottom to the top.

Each episode begins with a brief prelude that introduces us to another individual whose story sheds additional light on the themes we'll explore in our study. In this episode, we'll learn how King Saul of all people, the first king of Israel, became consumed by his jealousy for David, and we'll discover the rage-filled actions this jealousy precipitated.

In our first podcast, we learned how Jacob's favoritism toward Joseph and his passivity as a parent led to the jealousy and hatred Joseph's brothers had especially for him. And when Joseph revealed the prophetic dreams God had given him, dreams in which Joe's brothers would bow before him,

that hatred and bitterness escalated into rage and the beginning of their desire to destroy the dreams by getting rid of the dreamer. Sound familiar? Have you ever experienced a time when you felt alone, betrayed, or misunderstood? Did you feel that God was unaware of your situation?

Let's listen to what happened to Joseph when his father sends him to check on his brothers and hear how God, working in the circumstances of Job's life, began to move into the position from which he would be able to save his family and in God's providence, in God's timing, realize the fulfillment of his dreams.

Also, be sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so you'll always be updated on the latest episode. I'll join you in a few minutes. Prelude to Chapter 2 Saul stood on his balcony with his hands behind his back, overlooking the parade of people cheering in the city streets. The Philistines had been vanquished, and the giant Goliath's head rested on the tip of David's spear.

The entire city of Jerusalem joined in a song of praise to their new champion. A song of hope and liberation echoed through the cities like trumpets. Saul has killed his thousands. Oh, but David has killed his ten thousands. They shouted to the people. It was a melody of victory. David had struck down their oppressor and led the army of Israel into victory. However, to Saul...

It was a song of despair. He looked down at David being carried on the arms of his soldiers. At that moment, a darkness slithered its way into Saul's heart. A deep and evil well of jealousy was simmering to the surface. Saul twitched his head to the side and rolled his neck back. Chills slithered down his spine. He looked down at the people. Hate them, he whispered.

"They have given David the glory I deserve!" Saul leaned over the balcony and gripped its edges tightly. He gritted his teeth and furrowed his brow. "He will not take my kingdom away from me!" Saul said to himself. "I will not let him!" Saul stormed back into his room and shut the balcony doors.

Jealousy had overtaken him and there would be no turning back. The next morning Saul was brooding on his throne. David, his humble servant, played the lyre on the other side of the throne room. David played his music brilliantly. He sang to the Lord songs of praise, contemplation, and peace. Usually they soothed Saul's weary and corrupt spirit.

However, this time, David's music made Saul's blood boil. Saul's spear rested against his throne. Saul placed his hand on it. Slowly, as David's music continued to play, Saul gripped the spear tighter and tighter. Saul's teeth gritted, and his heart began to pound with more veracity.

Although David's song echoed through the chambers, all Saul could hear were the sounds of his people singing those words. "Saul has killed his thousands, but David has killed his ten thousands." Saul's jealousy overflowed into uncontrollable rage. He looked at David sitting peacefully. "I will pin this runt to the wall," he said to himself.

Saul stood and lifted the spear over his shoulder. With intent to kill, Saul released the spear into the air. David looked up just in time to see Saul's attack. With only a moment to move, David leaped to the side, the spear barely grazing his shoulder. David crashed into the pottery on display. It shattered under David.

He looked up, seeing Saul's arm cocked back with another spear. This time, David acted quicker. He grabbed the small wooden table next to him and shielded himself from the spear. It was a direct hit, and David flew back with the tip of the spear lodged into the wood. David did not give any time for Saul to attack again. He leaped out of the window and fell ten feet to the ground, holding his bloodied shoulder

David ran for his life. David would soon after be sent into exile, running for his life in fear of Saul. The old king's jealousy had sent David running as a slave to the wilderness. His journey would be filled with violence, betrayal, and sin. However, he would soon return to Jerusalem and redeem the people of Israel. The favored son would return in glory to save his people.

Yet, for now, he would be trapped in the prison of Saul's jealousy. Chapter 2. The Prison of Jealousy Joseph stared down at the slow-moving stream. He ran his hands through it and rubbed his neck with the cool water. The sun was high and sweltering. Its harsh rays were torturous, and Joseph was glad he did not have to shepherd the flocks today.

He lay his head down on a rock beside the stream, allowing his foot to dangle in the water. He closed his eyes and thought about his dreams from the night before. He wondered if he would ever gain the respect from his brothers he thought he deserved. Perhaps his dreams were just wishful thinking. Perhaps deep down, all he desired was to gain their favor.

He placed his hand over his head to block out the sun, allowing himself to blissfully doze off. He saw flashes of his previous two dreams. He saw sheaves of grain bowing down before him. He saw flashes of the sun, moon, and the stars circling around him. "Just a dream," Joseph thought to himself. But it wasn't just a dream. Joseph's visions of grandeur may have been misplaced, but his dreams were not.

They were a sign and a warning of things to come. Joseph awoke to his father's footsteps. Jacob made his way towards the stream and playfully splashed Joseph with his walking stick. "Lounging about while others work, I see," Jacob teased. Joseph smiled and shrugged. He stretched out and yawned, lounging back on the stone. Jacob looked to the horizon.

Your brothers should be pasturing the flocks in Shechem right now, Jacob said. We do not have good dealings with the people of Shechem. Jacob sighed and brought Joseph in close. The two of them walked from the stream back to the tents. They are not like you, Joseph. Your brothers? They are unruly.

and they disobey me frequently. I do not trust them. I need you to go to Shechem and check up on them. Go there, Joseph, and bring me back a report. I am at your will, father, Joseph replied. I will go and return when I learn more. Joseph put on his new coat of many colors and sauntered off towards Shechem. He pulled the coat over his head, blocking the sun.

The valley was blistering hot. However, Shechem was known to have a few springs nearby where the sheep would drink. Perhaps his brothers had gone for a swim in the pools. He passed by the springs, but did not see his brothers. He went to the fields where the sheep were supposed to be, but he still did not see the flock or his brothers.

Joseph walked for a few miles. The sun was beginning to descend from the very top of the sky, and Joseph could feel the intense heat of the day beginning to retreat. He took a break underneath the tree and wiped the sweat off his brow. Perhaps they've gone again to Timnah, Joseph whispered to himself. His brothers were, at times, mischievous and unruly, but they were never irresponsible. Deep down,

Joseph admired them. He wanted to be a part of them. But the father's love and favoritism drove them away. They wore their jealousy on their sleeves, and he knew he would never be as close to them as they were with one another. Joseph sighed underneath the shade, considering giving up. Then a man approached with a small herd of goats. His Canaanite accent was thick and rough.

you aren't from around here are you the goat herders said joseph stood to his feet and looked around have you seen a large flock of sheep with ten herders they are my brothers and were supposed to be here in the hills of shechem the man nodded his head

Yes, there was a loud group of men that came through these hills. I had to take my goats elsewhere since their flock was so large. Excellent, Joseph exclaimed. Where might I find them? Did you see which direction they went? I overheard them saying something about Dothan. One of them was rather loud and seemed to leave the rest. The herder said. Joseph smiled. Judah, he said to himself.

He bowed to the herder and ran towards Dothan. His long, lean legs picked up speed as he ran towards the canyons. Dothan was tucked away in a valley surrounded by several canyons and hills. He made quick work of the trails and decided to climb over the rocks as a shortcut. Joseph was a tall, lean, and muscular young man. He was able to climb with relative grace and ease.

Even at 17, he stood taller than most of his brothers, all except Reuben and Judah. He hoisted himself up a rock on the edge of a canyon overlooking the valley. The sun was still shining, but its descent was growing closer to the horizon. Joseph scanned the valley below. He could see the large flock of sheep. However, he could not see his brothers. Joseph made his way down the other side of the mountain wall.

Below was a narrow trail leading to the valley. It was covered by the shadow of the mountain, so Joseph could not see his brothers down below. Hiding in the shadows, Joseph's brothers sat below. Just as expected, Judah whispered. Of course Father sent him to spy on us. His little dog will do anything for a pat on the head. Perhaps he will fall off the edge, Simeon scoffed.

That would solve all our problems. The rest of the brothers laughed, all except Reuben. He could sense something corrupt brewing from within the group. Simeon stood to his feet and pointed back at Joseph. What's keeping us from just putting an end to him?

Are we really going to wait for father to die and give his entire inheritance to the youngest? Would father really do that? Asher asked. Of course he would, Judah answered. Father was the youngest himself. He sympathizes with the boy. You see that coat he's wearing? When has father ever given you something of that much worth? It would be easy...

to just blame it on the wild animals. Levi chimed in. These canyons are filled with wolves. We could... him. And no one would ever find him. The brothers began to stir. What began as small jokes had turned into a serious conversation.

As Joseph continued to approach the bottom of the hill, the group's resolve to harm him increased. Reuben finally spoke up, saying, Surely you don't want to take his life, he said in a worried tone. Brothers, you don't want his blood on your hands. Throw him in one of these pits to teach him a lesson. If he dies in there...

and he dies. But at least you were not the one to kill him." Reuben reasoned with them to save Joseph's life. Although he was the oldest, he knew it was Judah who was truly the leader. If Reuben could get the brothers to abandon Joseph in a pit, he knew he could come and save him later. "Here he comes," Judah said. "We will see what comes of his dreams now."

Joseph finally hopped off the last stone leading to the trail. The canyons blocked out the sun and provided some welcome shade. He jogged down the trail, expecting to find his brothers on the other end of the tunnel-like structure. However, Joseph could hear a stirring in the shadows. He stopped and turned. Whispers echoed through the canyons. "Who's there?" Joseph asked frantically.

The dreamer is here! A voice mocked from the darkness. Joseph looked over to see Judah emerging from the crack in the mountain. The other brothers appeared from the shadows behind him. Their eyes portrayed an ancient evil that had plagued humanity since the very beginning. They revealed a deep wickedness that had been brewing since the first family.

The heart of Cain, who murdered his brother Abel, was alive in the sons of Jacob. They hated Joseph for his favor, and they were trapped in a prison of jealousy. Joseph, sensing the hatred boiling up in them, stepped back to run. However, the brothers had circled him. Where are you running off to? Judah scoffed. Are you afraid? Joseph gulped. There was no escaping what was about to come.

His eyes darted towards the trail. He sprinted forward only to be stopped by his brothers and shoved back into the middle of the circle. They closed in on him. Simeon lunged forward for the first blow right to the jaw. Joseph recoiled and stumbled back only to be shoved to the ground by Levi. His brothers pounced on him, tearing the coat right off his body.

Their kicks seemed endless. Joseph could feel his ribs cracking under the pressure of their blows. "Stop! Someone help me!" Joseph cried, but his brothers were too enraged to give mercy. Judah picked Joseph up by his hair and held his face tightly. "Tell me, Joseph, in all your dreaming, did you ever see this?"

Tears streamed down Joseph's face. He could not speak. He could barely breathe. Judah threw him against the rocks. Joseph lay there helplessly. His brothers were filled with spite. They took his limp and mangled body and threw him into an empty pit. Joseph tumbled down 15 feet, hitting the cold dirt below. A cloud of dust rose in the air as Joseph's body hit the ground.

He gasped for breath, coughing up blood and dirt. Joseph rolled onto his back, seeing the silhouetted faces of his brothers above. His eyes were growing dim, and the light from above was slipping from his sight. Feeling broken and abandoned, Joseph closed his eyes. All was dark. The brothers, still fuming with adrenaline, looked down at Joseph.

They spat down the pit and turned back to their flock. They sat in the fields enjoying a meal. As they broke apart their bread and drank from their wineskins, they considered what to do with Joseph. "'What do we do now, Reuben?' Asher asked. "'If we leave him in there, he will either die or escape. Do we risk either?' "'Leave him for now.'

Reuben responded, "We will go back home and consider what to do with him afterwards." "Perhaps he will be consumed by beasts tonight and we won't have to lie to father." Reuben said in jest. However, Reuben was planning on saving Joseph later that night. He just needed his brothers gone. Reuben stood to his feet

and stretched. "My brothers, I am going to sell a few of our sheep to the nearby shearers. I will be back shortly. Then we can go home and decide on what to do with Joseph." The brothers nodded, and Reuben left down the trail to go barter with the nearby merchants. Judah sat alone on a stone, looking intently at the canyons where they had left Joseph.

His stare was intense and unmoving. His chest still swelled with jealous rage. He was completely gripped with hatred. At the corner of his eye, Judah saw some Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. They had camels bearing gum, balm, and spices. Judah recognized these merchants. He had seen them in the darker parts of the city.

He knew that these men were more than spice merchants. They were slave traders. Judah stood up and skipped a few stones on the nearby creek. Reuben is naive, Judah said. The brothers perked their ears to him and listened. He thinks he can save Joseph to gain favor with father. Judah,

If father finds out what we did, we will be banished, Simeon said intently. Judah nodded and held up Joseph's coat. We could kill him, but that would profit us nothing, Judah said. A sly smile came across his face. My brothers, how would you all like a shining new coat just like Joseph's?

"It would take a year's worth of wages," Levi scoffed. "Father doesn't love us that much." The group laughed. Judah tossed another stone at the creek and gestured to the Ishmaelite merchants. "Why don't we sell him?" Judah said matter-of-factly. "Look, there are spice merchants a few yards near the entrance to the town, and I happen to know they are slave traders. Joseph? Ooh, he's a strong young man."

and they would pay us a handsome sum of money for him. The brothers were silent for a long moment. They were beginning to realize what they had done. There was no turning back. They either needed to kill him or sell him away. If they didn't, they would risk their father finding out. The brothers looked up at Judah as their appointed leader and nodded. Judah smiled and walked over to the Ishmaelites.

Judah approached them with his arms wide open. His charming smile shone in the setting sun. Judah was a charismatic man. He was clever like his father, but lacked the humility. "My friends!" Judah shouted. "I have an offer for you." The Ishmaelites turned their attention to Judah. They looked him up and down, determining whether he could be trusted.

Judah sauntered to their camels and began to stroke their noses. I know, I know. You are spice traders. Oh, but I hear you deal in much rarer items as well. Is this true? Before Judah could give another charming smirk, he found himself pinned to the ground with blades to his throat. Their leader stood over him and scowled.

He was a tall and dark man with a slender frame and crooked face. "Do not toy with us, son of Jacob. We know who your father is. Tell us your offer and nothing more. We want little to do with you and your family." Judah coughed and winced on the ground. The brothers ran towards him but promptly stopped when they saw their blades drawn.

Still on the floor, Judah raised his hands and pointed north. Lying in a pit just north of here, there is a young man. He's 17. He's strong, lean, and able to work. What will you give us for him? The Ishmaelites sheathed their swords and spoke amongst themselves. Their leader would peer back at them periodically. Judah stood to his feet and wiped the dust off his clothes.

The sun would set soon, and the brothers were growing anxious that Reuben would return. Their leader approached Judah and gestured towards the canyons where Joseph was trapped. "If the boy is healthy and able-bodied, we will give you twenty shekels of silver," he said impassively.

Judah looked back at his brothers. They hadn't imagined that much wealth to themselves. The offer was better than they expected. The two of them shook hands and Judah led the Ishmaelites up the hill to the canyons. Joseph opened his eyes. It had been hours since he hit the jagged rocks below. His body ached and each breath caused a stabbing pain in his side.

He rose to his feet and leaned his back against the cold stone wall of the cave. His lips were parched and in need of water. He looked around the pit. Not a drop of water to be seen. Joseph fell to his knees and looked up. The skies above the entrance of the hollow were painted a deep red. The sun was setting and Joseph felt in his heart that his brothers had completely abandoned him. Tears streamed down his dusty face.

What have I done to deserve this? Joseph whispered. He looked to the heavens seeking answers from God. Did you give me these dreams to mock me? He asked. Were you just toying with me? Joseph was met with silence. The red clouds above rolled faster to the evening wind. Joseph gazed blankly at the small opening where he had been thrown in.

He desperately wanted to believe that one of his brothers would come to save him. "Perhaps Reuben will come," Joseph thought. As he looked above, he saw a rope fall down through the entrance and fall down at his feet. Joseph smiled, beaming with hope. He grabbed the rope and tied it around his waist. Then, with the little strength he had left, he climbed the cave walls.

Joseph hoisted himself up from the edge of the pit's entrance. He stood up and saw his brothers standing a few feet away. Joseph smiled and walked to them. He had thought they abandoned him, and his heart welled up with gladness to see they had not left him there to die. As Joseph limped to them, a rope was thrown around his neck and tugged back. He fell back onto the floor, gasping for air.

His legs kicked as he desperately tried to free himself from the rope. He was dragged back and tied to the end of a camel. He looked up to see a tall, slender man looming over him. The man knelt down to Joseph and grabbed him by the jaw. He examined him with invasive force. The man stood up and took a pouch from his cloak. Twenty pieces of silver, as we agreed.

Joseph then watched the man throw the pouch of coins to Judah. Unable to breathe, he watched his brothers one by one walk away. The last of them being Judah, who simply stood there in silence, watching Joseph being carted off like a beast. Joseph could not cry for help. He could not plead for mercy. The rope was tied too tightly around his throat.

All he could do was look back at his brothers. Tears filled his eyes and his heart was overwhelmed with pain and betrayal. Joseph the dreamer and favorite son of Jacob had been sold into slavery. The sun set and Joseph was taken to Egypt to be bartered. The crimson sun dipped over the horizon and stars replaced its presence.

Joseph kept his gaze fixed south towards Canaan. Betrayed by those he loved, Joseph was sent to his likely death. One day, there would be another who would be betrayed for silver and be taken up like an animal. Much like Joseph, his story would be one of redemption, hope, and forgiveness. Shortly after, Reuben returned to find his brothers near the canyon.

He looked into the pit and saw that it was empty. His heart filled with bitter regret. Where is he? Reuben whispered. None of the brothers answered him. They allowed him to mourn at the entrance of the pit. Simeon stood next to him and put his hands on his shoulder. What's done is done, Reuben. It was out of your hands. Simeon pulled out two silver shekels and handed them to him. This is your share.

Reuben held the coins in his hands. They were heavy and bright. He gripped them and stood to his feet. Reuben realized what a grave mistake he had made. He refused to stand up to his brothers. He thought he could get away without smarting them. As a result, Joseph was now lost forever. Reuben gripped the coins in his hands. He closed his eyes and sighed.

He looked back at his brothers, then back at the cave below. He opened his hands and dropped the coins into the pit. Their clanging echoed. Ruben took his staff and a few of the sheep and walked away. He wanted no part in his brother's conspiracy. He left to go back to his father. The others stayed back and slaughtered the sheep.

They took its blood and splattered it all over Joseph's coat. They tore it to pieces and rubbed it through the dirt. Then, with melancholy faces, they ventured back to their father. Judah, Simeon, and Levi entered the tent of Jacob first. Joseph's mangled robe was draped over their arms like a dying child. They bowed before Jacob with quivering lips.

Their eyes were filled with false tears as they looked up at their father. "Father!" they said with regret in their voices. "We found this by the canyons near Shechem. Is this Joseph's?" Jacob stood to his feet and took the coat in his hands. His face was filled with shock and anguish as he walked out with the coat in his arms.

Outside the tent, Jacob fell to his knees and wept. He pressed the bloody coat against his face and bellowed with the grief of a father. "My son!" he cried out. "My son!" His remaining sons tried to comfort him, but he refused. He tore his clothes and screamed to the heavens. He looked up with bloodshot eyes and body shaking with grief.

My mourning will not cease until I join my beloved son in the grave. He said. Jacob buried his head in the dirt. His cries were deep, bellowing, and heavy. They shook the earth beneath him. He would not be comforted for many years. Until one day...

he would meet his son face to face once again. When bitterness takes root, the results can be deadly. King Saul's jealousy of David for his success and popularity with the people so blinded him that he even sought to kill David, the one God has selected to replace Saul as a king and the one referred to in the scripture as a man after God's own heart.

The root of bitterness in the hearts of Joseph's brothers blossom into hatred and then into a vengeful desire to get rid of this dreamer, this little brother. The vicious actions we heard about in this episode demonstrate just how dark and evil jealousy and hatred can become when they set in and are allowed to feed on each other.

As Joseph approached his brothers, did you feel like yelling, Watch out! You're walking into a trap! Jacob sent Joe to check on his brothers and bring back a report, and we sensed that Jacob was more than a little concerned about what these older brothers might be up to. After searching for them for several days, Joseph finally encountered his brothers in Dothan, which, as we soon learned, was one of the major trade routes.

By the time Joseph arrived, his brothers had already begun to develop a plot against him. Now, it's no surprise then, is it, that when Joseph showed up in the beautiful, colorful tunic Jacob had given him, it acted to accelerate their anger. Here comes this dreamer. They cried, there he is. After agreeing not to kill him, they stripped Joe of his coat, beat him, threw him into a nearby pit.

Then they proceeded to sit down and eat lunch. We'll learn in a little later episode that the whole time they were eating, Joseph, from the pit, was in distress and pleading and crying with them not to leave him there. In a very real sense, the brothers were trapped in a prison of their own making, a prison that maybe some of us are experiencing or have experienced, a prison of jealousy.

Before long, a caravan leading to Egypt came along, and Judah suggested that they sell Joseph. The brothers then took Joe's coat, tore it, dipped it in the blood of a goat. When they returned home, they presented the coat to Jacob and deceived him into believing that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. The one who had deceived his father, Isaac, became the victim of deception himself.

Here are a few things I think we need to take away from Joseph's story. We can learn more in a pit or in a desert place than we learn anywhere else. God is always preparing Joseph for the prominence he will one day enjoy. His experiences and suffering and privation and difficulty are a part of God's plan, a part of God's preparation. Also, never let go of your God-given dreams.

They're part of God's gift to you, his personal gifts to you, and he will fulfill them in his time, in his way. Even in the darkness of the pit, Joseph continued to trust that his dreams would one day somehow be realized. Also, God's timing is an important part of Joe's story, Joseph's story.

It is no coincidence that the Midianite caravan came along at just the right moment. We will see several examples of God's perfect timing in future episodes. Galatians 4.4 tells us that, quote, at just the right moment, end quote, God sent his son Jesus in the fullness of time.

In the Old Testament, there are many prophecies pointing to the coming of the Messiah, but only God knew when it would occur. God has a plan for your life as well, your life, my life, and we can trust that his plan is always perfect. It fits you, it fits me, and that it will be fulfilled in God's supernatural, wonderful timing.

which is always at just the right moment, at just the right time. In our next episode, we will pause our account of Joseph to explore the amazing account of Joseph's brother Judah. I promise an insight is there from God. Don't miss it.