Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 27:21-22 (New Living Translation)

21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.

This is part of the (hi)story of Joseph, his coat of many colors, his jealous brothers, and redemption.

The brothers of Joseph were going to murder Joseph and lie to their father about what happened. They had a foolproof plan. There were no witnesses. They had a solemn pact to “stick to their story.”

Then there was Reuben. For some reasons, he was going to rescue Joseph from the brothers. How did Reuben do it? He lied. He had a plan to rescue Joseph and he “kept it secret.” He flat out lied about what he was going to do.

Instead of standing up and saying, “This is wrong. We will not murder our brother. Stop this foolish talk. Get back to work,” he said, “Let’s not hit him or stab him or club him to death. Let’s put him in this hole where he will die slowly. Same result, just less blood.”

Why didn’t Reuben stand up and say what was obvious and righteous?

Reuben was probably afraid. The brothers were to murder Joseph. There was nothing to stop them from murdering him as well. They were murderers. That’s what murderers do.

Reuben told a lie. That is what liars do.

Well, it all worked out for the best and … No. Reuben sinned to stop a sin. Still, he sinned. But but but… Sure we can justify and appreciate the bad situation and how one lesser evil prevented a greater evil and all that. And Reuben could have been murdered just like Joseph was to be murdered.

Still, it was wrong. We live in a world where wrong is everywhere. I do a little wrong here and there to keep big wrongs and that is…it is wrong. Tough situations; tough decisions. Please God, help me in my unbelief.