"Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him." Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father. “Do not shed his blood.Reuben sought to restrain his brothers from committing murder against Joseph. As Jacob’s firstborn, he bore a measure of responsibility for the family and recognized the guilt that would follow the shedding of innocent blood. God had established the sacredness of human life after the flood (Genesis 9:6), and the command against murder would later be given plainly in the law (Exodus 20:13). Deu 19:10 Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land… Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, Reuben proposed placing Joseph in a dry cistern rather than killing him. Such pits were commonly used to collect water and could become traps from which escape was difficult. The remote setting near Dothan separated Joseph from help and displayed the brothers’ cruelty, yet the empty pit became the means by which Joseph’s life was initially spared. Jer 38:6 So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern… but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben attempted to prevent direct violence while concealing his intention from the other brothers. Their hatred had led them to reject Joseph as a brother, but God restrained their murderous plan. Joseph’s descent into the pit anticipates the deeper humiliation, slavery, and imprisonment through which God would prepare him to preserve many lives. Gen 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel… Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands Reuben intended to return later and deliver Joseph. His action did not erase his earlier failures or restore his standing as firstborn, but it showed an awareness of duty toward both Joseph and Jacob. God worked even through Reuben’s limited and hidden intervention to preserve the son through whom He would accomplish His purpose. Psa 82:4 Rescue the weak and needy; save them from… and return him to his father. Reuben knew that Joseph belonged with Jacob, who loved him deeply. Although Reuben’s plan failed when the brothers sold Joseph to traveling merchants, God ultimately brought Joseph back into relationship with his father. The later reunion of Jacob and Joseph reveals God’s power to restore what human sin had torn apart. Gen 42:37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may kill my two sons”… Persons / Places / Events 1. ReubenThe eldest son of Jacob, who intervenes to prevent his brothers from killing Joseph. His intention is to rescue Joseph later and return him to their father, Jacob. 2. Joseph The favored son of Jacob, who is envied by his brothers due to his dreams and his father's favoritism. He is the target of his brothers' plot. 3. The Brothers The sons of Jacob, who are envious and hostile towards Joseph. They conspire to harm him but are persuaded by Reuben to throw him into a pit instead of killing him. 4. The Pit A cistern or dry well in the wilderness where Joseph is thrown. It symbolizes a place of abandonment and despair. 5. The Wilderness The desolate area where the brothers plot against Joseph, representing isolation and danger. Teaching Points The Role of ConscienceReuben's intervention shows the importance of listening to one's conscience and taking a stand against wrongdoing, even when it is unpopular. God's Sovereignty in Adversity Joseph's account reminds us that God can use difficult circumstances for His purposes, as seen in Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt. The Power of Intentions Reuben's intention to save Joseph highlights the significance of our motives and how they can influence our actions and decisions. Family Dynamics and Responsibility Reuben's actions reflect the complexities of family relationships and the responsibility of the eldest sibling to protect and guide. The Consequences of Envy The brothers' envy leads to destructive actions, teaching us to guard our hearts against jealousy and its potential to harm others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Reuben's intervention in Genesis 37:22 reflect the role of conscience in making moral decisions? Can you think of a time when you had to stand up for what was right?2. In what ways does Joseph's experience in the pit foreshadow his future role in Egypt? How does this encourage you to trust God's plan in your own life? 3. How do Reuben's intentions to save Joseph compare to other biblical figures who acted with good intentions? What can we learn from their accounts? 4. How can we apply the lessons of family dynamics and responsibility from this passage to our own family relationships? 5. Reflect on a time when envy affected your actions or relationships. How can the account of Joseph and his brothers guide you in overcoming envy? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 42Reuben's later interactions with his brothers reveal his ongoing concern for Joseph and his sense of responsibility as the eldest. Exodus 2 The account of Moses being placed in a basket and left in the Nile parallels Joseph's abandonment, highlighting themes of divine protection and deliverance. Luke 15 The parable of the Prodigal Son reflects themes of familial reconciliation and the father's love, similar to Jacob's eventual reunion with Joseph.
People Bilhah, Ishmaelites, Jacob, Joseph, Medanites, Midianites, Pharaoh, Potiphar, Reuben, ZilpahPlaces Canaan, Chezib, Dothan, Egypt, Gilead, Shechem, Valley of HebronTopics Blood, Bring, Cast, Cistern, Death, Deliver, Desert, Forth, Further, Hands, Holes, Lay, Order, Pit, Placed, Purpose, Rescue, Restore, Reuben, Rid, Safe, Shed, Taking, Throw, Violent, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 37:226253 temptation, avoiding causing Library Joseph, the Prime Minister'And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth Man's Passions and God's Purpose Talmage -- a Bloody Monster The Crucifixion. The Sixth Commandment Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud Genesis Links Genesis 37:22 NIVGenesis 37:22 NLT Genesis 37:22 ESV Genesis 37:22 NASB Genesis 37:22 KJV Genesis 37:22 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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