“This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.”Genesis 37:2-3
The Bible makes special mention of an incident when Joseph was sent to work with His brothers tending the flock. More likely, as is the case with most little brothers, Joseph was serving his brothers in menial tasks while they tended the flock. The goal was to learn the family business. Zilpah (Leah) and Bilhah (Rachel) were concubines whose role was to be handmaid to the wives. Bilhah's sons are Dan and Naphtali, while Zilpah's sons are Gad and Asher. It makes sense that Joseph would work with Dan and Naphtali since he would naturally be was raised in Bilhah's tent after the death of his mother Rachel when he was 9 years old. These sons were naturally closer to each other because there is always a family hierarchy amongst the children, usually by age, but in this case, also by the status of the mother in the clan.
In this case, Joseph brought a bad (some versions evil, vile) report about his brothers. The underlying Hebrew suggests that Joseph didn't criticize their work so much as tell Jacob of his older sons' dubious reputation amongst the locals. This would be of special interest to Jacob because he was a guest amongst these people and remembers the near disaster at Shechem (Gen 34). The rest of the Biblical narrative supports this idea as it details the ungodly behavior of Jacob's sons. But Joseph broke a cardinal rule about tattling on older brothers (especially being 2nd youngest) and paid the price with their intense (murderous) resentment.
Jacob only made matters worse by so obviously favoring Joseph with special colorful coat and likely other privileges. But the incident introduces Joseph to be of uncommon character and insight from a young age, willing to go against the grain to walk in integrity. The Lord especially arranged that Joseph would grow in tact, wisdom and humility through the many trials he would face. It is encouraging to read in the life of Joseph how the Lord redeems (and brings justice to) relational conflict and the many setbacks to help him grow into His divine calling. Nothing is wasted, no senseless pain. May we rest in God's sovereign power to redeem our past and use it for His glory.
The Bible makes special mention of an incident when Joseph was sent to work with His brothers tending the flock. More likely, as is the case with most little brothers, Joseph was serving his brothers in menial tasks while they tended the flock. The goal was to learn the family business. Zilpah (Leah) and Bilhah (Rachel) were concubines whose role was to be handmaid to the wives. Bilhah's sons are Dan and Naphtali, while Zilpah's sons are Gad and Asher. It makes sense that Joseph would work with Dan and Naphtali since he would naturally be was raised in Bilhah's tent after the death of his mother Rachel when he was 9 years old. These sons were naturally closer to each other because there is always a family hierarchy amongst the children, usually by age, but in this case, also by the status of the mother in the clan.
In this case, Joseph brought a bad (some versions evil, vile) report about his brothers. The underlying Hebrew suggests that Joseph didn't criticize their work so much as tell Jacob of his older sons' dubious reputation amongst the locals. This would be of special interest to Jacob because he was a guest amongst these people and remembers the near disaster at Shechem (Gen 34). The rest of the Biblical narrative supports this idea as it details the ungodly behavior of Jacob's sons. But Joseph broke a cardinal rule about tattling on older brothers (especially being 2nd youngest) and paid the price with their intense (murderous) resentment.
Jacob only made matters worse by so obviously favoring Joseph with special colorful coat and likely other privileges. But the incident introduces Joseph to be of uncommon character and insight from a young age, willing to go against the grain to walk in integrity. The Lord especially arranged that Joseph would grow in tact, wisdom and humility through the many trials he would face. It is encouraging to read in the life of Joseph how the Lord redeems (and brings justice to) relational conflict and the many setbacks to help him grow into His divine calling. Nothing is wasted, no senseless pain. May we rest in God's sovereign power to redeem our past and use it for His glory.