“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.”
In this passage, we witness a significant turning point in Joseph’s life. It occurs after his brothers, out of envy and jealousy, decide to harm him. They initially planned to kill him, but Reuben, the eldest brother, intervenes and proposes an alternative course of action. Let’s explore the context and the themes present in this verse.
The story of Joseph begins with his father, Jacob, loving him more than his other sons. Joseph’s brothers grow resentful of their father’s favouritism, which escalates when Joseph shares two prophetic dreams with them. In these dreams, Joseph foresees that his brothers will bow down to him. This further fuels their jealousy and animosity towards him.
In the preceding verses, Joseph’s brothers plot to kill him when they see him approaching from afar. However, Reuben intervenes, expressing concern for Joseph’s life. Reuben suggests an alternative plan to spare Joseph’s life and secretly intends to rescue him later. He advises his brothers not to shed Joseph’s blood but instead to cast him into a pit located in the wilderness. Reuben’s intention is to deliver Joseph safely back to their father, Jacob.
Reuben’s proposal to throw Joseph into a pit can be seen as a compromise between saving Joseph’s life and addressing the brothers’ jealousy and anger. By suggesting this alternative, Reuben hopes to find a solution that prevents Joseph’s immediate death while also allowing him to eventually return Joseph to their father.
Although Reuben’s intentions may have been noble, the events that unfold later show that his plan does not fully succeed. The brothers ultimately sell Joseph to a passing group of Ishmaelites instead of leaving him in the pit. Consequently, Joseph is taken to Egypt as a slave, where his life takes a series of unexpected turns before he eventually rises to a position of power.
The story of Joseph is significant within the book of Genesis as it highlights themes such as jealousy, family dynamics, God’s providence, and the consequences of one’s actions. It also serves as a precursor to the eventual redemption and reconciliation that occurs between Joseph and his brothers later in the narrative.
