About a year before tennis champion Arthur Ashe died of complications from AIDS, which he contracted from a blood transfusion, an interviewer asked if the horrible disease was the greatest burden he had ever had to bear. Ironically, he replied that the disease was nothing compared to the rejection and pain he had endured as a black man in the face of racial prejudice. To Ashe, the only thing worse than his sickness was the hate and persecution he had received from other people.

Why would anyone make such a statement? Perhaps it is because all people need positive relationships. It is hardwired into us by God, who created us for authentic community. Yet, most of us daily feel the sting of personal rejection. We’ve all been deeply wounded by the actions of coworkers, fellow students, church members, or neighbors. Those wounds are even deeper when they’re inflicted by someone close—like friends or family.

In Genesis 37, Joseph endures one of the most dysfunctional moments any family in the Bible experiences. Imagine being attacked, thrown into a pit, and sold into slavery by your own siblings! How could his brothers do this? Here are some of the contributing factors:

They Are Jealous of Joseph’s Position
Jacob’s family legacy is not a very healthy one. His father, Isaac, played favorites with his sons—preferring Esau, the eldest. Perhaps this is one reason why the writer of Genesis reports that Jacob prefers his youngest son—the one born to him in his old age. Whatever the reason, Jacob’s preference of Joseph is evident in his gift of a colorful robe (v. 3). There is no question Jacob, in his extravagant love for his youngest son, actually singles out Joseph for scorn in the eyes of his brothers. Jacob’s favoritism causes a great deal of family tension!

To top it off, Joseph doesn’t seem aware that his father’s favor hurts his brothers. When he approaches his brothers with a message from their father (12-17), he is wearing the robe his father has given him (v. 23). Were he more observant of his brothers’ pain, perhaps their jealousy and hatred toward him would ease.

Our blessings may rub salt in the wounds of those going without! When good things happen to us, when we receive favor in our lives, it is a good idea to remember the suffering of others, and work to ease it (Luke 14:7-22; James 1:27). If we have plenty to eat, we should share food with those who do not. In broader terms, though God is not unfair in his favor (grace) as Jacob is, our job as Christians is to extend that favor by introducing others to Jesus Christ, the person through whom they can experience that favor for themselves!

They Are Hurt by Joseph’s Judgment
Though Joseph certainly doesn’t deserve the treatment he receives, he doesn’t make his situation any easier. Verse 2 indicates that after Joseph works with his brothers, he “brought a bad report to his father.” Apparently something about their work or behavior isn’t ideal. Whatever the case, Joseph rats them out! We don’t know if Joseph tries to help his brothers correct their behavior—but we do know his brothers hate him! Though his brothers may merit judgment, they perceive Joseph to be judgmental.

Similarly, sometimes Christians try to indict society rather than minister to it. We become obsessed with what is wrong with society and love to point out the corruption of our culture, as if we expect non-Christians to behave like Christians. But Paul teaches that we are not to judge culture at large as we do the church (1 Corinthians 5:12). Our job is not to indict the world for not being Christian, but actually to help the world become Christian. Rather than judging those outside of Christ and pushing them away, our role is to love and serve society in order to introduce sinners to the one who can save them from their sin.

They Are Offended by Joseph’s Message
I’ve always wondered if a contemporary psychologist would conclude that Joseph’s dreams reveal a narcissistic personality disorder! Though his dreams are clearly messages that God has big plans for Joseph, the brothers don’t take the messages well. Joseph isn’t lying about the dreams and he certainly does nothing wrong in talking about them. But his brothers are still offended.

As Christians, we must remember that the world isn’t going to like our message, either. Though we temper the message of repentance with love and compassion, the gospel is not an easy doctrine to swallow! In fact, the Bible promises that, if we are faithful, we will be persecuted for our faith (John 15:20; 2 Corinthians 12:10). It’s going to happen.

When it does, take comfort! After the apostles are flogged for preaching, they leave rejoicing that “they were counted worthy to be dishonored” for Jesus (Acts 5:41)! And Jesus once said, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). When you are persecuted for sharing the message, take comfort—you are in good company!

Follow-up
No doubt Joseph is unfairly mistreated, though some care on his part might have made things a little easier for him. If we live faithfully as Christians, we can be confident we will also undergo persecution. Sometimes it is brought about because of our own mistakes. But sometimes we will suffer for doing the right thing; and any kind of mistreatment—whether physical, financial, or verbal—can have devastating effects. The important thing is to remember God will not forget us! He loves us, supports us, and has the power to use the suffering we endure for a higher purpose.

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* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.