Family Troubles.

Genesis 37:19-20
19 "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. 20 "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."

Brothers and sisters (especially twins) usually stick together for many years. They eat together, take the same classes, and maybe dress the same, particularly if they're girls. Sometimes they're never separated until they get married. Can you say double wedding?!?!

If you have siblings, chances are there was a point in time when you would listen to each other constantly to get advice. However, one day a trivial argument between you may be hard to solve. Finally, one day reconciliation is experienced to a degree.

Genesis reminds us of these family battles, like those between Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau. In the story above, Joseph's 11 brothers gang up on him. Joseph tells his brothers his dream and this angers them because in it, they bow down to his favoritism as shown by his father. Joseph is insensitive to any bit of jealousy that his brothers might have. In the end, the brothers are sick of him, and take revenge into their own hands.

The brothers plan to murder Joseph. Eventually they sell him to merchants instead. His brothers and father never expect to see Joseph again (they were told he was attacked by an animal).

Joseph's dreams may have meant the worst at home, but God looked at it from a different angle. The dreams become his saving grace in Egypt. He becomes very prominent and finds himself at the top of Pharaoh's government.

Then God asks for forgiveness to be restored for the family. Joseph's brothers are soon in need for food and go to Egypt. The brothers kneel before Joseph, who is unrecognizable, and plead for food. Now Joseph has the opportunity to carry out revenge.

Think about how your family handles problems. Has anything ever happened to you where you fought with a loved one and then later reconciled?