Genesis 37
This post explores how jealousy and resentment can lead to devastating choices when left unchecked. We recognize the ancient emotions in the story of Joseph and seen in modern day crimes as well. Readers will gain spiritual insight and practical tools for transforming envy into gratitude and grace.
Summary
Joseph was Jacob’s youngest son (17 years old at this time), and apparently, his favorite son. Joseph rubbed his brothers the wrong way. He would report negative things about them to their father and claim he would one day be superior to them. Joseph told his brothers and father that he would have dreams where they all knelt down to him. His brothers disliked Joseph immensely.
One day, the brothers all went to Shechem to herd Jacob’s sheep. Jacob asked Joseph to go check on his brothers. When Joseph’s brothers saw him approaching, they all agreed to kill him. They planned to tell their father that a wild animal attacked Joseph. The eldest, Reuben, put a stop to this plan. He agreed to drop Joseph in a well to mess with him. Reuben had planned to return for Joseph later in the day.
When Reuben wasn’t around, the brothers sold Joseph to Ishmaelites when they were passing through on their way to Egypt. Reuben was distraught when he returned and noticed Joseph was gone. They took Joseph’s robe that they stripped from him before throwing him into the well, and dipped it in goat’s blood. When they returned the robe to their father, Jacob was devastated. He mourned his son for a long time. The Ishmaelites sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer to the king of Egypt.
Sidebar
This passage is another example of brotherly rivalry in the Bible. You can understand why the brothers are jealous of Joseph. Of all his wives and mistresses, Jacob loved Rachel the most. Consequently, it seems to be the reason Jacob loves Joseph the most (Joseph is Jacob and Rachel’s eldest son). This type of dynamic is bound to cause jealousy and resentment. This overwhelming resentment led the brothers to contemplate murder and ultimately human trafficking of their own flesh and blood.
Resentment stems from a buildup of negative emotions often caused by feeling wronged or treated unfairly. In the case of Jacob’s sons or Cain and Abel, jealousy and resentment led the men to take extreme measures. Of course, we still see these types of behaviors today.
Dr. Hamid Mirshojae was a prominent addiction specialist in Los Angeles who worked with celebrities and athletes. In August 2024, he was tragically murdered outside his clinic in what prosecutors describe as a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by his ex-wife, Ahang Mirshojae. According to a civil lawsuit filed by Dr. Mirshojae’s widow, Ahang was enraged by his new marriage and the birth of his daughter. The suit claims: “She was extremely jealous that her ex-husband had remarried and fathered another child. She wanted to destroy their lives.”
Feelings of resentment can lead to relationship issues, withdrawal from social situations, and declining mental and physical health. If feelings of jealousy or resentment come up, you need to acknowledge your feelings and communicate your issues. Changing your perspective can be helpful by being mindful of what you do have in your life. Even micro-gratitude like, “I’m thankful my back doesn’t hurt today” or “I’m grateful I am breathing or even walking.” If you are incapable of handling your resentment in a heathy manner, seek a therapist who can help with underlying issues leading to jealousy or resentment.
Intention
Oprah says, “Envy is when we want something that somebody else has. Jealousy is when we are afraid of losing something we already have to someone else. Envy and jealousy [are] a straight up happiness destroyer.” Practice gratitude. Instead of saying, “I want what they have.” – say, “I already have what I need to become who I’m meant to be.”
