Genesis 37:12-36
"Joseph Sold into Slavery"
Basically we have a plot by the lesser-favored sons to kill the favored son. One of the brothers, Reuben, (thinking to rescue him later) debates with the others, convincing them to abandon Joseph in a pit. Meanwhile, Judah convinces them, except the non-present Reuben, to sell Joseph to some traders and deceive their father. When Reuben returns, he is distraught and when they return home, Jacob is distraught.
Most people spend their time looking at Joseph, but I want to take a look at Reuben. While he may have been fed up with Joseph and his antics, Reuben realized that killing him would serve no good; it would pain his father greatly. Therefore, Reuben took action and, with the intent to rescue Joseph, convinces them to lessen the action. Reuben acted to save his brother's life. Not because he was enamored with Joseph or his dreams. In fact, we find, in the previous section, that all the brothers found his dreams irritating. Reuben did it for his father.
In a similar manner, we need to be like Reuben. We need to be saving lives, not from their brothers, but from the clutches of the demons and not for our earthly fathers, but for our heavenly father.
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