But Joseph reported to his
father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. Genesis 37:2
He
was the baby, Dad’s favorite. But Dad’s sentiments were not shared by the ten jealous
brothers. Ten pairs of ears listened as Joseph ratted them out. Ten pairs of
eyes narrowed when they saw him coming. They’d had a good thing going until Dad
started sending the kid to spy on them. They could goof off, skim the profits,
deal under the table, as long as Dad didn’t find out. Then the kid ruined
everything. They may have tried to bargain with him, cut him in on the deals.
But he refused, and their anger exploded. No one is as self-righteously
indignant as the person whose sin has just been exposed.
We
learn from kindergarten that no one likes a tattletale. We are taught to be
loyal to our peers and keep our knowledge of their wrongs to ourselves. But as
we age, we can face a real dilemma. Someone is doing evil, harming another, and
we know about it. Our repeated pleas to them for change are ignored. Do we look
the other way for fear of being branded a tattletale? Do we excuse our inaction
as “not my business?” Or do we stand up, speak up, and step up to right the
wrongs, no matter the personal cost. Joseph made that choice. He told his
father about those goof-off brothers because it was the right thing to do. He
knew they would hate him as a tattletale. But even as a teenager, Joseph was
committed to doing right, no matter what it cost him. And it would cost him
greatly. But because he was faithful in smaller things, God trusted him with a
greater mission.
Can God trust you to stand up, speak up, or step up when needed, no matter what it costs you?
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