47 Days of Justice 2024 - Day 17: The real problem is not the “tattletale.”

“So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner. This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We leave our examination of the story of David and Bathsheba and turn to the story of Joseph and his brothers. We hope to discover further insight into the causes of injustice, and indeed, the remedy.

Jumping right in: Let’s face it, nobody likes a tattletale. You know the ones: looking for any infringement of decorum or edict to report to an authority, in order to ingratiate themselves to the authority.

If you view the account in our opening scripture as describing the actions of a tattletale, you just might find yourself empathizing with Joseph’s brothers later on in the story. But I will point out that there is no indication in the wording of this account that would paint Joseph as doing something wrong in giving his father the bad report about his brothers.

You know, there’s a reason why potential jurors are questioned as to their experience in terms of being the victim of some crime.

Now, the prosecution loves to have jurors who have suffered the same sort of injury that the aggrieved person has suffered at the hands of the defendant. But, make no mistake, the defense attorneys will try to disqualify anyone who has experienced a similar crime against themselves as that with which the defendant is being charged. Why? Because the person having experienced a similar wrong, will find it difficult to objectively decide guilt or innocence when they are emotionally invested because of their personal experiences.

I am reminding you of this aspect of human nature (what we have experienced may well cause us to identify with the injured party, or even the accused party), as a cautionary note. We may allow our experience to cause us to look with a distorted eye at someone else’s guilt or innocence. Believe it, that is the basis for much injustice. Yes, our experience may cause us to condone something we shouldn’t condone, or to condemn something we shouldn’t condemn.

But back to Joseph. After further examination of Joseph‘s character, when looking back at this account, we must assume that he felt he was doing what was right, and was protecting the interests of his father by giving him this report.

Nonetheless, who gets blamed by the one who has erred? Certainly not themselves! No, the “real problem” is that one who preaches righteousness and challenges error. Consider this:

“For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In a group, society, country, wherever there has been moral and spiritual decay, justice may become re-defined as shutting up those who are pointing out the evil deeds. I truly believe that if this scenario were happening in our modern society, Joseph would definitely be labeled as a hater, and would be “canceled.” Oh—wait—that’s just what Joseph’s brothers are going to attempt to do!

Let’s beware lest we allow in ourselves an attitude of disdain toward preachers of righteousness. They just might be doing the will of their Father; and in attempting to “cancel” them, you may find yourself trying to “cancel” God!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#resolveforhim #47DaysOfJudgement