Conspiracy (vv. 18-24). It took Joseph perhaps three days to get from Hebron to Shechem, but when he got there, he learned that his brothers had moved thirteen miles north to Dothan, which meant another day’s journey. When he came into their range of vision, they immediately recognized him afar off (he was wearing his special garment) and began to make their plans.

The combination of hatred and envy is lethal. It simmers in the heart and waits for the spark that will set off the explosion. The brothers didn’t have to be tempted in order to decide to harm Joseph. All they needed was the opportunity, and it wasn’t long in coming. Their derisive statement, “Here comes that dreamer!” (v. 19 niv) could be translated, “Here comes the dream expert!” In this situation, Joseph’s dreams got him into trouble, but thirteen years later, other people’s dreams would get him out of trouble. “How unsearchable are his [God’s] judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33).

Which brother first suggested that they kill him? It wasn’t Reuben, because his counsel was that they throw Joseph into a dry cistern. Reuben planned to come back and rescue his brother, but even if he succeeded, how could he take Joseph back home? Jacob would surely learn the truth about his sons, and his reaction would have created more problems in the family. That Reuben protected Joseph from death is commendable, especially since Reuben was the firstborn son whom Joseph replaced (1 Chron. 5:1).