It's a bit difficult to imagine brothers conspiring to murder one of their own. Yet, that is exactly what Joseph's brothers had done. It was only by a chance opportunity that his life was spared, sending him into servant exile. What motivates such behavior? In this case, jealousy and envy. Although similar, these two attributes are quite different. Jealousy, dangerous as it can be, is also justified in some cases. Such as, when God is jealous over the Israelites following other Gods. This is a jealousy born in adultery. There is also a jealousy founded in mistrust and the yearning for attention. This kind is destructive in nature. Those who exhibit this kind of jealousy often hurt others, relationships can be damaged or destroyed by this green-eyed monster.
And then these brothers suffered from envy, wanting the same good gifts Joseph was getting. My nine-year-old grandson often displays this characteristic. He thinks it unfair when his siblings get something that he doesn't. With him, we put it off to his immaturity and hope that he will grow out of it in time. Most of us do. However, there are a contingency of people who view this differently. These are those who are self-centered, believing that they should be given whatever things those who are more fortunate have. Another word for this is covetousness, and it is clearly condemned in God's ten commandments!
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