Genesis 37:4 — Thursday, August 6, 2026

The story of Joseph begins, and the chapter shows the roots of the family conflict: Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons, and the brothers, moved by envy, hated him. The verse reveals the poison that grew: they saw that their father loved him more and hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. The hatred began small, in comparison and favoritism, and ended in the selling of the brother. The text warns about the dangers of partial preference within the home and of the destructive power of envy. Envy is a bitter root that corrupts relationships. Even so, the chapter shows that God was at work even in the darkest story. Today we are invited to examine our hearts against envy. Comparison with others steals peace. God has a plan for each one.