Lesser Evils

Re:Verse readingGenesis 37:14-28, 50:15-21 (day seven)

“Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. v.27

Judah, the consummate businessman, saw an opportunity to take Reuben’s logic and turn it into profit.  If they did not kill Joseph they could sell him, but the stated reasoning here is more than profit.  Judah claims they cannot kill Joseph because he is their own flesh, and they determine to treat their brother better than murder.  Being a slave is better than being dead.

The logic is twisted, but a common thread. We are often tempted to justify our actions by claiming that they less detrimental than other options on the table.  Sometimes we even believe we are good or merciful for choosing a lesser evil when in reality the lesser evil is just as disobedient.  God’s call on our life is not to indulge lesser evils, but refinement unto purity.

Author: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson is Senior Pastor at FBCSA.

One thought on “Lesser Evils”

  1. Evil is evil! Man’s free will is the source of evil. Evil will result when we break our relationship with God!

    It is true that evil is evil! It makes no difference whether it is lesser or greater! Don’t take that evil road at all. I like to conclude with this quote from Andrzej Sapkowski,

    “Evil is Evil. Lesser, greater, middling… Makes no difference. The degree is arbitrary. The definition’s blurred. If I’m to choose between one evil and another… I’d rather not choose at all.”~~Andrzej Sapkowski

    Have a Happy and Blessed Sunday!

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