And they said
one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us
slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath
devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben
heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill
him. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that
is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of
their hands, to deliver him to his father again (Gen. 37:19-22).
COMMON GRACE ARGUMENT:
Q. “When Reuben, the oldest brother of Joseph (whom we perceive to be an unbeliever) hears of the plan of his fellow brethren to murder Joseph, he hatches a plan to save him (vv. 21-22). How can we account for this seemingly kind act of concern on the part of this unconverted man, apart from a ‘common grace’? Surely a totally depraved man could never have such concern for his fellow man (cf. Titus 3:3)?”
(I)
Rev. Rodney Kleyn
[Source: The Reformed Witness Hour, no. 4133M: “Joseph is Sold into Slavery” (Gen. 37:12-36), 20/03/2022. Subscribe to the (free) weekly “Reformed Witness Hour” radio podcasts for fine Reformed expository and systematic preaching]
… There are two reasons for which Reuben would do
this [without having to resort to a “common grace” as an explanation]. One is
that he was the oldest brother, and so held primary responsibility. If Joseph’s
death would be connected to something the brothers did, then Reuben would be
held the most guilty. But also, Reuben at this time was already in serious
trouble with his father. Dysfunctional is a word we have used to describe this
family. And Reuben has, around this time, had physical relations with one of
his father Jacob’s wives (read about it in Genesis 49:4). There was incest in
this family. And so, Reuben is not in a position where he wants also to be
guilty of murder.”
------------------------------------------------
(II)
More to come! (DV)
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