Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 37:12-22

"And his brethren went to feed their father`s flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Are not thy brethren feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. And he said to him, Go now, see whether it is well with thy brethren, and well with the flock; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I am seeking my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they are feeding [the flock]. And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. And they saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, And evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood; cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him: that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father." — Genesis 37:12-22 (ASV)

How readily Joseph awaits his father's orders! Those children who are most beloved by their parents should be the most ready to obey them. See how deliberate Joseph's brothers were against him. They planned to slay him with malice aforethought and in cold blood.

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer (1 John 3:15). The sons of Jacob hated their brother because their father loved him. New occasions, such as his dreams and the like, provoked them further; but this lay rankling in their hearts until they resolved on his death. God has all hearts in his hands.

Reuben had most reason to be jealous of Joseph, for he was the first-born; yet he proved to be his best friend. God overruled all to serve his own purpose of making Joseph an instrument to save many people alive. Joseph was a type of Christ; for though he was the beloved Son of his Father, and hated by a wicked world, yet the Father sent him out of his bosom to visit us in great humility and love.

He came from heaven to earth to seek and save us; yet then malicious plots were laid against him. His own not only did not receive him, but crucified him. He submitted to this, as a part of his design to redeem and save us.