In this portion we are reminded that the Scripture does not skirt around the bad behavior of God's people. Betrayal, hatred, deceitfulness, fornication, all of these are examples of the sins of the sons of Jacob. These remind us of just how selfish and foolish we as humans are, but it also serves to encourage us to learn from the mistakes of others and not repeat them. Scripture points out that Joseph is a good looking youth. With all of his favorable qualities, he was still a youth and exhibited certain traits indicative of being young, and there came a day when those traits needed to be put away. He had not attained all wisdom, and his age indicated that he had much to learn. Regardless of our age, we need to be careful not to think that our talents and gifts exempts us from the necessary, often painful, lessons that will render wisdom. God had a unique and life-altering purpose for Joseph, even if it was puzzling. Were it not for the fact that he went to Egypt, there would have been no nation of Israel. It would seem, then, that Joseph had to go down into Egypt. Even so, somehow someway, the end result was all in God's plan. That isn't to say that every decision was according to God's ideal, but it just goes to show that only God can bring something good from something evil. Our choices of today will affect tomorrow. Will they lead to pain and suffering? Or healing and victory? Life or death?

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