Anger and hatred can be described as the two sides of the same coin. In all probability, you will detest what gets you angry and be angry about what you detest. The first murder case in history was because Cain was angry because Abel’s offering was accepted while his was rejected. Joseph’s story also clearly demonstrates that those who are angry may soon switch to murderous intent. In two successive verses, we noticed the reasons why Joseph’s brothers hated him. Genesis 37:4 records that they noticed that their father had a liking for Joseph, and understandably so. He was a child of his old age, born after years of agonizing wait, and that coming from a beloved wife. Joseph’s brethren did not find that acceptable. Here comes Joseph again, sharing a dream which put him in position of authority over his brethren. That took his brothers’ hatred for him to a new level. Unfolding events were their plans to eliminate him.

Even when there seems to be a “genuine” reason to show hatred, by which we mean someone has truly offended you, remember it is a trap of the devil.

It is in this light too that we can recall the relationship between Saul and David. The moment Saul noticed that the women were singing the praise of the young champion, hatred welled up in him, and he began to seek ways to kill David. Murder is next door neighbor to hatred! John could not have put it in a better way when he said, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1John 3:15). Envy was the root of the hatred which Jacob’s sons showed towards their brother; and Saul’s to David. That was unwarranted. Even when there seems to be a “genuine” reason to show hatred, by which we mean someone has truly offended you, remember it is a trap of the devil.