(NASB) Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers a multitude of sins.”

Ten Brothers of Joseph
They were shepherding flocks and herds in pastures far from home.  They saw Joseph in the distance, wearing his many colored coat.  When they saw him, they plotted right then to take his life.  They were jealous of him, their father’s favorite; they resented his boasting about his dreams.  He “told” on them to their father, every chance he had.  The years of resentment and reasons to hate their younger brother came to a boiling point out there in those pastures.

Joseph – most loved son of Jacob
He found his brothers after much searching.  He could see the many flocks and herds they were tending.  He diligently carried out his father’s orders… he was a responsible seventeen year old.
(Genesis 37:12-17)

Ten brothers plot to take Joseph’s life
Seeing Joseph, they plotted to kill him and throw his body into one of the pits in the area.  They even thought of a ‘story” to cover their murder, “… we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’”
(Genesis 37:18-20)

Hatred plots, leading to murder.  Hatred stirs up strife within a person’s thoughts and spills over into action.  The ten brothers did not have any concept of love for Joseph, they did not take into account God’s ways to deal with the boastful, spoiled teen-ager.

How do you get rid of problem people?  Do you ignore them?  Do you turn your back on them?  Is your resentment, jealousy or bitterness leading you to hate that hard to like person?

What does God say?
(NASB) Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers a multitude of sins.”

~ Take it to heart ~

(NASB) 1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

Love is a choice – “love covers a multitude of sins.”
Forgiveness is a choice – “love covers a multitude of sins.”