January 14, 2010 - The Varicolored Robe

Meditation on Genesis 37

Joseph was the favorite among the twelve sons of Jacob who made him a varicolored robe. We could understand that. For Joseph was born in Jacob's old age by his favorite wife, Rachel. Joseph worked just as hard as his brothers. He was too young (probably about 9 or 10 years old) to participate in the ruthless killing of the Shechemites. (This incidence which Jacob didn't like was recorded in Genesis 34) Besides, he dutifully reported to his father the evil deeds of his brothers.

This ornamented robe was also an indication to all that Jacob had in mind to make Joseph his most important heir. Reuben was the first born. But he shamed his father by having a relationship with his father's concubine, Bilhah.

For all these reasons, all the brothers were jealous of Joseph. Verse 4 says, "When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him." (NIV) Joseph's varicolored robe reminded them their inferior positions even as Joseph's dreams gave hint to that. So when the opportunity came, the brothers sold out Joseph as a slave. They stained the ornamented garment with blood and presented it to their father as if Joseph was killed by an animal.

It seems that the colored robe brought tragedy to Joseph. Jacob loved his son. But he was not wise to put him above all the others in such a visible way. May we be careful also not to indicate favorite in the treatment of our sons and daughters. Jealousy is a very serious problem at home or elsewhere. Remember the very first killing of Abel by his older brother, Cain?