Genesis 37

Genesis 37

If there is one verse that can describe Joseph’s life it would be Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Here we have Joseph, loved by Jacob. Why was he so loved by Jacob? Joseph and Benjamin were the sons of Rachel, Jacob’s beloved who he worked 14 years for. Joseph, being loved the most, is given this coat of many “colors.” The traditional translation for this coat tells us this might have simply been a coat with long sleeves. Only rulers had long sleeve coats in those areas. It was a sign that this person did not work with their hands but rather were in charge. Looking into the future, this coat could have been quite a prophetic thing. Picture being given this, then sharing about a dream where everyone bowed down to you. It is no wonder that his brothers wanted to kill him.

Some may have thought the actions of the brothers to be quite hostile. Remember, these are the kids of Jacob, Nephews to Esau. Esau wanted to kill Jacob when he stole the blessing from him, and these guys were no different. Their solution, after Reuben interceded, was to get rid of Joseph.

Jealousy is a very powerful thing. Check out these verses about jealousy: “For jealousy is the rage of a man; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance” (Proverbs 6:34). “Set me as a seal on Your heart, as a seal on Your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a flame of Jehovah (Son. 8:6).

We are told that our God is a jealous God. Is there such thing as righteous jealousy? Paul says, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I have espoused you to one Man, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ (1 Cor. 11:2).

Let us truly love each other rather than grow jealous of one another. Let us pray for one another, right now, rather than meditate wrong for one another. “Love is strong as death. Jealousy is cruel as the grave…” It was the love of God that sent Him to the cross, and His righteous jealousy which had Him endure the cruelness of the grave. May we love with this love, and only grow jealous when we see a brother or sister take their eyes off the Lord.