Image from unashamedofjesus.org
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves.But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. (Genesis 37: 2b-4)
Happy Friday, dear Friend! My prayers for a great day filled with God's presence and power for you and yours. May all we do today glorify the Lord!
Okay, Joseph did not have a coat made of Christmas Tree lights, but having seen a pastor friend of mine wearing a complete suit with Christmas tree lights on the coat and the pants made me think about this story. And in fairness to this pastor, he was wearing at a staff luncheon or something like that; to each their own, no?
We don't know exactly what kind of coat Joseph received from his dad, but it was the start of an incredible plan of God to save Joseph and his family, and honestly, the people of God. Sometimes we don't understand why great plans start with great pain, but sometimes they do. Joseph's dad was Jacob, and as was the custom in those days, the old man had more than one wife. And if you're at all familiar with Jacob, you know he was a twin. He had an interesting birth, was not the first-born, but tricked his father into giving him first-born rights and privileges, including the blessing of the first born. Later, as he tried to marry the girl of his dreams, his father-in-law tricked him into marrying the older sister after having worked 7 years for her, and then another 7 for his true love. In his old age, his love gave him this son that they named Joseph. His name means "God will add." And as the story unfolds, we see that indeed God added and added.
As I read that Joseph was 17 I tried to think back that far to remember what those years were like. One could have had a carefree adolescence, or it could have been stressful. Mine was too carefree. I received my calling into ministry at that age, though God and I talked about that a lot. God said go, and I said wait. I had too many conditions I wanted met, and God would always say sure. I was blessed in being the oldest of five; I could not imagine having older brothers, and older, wicked brothers that hated me and would go to any length to quiet me. The coat was but the first of many insults perceived by the older brothers. Most families try to be fair with all children, but to have a father give one special item to one child would certainly set the stage for a lifetime of distrust and anger, and in this case hatred. Yet, in this case, Joseph stayed faithful to God and could sense that God was at work. The lesson we hear over and over, we can get bitter, or we can get better. We can say it's the worst day of our life and resent having had to live it, or we can say that we have learned a valuable lesson from it, take the good and try to forget the bad. The believer does these things because of faith in a God that is always involved and whose bigger picture is way better than the small glimpses we receive.
The story will continue next week, but for now, whatever your situation or challenge, prayerfully reflect on what God may be doing in your life. What's the big picture and what can God supply to you to allow you to endure each day? If you're the recipient of the amazing coat, wear it proudly and trust the Lord. If you're the giver of special gifts, try to be fair and just. If you're the older brother or sister, trust God to be at work and be ready to do your part. Those connected to God end up being the key players in most situations.
PRAYER: Loving Father, bless this dear reader in his/her life. You know better than we what and why we are going through what we are going through. Strengthen our faith and bless each step we take towards You. May the calm of a bright big picture be ours today and all days. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Wear the coat of blessing that is the grace of the Lord that falls upon you each moment of each day!
Eradio Valverde
