Jump Start # 397

Genesis 37:3-4 “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.” 

  Joseph—what a remarkable story. A true story. Of all the people we meet in the Old Testament, Joseph mirrors the character of Jesus Christ more than anyone else. He illustrates faithfulness to God in trying times, loyalty, forgiveness and compassion. Joseph comes from a line of incredible Bible heroes, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and then Joseph.

  This week our Jump Starts will focus upon the life of Joseph. I hope you’ll enjoy these thoughts as we look at an amazing man of God.

  God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. In a short time, all the people of God would be known as the nation of Israel. Jacob had twelve sons. You remember in your Bible history the twelve tribes of Israel, this is where it all began.

  Joseph was a late child. Born when Jacob was an old man. Joseph’s brothers were much older than he was.

  Our verse today shows the tension and difficulties in the home of Joseph. His father loved him. That’s awesome. But he loved him more than the other boys and it was noticed. If you’ve ever played a game of pickup basketball, and you have everyone lined up to play. Two captains are chosen. One by one they take turns choosing who they want on their team. Finally, there’s one skinny kid left. Neither side really wants him. That’s the feeling of these brothers. It would be natural for them to be jealous of Joseph.

  Our passage tells us that the brothers hated Joseph and they could not speak friendly to him. What a terrible environment. That’s bad when it defines your work. It’s tough when this is the classroom. But when it’s home, there are few things worse. The brothers hated Joseph, but he wasn’t the one to blame—dad was. Joseph didn’t have a choice in his birth order. Some are favored because they are the first, or in Joseph’s case, the last (until Benjamin is born). Some are favored because they are the only son, or the only girl. 

  The brothers knew. They could tell. They didn’t receive a coat of many colors. They could tell in the way the Jacob spoke to Joseph. They could see it in the gifts. Kids know. This dysfunctional atmosphere leads the brothers to plan to kill Joseph, but later settle on selling him to some traveling merchants. This unhealthy atmosphere lives today. Pick up the newspaper or turn on the TV. Kids killing parents. Parents killing their own kids. Brothers and sisters killing each other.

  We choose our friends and we choose our mates, but we don’t have a say in who our parents will be nor our siblings. In some homes, the family members do not like each other. It’s obvious.

  Much of Joseph’s early trials came from brothers who were jealous. In some cases, like Joseph’s, it’s because a parent favors one over the others. In other cases, it could be talent. Our times have known many famous people. We hear about the records they set in sports, or they have become famous recording artists, or they were heroes in war, or they did what no one else did. I wonder how the brothers and sisters of these people felt? I’m sure proud but I wonder if a bit jealous. They are not famous, as their sibling is. They are not rich as their sibling is. They are not known as the fastest, the first, the best, only as the brother or sister of the one who was.

  You may have that in your family. It may be one of your brothers or sisters, is an author or a sports legend. It may be that people recognize them in the public. And you, well, you are not recognized.

  The brothers of Joseph were jealous. What’s the solution? How does a parent avoid this? What is a dad to do when his son wants to play ball or go fishing, but his daughter is not into those things? It’s easy to favor a child. It’s easy to spend more time with the one who has common interests or similar hobbies. It’s up to the parent to not be the cause of the jealousy. Favoritism in any form creates a hostile environment. Jacob could have made each of the sons a coat of many colors. He could have spent time with each son—one on one. He could have made sure that each boy knew that they were loved.

  Jealousy hurts. Sometimes it can’t be helped. Some are born with natural talent and are gifted. Some are better looking than others. Some can sing well and others can’t. Some can draw and some can’t. Some can create and others can’t. We can look at our brothers and sisters that we grew up with and wish we had their looks, or their ability to sing or write or create. And what this thinking does, is make us wish we were someone else. It makes us think we are nothing and cannot do anything. Those thoughts only hurt us. They are not healthy. First, God made you just the way you are. You look the way you look, you are the sex that you are because God has a purpose for you. He wired you the way you are wired. Some are outgoing and others shy—why? It’s just the way you are.

  God has plans for you. God has things that He is counting on you doing. You are equipped to do just what God wants. You may not sing well. Maybe you can’t come up with an idea if you had to. But there is something you can do—because God made you. It’s up to you to find what you’re good at. Learn, study and become better at what you are a natural at and then use it for God.

  Moms and dads—make sure all the kids feel welcome, loved and accepted by you. It’s your job to lift up the spirits of all of them. That’s a tough job, but it’s the role God put you in.

Roger