A Complicated Family Background

Joseph came from a very large family-but not a happy and united one.  The Bible's portrait of Jacob's family stands  as vivid proof of the negative effects of polygamy-and entrenched practice that  God tolerated among his people until his Son restored the original standard of monogamy.  (Matthew 19:4-6)  Jacob has at least 14 children by four different women-his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and their maidservants, Zilpah and Bilhah. From the start, Jacob was in love with his beautiful Rachel.  He never felt such an attachment to Leah, Rachel's older sister, whom he had been tricked into marrying.  A bitter rivalry persisted between the two women, and that jealousy carried over to the children of the household. -Genesis 29:16-35; 30:1, 8, 19, 20; 37:35. 

Rachel was barren for a long time, and when she finally gave birth to Joseph, Jacob treated this son of his old age as special. For example, when the family were on their way to a dangerous meeting with Jacob's murderous brother, Esau, Jacob made sure that Rachel and little Joseph were given the safest position at the rear of the household group.  That tense day must have made an  impression on Joseph. Imagine how he felt that morning as he wondered, wide-eyed, why his aged but vigorous father was now walking with a limp. How amazed he must have been to learn the reason: His father had struggled the night before with a mighty angel!  And why? Because Jacob wanted  a blessing from Jehovah God.  Jacob's reward was the change of name to Israel. A whole nation would bear his name!  (Genesis 32:22-31) In time, Joseph learned that  the sons of Israel  were to father the tribes of that nation! 

 Later, a young Joseph faced tragedy firsthand when the dearest person in his young life left him too soon.  His mother died while giving birth to his younger brother Benjamin.  His father grieved  deeply over the loss.  Imagine Jacob gently wiping the tears from Joseph's eyes, comforting him with the same hope that had once comforted Jacob's grandfather Abraham.   How touched Joseph must have been to learn that Jehovah would  one day restore his mother to life!  Perhaps Joseph came to have even deeper love for the generous  "God . . .of the living." (Luke 20:38; Hebrews 11:17-19) In the wake of the loss of his wife, Jacob always had tender feelings for those two boys, his sons by Rachel. - Genesis 35:18-20; 37:3;44:27-29.

Many children would be spoiled or corrupted by such special treatment; but Joseph  learned from the many good qualities  of his parents, and he developed a strong faith as well as a keen sense of  right and wrong. At the age of 17, he was working as a shepherd, assisting some of  his older brothers, when he noticed some wrong doing on their part.  Was he tempted to keep the matter quiet so as to gain their favor?  In any case, he did what was right. He reported the matter to his father.  (Genesis 37:2)  Perhaps that brave act  confirmed Jacob's high opinion of this beloved son. what an excellent example for Christian youths to think about!  When tempted to conceal the serious sin of another-perhaps a sibling or a friend-it is wise to imitate Joseph and make sure  that the matter is known to those who are in a position to help the wrong doer. -Leviticus 5:1. 

We can also take a lesson from Joseph's family life. While true Christians today are free from the practice of polygamy, there are nonetheless many blended families among them, with stepparents, stepchildren, and step siblings. All can learn  from Jacob's family that favoritism  and partiality undermine the family unity. Wise parents with blended families do all they can to convince their children and stepchildren that each one is loved and is blessed with unique gifts and that each one can add to the happiness of the family. -Romans 2:11.

Next time: Jealousy Takes Root

From the Watchtower magazine, 2014