Jealousy Takes Root

Perhaps because of Joseph's courageous stand for what was right, Jacob bestowed an honor on the boy.  He had a special garment made for his son. (Genesis 37:3) It has often been called a striped coat or a coat of many colors, but there is scant evidence for such renderings.  Likely, it was a long, elegant robe, perhaps reaching  to the extremities of the arms and legs. It was probably  the kind of garb that a nobleman or a prince might wear. Jacob surely meant well, and Joseph must have been touched by this sign of his father's regard and affection.  But that garment would bring him a great deal of trouble.  For one thing, remember that the boy worked as a shepherd.  That meant rugged manual labor. Imagine the youth wearing such a regal garment while trudging through long grass, climbing over rocks, or trying to disentangle a lost lamb from  a thornbush. Worse, though, how would this sign of Jacob's special favor affect Joseph's relationship with his brothers?  

The Bible answers: "When his brothers saw that their father love him more than all his brothers, they began to hate him, and they could not speak peaceably to him."  (Genesis 37:4 ) Their jealousy  may be understandable, but Joseph's brothers were unwise to give in to that poisonous emotion.  (Proverbs 14:30; 27:4)  Have you ever found yourself seething with envy when someone received attention or honor that you wanted? Remember Joseph's brothers.  their jealously led them to commit deeds that they would come to regret deeply.  Their example serves to remind Christians that it is far wiser to "rejoice with those who rejoice." -Romans 12:15. 

Joseph surely sensed his brothers' animosity.  So did he stash his fancy robe out of sight when his brothers were near?   He might have been tempted to do so. Remember, though, that Jacob wanted the robe to be a sign of favor and love. Joseph wanted to live up to his father's trust in him, so he loyally wore the garment. His example is useful for us. Although our own heavenly  Father is never partial, he does at times single out his loyal servants and favor them. Furthermore, he asks them to stand out as different from this corrupt  and immoral world. Like Joseph's special robe, the conduct of true Christians make them different  from those around them. Such conduct sometimes incites jealousy and animosity.  (1 Peter 4:4) Should a Christian hide his true identity as a servant of God? No-no more than Joseph should have hidden his robe. 

Next time: JOSEPH'S DREAMS

From the Watchtower magazine, 2014