Special Treatment

Special Treatment

Genesis 37: ³ Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. ⁴ 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.

 

============

 

Israel did not hold back in showing his love for Joseph. He carefully made a tunic of many colors. His brothers hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

 

My Observations:

• Israel’s special treatment of Joseph contributed to the brother’s envy.
• Israel spent money, time and effort making a very special tunic.
• Joseph’s brothers hated him and could only say negative words about him.

 

Joseph was not naïve as one would think. He knew his brothers spoke differently to each other than to him. He probably felt their hatred day after day after day. He did not have friends because he lived in the land of the Canaanites. Israel may have warned Joseph about staying with GOD.

 

Joseph and Israel may have had many conversations about GOD. This shaped who Joseph was. But the brothers hated seeing this special relationship, some more than others. GOD was with Joseph even at a young age.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Israel's special treatment to Joseph and how the brothers felt?
• Have you ever felt jealous of someone who seemed to receive special treatment?
• Do you know that GOD sees you as someone very special to HIM and is giving you special treatment that you may not see?