Joseph in Genesis
Greetings! To my sister Bible class teachers!
We have heard it said that “the clothes make the man” but with Joseph, he is the one, if you will, who inspired the making of that coat of honor!
The scriptures say Joseph was the son of his father Jacob’s (Israel’s), old age, and because of this he loved Joseph more than all his children. We are then told that Jacob made Joseph a varicolored coat, Genesis 37:3.
I do wonder, how much old age really had to do with loving Joseph the most.
Being a Grandma/Nina I do realize in my “older” age as my grandchildren come along, my heart tends to overlook a few things now and then and I see how easily these sweethearts can have me wrapped pretty tight around their little fingers.
But if Joseph’s behavior had been disrespectful toward his father would he still have been his father’s favorite just because of his old age?
I tend to think that Jacob, having loved Rachel, Joseph’s mother, most likely played a big part in Jacob showing his love toward Joseph from the time he was born. And for Joseph to live and grow, being loved, may have helped Joseph show love and respect towards his father in return.
That coat, which study tells us was full length, long sleeved, and highly ornate * was like a badge of honor!
Could the coat have had more to do with Joseph’s character, showing him worthy because of his good mind and heart?
Thinking on these things, the Joseph’s Coat I am sharing with you today has been ornately designed with Joseph’s outstanding character!
Joseph was honest when he gave a bad report to his father about his brothers behavior. Joseph was honest about having his dreams, and shared them with his family even when they were not popular.
Joseph was obedient when his father wanted him to go see how his brothers were doing while feeding the flock in Shechem. Joseph was obedient to his master in Egypt.
Joseph honored God in all he did. Joseph gave credit to God when he interpreted the dreams of others.
Joseph was cautious when he was dealing with his brothers. He wanted to test them to see if they had become better men or not.
Joseph was forgiving towards his brothers.
Joseph was trustworthy. His life is summed up in being a trustworthy man. From the time Joseph was living at home with his family, to being a slave, to being put into prison, to interpreting dreams, to being put into second in command of all Egypt to store grain for the famine, Joseph was trustworthy.
God was with Joseph, and when Jacob/Israel dies his brothers are worried Joseph will pay them back for all the hateful things they did to him, but Joseph reassures his brothers that he will take care of them and their little ones.
Even though the brothers meant Joseph harm by selling him into slavery, Joseph knew that God meant it for good to save many people alive, Genesis 50:15-21.
By God’s plan, Jesus ends up being born through this family of Israelites, Matthew 1:1-17, and spiritually, many people are still being saved alive today, Luke 19:10.
Click the Gold Star to see a short informal video presentation using the Joseph’s Character Poster!
Proverbs 11:25b …whoever refreshes others will also be refreshed.
* 7168 ???? (p?s): n.[masc.]; ? Str 6446; TWOT 1789a—1. LN 8.9–8.69 palm, sole, i.e., the flat, under-surface part at the very end of the limbs of the human body (Ge 37:3, 23, 32; 2Sa 13:18, 19+), note: other sources relate this to variegation as a color pattern, also similarly a gold threaded ornamentation pattern, see also domain LN 79.26–79.38; also part of a compound name, Pas Dammim, see 7169; 2. LN 6.152–6.187 unit: ????????? ???? (k?t·t?·n?? p?s) special tunic, distinctive robe, i.e., a tunic or robe unique in design for showing special favor or relationship (Ge 37:3, 23, 32; 2Sa 13:18, 19+), note: either the robe was very long-sleeved and extending to the feet, or a richly-ornamented tunic either of special color design or gold threading, both ornamental and not suitable for working
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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