Monday, February 19: “God Intentions XXX”

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.” 

Jacob’s father Isaac had always held as his favorite son Esau, the man of the field, and disregarded Jacob. We have seen in Genesis 27 the trouble that caused. As Jacob’s quiver filled he showed preferential treatment to the younger son Joseph, at the expense of the ten older boys. Not surprisingly, the sibling rivalry repeated itself, and would magnify as time went on. The takeaway is obvious for parents, personnel managers, or anyone with authority over more than one person: As much as possible, keep the playing field level for all!