Real Hope: Discovering Hope Through JosephSample

Favourite Son But Despised Brother

Joseph’s multicolored tunic was a symbol of position and was definitely not the kind of coat worn by shepherds. In his father’s eyes, Joseph was not like his other brothers, and the colourful coat only flaunted this unequal treatment and family favouritism. Doting on Joseph may have made Jacob feel good, but it did no good for Joseph. In one fell swoop, Jacob divided his family so the other brothers became united in their jealousy and hatred of Joseph. Yet, Jacob’s favouritism of Joseph was a repeat of what he had learned from his own parents. Jacob’s family cycle of dysfunctional behaviour began at an early age: ‘Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob’ (Genesis 25:28 NKJV). In fact, it had been a cycle running in his family since Abraham and Sarah.

Joseph could have walked down a path of blaming his parents or continuing a dysfunctional cycle – but he didn’t. The truth is that God is able to change us and conform us into His own image by the power of the Holy Spirit, no matter who our parents and grandparents were or what they were like.

Dysfunctional family cycles can stop, and they can stop with us! We can and should live in the joy and affirmation of God, that we are fully sanctified and justified in Christ Jesus. That since God is for us, no one can be against us, no one can condemn us, and no one can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31–39).

Written by Heidi Wysman