Scripture: Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Observation: Genesis 37:1-4 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Moses presents the lineage of Esau’s twelve sons by organizing the remainder of this long list of descendants into categories. As expected, Esau’s sons, in association with Esau’s wives, are first (vv.9-14). Verses 15-19 cite the tribal chiefs of Esau’s sons. These chiefs essentially held political and military functions. Verses 20-30 list Seir the Horite’s sons who dwelled in Edom (2 Chronicles 25:11). While Seir most often refers to the region, it likely is named after the person. Regarding the title, “The Horite,” given the Hebrew word “Hor” means “cave,” it points us to how the Edomites mainly were cave dwellers. Moses concludes with two short lists of the Edomite kings (vv.31-39) and tribal chiefs of Esau’s clan (vv.40-43).
Today’s introduces us to the starry-eyed seventeen-year-old and favored son of the elderly patriarch: Joseph. Unwisely, Jacob expresses his preferred affection toward Joseph (the son of the favored wife, Rachel) with the gift of a multi-colored robe that constantly reminds Joseph’s brothers of their father’s favoritism. Not surprisingly, Joseph’s ten older brothers harbor hate toward him and speak harshly to him—a dysfunctional family dynamic that would cause much strife and heartache in any home today.
Takeaway: Revisiting the recurring issue of favoritism, which started early on in Isaac’s household (see the September 20, 2024, Daily Focus), discrimination seems to run through the family line, whether Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, or Joseph over his older brothers. And in each instance, sibling rivalry and strife ensued. Tragically, we can trace these prejudices and infighting to future generations today in the Middle East. Indeed, favoritism is a learned behavior, like all other generational sins.
Our takeaway? Favoritism ironically shows no actual favor. Partiality hurts all concerned parties. So, how do we resist? Here are a few suggestions:
- Foster a teachable attitude. Agree with the Holy Spirit when convicted of showing favoritism.
- Consider the ramifications. Instilling an entitlement attitude will cause division and strife and ultimately emotionally disable the favored person.
- Be self-aware. Reflect (and solicit incites from others if necessary) on why we are showing partiality; we may try to love ourselves vicariously through preferred family members.
- Love as Christ loves us. Sacrificially serve all our family and friends with equanimity, charity, and grace. Thus, we must resist people-pleasing and seek the welfare of even those whose company we find difficult.
When we follow this action plan, we will discover how enriching our lives can be. We transform not only our attitudes but also our perspective of those we find challenging to love. In short, when we resist favoritism and seek to bless others, we bring out the best in ourselves and those around us.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you that the only partiality you show is against sin. And most importantly, we thank you for pouring out your favor on us through your Son. Would you please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit and mature in our thoughts and behavior so that we might resist favoritism and seek the welfare of those you bring across our path? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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