Eighth Symbol of the Jesse Tree: Joseph's Coat

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Eighth Symbol of the Jesse Tree:
Joseph’s Coat
(Jacob/Israel gives one of his sons, Joseph, a special coat. Joseph also demonstrates prophetic gifts—like interpreting dreams—and a deep faith in God, but Joseph’s brothers turn against him in jealousy. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph ends up in Egypt. But God always turns unfortunate circumstances into surprising blessings).

Read them both:
Genesis 37:1–4; 18–28 (sold for silver coins--just like Christ)
Genesis 45:4–15 (reunited with the brothers who wronged him)

Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.


Joseph, the story of commitment,
forgiveness, and trusting in God’s plans
                                                    By Mary Beth Mutarelli
Scripture: Genesis 37-50

     The story begins with 17 year old Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. Joseph helped his older half-brothers tend the flocks, and he brought back negative reports on them to Jacob. The jealousy and resentment felt by his older brothers grew even greater after Jacob made Joseph an elaborate embroidered coat. Now the favoritism was quite tangible. Joseph was immature and insensitive, and told them his dreams, in which everyone bowed down to him. The brothers grew to hate Joseph with a vengeance.
    The brothers preceded Joseph to Dothan, and Joseph was sent after them, to bring Jacob another report about the job performance of the brothers. As Joseph approached the brothers, they hatched an impromptu plan to kill him, throw him into an old cistern well, and tell their father that a wild animal had killed him. (Reuben, the eldest, was the only one who showed any mercy toward Joseph-he planned to return later and remove Joseph from the cistern, returning him to their father.) When a band of Midianite traders in route to Egypt passed, the plan was amended. Joseph was sold to them for twenty pieces of silver.  Reuben returned to remove Joseph from the well, and found it empty.  The brothers took the coveted coat, dipped it in goat’s blood, and showed it to Jacob, who was overcome with grief. The brothers were truly despicable-relegating their young brother into slavery or death, lying to their father, and breaking their father’s heart.
     Joseph was sold to Potiphar, one of the Pharoah’s managers of his household affairs. Genesis 39:2 says,” As it turned out, God was with Joseph and things went very well with him.” In Chapter 40, Joseph was asked to interpret the dreams of the king’s cupbearer and baker, and this time, Joseph said, “Don’t interpretations come from God?” At the age of thirty, Joseph began to work for Pharoah as his second in command, and instituted the storage of food in plenty for the famine that was to follow. God put Joseph in the position to save many lives, including those of own family.
     Jacob sent the brothers to Egypt to buy food in Egypt. They also were starving, in a famine which swept the land. Though Joseph was certainly in a position to deny them food, or worse, he honored the commitment to his family and people.  He forgave his brothers’ treachery, and said, in Chapter 45: “ I  am Joseph, your brother whom you sold in Egypt.  But don’t feel badly, don’t blame yourselves for selling me, God was behind it.  God sent me here ahead of you to save lives.”  Eventually, Joseph was able to relocate all of his family, and Pharoah gave Joseph’s family choice land, putting all of his livestock under their supervision.
     Joseph grew from an insensitive lad who thought he had all the answers, to a mature, wise man, who learned to trust God.  Joseph honored his commitment to his people and family, forgave them, and believed whole-heartedly in God’s plan. 
     Thank you, Joseph.  Your story reminds us about our rootstock in the Jesse tree, and the way we are supposed to live our lives--full of peace and forgiveness.

 Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.


Kids Corner

Kid-friendly version of Joseph’s story can be found here
 

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