Genesis 37:29 – Some time later, Reuben returned to get Joseph out of the cistern. When he discovered that Joseph was missing, he tore his clothes in grief. 30 Then he went back to his brothers and lamented, “The boy is gone! What will I do now?”
31 Then the brothers killed a young goat and dipped Joseph’s robe in its blood. 32 They sent the beautiful robe to their father with this message: “Look at what we found. Doesn’t this robe belong to your son?”
33 Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. 35 His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.
36 Meanwhile, the Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the palace guard. (NLT)
Several years ago I preached a sermon series on dysfunctional families from the Book of Genesis. Jacob and his father Isaac were two of the main characters in this series. While today’s passage seems to be just a tragic story of unruly brothers secretly selling their brother into slavery, we must realize the family dysfunction that precedes this story.
Jacob had a dysfunctional relationship with his sons. He favored Joseph over his other sons. Genesis 37:3 – Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. (NLT) A careful reading of Genesis 37 clearly shows that Jacob showed his favoritism with special gifts to Joseph, while Joseph spent his time reporting to his father on the behavior of his brothers. This set up a very unhealthy family dynamic. When we consider the childhood of Jacob, it is easy to see why he behaved in such a way, for his own parents showed their favoritism to different children. Genesis 25:27 – As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. (NLT)
Whether it is with our families, or with anyone else, showing favoritism creates dysfunction. We may look at these ancient stories and tell ourselves that we do not behave in such a way with our own children, but the spiritual application compels us to ask ourselves: “Do we favor certain types of people over others?” It is a fact of life that some people are more likeable than others, but it goes against God’s design when we treat certain people with less favor because we find them less likeable. Consider James 2:1 – My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? (NLT)
This is a bold statement, but then it is God’s Word! Our faith in Jesus Christ must be displayed by modeling our lives after the life of Jesus. Jesus loved all, and he was willing to even embrace those that society cast aside. Certainly, this is something that we all battle, but is something in which we must continually seek strength from the Holy Spirit so that we may overcome the temptation.
Each of us, at some point this day, will be tempted to show less favor to someone less likeable. When that moment comes, let us seek the strength we need, so that God will be glorified in our interactions with all of God’s people!
Posted by Ramón Torres
It never ceases to amaze me that even though so much has changed in the world over the last 2,000 years, it seems people have pretty much remained the same. Ramon has brought out that fact many times in his sermons and in our Bible study. There is still a lot of dysfunction, favoritism, etc. This blog is a good reminder that Jesus always went after or never turned away those that most people wanted nothing to do with. Those are the ones who need us to show them Jesus!
Amen Ken…when Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor He meant everyone. 🙏
Amen to your comment Dan. Everyone means everyone. Even our enemies if we have any and those whom we would rather not be around for whatever reason. Without the help of the Holy Spirit I don`t believe we can do it.