Joseph

February 2

Genesis 37:1-11

Talk about way-out!

Joseph was the second youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons. The family had moved back to the land of Canaan where Joseph looked after sheep and goats.

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons and gave him a special, way-out coat. It was obvious who the favorite in the family was and that made his brothers very jealous. What made Joseph’s brothers hate him even more is that Joseph told his father everything they got up to.

One night, Joseph dreamed that while he and his brothers were tying up sheaves of wheat in the field, his sheaf stood up straight, while his brothers’ sheaves made a circle around his and bowed down to it. Then Joseph had another dream in which he saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bow down to him.

When Joseph told his brothers the dreams they were furious and asked, “Do you think you are going to be king and rule over us?” And they hated Joseph even more.

What’s wrong with being the favorite?

How do you feel when someone is treated better than the rest, getting favors he or she doesn’t deserve?

Maybe you are someone’s favorite and, if so, there is usually a good reason why people like you. There is nothing wrong with being liked! But problems come when someone does special favors for one child, or spends more time with one child, only because that child is liked more than the others.

You cannot change someone’s feelings towards you, but you can be humble and sensitive about the way that makes others feel. So, if you are favored, pass on the kindness and try to step back from getting too much attention.

Verse for today

That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6