“Jacob loved Joseph more than he did any of his other sons, because Joseph was born when Jacob was very old. Jacob had even given Joseph a fancy coat.” (Genesis 37:3 Contemporary English Version)
In the opening verse above, the coat that Jacob gave his son Joseph, it is referred to as a “fancy” coat. When we were children, we were told the story of Joseph and they called the garment given to him by his father, the coat of many colors. Other Bible translations call it a varicolored tunic, a brightly colored coat, an elaborately embroidered coat, a multi-colored coat, or a long-sleeve robe with no distinction made or description given alluding to its color. There are more descriptions in other translations, but it was not answering the question I had in my mind: “Did the colors of the coat have any significant meaning?” If they did, I did not find it and I dared not to speculate.
So, I read the story of Joseph again. In doing so, I had to reference back to Jacob’s history, looked at how much he loved Rachel, looked at the other wives and the children they bore to Jacob, and more, but nowhere did I find an explanation of the colors of the coat. I did find a couple of things that stood out. First, it was clear that Joseph was the favorite, and the coat shows the favor that his father Jacob had for him. Second, I revisited the unfolding of Joseph’s story, all the way to his last days, and I see how our Father in Heaven showed Joseph favor, so that he could be in a position to protect His chosen people from a famine and bring them into a place where they could multiply and be seen as a great nation.
I could not connect Joseph’s coat with diversity and thus have something to prompt you to invite all people, regardless of race, color, nationality, class or caste, to your church so that they could experience God here on earth as it will be in heaven, a place where people from all nations will worship the Lord and praise Him while He is on His throne. But listen, just because I could not find it will not keep me from saying, “Bring others to your church, regardless of their uniqueness, whether they are like you or not.” We will find our commonality in Jesus and His teachings will unify us as one body. What you just read is important and should give us the impetus to initiate new evangelism or outreach strategies.
However, the thing that stood out to me; the message that spoke loudly to me was “favor.” Know that we, speaking of believers, we all have been shown favor. Yes, we have the favor of the Father. Oh, I am not equating favor with money, materialism, many possession, or magnificent acquisitions. I’m not trying to remind you of the many blessings you have received as your life story unfolds. No, I am talking about favor from the perspective that the Lord called you ought of darkness into the marvelous light. I’m talking about favor from Him that put you the position of being among the saved, and even though like Joseph, your life story will be filled with wrongdoings , wrong accusations, and woes, but you have been given some type of gift and place in some specific location where you can have a vector type, -life-changing impact on many others and contribute to the building of the nation of true believers.
If you don’t show apathy and if you don’t play any games about who has favor and who does not, and you realize that you have favor whether you live in a shack or a structurally-sound mansion, simply because the Lord chose you, and thus the kingdom will grow. Yes, it will! Have another wonderful Wednesday my friend! The Father has shown you favor! Let your favor be shown and known! And let the kingdom be grown as others see your “favor.” Be blessed!
“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.” (John 15:16 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King