Read: Genesis 35-37
Focus Verse: “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” (Genesis 37:3-4).
Devotion: The trend is continuing. Granted Joseph does happen to be the first born of Rachel, the wife that Jacob loved the most, so I’m sure that had something to do with why he loved Joseph the most. Secondly, Rachel died giving birth to Joseph’s younger brother Benjamin. That doesn’t justify Jacob loving Joseph the most, it just adds context. Even though Jacob first hand lived with a dad who played favorites and loved his brother more, Jacob continues the trend with his wives, and now with his own sons. It isn’t hard to see why Joseph is the favorite of his 11 brothers. However, this unequal love causes problems once again! Joseph’s brothers hate that he’s the favorite, and is given gifts for it, so they sell him into slavery! Low blow.. so far showing favorites doesn’t produce good results. Do I show love unequally to those around me? Sometimes it’s my perceptions, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and reactions that control my love. They are my hearts gatekeeper. That is NOT ok or how it should be, and will only produce bad results. Yet even though Jacob’s family keeps messing up, this is the same family through which God will bring Jesus. When God’s love is not the gatekeeper to our heart, it produces poor results. However, it’s out of that very brokenness that God chooses to save the world. Jesus comes from a family of broken love, but shows us how to love perfectly.
Pray: LORD help me learn how to love all equally, not driven by perceptions or feelings. Help me love with Christ’s love. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)