Bible Study Online Article
Here we find ourselves entering into the phase where the twelve sons of Israel (Jacob) would begin to take shape. Notice how the actions of Jacob's twelve sons would be a foretelling of what importance they would individually hold when it comes to the nations foundation on which it was to be built. We already have the accounts of Simeon and Levi, who were born second and third to Leah. We were told how they lead the deceptive, fatal attack upon the Shechemites, for what Shechem had done to their sister Dinah. (Some would say, it was this event that caused God to allow Rachel's death during the birth of Benjamin) Next we are told how Reuben sinned and perhaps lost his birthright because of it. Reuben was entitled traditionally (or so it seems) to be the next promise bearer for the family, being that he was Jacob's first born. But there's one thing that I've been noticing when it comes to the telling of the scriptures. I've noticed that it really doesn't matter what order of birth you were born in when it comes to what God has predestine you for. Abraham was chosen by God, and he wasn't the first born in his father's household. Although he was listed first in the scriptures, for data suggest that he very well could have been born after his brothers Haran and Nahor (who was named after his grandfather). Nahor had married Haran's daughter, so this would suggest Haran was first in the order between the two. I believe Abraham was listed first because of his dignity, which is not uncommon in the telling of the scriptures when one is listed before the older sibling. Moses was listed before his oldest brother Aaron and Shem (Noah's son) was listed first before his brothers, Ham and Japheth. Also keep in mind that Ishmael was born before Isaac, and yet - the promise seed ends up carrying the Abrahamic banner. Esau was born before Jacob, and yet - the promise bearer would become the Abrahamic banner ambassador. Regardless of how it came about, Jacob was predestined to be the rightful holder of the birthright in the first place. Now I mentioned all of these things, because Joseph would play a very important role when it comes to the nation of Israel. But let's take it step by step so that we can delightfully consume the Word of God. It tastes so much better when you can savor and enjoy it with out force feeding yourself with an overload of fractured information all at once. So let's move forward, for we know that Reuben, Simeon and Levi had already made major mistakes in their early lives. Now I'm not suggesting that this was the reason why God chose Joseph to play an important part in Israel's future or why he became Jacob's favorite son. There are other factors that would play into this and I will address them shortly. The reason why I'm mentioning these events is because I like to try to make natural sense and reasoning on why things turned out the way that they do, when it comes to anything that the telling of the scriptures would like to share with us. If I can add reason and logic to the events and the reactions behind the actions, then I can learn and gain wisdom from them. This approach will allow me to better apply the principals (regardless of the time period they happen in) when it comes to my own life. Joseph was still a young boy at the age of seventeen, in which he was a keeper of the flock just like his father before him. We are next told that he was in the field with his brothers -- Dan, Naphtali the sons of Bilhah and Gad, Asher the sons of Zilpah. What we learn next is that Joseph would observe his brothers doing wrong while they were out in the field. Because of this, he would bring back a bad report to his father and his brothers weren't too happy about it. This would suggest that Jacob had Joseph secretly monitoring his brothers behaviors while they were away. It's at this point in the account that we find that the scriptures inform us that Joseph was indeed Jacob's favorite, for he loved him more than any of his other sons. The scripture points out the reason for this, in which it states that it was because Joseph was born to Jacob at an old age, for the promise bearer was ninety-one years old at the time. I don't believe it's because he longed for a particular child which took awhile for him to get, like his grandfather Abraham before him. Abraham was one-hundred years of age when Isaac was born to him and Sarah. And although he already had a son with Hagar, that was named Ishmael - he wasn't the promise seed that the Lord had foretold to him earlier in his walk with the Lord. This event would be different with Jacob, for it involved Rachel, the wife he loved with all his heart. Jacob would endure the bickering and competitive fighting between Rachel and Leah, his two wives. He would watch for years, how God would bless Leah early with four sons followed by two more before Rachel had any kids of her own. He would watch how Rachel had longed for that opportunity trying everything in her power to make a family of her own. It didn't matter how hard she tried, that void would never be filled until Joseph was born. Can you imagine the excitement and happiness that Jacob had for the love of his life, when she could finally call one her own. God would eventually bless her with another son, but unfortunately she would lose her life in the process. What this meant was that Jacob would lose the wife he held dear and true to his heart and Joseph would lose his mother at a very young age. I can see how that would drive the two closer together, and this would also explain the close relationship and strong bond that Joseph and his baby brother Benjamin would develop throughout the years. Next we find that Jacob had given Joseph a coat of many colors. This was not an ordinary coat, for the scripture tells us that it was a richly ornamented robe. Now some would teach and preach that this was an indicator that Joseph would become the next promise bearer, that he inherited the birthright over the others. I must admit that I can't totally disagree with that notion, for its possible being that the other brothers had made some grave mistakes early in their lives. I will try to address these mistakes as we go forward, but overall - I think that Jacob gave him the coat for the reasons I pointed out above in this article. Besides, God will give Jacob a divine confirmation that might suggest that he was right to signal out Joseph. Needless to say, Joseph brothers hated him for these reasons. They could not speak a kind word to him, being that their father loved him, so much so.
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 68) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 69) Joseph the Interpreter of Dreams 71) Joseph & The Pit of Darkness 72) Jacob the Father of Sorrow 73) The Importance of Judah's History 76) Tamar's Revenge 78) Joseph the Servant of Favor 79) Potiphar's Wife Pursues Joseph 82) The Dreaming Cupbearer & Baker 84) Joseph's Dark Dreams Interpretation 85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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