Joseph and His Coat: Scene Four
The saga of this dysfunctional family descends into deep jealousy as Joseph, wearing his coat of authority and abundance, dreams, not once but twice, that his family will be subservient to him. Jacob, being a dreamer himself (Gen. 28:10-22), along with his brothers, questioned Joseph about the arrogance of thinking they’d bow down to him. In other words, one day he would rule and reign over them as a Master of some kind. Impossible, and yet Jacob paused to think about it. ‘Hmmmm, I dreamed of a stairway to heaven; could Joseph dream of being a ruler over us?’ Is it possible they can hate him even more and be driven to act? That’s what sin will do.
It’s takes you farther than you ever wanted to go, keeps you longer than you ever wanted to stay, and costs you more than you were ever willing to pay.
Apparently, in their jealousy co-conspired in a plot for his murder. “Let’s make sure his dreams don’t happen, strip him of that coat of authority, throw him in a pit, and let him die. That’ll show dad.” With a sudden turn of prophetic events they decided to sell him for profit and not simply let him die, however, what would they tell their father who loved Joseph so much more? To cover their tracks they dipped the prophetic robe in goat’s blood and gave it their father asking if he could identify it. Jacob easily recognized it and slid into an extensive state of grief.
Meanwhile, Joseph providentially landed in Egypt where a captain of the national guard bought him as a slave. Later you’ll see why it’s God’s providence that he ends up in Egypt. For now, God’s favor for abundance (remember the coat?) remained on him and even Potiphar, the master, recognized it. He was promoted to a high level of authority (again, the coat) and the LORD blessed everything he did. God’s word will never fail.
God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will he not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19
To recap, Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold to foreigners, resold in Egypt, and yet the LORD was still with him. How did he survive emotionally through it all? Undoubtedly he remembered his coat and dreams waiting to see if God truly will fulfill what He said. He would simply have to endure until the time was right.
How about you? Have you been praying about something or someone for what seems like a long time and God hasn’t responded? Does it seem like things have gotten worse before they get better? Be reassured from Joseph’s life, your outward circumstances don’t dictate your life or reflect what God has planned for you. He will never fail; if He said it, He’ll do it, you can take that to the bank!
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