1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him (Genesis 37:1-4).
Jealousy and envy can be powerful forces within even a family. Joseph was loved by Jacob partly because of his birth order and likely also due to his honesty and integrity. Joseph was a good son. And yet Jacob’s other children despised Joseph. Joseph’s brothers would not even speak a kind word to him. It seems though that Joseph really was unconcerned with how they felt towards, perhaps realizing that in time righteous actions would win out.
Jealousy and envy can be powerful forces within even a family. Joseph was loved by Jacob partly because of his birth order and likely also due to his honesty and integrity. Joseph was a good son. And yet Jacob’s other children despised Joseph. Joseph’s brothers would not even speak a kind word to him. It seems though that Joseph really was unconcerned with how they felt towards, perhaps realizing that in time righteous actions would win out.
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