But when Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. (Genesis 37:4)

              Joseph’s father, Jacob, has just given him a beautiful, ornamental robe which we sometimes refer to as Joseph’s “coat of many colors.” This robe was a show of Jacob’s great love for Joseph, “more than any of his other children.” And his brothers “hated him” for it.

              We cannot excuse their hate, nor what they go on to do to their brother. At the same time, we can kind of understand it too. Children will be jealous if they even think a parent has a favorite child. Jacob left no doubt that he had a favorite child. So, while they should have kept a better lid on their emotions, and they certainly should NOT have sold their brother into slavery, maybe we shouldn’t put all the blame on them.

              What was Jacob thinking, after all? If you are going to play favorites among your children, perhaps you shouldn’t be so blatant about it. Check that. You shouldn’t have favorites! Jacob bears some responsibility for what happens, too.

              And what about poor, poor Joseph? Yes, he is the victim, but he does bring some of it on himself. He didn’t deserve to be treated as he was by his brothers, but maybe he shouldn’t have flaunted his father’s preference, either. And maybe he could have kept his dreams of greatness over his brothers to himself.

              Life is complicated. Families are complicated. And there is often more to the story than first meets the eye. Thankfully, this story ends with forgiveness and reconciliation as we see God’s grace at work. May God’s grace be at work in all of our relationships.