Genesis 37:3 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 colors. I. THE MANY-COLOURED COAT, The margin says many "pieces." May have been "many colours" as well. Such coats are not uncommon for young people in the East at this day ("Ranwolf's Travels," pt. I., p. 89), in Syria, Persia, and India. Made probably of strips of variously-coloured cloth. This Jacob gave to Joseph because he was a " son of his old age; " a phrase understood by most to mean that Jacob was an old man when Joseph was born; but which Dr. Jamieson says means that Joseph had — to use a familiar phrase — an old head on young shoulders. This coat maybe regarded — 1. As a gift of affection. It may be questioned how far it was wise to show special love in so marked a manner. Jacob, knowing his other sons, must have been sure that their envy would be excited. 2. As a reward of merit. Some reward less noticeable would have been better. Joseph was made overseer, or chief shepherd, for such is the meaning of verse 2, and hence it might be also — 3. A badge of office. II. THE EVIL EFFORT. If Joseph were a mere tale-bearer he would be blamable. But as chief shepherd he was bound to state what was the conduct of his brothers, if they were under-shepherds. III. THE WONDERFUL DREAMS. Dreams in that age more influential than with us. No sure word of prophecy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had had wonderful dreams, or rather visions. Such had, doubtless, been often related. Hence these sons of Jacob were prepared to consider dreams with much reverence and awe. But believing them to be Divine messages, they should not have been angry. It is clear that their hearts were not right with God, or they would not have opposed His will. Learn: 1. To guard against the appearance of partiality in our families. 2. God is no respector of persons. 3. To abstain from the appearance of evil, that there be no evil report concerning us. (J. C. Gray.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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