Chuck Larsen

Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn son and should have been the one to take over the headship of the family. But in Genesis 35:22, Reuben slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah. Simeon and Levi, the next two, slaughtered an entire city for one man’s rape of their sister, Dinah. Judah was pictured with many flaws and worldliness. There were probably other reasons, but in the end Jacob exercised his sovereign right and chose Joseph as his heir. This is the true meaning of the “multi-colored” coat. According to Boice and others, this is a mistranslation. “The Hebrew words that are so translated are generally thought to be uncertain.” He says that the two key words have been misconstrued to mean “many colored,” or “richly ornamented.” He goes on to say, “But it is more likely that it means that it was long sleeved and extended to his ankles. Boice explains, “A long-sleeved, tailored garment was worn by one who did not have to work. So when Joseph appeared in this coat, his brothers recognized it as a sign of his father’s choice of Joseph to be a manager, one preeminent over them.”

This is supported by other events in the story as well. Jacob is said to have sent Joseph to oversee his brother’s activities. Joseph brought back a bad report concerning them. Further, there is a rather obscure verse in the New Testament that points to the fact that Joseph was chosen as his father’s heir. Jacob didn’t own much land but what he did own was said to have been left to Joseph. We read that in John 4:5. It says that when Jesus “came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.” Indeed, Joseph was the chosen one of his father.

It was because of this sovereign choice by his father that Joseph’s brothers hated him. Genesis 37:4 tells us, “But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” Jesus, the beloved son of His Father, was the ultimate chosen one. He too was hated and had to suffer at the hands of his own people, just as Joseph did. He has established the principle that suffering proceeds glory! You know what happened! Joseph suffered but was elevated as ruler in all Egypt. Jesus was crucified but raised from the dead in glory! Today He sits on the thrown of glory to which every knee will bow one day.  As believers in Jesus, Peter calls us “chosen ones.” As Paul expounds on the suffering in this world he reminds us that we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:17-18). Are you suffering? Remember that suffering always precedes glory!

In Genesis 31, after Jacob flees from his father-in-law’s control, Laban pursues him with the intent to do him harm because he has taken his daughters, grandchildren as well as his household idols. When he catches Jacob, in Genesis 31:29, he says, “It’s in my power to do you harm.” In this world, I’m sure you know people who have the power to do you harm. We all have them. But God, who is called in this chapter “The Fear of Isaac,” shows himself to Laban, speaks to him on behalf of Jacob, and warns him against any ill intent he might have. God makes it clear to Laban that He is the one who has the absolute power to harm. In this chapter, when Jacob confronts Laban about why he’s chasing him down with an army, Laban argues that Jacob stole his household idols. It’s interesting to notice that Laban is chasing after his stolen gods while the one true God is actively protecting those who worship Him.

Jacob fled from Laban in fear. But God interceded to protect him from harm. Jacob then continued on his journey to his homeland. Genesis chapter 32 begins with an interesting phrase. It says, “Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, ‘this is God’s camp.'” After the problem with Laban is resolved, Jacob sees God’s protective presence in the angels and rejoices. It’s always easy to see How God has delivered us through our problems when we look back. It’s going through them at the moment that’s the real challenge.

However, Jacob wasn’t through with being afraid of people who might do him harm like you and me. The very next thing is that Jacob gets word that his brother, Esau, whom he cheated out of his birthright, was coming with 400 soldiers. Genesis 32:7 says, “Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” My mother was right. “There is always something. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” You get over one difficulty, and you face another one. You get through one fear, and there’s something else meeting you. There’s always something else to be afraid of. It’s harder to see God’s presence in the problems before us now than it is to see God’s presence in the problems behind us. This is how God teaches us to live by faith and not by sight. Romans 8:31 teaches us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” No one’s ill will or intent to harm you or me, whether real or imagined, can reach us. Even though, as undeserving as Jacob was, and we often are, God is on our side!