Day 14, or January the 14th.
Joseph is the favorite, and it shows.
Our thought today is rooted in Genesis chapter 37 verse 3.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him
in his old age, and he made an ornate robe for him.
Here's the big picture surrounding this verse.
Ten of the sons of Jacob, now called Israel, are grown men, and working hard in the family
business.
Jacob's two babies are still at home.
Joseph is just a teenager, and his younger brother Benjamin, who is no more than a child.
The ten brothers, plus the two youngsters, will eventually grow into the twelve tribes
of Israel.
Joseph is a bit of a dreamer, and naively shares his amazing dreams with his brothers,
who instantly dislike him because of them.
To cap it all, he is given an ornate robe, better known today as the Technicolor Dream
Coat.
The design of it is such that you can't wear it and work at the same time.
Only the heir to the family fortune will wear such a garment.
And as the eleventh of twelve brothers, it doesn't seem right to them that it is worn
by Joseph.
His brothers sell him into slavery, and tell his father that wild animals have killed him.
This news almost kills the old man.
Joseph serves in Egypt in the house of Potiphar, but is unfairly dismissed and thrown into
jail.
And now our action step for today.
It's acceptable to have a favorite chair at home.
It's okay to have a favorite book or a favorite meal.
But it is totally unacceptable to have a favorite child, and even worse, to make it public.
In every family there are times when one child is more likable than their brother or sister,
but all of them are to be equally loved.
Liking is something we can choose to do or not.
Loving is a commandment that Jesus gave us, and we have no choice.
Even when we don't like someone, we are commanded to love them.
So be as lovable as you know how today, and make it easy for someone to love you.