Before Bishop TD Jakes wrote about it, Joseph lived it! By the time Joseph was born, Jacob already had 10 sons. These sons had the benefit of his provision and his protection from birth. Sometime after Joseph’s birth, there was a change that occurred. After watching Jacob’s interactions with all of his children, his 10 older sons concluded that Jacob had a greater amount of love for Joseph than he did for any of them.

Although there was no apparent change in Jacob’s provision or his protection, his 10 older sons perceived that Jacob favored Joseph over them. What behaviors did Jacob exhibit that confirmed their conclusion? Did Joseph get larger meal portions, easier assignments, better clothes? And what about that coat of many colors? The description alone tells us that the fabric was expensive. To the older brothers, it was bad enough that Joseph received an expensive coat, but it was even worse still that there’s no mention that any of them received coats at all. Joseph was clearly favored.

The ‘Favor Ain’t Fair’ mantra resounds throughout the halls of Christiandom. But how do you handle it when someone’s apparent love for you hinders those around you from speaking peaceably towards you? When we take the time to develop a personal and intimate relationship with God and choose to walk in obedience to Him, He openly showers us with His love. When the love of our Father for you is apparent, how do you handle our spiritual brothers who secretly covet the love that you obviously possess? Joseph handled his jealous brothers by seeing them through the eyes of God.

What do you do?