Joseph’s tunic It was a great symbol in the story of his life. This is one of the most fascinating stories in the Bible. But he was pretty unlucky early in life: hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and then jailed for the crime he didn’t commit.
This story will help us understand that sometimes things happen beyond our control. As God’s children, we can learn spiritual insights about how to handle the many setbacks in our lives.
In short, José experienced the presence and protection of God in the midst of various adversities and uncertainties in life. Let me share with you the explanation of why Joseph’s coat made a difference in every aspect of his life, and the lessons we can learn from this story.
Joseph’s First Robe: His Father’s Gift
The first piece of clothing that gets José into trouble is the coat of many colors that his father made for him. The text reads: “When his brothers saw that he was the one his father loved more than any of his brothers, they hated him and could not bear to speak to him peacefully” (Genesis 37:4).
Did Jose flaunt his special gift in front of them? Or was it simply the fact that his father played favoritism with a beautiful gift that upset them so much? Obviously it is a very special garment; the term is used only one other time in Scripture, referring to the garment worn by King David’s daughter Tamar, probably indicating her royal status (II Kings, 13:18).
At the very least, we can assume that Joseph wore it with pride. In any case, when Joseph approaches his brothers tending his father’s sheep, they plan to kill him.
Only Rubén’s intervention saves José’s life. The brothers take his coat, throw it down a well, and then sell it to a caravan of Ismailis.
Then they take José’s coat, fill it with the blood of a goat they had sacrificed, and take it to their father. Not wanting to lie to his father, the brothers say “We found this; do you recognize it? Is it his son’s coat?” (Genesis 37:32). Joseph’s tunic was recognized by his father! Who said: A wild beast devoured him! José is in pieces!”
There were unintended consequences: Jacob no doubt thought that the gift of a beautiful coat would make up for the fact that Joseph, one of the younger brothers, would be picked on by his brothers. Perhaps the gift of a coat would make him feel special. Not only is Joseph stripped of his garment, but the garment itself (along with his dreams) triggers the jealousy of his brothers.
Potiphar’s wife makes an accusation using Joseph’s robe
Joseph is taken to and bought by Potiphar, an official in Pharaoh’s court. He succeeds quickly, with God’s help, and his teacher takes notice of him, putting him in charge of everything in his house. Everything, that is, except Potiphar’s wife, who tries to seduce Joseph.
This man desperately tries to reject her, but when they were alone in the house, “he grabbed him by his clothes and said:” Lie with me! “José left the garment in the woman’s hand, fled and ran away” (Genesis 39:12).
José does everything well; but his garment, not the coat of many colors that he had before, but a nondescript piece of clothing, will betray him. Potiphar’s wife shows her garment first to the household servants and then to her husband, accusing Joseph of trying to lie to her.
Just as Jacob falsely concluded by looking at Joseph’s coat that he himself was dead, Potiphar falsely concluded by looking at one of Joseph’s garments that he was guilty of wanting to sleep with his wife. Potiphar immediately takes Joseph to prison. Once again, Joseph’s coat proves to be his downfall.
So perhaps the loss of this second garment was just as significant as the loss of the first, the coat of many colors. It certainly has a similar effect, once again sending José down, this time to prison. Clothes, in themselves, of course, do not cause ills. But whether elegant or simple, a piece of clothing can incriminate a person.
Joseph’s tunic “The Governor of Egypt”
Joseph was a man who always did things that were pleasing in the eyes of God, which is why there was always grace in him. Despite all the things that happened to him, Jehovah never abandoned him, and all the things that he went through had a. God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation because he knew that at some point he would get it out of wherever he was.
Joseph found grace before the chief of the guard, and before other people for this one that our Lord had given him. But there was a very important interpretation “that of Pharaoh’s dream” “the dream of the seven fat cows and the seven skinny ones”. Joseph told Pharaoh that there were coming seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, but that in the seven years of famine they could gather provisions for hard times.
He also advised him to put governors in the country who were capable of doing this that God had commanded through that dream. Pharaoh was quick to react, and thought that he would never find in all the earth a man as wise as Joseph, who would always have God’s favor with him. After this thought he ordered that it was Joseph himself who governed his lands.
The word of God was fulfilled; the seven years of abundance in Egypt occurred, and as they had planned, they collected the provisions that were going to be used in the time of famine. After this time had passed, the seven lean years came, but the people never suffered from famine.
Powerful lessons to learn from the life of Joseph
Joseph’s tunic is something very representative in this story, since it was what made the difference in all the cases that this man of God went through. But besides the fact that clothing can frame an innocent person, there are many other lessons we can learn from this wonderful story:
1. Jealousy can ruin a family relationship
Children who fight with each other, even in the best homes, can be bad enough. But in Jacob’s house, it turned into a serious sibling rivalry. This is because Jacob had favored Joseph more than any of his other sons.
Apart from the beautiful coat, the unusual dreams made his brothers more envious of him. Later, they literally thought of taking his life out of jealousy. When an opportunity presented itself, they threw him into the cistern or the well and they had to invent a story to hide the truth from his father.
2. Joseph’s tunic had been removed, but not his person
The gift of the coat did not make José feel wanted by his brothers. When his father gave him a beautiful coat with many colors, his brothers became jealous of him. As a result, the elegant coat was taken from him and thrown into the cistern.
Interestingly, even though his coat had been taken away, he was able to maintain his character and integrity. He may not have been wearing a beautiful coat as a slave, but his character stood out among other slaves in Egypt. Instead of fancy clothes and outward appearance, there is no doubt that personality is the best ally in earning the respect and trust of others.
3. We must be diligent and productive workers
Jose was a diligent young man. When they took him to Egypt as a slave, he worked hard in Potiphar’s house. José was able to ensure that he was doing everything possible, especially in managing the food crisis in Egypt.
The message is quite simple: always do your best in the workplace. Paul reminded us to always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord because we know that our work in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
4. God protected him in the midst of trouble
Joseph was thrown into the cistern by his jealous brothers and eventually sold to merchants as a slave. Later, he was accused of raping Potiphar’s wife and was imprisoned. In the midst of dangers and adversity, God protected him for his faithfulness. Joseph stayed faithful to God instead of complaining, in return, the Lord kept him.
5. We must flee from sin at all costs
José was handsome, intelligent, cunning, a born leader. No wonder Potiphar’s wife fell in love and tried to seduce him. The Bible says that she grabbed him by the cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left her cloak in his hand and ran out of the house (Genesis 39:12). Have you ever felt like you will never get over sin and temptation in your life? Follow this example.
6. He was promoted and blessed
José’s promotion brought him greater roles and responsibilities. Because of his unquestioning character and wisdom, Joseph was able to save two nations from famine, Israel and Egypt.
You won’t achieve things overnight, true prosperity will come through hard work and being fair in all your dealings. Like Joseph, you must be more diligent and seek a relationship with God first so that you can be blessed.
7. He chose forgiveness over resentment
When Joseph met his brothers in Egypt, he was now a leader and they did not recognize him. José’s dreams came true when his brothers bowed to him in respect. This would have been a perfect opportunity for revenge, but he didn’t. Instead he helped them.
As we have been able to notice throughout history, Joseph’s tunic always played a very important role; It was what identified him at all times. Because of his clothing he was the object of envy, because of his clothing he was blamed, and with it he was also exalted before all the people of Egypt and before his brothers, who had sold him into slavery.
This story is an excellent example that with God’s help, we can achieve everything, and that if God is with us, even if we are in the darkest pit, he will know how to get us out of there. Many times we go through difficult times and we complain, or we say that God is punishing us, but the truth is that our Lord always has a goal or a purpose.
Look at all that Joseph had to go through to become governor! He was envied by his brothers, handed over to merchants, sold as a slave, accused and unjustly imprisoned. If all these things happened to you, what would you think, or what would you do? It is important that we learn to be patient and because he has the best purpose for our life.