33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” (Genesis 37)
Joseph’s robe….torn to pieces….blood stained…..presented to his father by his jealous brothers as proof of his death. They hated him. And resented their father because of the favor he showed Joseph. Joseph was born to Jacob in his old age, by his wife Rachel, advanced in age as well, and Jacob recognized his birth as a blessing from God. Jacob favored Rachel over his other wives even though she was barren all her life. So now you get it, the brothers had other baby mamas….and Joseph, the youngest, was different. He received dreams from God, his character was pure, and God’s favor was on his life. And they hated him.
Jacob had given Joseph a beautiful elegant robe (a coat of many colors). It was a token of his great love and recognition that Joseph was gifted with dreams from God (which would prove later to be 100% accurate). But the robe……that the father bestowed on him, would bring a great deal of trouble. A gorgeous garment… on a shepherd?…..climbing over rocks, walking through grass and mud, chasing sheep? Can you imagine driving by a construction worker dressed in a $1000 suit? Oh, the eye rolls, the jealousy….I’m sure Joseph was tempted to take it off, to hide his gift, hide his favor because it made others jealous….it made others conspire against him……