As Jacob's son had gotten older, it was apparent that there was favoritism among his family. Jacob loved Joseph more than his other children because he had him when he was older. His favoritism towards Joseph caused a division among his children because his other sons became jealous of Joseph, especially when Jacob made a full-length multi-colored robe, signifying importance and prestige. Joseph also did not help the situation by making his brothers in trouble by telling his father the bad things they were doing. Every time his other sons saw Joseph, they despised him.
To make their relationship even worst, Joseph had two dreams, and both had the same meaning that his parents and his siblings were going to bow down to him someday. One of his dreams was that the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars were bowing down to him. The sun represented his father, the moon represented his mother (although Rachel was already dead at this time), and the eleven stars represented his eleven brothers. Jacob could not understand the meaning of Joseph's dreams, so he kept it in his mind. But his brothers wanted to get rid of Joseph. (Genesis 37:1-11). Favoritism had been a problem throughout Jacob's family. It started when he was growing up. His mother favored him more than his brother, Esau, and in the same manner, his father, Isaac, favored his brother, Esau.
Even to this day, favoritism in the family has caused division in the family. Other siblings rebel or lack motivation because they grew up being marginalized. It is not easy when the favoritism is not in our favor, but it is wonderful when the favor is on our side. We need to be thankful that our Heavenly Father does not have favoritism. He loves us all the same, and He always loves us to the fullest. We need to understand that His love towards us is not based on our good works or merits. God does not love the stronger than the weak, the beautiful than the unattractive, the intelligent people than the unintelligent people, the successful people than the failures. God loves all His children the same. Even in the ministry, God does not love the spiritual leaders than the ordinary people. When God looks at us individually, He looks at each one of us with importance, no matter where we are in life. Each one of us matters to God, and He knows us individually. The most important thing about our God is that He knows us already, even before He created the world (Ephesians 1:4).
Ask yourself these questions: Is there favoritism in God's family? Does God love me because of my good works or merits? Do I believe that God loves me all the same?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you that your love for me never changes. Whether I fail or succeed, your love for me remains the same. Please forgive me if I doubt your love for me, especially when I sin against you or when I am going through tough problems in my life. Thank you for loving me as I am and that you are changing me to be the person you want me to be. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.