The Coat That Father Weaved

THE COAT OF MANY COLORS

Joseph was the eldest son of Jacob and Rachel. They had been wed for a long, long time. Years passed before they had the pleasure of sending birth announcements to herald the birth of their first-born son. Jacob had other sons, by his wife, Leah, who was Rachel’s sister. After giving Jacob ten strong sons, Leah went to be with the Lord. So, he married Rachel, Laban’s daughter that was promised to him when he married Leah. He worked for Rachel for fourteen years, tending her father’s flock. He and Rachel had prayed for many years before God answered their petition. Their blessing was about to happen!

Jacob had been employed for twenty –one years, working for his father-in-law, Laban. Working as a herdsman for Rachel’s father was very hard work, so Jacob felt the urge to move on with his family. After all, he had worked for Laban for fourteen years before Laban kept his promise to give him Rachel for his wife. Shortly after their marriage, their son, Joseph was born.

Laban kept telling Jacob to stay on for a few more days; kept offering excuses to his son-in-law. “I need you. My herd will suffer without you. If you will stay, I will divide my flock with you,” Laban kept saying. It was all a lie. He had no intentions of dividing his herd with Jacob.

Jacob devised a plan so that he could move on with his family. He needed to get back to Canaan. Rachel was expecting her second son. Somewhere on the journey, she went into labor. Her faithful nurse had died on the way to Canaan, prior to Rachel’s labor. So, Rachel was left without a midwife. Rachel died in childbirth. Yes, Jacob’s lovely wife was dead. Jacob wept sorely. He buried his precious wife along the way to Bethlehem. His infant son survived. This was the blessing that kept Jacob going. He named the child Benjamin

 Jacob was left alone to raise the young son and to care for the older son, Joseph, who was eight years old by this time. Joseph was a brilliant and obedient son and Jacob loved him dearly, always holding the memory of his mother, Rachel, close to his heart. Joseph was a good son to his father. It is understandable, then, that he became a favored son. He was born to Jacob and Rachel in their older years, as was Benjamin, who was also dearly loved by his father. They were unexpected blessings.

Joseph was a loner. Since he was too young to be out tending the flock with his older brothers, he enjoyed being out in the fields alone. Jacob made sure he stayed close to home, as the older brothers were sometimes miles from home with the flock. They had to find good grazing fields for the herd.

The tents in which the family dwelt, were made of dark or black goat skins. If Joseph decided to hide in one of these tents, his father could not see him. Wild beasts often roamed the fields, causing even more concern for Jacob.

One day, Jacob say a beautiful white lamb grazing in the field close to the tents. It had a fine coat of wool that would make for a good coat for his son, Joseph. A coat of pure wool would keep the lad warm when he was wandering in the fields.

Jacob caught the lamb and carefully shirred the beautiful wool, taking care not to harm the lamb. Gently, very gently, Jacob shirred the lamb. He would curry the wool to get the burs and thorns out. He wanted the wool to be as clean as possible. After all, he did have a special need for this wool!