Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. Genesis 37:3-4 KJV
In Colossians 3:21 we learn that fathers are not to provoke their children to anger. Here is an example of one father who did. Part of the problem was that he had learned the same behavior from his parents. Negative parenting habits are often passed from one generation to another. Although the action of Israel does not excuse the anger of Joseph’s brothers toward him, nor their later act of wickedness against him, it certainly does help to explain why they felt the way they did. The very blatant favoritism of Israel toward Joseph was a serious provocation. As parents we must always be on guard against family traits we think are normal but actually harm the emotional and spiritual health of our children.
Lord, as a parent, search me and make me to know my ways that do more harm than good in the life of my children. I want to pass on traits that will benefit them in life, as parents, and in their walk with You.
