Inferiority: Fuel for the Fire of Hate

Hate is a devastatingly evil force whose objective is to create unimaginable destruction and suffering. It's difficult to accept that someone could hate you to this degree. Joseph refused to believe his brothers hated him, so he naively made himself vulnerable to their hatred. Evil, an extension of hatred, avenges itself in ways that create devastation. 

          Hate is connected to some form of personal loss. Joseph was his father's favorite, which intensified hatred from his older brothers. Joseph was unusually handsome in addition to being exceptionally intelligent, which had been nurtured by Jacob, the boys’ father. Resentment cradled in hatred flowed from Joseph’s siblings.   

          Hatred is fueled by feelings of inferiority. No accomplishment generated by hatred ever diminishes inferiority. Hatred is diminished by accepting our own giftedness and the blessings it can be to others. As hard as it is to thank God for that giftedness and pray that it be devoted to God’s purpose, it is essential to do so. Hatred is diminished by the presence of God’s love. 

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Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

~Proverbs 10:12 New International Version

As God gave me His gift of love for every one or you, I tell you, don’t think too highly of yourselves, but take a sane view of yourselves, everyone according to the amount of faith God gave you…We have gifts that are different according to what His love gave us…Love sincerely. Hate evil; cling to what is good. Love one another tenderly as fellow Christians. Outdo one another in showing respect.

~Romans 12:3, 6, 9-10 Beck -- New Testament in the Language of Today

Favoritism: Creator of Jealousy and Envy

As it became obvious that Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, the older boys’ hatred for Joseph and their father intensified. To make matters worse, Joseph shared his dreams of supremacy with his brothers. These dreams caused the brothers’ hatred and envy to escalate since they believed dreams foretold the future. 

 

Listen as Joseph taunted his brothers with his dream. "We were binding bundles of grain in the field when suddenly my bundles stood up while yours gathered around mine and bowed down to them." Imagine the brothers’ feelings when they asked, “So, do you intend to rule us?" Joseph fueled the fire of hatred by telling other similar dreams.

When Jacob gave Joseph a beautiful coat, his brothers resented the place of privilege Joseph enjoyed with their father. They coveted the love and affection Joseph received from Jacob. As we consider our relationship with God our Father, it’s important to believe God does not discriminate. His love is unfailing and is extended to everyone regardless of place or position. 

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Now as it happened, Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other children, because Joseph was born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob gave him a special gift – a brightly colored coat.

~GENESIS 37:3 The Living Bible

God doesn’t have any favorites!

~ROMANS 2:11 Contemporary English Version

Playing Favorites

When Jacob returned to his homeland, he arrived with a new name that reflected an encounter with God. Rachel, the wife he dearly loved, died after giving birth to Benjamin. She had prayed for a second son, so Joseph could have a full brother. Jacob had twelve other children, so Benjamin was born when he was past sixty years of age.

However, it was Joseph, his first-born son with Rachel, who became his favorite. Genesis 37:3 explains: "Now Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born in his old age."  Favoritism exposes a special bonding between parent and child but can create resentment and hatred in the other siblings.

The negative fallout for the favored child may be a lack of maturity in relating to others. Joseph either was unable to detect the anger in his older brothers or simply flaunted his status as the favorite son. God's love is unconditional and excludes favoritism. He expects us to be a model of his character.  

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Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from – if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open.

~ACTS 10:34-35 The Message

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

~JAMES 2:1 New International Version