Before I began to dig into this story, I knew the brothers were jealous of Joseph, but I didn't understand why a coat could cause such dissension in this band of brothers. So much, in fact, they couldn't even be nice to Joseph. However, I find a coat during these times was more than just a coat. The symbolism is intriguing. Let's take a look.
First, let's look at the coat as a tangible object. All men wore coats or tunics. The typical coat was usually knee-length, plain, and was functional as they were also used as blankets during the cold nights. Joseph's coat, however, was ankle-length and had sleeves rather than just a square-shaped drape. Also, of note, a man's coat was indicative of his social status. The more ornate, the higher the social class. Joseph and his brothers were shepherds so we have to believe all of the other brothers wore the average, plain tunic certainly nothing to indicate wealth.
Next, let's examine the symbolism of the coat. The coat was as good as a man's word. He could actually use his coat as security for a loan. The fact that Jacob made the coat and gave it to his son was also like a mantle being passed down. The brothers likely interpreted this gift as the passing of the torch, a prophetic gesture that Joseph, the eleventh son, would lead the family rather than Reuben, the first-born male who had betrayed the father with an affair. This was yet another sign of Jacob's love for Rachael over Leah and over the concubines. The birthright had symbolically been given to Joseph.
Further examination into these passages reveals the prophetic implications of the latter days of Joseph's life. The happy ending to the tortuous events about to befall the young boy. A coat made of fine fabric likely purchased from the land in which he would one day rule. A coat of royalty from Egypt. A coat torn to shreds and dipped in animal blood after Joseph reveals dreams that were a foretelling of his triumph, a foreshadowing of lordship.
I think about that beautiful coat ripped and stained with blood. The tunic, his dreams, his destiny. Have you ever felt like that? You knew you were destined for something great, knew you would get that promotion, or marry that man, or have all those kids only to have your dreams shattered. I'm sure from the bottom of the well where he would shortly end up at the hands of his brothers, Joseph believed his life was over. No more dreams of greatness. Everything he believed to be true had been torn away and ravished. I also think how Jacob must have felt. Finally, a son of good character, one who knows right from wrong, and obviously born with the favor of God upon him was snatched away and believed to have been mauled by a wild animal. Surely Jacob, questioned God, questioned how a life only just beginning could be cut short.
As we explore this story further, however, we will see this traumatic event was just the first stepping stone for what God had in store for the eleventh son of Jacob.
Jeremiah 29:11 " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "
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