Before delving into the "guts" of Joseph's story, let's begin with the story of his father, Jacob, who would later be known as Israel, and his mother, Rachael. To understand the child, I think you must first look at the parents.
Their story is a tale of classic romance. Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, falls madly in love with Rachael, a shepherdess. Scripture tells us she was "lovely in form, and beautiful." (Genesis 29:18) Jacob agrees to work for her father for seven years in exchange for her hand in marriage although he probably should have gotten this arrangement in writing. At the end of seven years and after the celebratory marriage feast, Jacob awoke to the wrong sister. His new father-in-law had given Leah, his older daughter, to Jacob rather than Rachael citing custom and tradition called for the older daughter to be married first. So, Jacob agrees to put in yet another seven years before he is finally given the love of his life in marriage. Now, marital bliss dissipates rather quickly when the older bride can bear children, but the younger is found barren. Jacob takes two other wives who were also able to give him children. Eventually, though, God in His infinite mercy gave Rachael two sons. Joseph was the elder, Benjamin, the younger.
All of this becomes relevant because Genesis 37:3 tells us Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons, but "he loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age..." I also like to think the child was so loved because he wasn't just another boy, but was the first born son of the woman he truly loved. At the time Joseph's Biblical story begins, Rachael is deceased due to complications during the birth of Benjamin. As a woman, and a sappy one at that, I have to believe this makes Joseph and Benjamin a little more precious to their father. I imagine Jacob's heart was probably tied to these boys much like his grandfather's heart must have been tied to Isaac who was also born to a man "in his old age."
The paternal partiality Joseph enjoyed was not something he requested, nor was it likely something that was earned, but rather the favor was a gift from God. You will see as the story unfolds favor with men was common and quickly given to Joseph. It was also short-lived, that is until God's timing and perfect will became evident in latter years which is just one of the things I do love about the life of this man! We see a divine plan, a worthy servant who keeps the faith in impossible and yes, unfair situations, and an unfailing God who knows the big picture and "works all things together for the good!" (Romans 8:28)
Psalm 25:4 “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.”
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