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Almost everybody knows about Joseph the Dreamer and his Technicolor coat.  This was a special coat with sleeves worn probably only by officials given to him by Jacob his father.  This created great sibling jealousy with his brothers.  There was open favouritism by Jacob for Joseph – a son in his old age.  Further fuel was added to the fire of sibling jealousy when Joseph recounted his dreams to his parents and brothers that he would reign and rule over them.  Even his father had to rebuke him: “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” (Gen. 37:10).

As expected, sibling jealousy boiled over into violence when his brothers caught Joseph alone in open country.  The narrative in Gen. 37 revealed the plans of the brothers to murder Joseph.  Thankfully it ended with them selling him into slavery in Egypt.  His special coat was stained with goat’s blood and given to his father to show his terrible death by wild animals. Jacob was devastated on seeing the blood stained coat and the brothers were saddened with a long term guilt complex.  This showed what sibling jealousy can do in families with seemingly good parental intentions?  However, for God it was His unique way of fulfilling His plans for the Hebrews, His people.  His ways are past finding out: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD” (Isa. 55:8)

Christian parents can and should be taught to avoid favouritism with their children but this is really difficult to practise.  Siblings can also be taught to avoid jealousy among them but once again, this is easier said than done.  As Christians we know what has to be done in obedience to God’s teachings in the Bible.  To know this is one thing – to obey is more difficult.  As we always tell our children: “I know that you know but you’re not doing it”.  This saying can also be applied to parents too!  We all need to be vigilant and sensitive to such parental and sibling matters and walk close to God in consultation and prayer with Him on family values.  Perhaps, we can fare better in avoidance of favouritism to children and sibling jealousy compared to Jacob and his jealous sons.  Then the impact of sadness of parents and long term guilt complex of siblings can be minimised through the grace and mercy of a God who loves us and cares for us in spite of our disobedience.