"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 colors" (Genesis 37:3).

Three times in Scripture we note special significance being attached to the garments worn by Joseph. The first is in our text, when the godly young man was given a beautiful outer cloak by his affectionate father. Unfortunately this multi-colored garment caused jealousy amongst the brothers, and the Bible records that Joseph was sold into slavery. "And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father" (Genesis 37:31-32).

As a slave working for Potiphar in Egypt, Joseph was obliged to don the jacket of a servant and performed his duties in the house. But his master's wife attempted to seduce him and grabbed hold of his coat "and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out" (Genesis 39:12). Once again Joseph's coat was used to bring a false report, for the woman used it to accuse Joseph: "And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. . . . And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison" (Genesis 39:18,20).

After wearing the coat of blessing and the jacket of a slave, we note one final cloak given to Joseph. The Bible records how Pharaoh removed Joseph from prison to interpret the ruler's dream. "And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck" (Genesis 41:42).

Whether arrayed in the jacket of a slave or robed in the royal cloaks, Joseph was faithful amidst the varying circumstances laid upon him. DW