Genesis 37:3-4 (NKJV)

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.”

A father must be judged to love all his children equally; and even if he loves one more than the other, such preference must never be disclosed to all or manifested through discriminatory behavior. Showing special love to one person as against the other will inevitably bring rivalry and competition among siblings.

So Israel was not wise at all. Yes, he loved Joseph more because Joseph “was the son of his old age,” and he had a right to have such a special affection but he did wrong by making Joseph a unique tunic thereby signaling his special love openly. This of course increased the animosity the brothers felt for Joseph with the inevitable actions that followed.

A father must be a father of all. Love must be a free and equal gift to all children. Responsibilities & opportunities may differ based on competencies and skills, but promotion and preference must never be based on emotional preference. This behavior is unadvisable, unacceptable and avoidable.

“Oh Lord, may I never openly signal a preference for any of my children. May I treat each one as unique and special, not creating any competition or animosity between them. I pray for the skill and wisdom to do this, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”