Robe Envy

One of the most messed up households you’ll ever come across is in the Bible—Jacob’s clan. Now what’s interesting about that is they are the family God chose to be his very own people. In itself, that is quite comforting since most of us come from flawed families—so there is hope for us.

What’s going on in Jacob’s family isn’t unusual. It happens in most every home to some degree. Joseph is favored because he’s the “son of Jacob’s old age”—and one day that favoritism took a concrete form when Jacob gave Joseph the robe.

The Hebrew word for robe is a little uncertain. The New International Version says it was, “a richly ornamented robe”. Other versions call it “a robe with long sleeves” while the King James Version famously translates it, “a coat of many colors”. Jacob got it from Saks; he bought the other boys theirs from K-Mart—on a blue light special.

This robe marked Joseph as dad’s pet, and every time his brothers saw him wear it, they were reminded that their father would never love them like he loved Joseph. And the text tells us three times of their growing “hatred” (Genesis 37:4,5,8); a hatred fueled by jealousy: “His brothers were jealous of him.” (Genesis 37:11)

Jealousy is such a pervasive sin among human beings, yet it is hardest of all sins to recognize. And it is exceedingly destructive! James 3:16 says, “Where you have jealousy … there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Jealousy leads us to do evil. It’s why Cain killed Abel. Abraham’s two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, were torn apart by rivalry. Bitter envy separated Isaac’s two sons, Jacob and Esau. It’s why Saul tried to kill David and the Jews did kill Jesus. (Mark 15:10)

Jealousy is the sense, real or not, that the favor—attention, recognition, reward—another receives somehow diminishes our value. If we’re not careful, the pain of not receiving the robe can do a real number on us. Perhaps you never wore the robe in your family, and even to this day, envy, hatred and jealousy is shrinking your heart, robbing you of joy and diminishing your experience of God’s acceptance.

If that is you, as hurtful and unfair as that experience has been in your life, it should help you to know that the One who saved you, Jesus, knows all about robes!

In his little community of disciples, the peace was often broken by rivalry and envy. And one day Jesus took off his robe, got a basin of water and a towel, and washed their feet. And he showed each of them his love. Yeah, Jesus knew about robes!

Then, because of envy, Jesus was handed over to Pilate, who had soldiers flog him. And they made him a crown of thorns and they mocked him. Then they stripped him of his robe, and crucified him. And hanging on that cross, he showed each of us his love. Yeah, Jesus knew about robes.

Maybe you never wore the robe in your family and maybe you never will in this life, but Revelation 6:11 says a day is coming when you will get a white robe! It was purchased with the blood of the One who willingly gave up his robe so you could wear one, and on that day you will fully know God’s infinite love for you. Yeah, Jesus knows about robes—you will too, one day soon!

Now here’s the deal: You don’t have to wait until then to know the Father’s love. You are wearing the robe right now (Isaiah 61:10)—you just may not realize it yet.

“Jesus Christ became Incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that man might stand before Him as He was created to do, the friend and lover of God Himself.” ~Oswald Chambers

Reflect and Apply: If you never wore the robe or felt the love or received the affirmation you longed for from your parents, at some point in your life, recognizing and owning up to that pain is the first step to healing. Another step, if possible, will require you to approach your family—parents or siblings—and explain your pain. A further step is to renounce any envious actions, jealous attitudes or guarded woundedness. The final step is learning to receive love and acceptance in new ways by cultivating relationships in your faith community, and especially by learning how to receive it from God!