Do you Brag about Yourself

Edited version: I felt the original wasn't as vibrant as I would like, so I worked on it a little bit further. Tell me what you think.

Also known as: "Joseph and His Brothers"


Genesis 37:3-9 (These verses along with this very beautiful photo ([link]) by BadAni (beautiful gallery by the way!) were the inspiration for this creation:

Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him and they wouldn't even speak to him.

Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said, "Listen to this dream I had. We were all out in the field gathering bundles sheave of wheat. All of a sudden my bundle stood straight up and your bundles circled around it and bowed down to mine.

His brothers said, "So! You're going to rule us? You're going to boss us around?" And they hated him more than ever because of his dreams and the way he talked.

He had another dream and told this one also to his brothers: "I dreamed another dream—the sun and moon and eleven stars bowed down to me"


(From The Message Bible)


Moral of the story:

In biblical times everyone had a robe or a cloak. Robes were used to keep warm, used like a suite case or duffle bag, used to keep babies warm, used as seat cushions or even to secure a loan. Most robes only went to the persons knees and were short sleeved and boring (no color). Josephs robe was probably very much like what a king would wear;long sleeved, ankle length and beautifully colored! The robe Joseph received from his father Jacob, was seen by his brothers that "dad likes him better!". Just like in biblical times, favoritism in families may be unavoidable, but its troublesome affects should be controlled. Fathers and mothers may not be able to change their feelings toward a favorite child, but they can positively change their actions towards their other children. Due to their fathers favoritism, Josephs brothers were already annoyed by the possibility of their younger brother ruling over them some day. Joseph unwisely opened his mouth and fueled their fire with his immature attitude and boastful arrogance. No one enjoys someone who brags about themselves. Joseph learned his lesson the hard way when his angry brothers sold him into slavery to get rid of him. After several years of hardship, Joseph learned that we’re not the source of our talents and knowledge, God is! God blesses each one of us with the talents and knowledge we have that others do not. Instead of patting ourselves on the back, thinking were “all that”, we should be thanking him for those blessings he has given us!*

* Revised text “note” from the Life Application Bible

Note: If you would like to read the entire account of this story please click here: [link]