Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob. Jacob is also called Israel. I suppose that Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son not only because, as the text says, he was the son of his old age-for he had another son by Rachel, Benjamin- but also because he was the most good in heart and obedient to the good will of his father.
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
His brothers also despised Joseph because of the love that the father had for him.
And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. Genesis 37:4
God reveals something to Joseph that will come to pass years down the road: He gives him two dreams which are alike in that Joseph becomes the saviour of his own family. When he repeats the dreams to his father and to his brothers, his brothers hate him even more; but his father keeps these things in his heart.
And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. Genesis 37:8
Years later, another son of Israel, Moses, is faced with a similar rebuke by one of his own brothers: When Moses saw two Hebrews fighting, he said to the offender:
"Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?" Exodus 2:13,14
It appears that God had revealed to Moses that the time would come when he would deliver the people of Israel out of the house of bondage by his hand; however, his own people who were in dire need of salvation and liberation were not yet ready to receive him.
Joseph is sold by his brothers into slavery and finds himself in the Kingdom of Egypt where God-- after much trial and temptation--raised him to a position of great authority in the land of Egypt: Joseph was second only to Pharaoh.
Meanwhile back in Canaan, Jacob is grieving for his son Joseph. Joseph's brothers know in their hearts that they have committed a great injustice. There is a famine in the land and Joseph's brothers are sent by their father to Egypt where there is much grain because of Joseph's wise and Godly stewardship.
Thence the dreams which Joseph had prophetically dreamt years before are in this very moment fulfilled: His brothers who had rejected him, and hated him because of the goodness of his heart and because of the hardness of their heart, have now come to bow down before Joseph, who has been raised by God, to a position of power and majesty: he is their saviour and deliverer.
We notice a pattern forming throughout the Bible: Those who are highly esteemed by men are not necessarily esteemed highly by God.
But the Lord said to Samuel: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b
Joseph is first rejected by his own family, but is chosen by God to do a marvelous work of salvation. At the appointed time, the Lord opens their hearts and their eyes and they accept Joseph.
Moses is rebuked for his efforts to reconcile two of his brothers who are fighting and in effect is rejected as a leader, only to be accepted and followed at God's appointed time.
David--before becoming king of Israel-- had an almost identical experience after Samuel had anointed him. He went to the camp where Goliath was provoking the Israelites and he inquired about what was happening, with the intention of fighting the giant himself. He was ridiculed by his brother Eliab and rejected by the rest of his brothers.
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 1 Samuel 17:18
In Psalm 118 David says, “the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our sight.”
The Bible speaks of another king that arises, and is rejected by His brothers only to be accepted at the fulfillment of the age when God opens their eyes and their hearts. This one is the Messiah, the King of Israel.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:3-6
But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. Mark 6:4.
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