Genesis 37:3-4
“Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”
Of all the children Jacob had, he had a clear favorite—Joseph. Jacob wasn’t quiet about his favoritism either, giving Joseph a special coat that signified privilege and status. Jacob fed Joseph’s pride problem with his favoritism and also contributed to the jealousy and hatred Joseph’s brother’s felt for him.
Respond in Prayer
As you spend time talking with God right now, ask Him to reveal places in your life you may be showing favoritism to someone. Easy-to-get-along-with people? People with lots of money? Famous people? People who have the same skin color or the same socio-economic status as you? Ask for God’s heart and eyes to see people as He does and for the ability to love them all really well. For further reading, see here for what the book of James has to say about favoritism.
For Families with Kids at Home
Where is favoritism showing up in your heart right now when it comes to your kids? A kid who has been really difficult to parent lately, or one who has been really easy? Confess that to God, and be aware of it when it shows up in your actions this week. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you delight in each of your kids for who He made them to be.