The Daily Office for February 27, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 41
Genesis 37:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-19
Mark 1:1-13
Reading (Genesis 37:1-11)
Reflection
Genesis 37 opens with Jacob and his family living near Hebron. Joseph's older brothers hated him for a number of reasons, but especially since their father loved him the most. Their jealous hatred was especially keen among the four sons of handmaids, who ranked lowest in the family unit. To make matters worse, at least in the eyes of Joseph's brothers, he brought their father a "bad report" about them. In other words their evil deeds had been exposed by Joseph.
The fact that Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other children indicates that he had learned nothing from his previous experiences relating to favoritism Genesis 25:28. He, in fact, loved Joseph so much that he gave him a "coat of many colors." The only other place in Scripture where a garment like this is mentioned is found in 2 Samuel 2 Samuel 13 where it describes a garment worn by the "daughters of kings." It's easy to see why there was so much dysfunction in this family. It is, in fact, almost still palpable thousands of years later.
It's important to keep peace within a home and among family members. The Bible commands us to make peace with others. Sometimes this includes those we are closest to. If you have a grievance against a brother, sister, or parent try to make peace with them today. You will never feel peace in your own life until you do.
Collect for the Day
King of glory, king of peace, who called your servant George Herbert from the pursuit of worldly honours to be a priest in the temple of his God and king: grant us also the grace to offer ourselves with singleness of heart in humble obedience to your service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.