Probably, the actual name should have been the “Target” of many colors. Joseph was Rachel’s oldest–she died when Benjamin was born. Israel loved Joseph. He was obedient, loved God, loved his family and generally pleased his dad. Not so much with the rest of the clan. They were older and had their own families. They had shown on at least one other occasion that they would do what they deemed right–no matter the advice of their father.
So in light of the jealousy, the coat and Joseph’s dreams; poor Joseph was not on the list for “brother of the year”. It would have been a great deal more safe for him to keep a low profile; and, simply keep what God was showing him to himself. In the grand scheme of life, however, well, it simply would not have mattered. Joseph’s coat was not the target–it was his relationship with his father and Heavenly Father–that was the true target.
In our lives, when we chose to follow God closely and humbly–it was as if, we too, put on a coat of many colors, The enemy sees we choose to allow God to prepare, protect and provide for our life and needs. Our desire to please God impacts the world in the same way the coat impacted Joseph’s brothers.
It is why Paul urges us to put on the full armor of God (I Corinthians 6)–to protect us from our enemy. He prowls like a roaring lion (I Peter 5) seeking whom he WILL devour. Unless we are battle-ready and battle-tested, the enemy will take us down. Still, no matter what our preparation and intent–be ready for God’s plan to pull us in directions we would never have imagined. He is God–We Are NOT!!! Trust and follow him, and enjoy the coat, no matter what the color!
God Bless You
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate[a] robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”
10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
Walking With God 