What did Josephs father do wrong in raising his boys?

Answer 1

We could say that he loved Joseph more than his other children who became jealous of Joseph and his dreams. But this was of the Lord, else how would Joseph be found in Egypt as the second ruler?

Answer 2

Answer 1

Every parent does something wrong in raising their sons or daughters. No parent is perfect.

The question if Jacob did 'wrong' or 'right' is somewhat subjective, depending on perspective.

If you're thinking about whether he did something serious, like abused his boys; I don't think so. Nothing is recorded that Jacob did wrong in raising his boys.

He loved all his sons, as any father would. The Bible does not record all the good things he did for all of his sons, individually and collectively.

But to imply that Jacob's giving him a special coat was showing exorbitant 'favoritism'; and that he was 'partial' towards one; and thus 'unfair' to the others; would be reading more into the situation than necessary.

We must remember that 'jealousy' is a product of 'sin'. For example, Cain was jealous of Abel - because Jehovah accepted Abel's sacrifice, and considered it more appropriate, and of a higher value than Cain's. Can Jehovah not do that? Can Jehovah not decide 'value'. If Cain gets jealous, is Jehovah to be accused of doing 'wrong' to wards Cain?

Likewise with Jacob. Jacob knew his boys well. It ended up that some of them their true colors did show up in life - - including jealousy and resentment of their father's approval of Josephs temperament and godly qualities. Is Jacob to be blamed and found fault with?

It was Jacob who SENT Joseph - - to see about the WELFARE OF THE OTHER SONS. This shows his concern for all his boys; but they were blinded by jealousy; -- not by anything wrong that Jacob did.

Genesis 25:27 has good things to say about Jacob. One of the words translated in this verse can mean that Jacob was 'peaceful' 'quiet' 'complete' 'quiet temperament' (NASB, NLT); and also that he was 'blameless'.

Therefore in Malachi 1:2,3 it states that 'Jehovah loved Jacob.' This, and other things about Jacob, should give us a clue, as to whether Jacob did anything wrong, of a serious nature.

Answer 2

The question is not about Joseph's parenting skills, but about Jacob's, Joseph's father. Jacob prized Rachel more than Leah and his concubines making Joseph an incredibly prized son for him. As a result he doted on Joseph (and later it is alluded that similar treatment was given to Benjamin) in a way that caused his brothers to supremely dislike him. The most obvious symbol of this inequality was the coat of many colors that Jacob gave Joseph.