Quick Note: Genesis 37:3 – A Seal of Approval and Condemnation

Genesis 37:3 – “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age.  And he made him a robe of many colors.”

Ephesians 1:13-14 – “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.”

When you go to a special party or convention or anything of that sort, if you are one of the exclusive VIP guests, they usually give you something special to wear like a wristband or a pin that will indicate that you are one of the “select.”  I know that when I attended a comic convention a while back, I was given a shirt to wear during my work to indicate that I was a volunteer.  That one shirt set me apart from others and let me into places the regular attendees could not go.  It was like a badge that indicated my affiliation and the perks and responsibilities that came with it.

In our first passage today in Genesis, Jacob gave his favorite son, a robe of many colors, so that all who saw him wear it would know that he was considered the favorite.  It was like a badge of approval and love and acceptance.  Although this robe was a symbol of great honor to Joseph, it was also a symbol of disregard and unappreciation to his brothers, for they did not receive that “favorite son” robe.  It was a symbol of acceptance but also condemnation to the others.  Our second passage in Ephesians reminds us as Christians that we have also been given a “seal of approval, acceptance, and honor” in that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  Every believer, once they have given their lives to Christ, receives the Holy Spirit into their lives to guide and lead them and most importantly mark them for salvation.  But at the same time, this great seal is also a seal of condemnation to those who do not have it, for they who do not have that mark will eventually be condemned in the judgment.  Like Joseph’s robe, the Holy Spirit is a mark of acceptance for Christians but also a mark of condemnation to unbelievers.  But unlike Joseph’s robe, this seal is open for everyone to receive.  All one needs to do is place their faith and trust in Him.

If you are already wearing the robe of the Holy Spirit, then take joy and pride in the beautiful robe you are wearing.  Live it out and show that you have been given such a beautiful and gracious gift.  And remember that that robe you wear comes with the responsibility of living your life for Him.  If you have not yet put that robe on, then today, make the decision to give your life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit will be given to you too.