Moses has no more to say of the Edomites, unless as they happen to fall
in Israel's way; but now applies himself closely to the story of
Jacob's family: These are the generations of Jacob. His is not a bare
barren genealogy as that of Esau (ch. xxxvi. 1), but a memorable useful
history. Here is, 1. Jacob a sojourner with his father Isaac, who has
yet living, v. 1. We shall never be at home, till we come to heaven. 2.
Joseph, a shepherd, feeding the flock with his brethren, v. 2. Though
he was his father's darling, yet he was not brought up in idleness or
delicacy. Those do not truly love their children that do not inure them
to business, and labour, and mortification. The fondling of children is
with good reason commonly called the spoiling of them. Those that are
trained up to do nothing are likely to be good for nothing. 3. Joseph
beloved by his father (v. 3), partly for his dear mother's sake that
was dead, and partly for his own sake, because he was the greatest
comfort of his old age; probably he waited on him, and was more
observant of him than the rest of his sons; he was the son of the
ancient so some; that is, when he was a child, he was as grave and
discreet as if he had been an old man, a child, but not childish. Jacob
proclaimed his affection to him by dressing him finer than the rest of
his children: He made him a coat of divers colours, which probably was
significant of further honors intended him. Note, Though those children
are happy that have that in them which justly recommends them to their
parents' particular love, yet it is the prudence of parents not to make
a difference between one child and another, unless there be a great and
manifest cause given for it by the children's dutifulness or
undutifulness; paternal government must be impartial, and managed with
a steady hand. 4. Joseph hated by his brethren, (1.) Because his father
loved him; when parents make a difference, children soon take notice of
it, and it often occasions feuds and quarrels in families. (2.) Because
he brought to his father their evil report. Jacob's sons did that, when
they were from under his eye, which they durst not have done if they
had been at home with him; but Joseph gave his father an account of
their bad carriage, that he might reprove and restrain them; not as a
malicious tale-bearer, to sow discord, but as a faithful brother, who,
when he durst not admonish them himself, represented their faults to
one that had authority to admonish them. Note, [1.] It is common for
friendly monitors to be looked upon as enemies. Those that hate to be
reformed hate those that would reform them, Prov. ix. 8. [2.] It is
common for those that are beloved of God to be hated by the world; whom
Heaven blesses, hell curses. To those to whom God speaks comfortably
wicked men will not speak peaceably. It is said here of Joseph, the lad
was with the sons of Bilhah; some read it, and he was servant to them,
they made him their drudge.