Our story begins early in Joseph’s life after his dreams of exaltation. When Joseph arrives where his brothers had gathered, he suspects nothing which is natural considering it’s his brothers. As the scene unfolds we see his brothers tearing his special robe from him (Genesis 37:23).

This scene reenacts itself repeatedly in Joseph’s life. Potiphar’s wife later seizes his garment (Genesis 39:12-13); but by contrast, when God exalts Joseph, Pharaoh provides him the best garments (Genesis 41:42).

So what’s the application…the momentary stripping away of our self-made identity is necessary so that God can provide the “best” not what we at times consider the best.

In Joseph’s and our experiences in life God allows these kind of subsequent scenes to evoke and awaken our understanding of our path before the Lord.

The Scriptures tells us in Psalm 37:23 that “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.”

Today, let the Lord guide your path and provide you with the best of clothing, put on Jesus Christ. Romans 13:14; “Put put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Put on the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness, Isaiah 61:3; “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Clothing (garment) tells much about a person:

• A garment of pure white linen showed all Egypt that Joseph was in command.
• A purple garment was only for a king.
• A black garment like ashes was for widows mourning for their husband. • A garment of sackcloth (like burlap) was for those in grief & great loss.
• A colorful garment was provided for each wedding guest by wealthy hosts.
• A garment for shepherds was made of skins.
• A garment for soldiers was red.
• Angels garments were long, white, and shining.
• Garments for priests were of finest white linen. They had to wear these garments to come into God’s presence to praise.

One last Scripture comes to mind; Luke 15:20-24; “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”

When God puts on you the garment of “best,” He is saying this is my child, this is my beloved who has come home. It is an act of God’s grace covering our naked, wounded souls, covering our sins.

Not only did the father cover his son with the best robe but also put the family ring on him. What does this mean? It is a declaration of sonship, and heirship; a seal and pledge of “you are mine, and I am yours.” (Song of Solomon 2:13; John 17:10)

Lastly, the father puts shoes on his returning son. Feet are meant to represent our outward walk and conversation; we are no longer, barefoot, susceptible to the dangers of our paths. Shoes keeps the feet secure and straight, protecting us from slipping and falling; enables us to walk long distances; directs, guides, and influences walking, and protects from the stones, thorns, and scorpions. These are shoes of God’s protection and empowerment that never wear out because they are the preparation of the Gospel of peace, (Ephesians 6:15). The Gospel is as shoes to the feet; it beautifies and adorns, (Song of Solomon 7:1)

When God exalted, promoted Joseph, Pharaoh provides him the best garments (Genesis 41:42). This is what God does for our lives in the purposes He has ordained for us. Don’t allow the familiarity of difficulty and circumstances to convince you that God doesn’t care or isn’t involved in your lives…God is working in your future to provide the best for you.

Philippians 2:13; “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Ephesians 1:3-12; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,¹⁰ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both^[a] which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. ¹¹ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, ¹² that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”