Jealousy surfaces in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph's multi-colored coat was a major source of contention between Joseph and his brothers. It was a symbol that Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons. This coat was probably of a kind worn by royalty, long-sleeved, ankle length and colorful. Most coats were knee length, short sleeve and plain.  Coats were used for sleeping mats, blankets, pillows. suitcases, and even as security for loans.  Coats were an important possession and often considered a commodity.

His brothers already hated him and then when Joseph told them about his dreams, they hated him all the more.  Joseph's dream of sheaves of grain in a field bowing down to his sheaf of grain was interpreted by his brothers to mean that they would bow down to Joseph. This dream of course was prophetic in nature.  In reality, later on in Egypt, the brothers would bow down to Joseph.

In another prophetic dream the sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing to Joseph. Jacob's interpretation of this dream was that Joseph's parents and brothers would bow to him.  This dream was quite different from the dream concerning the sheaves of grain.  The dream of the grain was fulfilled while Joseph was living.  The second dream about the sun, moon, and stars has not yet been fulfilled. At this point in time, Joseph's mother was dead, therefore that dream will be fulfilled at some time during the millennium.  It appears from Scripture that Joseph will given a high position in the millennium kingdom.

Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy had reached a crescendo when they plotted to kill him.  Only Reuben and Judah (sons of Leah) were against killing Joseph. Joseph was sold more than once before he reached Potiphar's house. He was sold to the Midianites, then to the Ishmaelites, and then he was sold to Potiphar in Egypt.

When Jacob was shown Joseph's blood-stained coat, he feared the worst, tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and wept for his son.  This was a customary sign of mourning or sorrow. When Jacob was mourning the supposed death of Joseph, his daughters (plural) came to comfort him. Does this mean Jacob had other daughters beside Dinah?

The Book of Jasher is filled with details about the exploits of Jacob's sons.  They were mighty men with supernatural strength and ability empowered by the Lord.  Remember Jacob's strength in moving the stone from the well in an earlier reading (Genesis 29)?

Quite a unusual story of Judah's sons and Tamar and the Levirate law. Mention is made of a shrine prostitute when Judah seeks a woman after the death of his wife. These shrine prostitutes committed the act of prostitution as an act of worship, committed by both men and women. They did this for the glory of their false gods, such as the goddess Asherah and the god Baal, among others. Judah, thinking he was with a shrine prostitute, was with his daughter-in-law, who conceived and gave birth to twin sons.

The daughters of Lot have something in common with Tamar. Just another example of how God uses events laden with sin to fulfill His later and greater purpose.