The Coat of Many Colours – A Robe of Grace and Glory.
Don’t Hide Your Coat – Embracing Your Spiritual Identity.
Main Scripture:
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.” – Genesis 37:3 (NIV)
YOUR FATHER’S FAVOURITE – THE COAT THAT SPEAKS.
Introduction – More Than a Coat.
At first glance, it was just a garment – brightly coloured, hand-stitched, and unique. But to Joseph, the coat represented more than craftsmanship. It symbolised favour, identity, and calling. To the untrained eye, Joseph’s coat might seem like just a flashy piece of fabric. But to the spiritually discerning, it’s a symbol of heaven’s mark, a physical representation of favour, and a prophetic shadow of a spiritual truth.
It wasn’t only a gift from his earthly father Jacob; it was a prophetic garment woven into his destiny. This was not just a birthday gift or a keepsake from a loving father, it was a mantle. It represented identity, belonging, inheritance, and a prophetic call.
Joseph’s robe pointed beyond family preference. It pointed to divine purpose. And for us today, that multicoloured robe isn’t just an Old Testament relic. It’s a picture of the Gospel. A robe of grace and glory, handcrafted by our heavenly Father and placed upon us through Christ. When you look in the mirror of Scripture, can you see it on your shoulders?
In Christ, each of us has been given a robe, woven not with threads but with grace. When you were adopted into God’s family, He didn’t just forgive you, He dressed you. And that robe tells the world you are royalty, chosen, favoured, and called.
Illustrations: As you walk through any international airport, the bright variety of garments from around the world catches your eye. Likewise, the coat Joseph wore was striking. And in Christ, your life should also stand out, not for pride, but because of His glory on you.
Imagine a king’s child walking through the market, wearing the royal crest across their cloak. Even in a crowd, they stand out. Their attire isn’t just fashion, it’s identity. Likewise, your spiritual robe should stand out. It’s the evidence of your Father’s love, a garment soaked in grace, radiant with destiny.
Isaiah 61:3 – “…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
1. A Robe of Identity – The Father’s Declaration.
Joseph never earned the robe. Joseph didn’t request the robe. He didn’t fight his brothers for it. It wasn’t a reward. It was given freely because of love. Identity always begins with the Father. In the same way, God clothes us not because we deserve it, but because He delights in us.
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness…” Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)
The Message puts it this way: “He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, He outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jewelled tiara.”
Application:
Have you embraced your new identity in Christ, or are you still emotionally wearing spiritual rags? God calls you to stand tall. Not in arrogance, but in acceptance. You’ve been clothed by grace, and your robe is real, even if others don’t see it yet.
We live in a world desperate for identity, people chasing titles, statuses, brands, and followers. But heaven’s identity doesn’t come through hustle, achievement, or validation from others. It comes from the One who calls you His own.
When God covers you, it’s not temporary. It’s not seasonal. It’s eternal. That robe is righteousness, belonging, and purpose, all woven into one. In spiritual terms, it’s the covering of the New Creation. You are not who you used to be.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Practical Challenge:
What labels are you still wearing that God never gave you? Shame? Rejection? Insecurity? It’s time to take those off and wear your Father’s robe with confidence.
2. A Robe That Provokes – The Cost of Favour.
“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Genesis 37:4 (NIV)
Favour feels good – until it doesn’t. God’s favour invites spiritual warfare. Hell doesn’t go to war with someone who poses no threat. God’s favour doesn’t always bring applause. Sometimes, it brings opposition. Joseph’s robe made him a target. The robe drew hatred from Joseph’s brothers because it reminded them of their own insecurity and their lack of intimacy with the father.
Likewise, when God puts His hand on your life, not everyone will understand. Your peace will frustrate others. Your joy may irritate those bound in bitterness. Expect resistance. Sometimes you’ll be hated for reasons you can’t understand, but know this – the robe is worth it. And the One who gave it to you will vindicate you in time.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18 (NIV)
Illustrations: Think of the Prodigal Son. His father gave him a robe on his return – Luke 15:22. Yet, the older brother stood outside, angry. Grace doesn’t just restore, it reveals hearts.
Think of David. Anointed as king while still a shepherd, but then hunted, misunderstood, and forced into exile. Like Joseph, he was called, but not yet crowned. Favour doesn’t mean instant comfort – it means destiny is in motion.
Encouragement: Don’t shrink to fit in. Don’t hide your coat because others are uncomfortable. You were marked by God for more. He knows the cost of that coat, and it’s still worth it.
If people mock your calling or resist your joy, it’s not always personal, it’s often spiritual. Don’t hide your light to make others comfortable. The same God who clothed you will protect and elevate you in due season.
3. A Robe and a Dream – Marked for Destiny.
“Then he had another dream…” Genesis 37:9 (NIV)
Joseph’s dreams followed the coat. The robe wasn’t just a family heirloom; it was a prophetic marker of destiny. Joseph’s robe wasn’t random; it was a confirmation of destiny. Dreams followed the robe because the robe signified a calling. Your spiritual robe isn’t just for status; it’s a symbol of assignment.
Joseph’s dreams weren’t just youthful fantasies; they were blueprints from heaven. Even when the robe was stripped off, the dream remained. God had stitched it into his spirit, not the garment.
Even after his robe was stripped, God’s plan remained intact. Because purpose isn’t stitched into fabric, it’s woven into your spirit. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29 (ESV)
The Message: “God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty, never cancelled, never rescinded.”
Illustrations: They took Joseph’s coat, but they couldn’t take his calling. Your situation may look bleak, but the calling still stands. God isn’t done with you.
When Saul tried to place his armour on David 1 Samuel 17, David refused. Why? Because what fits someone else’s calling will never suit yours. You’ve been tailored for something specific. Don’t exchange your coat for a counterfeit.
Application: If you’ve let go of the dream, revisit the moment you knew God called you. Go back to the coat. Remember who you are. Revisit your dream. Reclaim it. Remind your soul: God has not forgotten me. Even if you feel buried, you’re planted, not dead. And the robe still fits.
God doesn’t give garments without purpose. You were not saved to simply survive, you were saved to serve, to shine, and to shift atmospheres. That robe is connected to a divine dream, one bigger than you.
Discussion.
- What does “the robe” represent to you personally in your walk with God?
- Have you ever faced criticism or opposition because of God’s favour on your life?
- Are there “coats” you’ve tried to hide or discard that God is calling you to wear again?
FROM STRIPPED TO GLORIFIED – THE REDEMPTIVE ROBE.
4. A Robe for Redemption – A Gospel Blueprint.
Joseph’s life wasn’t just historical. Joseph’s story is more than inspiring, it’s prophetic. His life foreshadows and mirrors the redemptive mission of Christ. He was betrayed, sold, stripped, imprisoned, and exalted.
“The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe…” John 19:2 (NIV)
Parallel Illustration:
- Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver – Jesus was betrayed for 30.
- Joseph was stripped of his robe – Jesus was stripped of His garments.
- Joseph forgave – Jesus forgives.
- Joseph saved his brothers – Jesus saves the world.
And here’s the miracle: He was stripped so you could be clothed.
Isaiah 61:3 calls this: “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Consideration:
The Gospel isn’t just about salvation, it’s about exchange. Jesus was stripped so we could be clothed. He was broken so we could be whole. The robe of righteousness is ours because He bore our nakedness and shame on the cross.
You’re not just forgiven – you’re robed in royalty.
5. Your Coat Still Fits – Encouragement for the Believer.
You may feel like Egypt has had the final say. Maybe life has torn at your identity. Maybe sin, shame, or struggle has told you your robe is no longer yours. God doesn’t disrobe you when you stumble. Grace remains. The robe is not seasonal, it’s covenantal.
It doesn’t matter if life has been messy. Maybe you’ve walked through the valley, made bad choices, or grown weary in well-doing. But hear this loud and clear, God never removes the robe. You may feel like you’re in Egypt, far from where you started, but the coat still fits.
Romans 8:1 – “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
But listen: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:26 – 27 (NIV)
The Message: “Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe, Christ’s life, the fulfilment of God’s original promise.”
Encouragement: The coat is still yours. It’s spiritual, eternal, and unstealable. Your robe still fits, even if you’ve outgrown the pit.
Illustration:
Like the father who ran to the Prodigal Son, robe in hand, God runs to meet you. He doesn’t scold. He robes. He restores.
Call to Action:
Stop believing the lie that you’ve disqualified yourself. If you’re in Christ, the robe of grace still belongs to you. Walk in it.
Discussion.
- Have you ever felt like your spiritual “robe” was taken from you?
- How do you fight the lies of shame and condemnation when they come?
- How do you respond when the enemy tries to remind you of your past?
- What area of your life needs to be re-robed in grace?
Comparison Table – Joseph & Jesus.
| Comparison Table – Joseph & Jesus. | ||
| Joseph | Jesus | Scripture |
| Beloved son of his father | Beloved Son of the Father | Matthew 3:17 |
| Given a robe | Clothed in splendour | John 19:2 (robe of mockery) |
| Sent to his brothers | Sent to His own | John 1:11 |
| Rejected by his brothers | Rejected by His people | Isaiah 53:3 |
| Sold for silver | Betrayed for 30 silver coins | Matthew 26:14–15 |
| Falsely accused and imprisoned | Falsely accused and crucified | Matthew 26:59–60; Mark 14:56–57 |
| Rose to rule in Egypt | Rose to rule at God’s right hand | Acts 2:32–33; Philippians 2:9–11 |
| Became saviour to his people | Saviour of the world | Genesis 50:20; John 4:42 |
| Forgave those who wronged him | Offers forgiveness to all who repent | Genesis 50:17–21; Luke 23:34; Acts 3:19 |
Conclusion – Walk in Your Robe.
Whether you’re in the pit, the prison, or the palace, the robe is still yours. Wear it boldly. Declare God’s promises over your life. And when the enemy whispers that you’re not enough, show him the garment stitched by the hands of your Heavenly Father.
Walk in the grace given to you. Speak boldly, serve joyfully, forgive freely.
You are clothed in something that cannot be taken away.
And when you wear your coat with joy and gratitude, you become a walking testimony of God’s glory.
You are chosen. Covered. Commissioned.
Now go, walk like it.