Clothed By The Father

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours…. And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; Genesis 37:3, 23 (KJV)

In the Hebrew, the word colors means pieces. The word coat means to cover, referring to a shirt, a coat, a robe- a garment of some sort. Joseph’s father, Jacob, clothed him in a garment of many pieces. Our heavenly Father has covered and clothed us, his children, with a garment made of pieces as well. What are the pieces that make up the garment of the believer?

And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV)

Father God has covered us with a robe of righteousness. We have right standing with God. This means we are right and have rights with the Lord.

We are also clothed in holiness and have been cleansed from sin. That is the second piece of the garment.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

This passage lists a number of pieces to our garment. We are to be clothed with tender mercies, which is also translated in several verses as lovingkindness. In addition, we see the pieces of kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with others, forgiveness, and-most of all- love.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5 (NKJV)

Here is yet another verse speaking of being clothed with humility, or humbleness of mind.

Note that these New Testament Scriptures tell us to put on or be clothed with this garment, meaning that wearing it is a choice. As we grow in God, pieces are added to our coat. Don’t let anyone strip your garment off of you. Walk in wisdom and love to protect it. Just as Joseph’s coat was an identifier of who he was, our garment identifies us as children of God. It shows who we are in Christ. Stay clothed in humility to keep wearing your coat and watch God lift you higher and higher, taking you places you’ve only dreamed of.