“Then he examined it and said, ‘It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him; Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!’ So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted” (Gen 37:33-35).

Sometimes we’re faced with unimaginable and seemingly senseless tragedies. We enter periods in our lives when we are unable (or unwilling) to be comforted. How grateful I am the author chose to tell this story from Jacob’s perspective.

If you are in the midnight of your grief, you are not alone.

Your forefather in the faith is weeping with you over the blooded tunic. But Jacob also wants to remind you there is a bigger perspective, a grand-narrative wherein the bloody tunic in your hands not only plays a part, but also makes sense. You may not be able to relate your personal tragedy to the story of redemption right now, and perhaps no human on earth can offer you comfort. But rest assured, when the time comes for God to show you the entire movie of your life, the God of all comfort will triumph over your grief and all your tears will forever be wiped away!

“Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time” (Gen 46:29).