Indeed, the robe was the symbol of the father's favor.
How sad, then, that his brothers turned on him so violently, that they not only harmed him, but took the object that symbolized the father's favor and tore it to pieces.
So much for the father's favor.
What about us? What about that thing that we hold on to as the symbol of our Father's favor, the proof that God loves us? Could it be that when we place our focus on the favor, rather than the Father, it's only a matter of time before it's taken away?
If this is true, it's a hard pill to swallow. Doesn't Scripture speak of God's unmerited favor for His children, of His undeserved grace? Why would God, HOW could God take His favor away from those He loves? Why remove favor that was already undeserved? Do we "undeserve" it less and therefore He takes it?
Here's the thing though. If Joseph had been able to keep his "beautiful robe" that he loved so much, if he had been spared the hardship of kidnap and slavery and prison and shame, he would have settled for far less blessing in the end. By continuing to seek and follow and honor God even after the "favor" had seemingly been removed, Joseph became the kind of man who was able to handle far greater blessings down the road.
It turns out, God didn't take away His favor at all. He just dressed it in a different robe.