Joseph the Dreamer

Aside stating the word of God and revealing God's plans and purposes, the scripture also uses stories of people who succeeded through difficult challenges to teach us lessons and strengthen our faith. Proverbs 37:5 - Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. The followings are discussed: The Prophetic Dreams;An Evil Plot, and A Brokenhearted Father.

Prophetic Dream: A dream from God revealing His purpose will surely come to pass, no matter the mission of the enemy. The rivalry in Joseph's life might be due to Jacob's choice and love for Rachel over Leah. Jacob truly loved Rachel and wanted to marry only her before he was deceived by his father-in-law to marry Leah (Rachel's senior sister). Because of his intent to marry Rachel, he had to serve his father-in-law for another seven years to marry Rachel. Before Rachel bore a child, Leah, along with servants of both wives had born ten sons for Joseph. This experience in the family foreshadowed future strained relationship between Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37: 1-4).

Jacob's role might have also strained the relationship. He favoured Joseph (Rachel first child) over his brothers. Favouritism among siblings breeds resentment. Jacob's special favour for Joseph resulted in strong hatred by his brothers who later conspired to eliminate him. If God gives the revelation, nothing can change His plan. Even though Joseph'earlyly life wasn't easy, God had special plan for him. At times the way to fulfil God's purpose may not be smooth and the family background may be horrible, all believers need to do is to keep trusting God, and never to succumb to frustration that brings hopelessness.

Another reason Joseph's brothers hated him is that God spoke to him through dreams early in his life. Aside their father's favouritism, God's special gift made his brothers hate him even more. He had a dream that indicated he would one day rule over his brothers (Genesis 37: 5-11). The manner in which he stated his dream also annoyed his brothers. They were offended by his word. Christians should cultivate the right attitude while expressing God's goodness and mission successfully accomplished by His grace. They should not offend others by their testimonies. It is often wise to keep God's revelations to ourselves until the time God has worked them out, or He has given the assurance to share them.

An Evil Plot: Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers after several days they had left home to rear the animals. Despite the stress and time it took Joseph to locate his brothers, his brothers started to plan against him as they saw him coming. They had plotted to kill him, throw his body into a pity, and later to tell the family that a wild animal had killed him (Genesis 37:12-20). They wanted to kill Joseph and stop his dream (they wanted to stop God from carrying out His purpose). There can be times that our faith in God's promise will be challenged, we must not be overwhelmed. Rather, we must wait upon God, He has the power to influence the situation, and make us part of glorious cause.

While the plot to kill Joseph was in place, Reuben, the oldest brother had planned that he should be thrown into a pit, so that he would later rescue him and take him back home. With the intervention of Judah, Joseph was later taken out of the pit and sold into slavery ( Genesis 37: 21-28). Our shortcomings can delay fulfilment of God's promise or make us experience lots of difficulties before being fulfilled. Sometimes such difficulties may be as a result of the roles of spiritually fallen people we relate with in this spiritually fallen world. Instead of faulting the character of God, we should work toward ensuring God works out his purpose through us.

Brokenhearted Father: Reuben was troubled when he came back and discovered Joseph had disappeared. He didn't know what to do but along the line the brothers invented heartless explanation for Joseph's disappearance (Genesis 37:29-32). With the cunning invention of lies they deceived Jacob and made him believe Joseph, his favourite son had died a horrible death.

Jacob was grieved over loss of Joseph. He was confused about how God's plan and promise could be brought to a sudden end. He had kept Joseph's dreams in mind, pondering their validity (Genesis 37:33-38). That Jacob was deceived by his children might be payback for what he did to Esau. Jacob was so sorrowful that he vowed he wouldn't be comforted, and would take his grief to the grave. One can be grieved, even Jesus was grieved, but grief that can not be comforted is bad. God was still acting to keep his promise and carry out his plan, though, through what would bring great grief to Jacob, and terrible struggles for Joseph. No matter the situation God is in control to bring His plans to pass. We can hasten or delay His plans through our faith and actions. Lesson texts: Genesis 37: 1-36.