Genesis 37:5-8 "I had a dream..."

Long before Martin Luther King Jr had his dream, there was someone who had dreams that foretold great things. However, Joseph's dreams weren't very popular with his family and friends. Check out Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of the brothers reactions: Joseph's Dreams

Genesis 37:5-7

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”

His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.

Joseph is a really important person in the early bible. His story connects the story of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. His story is found in Genesis 37 - 50 and covers a wide variety of locations, actions and outcomes. In the coming weeks I'm going to be taking a closer look at his life and story. Next week will be looking at the testimony of Stephen where he talks about Joseph.

This week however, I'll be looking at the brothers' reaction to his first dream. Joseph is only 17 and the second youngest of 12 brothers. Not the best position to be in if you have dreams showing that you will command respect.

As we know, the dream Joseph had was given to him and foretold his ascendancy to Vizier of Egypt, many years and trials down the road. Joseph's brothers didn't have this perspective and, due to this, didn't react in the way Joseph may have been expecting.

Instead, "they hated him all the more". Does this sound familiar? Have you ever been given a dream or direction from God that those around you find difficult to handle?

I think that every follower of Christ has encountered opposition at one time or another. Thankfully in my case this opposition has been minor compared to the stories of martyrdom we see in the media and read in the bible and other historical texts.

Joseph met this opposition head on and, in some ways, seems to be oblivious to it to begin with and keeps telling his brothers about his dreams. I feel that, while this can be a negative usually, it serves to allow Joseph to fully realise what God is ordaining him for without him being swayed by those around him. A childlike faith in action.

As I go into this week, I'm praying that I am able to hear what God wants me to hear and not allow myself to be blown off course by those around me. I also pray this for you.

Next week: Act 7:8-15 "Joseph as history"