The Tough Road of the God’s Dream for Us

A Sermon series on the Life of Joseph

Gen. 37:1-11

As a child I had the dream of becoming an astronomer. I used to tell my father that I one day I would go to the moon. When I grew up and my interests changed, I dreamed to become a musician. I wanted to form a band to play in clubs. Dad was against it. When I was eighteen, I had calling to be a pastor. This was strange. This was not my dream. Here I am obeying my call.

What are your dreams? What were you dreams when you were growing up? Did life shape your dreams?

Last Sunday we started a new series about the life of Joseph. His background was our topic. A dysfunctional family yet God’s grace was stronger (see the Sept 21, 2008 sermons).

Joseph saw two important dreams that made a tremendous shift in his life. In fact, they changed the story of Israel. This chosen family which was supposed to be a light to the nations, had embraced deception, jealousy, anger, revenge, hatred, lust, and murder. After the Shechem event, where all the village males were slaughtered by the sons of Jacob, Jacob was very sad. Instead of being a blessing, the family had become a shame and curse.

The question is who will lead this family towards the next stage?

1. Joseph the spoiled kid (37:1-4)

As I told you last time, Jacob’s favorite children were Joseph and Benjamin. Although Joseph was shepherding with his brothers, he was also spying on his brothers. His mother Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin. His father gave him a garment, a colorful one, different than those of his brothers’. Colors indicated royalty. I said last time he went to the field wearing a “tuxedo”. No wonder the brothers were raging with anger and hated him every day. “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” (37:4)

2. Joseph the dreamer: DREAM ONE (37:5-8)

Now the narrator goes more personal. Joseph saw a dream. This dream was not helping his situation with his brothers. They could not accept the idea that their little brother could be their ruler one day.

Please notice that in the Bible we see that God spoke to humanity through dreams. Dreams were considered a revelation from God. These dreams also were significant to demonstrate God’s sovereignty. Joseph’s dreams indicated that God had a plan for Joseph. I am not sure whether Joseph understood this dream. Maybe he was happy that he could become a ruler. I don’t know. The narrator does not say anything about that.

3. Joseph the dreamer: DREAM TWO (37:9-11)

Joseph had the second dream. This one did it. Not only his brothers were furious and angry, but also his father. The word jealousy that is used in verse 11 is a word reflecting an emotion which leads into violent action.¹

And in fact they eventually did take action. Now everyone rebuked him. I don’t know how he felt. I don’t know whether Joseph understood his dreams.

Have you been in a situation like this?

We will continue in English.

1. Gordon Wenham, Genesis 16-50 P. 352