Genesis 37:1-11The Message (MSG) 37 Meanwhile Jacob had settled down where his father had lived, the land of Canaan.
Joseph and His Brothers
2 This is the story of Jacob. The story continues with Joseph, seventeen years old at the time, helping out his brothers in herding the flocks. These were his half brothers actually, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. And Joseph brought his father bad reports on them.
3-4 Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him—they wouldn’t even speak to him.
5-7 Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said, “Listen to this dream I had. We were all out in the field gathering bundles of wheat. All of a sudden my bundle stood straight up and your bundles circled around it and bowed down to mine.”
8 His brothers said, “So! You’re going to rule us? You’re going to boss us around?” And they hated him more than ever because of his dreams and the way he talked.
9 He had another dream and told this one also to his brothers: “I dreamed another dream—the sun and moon and eleven stars bowed down to me!”
10-11 When he told it to his father and brothers, his father reprimanded him: “What’s with all this dreaming? Am I and your mother and your brothers all supposed to bow down to you?” Now his brothers were really jealous; but his father brooded over the whole business.
My father always likes to say that God doesn't always reveal everything to one person but that God reveals God's vision to many over time. Joseph is given a dream (God inspired vision) and his dream certainly differs from the dreams others have built up for their own lives....including his own parents. We will see this dream fulfilled and how God speaks into all the circumstances that follow.
Dreams, though, are an important part of living. I can't remember the dreams I have at night in my sleep but I sure do dream big when it comes to life, motorcycles I dream about owning, remodeling I want to do for our house and dreams I have as a professional, dreams I share for and with my family. Those dreams too, rub against the current reality I often find myself. Joseph had a God inspired dream though, which is different.
What are some of the dreams you carry? What God inspired dreams has God revealed to you?
Lord keep us dreaming in a way that connects your vision for your people.