Dreams

O.T. #78  "Dreams"
July 5, 2013
Genesis 37-Part 3
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
Genesis 37:5

LET IT GLOW

Here's the favored son, Joseph, only a teenager, wearing that coat of may colors. It set him apart as someone special. His brothers resented his relationship with their father and the Word says they
hated him. I can't imagine what it was like when all of Joseph's brothers, except Benjamin, ganged
up on him, teased him, hated him. What a family life! (Maybe it was a blessing to be separated from them.)

Joseph had two dreams mentioned in this chapter. At that time, dreams had a special significance.
Joseph's father, Jacob, had a dream back in chapter 28. We refer to the dream as Jacob's ladder as
the time and place when the Lord spoke and reassured him of his special place in God's plan for His chosen people.

Joseph's first dream involved sheaves, stalks of grain in the field. All the sheaves stood up, then
his brothers' sheaves bowed down to his sheaf. The brothers asked if he would indeed reign over them and would he have dominion over them.

Joseph's second dream involved the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him. Joseph told his brothers and father about the dream. This time Jacob questioned and rebuked Joseph. Jacob asked,
Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you? (verse 10)

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament states:

That these dreams came from God, there is no question; and certainly the assurance that one day he would rule helped to keep Joseph faithful during those many years of testing in Egypt. Note that the first dream had an earthly setting, while the second dream was set in heaven. This suggests Abraham's earthly children (the Jews) and his heavenly seed (the church). Joseph's brothers did one day bow down to him! (42:6, 43:26, 44:14)

Since Joseph represents Jesus, we can be assured that one day the Jews and the church will bow
down to King Jesus. Scripture says that all will bow down to Jesus.

Philippians 2:10-11 says, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue would confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

Have you bowed down to Jesus yet? Have you asked Him to be your Lord and Savior? You can
do it today, friend. One day we all will bow down to Him and declare that Jesus is Lord.
Are we practicing it here, now, before we get to heaven? Does He see us on our knees before
the Son of God, our Savior, praying?

LET IT GROW

How did Joseph's brothers and father react whenever Joseph told them of the two dreams?
It didn't go over too well. His brothers hated him all the more. There is no emotion more harmful than hatred. It caused the downfall of many people. It will rob you of your happiness and joy and even destroy your health. Joseph's brothers were tormented for many years by their hatred of their
brother. (The success Puzzle, by Dick Kelsey)

Jacob responded to Joseph's dream by rebuking him. He didn't want to see the turmoil that was
taking place in his family, although he knew dreams often meant something. Now Joseph became known as the dreamer and his brothers called him that. Will the teasing ever quit?

We know that Joseph had two dreams, in which his parents and brothers bowed down to him.
Since we have the advantage over them and know what happens later in their lives, we know that these two dreams came true. When the famine came in their country, his brothers bowed down to
the one in charge of the grain, seeking to purchase some for their family to eat. Then, when the  whole family moved into Egypt, they bowed to Joseph, who was the second in command in Egypt, and the grain supervisor.

Our nation had some dreamers in its early history. Our forefathers dreamed of a free, independent, and prosperous country where they could worship God as they saw fit.
What do we dream of for our children?
Joseph's dream instilled within him that God had a special purpose for his life. He knew that he was here for a reason. Do we have a sense of God's purpose for their life? Do we dream of what God can do through us?
Does Jesus reign over us? How often do we bow down to pray?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 37:4 states: Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Did you notice, the Lord will place His desires in our hearts.


LET IT GO

Allow Jesus to direct the dreams and desires of my heart.

Daily bow down to King Jesus.

Listen as others proclaim His Word.