The Life of Joseph

Part 1: The Dreamer

Genesis chapters 37-50 shares the story of Joseph.  The Word of God does not candy coat the nature of mankind, but exposes the good, bad the ugly.  Joseph’s character showed he was one that even when he was done wrong, chose to do what was right.  

In Genesis chapter 37, Joseph is introduced as a teenager.  All though, Joseph has ten older siblings, Joseph and his young brother are clearly favored by his father.  In fact, the father’s favoritism, intensified the older brothers far beyond sibling rivalry.  Added to this hostility, young Joseph’s immaturity didn’t help either.  Excitedly Joseph would share dreams with his family.  Dreams that showed his siblings and even father would bow down to him.  His brothers called him the dreamer, and they hated him even more.

Finally, the day came for these older brothers to get their revenge on the dreamer.  Joseph’s dad sent him a distance away to check on his brothers and their sheep.  When they saw him coming with his ornate coat, they plotted to kill him.  His oldest brother, Reuben, trying to stall and told his brothers to throw Joseph in the dry cistern instead.  They ripped off his coat and threw him in the cistern and crafted their evil plan. 

Imagine, Joseph within hearing and seeing range of his brothers, watching them eat and laugh together while planning his demise.  The brothers are having the best time of thinking they will have seen the last of the dreamer.  Then, these brothers are even more delighted when they see they can get rid of Joseph and make money too.  No doubt Joseph pleaded and begged them to reconsider, but it didn’t change their minds.  Joseph is abandoned, betrayed, sold into slavery to a foreign country to who knows where and to whom.

The One who gave Joseph the dreams, also knows He has not left him.  God knows where he is going, and has a plan for deliverance in Joseph’s life, his family, multitudes of people and a fulfillment of promise.

Pastor Ruth Kaunley