Dream Big

Dreaming Big

Genesis 37:5–11 “5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” 10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”

History of Joseph

Joseph is the youngest born of 11 brothers at this point. Joseph is approximately 17 years old when He has his first of two significant Dreams. Joseph is his father’s favorite son, because he is first born to Jacob’s favorite wife Rachel. Rachel had been through a barren season, where Leah the first wife had given Jacob several sons.

Genesis 29 & 30 show that Leah has given Jacob Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun and a daughter Dinah.

Genesis 30 shows that Bilhah has given Jacob Dan, Naphtali

Genesis 30 shows that Zilpah has given Jacob Gad, Asher

Chapter 30 shows that Rachel has blessed Jacob with Joseph, Benjamin

Jacob showed a difference between the 10 Older son than those of his favorite wife Rachel. Because of this Josephs brothers hated him and devised a plan in their heart to have him killed. However Joacob loved Joseph so much he gave him a coat of many colors.

Reuben however want to save Joseph and the brothers agreed to sell Joseph into slavery. Unknowingly to the brothers Joseph would make his way to the palace where he interpareted a dream for the Chief Baker and the Cup Bearer. These simple acts landed Joseph in the Palace under the Pheraoh . Joseph prospered in everything he came in contact with and was promoted by the Phareoh. to be the Govener. Joseph saw the time of plenty and stored up the excess grain for the days of no void.

Point 1 The Dreams

In Chapter 37 we see two key events that begin to set things in motion for Joseph. First of these two events is his first dream where he tells his brothers he dreamed of their sheaves, bowing down to his in his dream. This caused the brothers to hate Joseph even more.

The Second dream much the same except this time it was not just the brother bowing it was the mother and fathers as well. The scripture says his brothers were jealous of Him

Hatred & Jealousy can bear fruit

Why? because of the cultural dynamics the brothers saw this as

The decision to Kill Joseph

Reuben saves Josephs Life

They Stripped him of his Robe given to him by Jacob. Soaked it in animals blood and took it to Jacob who pronounced his son’s death.

One lie leads to another to another

Jacob is deceived about his youngest son Joseph.

Point 2 The Reality

Chapter 42 Famine has come upon the land and Jacob must send hs 10 Sons down into Egypt to buy food. Keeping to the new favorite at home

Joseph recognizes his brothers.

God’s Sovereignty

The brother go to egypt and to where their brother Joseph is in charge of.

Look here at Genesis 42:6–13 “6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.” 8 So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 9 Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!” 10 And they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.” 12 But he said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.” 13 And they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.””

They bow down to Joseph. Partial fulfillment of the two dreams complete fulfillment of one dream.

Joseph plays tough with his brothers seeking information, and also so protect his idenity initially but then would begin to give them hints into who he was.

Hint one verse 15 Youngest brother must come

Hint two verse 18 For I fear God

Genesis 42:21–24 “21 Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” 23 But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. 24 And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.”

Hint three

Joseph wept because he knew what they were saying was true and because he feared for his brother Benjamin

Hint 4 Genesis 42:25 “25 Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them.”

Brothers became afraid.

Jocob breived because death of Joseph and because Simeon was left in Egypt unless Benjamin returned to egypt.

Payment for Favor

Genesis 43:11–14 “11 And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!””

Hint 6 Genesis 43:23 “23 But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.”

Point 3 The Blessings of Love

Genesis 42:25 “25 Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them.”

Genesis 42:35 “35 Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.”