the Beginning of a Dream

Genesis 37:1–11 NKJV

Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 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.” 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. 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.” 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?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Focus Text:

Genesis 37:1–4 NKJV

Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

Favor is not Preached Properly In America

years ago Bishop TD Jakes Preached a sermon series called “Favor aint fair”.

what most people don’t realize is that your favor is not for you.

you know the Mathematical odds that you would make it here biologically?

further than that to be living in a country that to some degree rewards personal initiative.

sometimes we don’t remember how good we have it.

because we have it so well sometimes we don’t realize we are going to have to go through some things in order to have things refined in us.

in order for my faith to move beyond the cliche its going to have to be tried and tested.

over the next several weeks we are going to see how God moves one man into position one man to save a family, that will become a nation from famine.

of course it begs the question what is God preparing you for?

Genesis 37:1–2 NKJV

Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.

Genesis 37:1–2 NKJV

Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.

-

verses 1 & 2 serve as a bridge in the text from the family of one brother to another.

it also sets up the conflict of Joseph and his brothers.

Age is only a number.

(NKJV)

28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

in God tells Abraham about Issac.

of course there is

King David was only 17 when God empowered Him to slay Goliath

the little maid of Isreal.

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

your past only defines your future if you let it.

God used Moses after he murdered the Egyptian.

God Made the Apostle Paul out of a religious zealot named Saul of tarsus.

God Made sure that a harlot was in the Genealogy of Jesus.

with God, all things are possible.

(NKJV)

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

God is about to deal with Joseph in the area of relationships.

God let Joseph have a Good relationship with his earthly father. so he knows how to pull on God.

Joseph has a great relationship with his father, but had now value for his brothers.

that’s like most of us. we have a great relationship with God, but we have shaky relationship with others in the family.

because we don’t value the gifts of others.

Genesis 37:5–11 NKJV

Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 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.” 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. 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.” 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?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Isaiah 46:9–10 NKJV

Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’

Just because people did not believe the dream God gave you, doesn't mean that God isn’t working it out in you.

most of the time God gives us a dream that we are not equipped for means that we are going through an equipping time.

we cannot be equipped where we are not self aware.

if you are struggling maybe you should stop looking at others and look at yourself.

the longer you drag your feet the longer you stay were you are.