Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. Genesis 37:5
There was no Bible yet in the days of Joseph, so God made Himself known through a dream. Do not fret over trying to interpret your dreams. If you want to know what God is saying to you, read your Bible.
The point of Joseph’s dream is simple—God would lift Joseph up above his brothers. And this is exactly what happened. Joseph, whom they despise, becomes the one on whom their hopes depend. The whole point of this story is to direct our attention to a greater Son who is loved and favored by God the Father.
It is sometimes suggested that Joseph should have kept his dreams to himself. It’s easy to paint him as arrogant, opinionated, and overbearing. But Joseph’s dream was the Word of God. It was the Word of God both for him and for his family. How could he possibly keep it to himself?
Sharing God’s Word was costly for Joseph, as it will be for us today. When he told his brothers, they “hated him even more” (37:8). They said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us?” (37:8). You see what they’re saying, “Never in a million years!”
Meanwhile, Jacob kept the saying in mind (37:11). Could Joseph be the means of a great change in the lives of my rebellious sons? The mother of Jesus also treasured up all the things that were being said about Him and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19). Jesus was born into our dysfunctional human family, which is filled with lies, violence, and sexual abuse. And, like Joseph, the hope of all His sisters and brothers lies in Him.
Jacob put the coat on his son, Joseph, setting him apart and saying to him, “You are the one!” God the Father set the Holy Spirit on His Son, Jesus, and said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).
Can you see how the story of Joseph points forward to Jesus?
