Genesis 37:1-11

1 Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the records ofthe generations of Jacob.

Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a 1varicolored tunic. 4 His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him 2on friendly terms.

5 Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Please listen to this dream which I have had; 7 for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8Then his brothers said to him, “Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

9 Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, “Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

The difference in perspectives caused by age is often amazing to me, and it isn’t always positive. In this case, however, it is. Joseph’s brothers are enraged by this dream. But why? If this is simply a foolish notion, nothing will come of the dream. If it is a sign from God, then they may as well be prepared for it. But there perspective is clouded, and they are upset by the notion that their younger brother should lord it over them.

His father, however, reacts a bit differently. Initially, he is upset at such a foolish idea, but after further thought, he realizes the possibility that it is a dream from God. In that case, things change. Surely, it would be shameful for a father to bow to his son. But what does that mean? It mean’s that God has big plans for Joseph. So big, that his own father will bow to him. And that was an exciting thought.

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