Joseph, The Dreamer
The term, dreamer, often carries a negative connotation. Lots of people try to squelch a dreamer’s grandiose ideas. They say their feet never touch the ground. Their heads are in the clouds. Those negative comments stem from jealousy. When Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers, he stirred up feelings of envy and murder. They resented his air of superiority. Who did he think he was to announce he would rule over them some day?
Have you ever been persecuted for sharing your dreams, or have you been discouraged by someone who thought you were crazy to think you could make a difference? Perhaps Joseph should have been wiser in how he shared his dreams with his family. Dreamers do change the world but not everyone is supportive of their ideas. Maybe you can identify with Joseph in this part of his story.
Read Genesis 37:12-23
1. What decision did his brothers make when they saw Joseph in the distance?
2. What did they call Joseph, and how did they plan to carry out their decision? What did they say about his dreams?
3. What was Rueben’s alternate plan?
4. What did the brothers end up doing to Joseph?
Read John 19:23-24
5. What similarities do you see in Joseph’s situation to that of Jesus?
Read John 7:1-5
6. How did the brothers of Jesus feel about him and his ministry?
It’s said that Joseph is a picture of Christ. Jesus, like Joseph, grew up in a home where his brothers did not believe in him. Both had their distinctive robes stripped from them. Both were rejected by their own and had attempts on their lives. We will look at more examples in future lessons on this parallel, but consider the two comparisons you have seen above. Perhaps you can identify even in a small way with the sufferings of Jesus that were also true of Joseph as you read this part of Joseph’s story. What matters most is not the circumstances of life but how we respond to them. Joseph’s example is one to follow.
The brothers made a terrible decision – they were going to kill Joseph. They called Joseph the Dreamer – the brothers were going to slay Joseph and put his body into a pit and they were going to say some evil beast ate his body – then we will see what becomes of his dreams. Reuben heard the other brothers and he got him out of their hands – Reuben did not want to kill Joseph. Reuben wanted just to put his body into a pit and do not lay a hand upon Joseph – Reuben wanted to get Joseph out of their hands and deliver Joseph to his father again. The brothers took Joseph out of his coat of many colors. When the soldiers crucified Jesus – they took his garments and divided them into 4 parts – each soldier got a part of Jesus clothes – they also took his coat which was without seam and cast lots for the coat. In both instances they took Joseph and Jesus clothes from them. The Jews sought to kill Jesus – Jesus brothers did not believe in him either – just like the dreams Joseph – he was not believed also. Sometimes when we tell people of our blessings and happenings in our lives while living for GOD – they do not believe us either – unless it is something that they can really see for themselves. That should not stop you and I from telling all of the miracles which came into our lives from giving our lives to Jesus. Wonderful stories – enjoyed them so much. Thanks – Karen – another great lesson.
As I read this (& the previous lesson), my brutally honest first thought is what did Joseph expect?! WHY would he tell his brothers, not once, but twice, about his dreams? I don’t know that I would have responded any differently (although I wouldn’t have plotted to hurt or kill him….but I would have thought he was a bit of a jerk). I guess another takeaway lesson here is to use wisdom in sharing things God shows you. Pondering them in your heart might be a better option….or share them with someone Godly who you trust.
As I read this (& the previous lesson), my brutally honest first thought is what did Joseph expect?! WHY would he tell his brothers, not once, but twice, about his dreams? I don’t know that I would have responded any differently (although I wouldn’t have plotted to hurt or kill him….but I would have thought he was a bit of a jerk). I guess another takeaway lesson here is to use wisdom in sharing things God shows you. Pondering them in your heart might be a better option….or share them with someone Godly who you trust.
Karen, I just read your comment back to Odella. Haha….looks like I missed the point about WHY you shouldn’t share these things. Thank you!! :)
Karen, I agree! Maybe if we all would “ponder” a little more and seek God’s wisdom in what we say to others and how we say it, we would experience blessing rather than hurt. Joseph already had made his brothers angry, and yet the anger was really toward their father because of his favoritism to Joseph. So they were going to just rid theirselves of their anger towards him and their father by killing Joseph…we do that in our own lives…we need to look at what and why we sin and the deep reason of it. “Ponder” our walk with The Lord. And draw from His strength and not our own.