Sharing Our Dreams

Scripture: 37:5

Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.

Commentary:
Joseph's father had him when he was old in age, and he loved his son more than he loved his older sons. He gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many colors, and gave him responsibilities of tending the flock; even though he was only seventeen years of age. However, Joseph's brothers were jealous of him because their father loved him more, and showed favoritism to him. They also were envious of all the attention that he received from their father.

One night Joseph had a dream, and he relayed the dream to his brothers. He must not have known how his brothers felt about him. They hid their contempt of him so well, that he didn't have a clue. When he told them the dream, they became even more jealous of him. They asked him "will you rule and reign over us?"

Joseph was excited about the dream, and wanted to share it with them, however, they were not excited in the least. Then Joseph had another dream in which he shared with his brothers and his father. This time his father became upset as well as his brothers; but his father kept the saying in his heart.

After some time had passed, the brothers were tending the flock, and they saw Joseph from a far off, coming in their direction. That's when they made a plan to kill him. However, one of the brothers by the name of Rueben suggested that they drop him in a pit where no water was, and they agreed. Once they dropped him in the pit; they sat down to eat. A caravan approached, and another brother suggested that they not leave him there to die, but to sell him into slavery. So that's what they did. Then they told their father a lie about Joseph being torn to shreds by a wild animal; by showing him the coat that was drenched in blood.

Reflection:
Joseph was hated by his own flesh and blood brothers. Those that should have loved him, and taken care of him because he was the youngest. He trusted, and loved them; and wanted to share with them his dreams because he was excited. His brothers could care less about his dreams, and wanted to wipe him off the planet of the earth.

Sharing our dreams with those that we love should be something that we can all do. However, not everyone will be excited about how God is speaking with us. Many people, including those that are closest to us, will not want to hear about how God is going to bless us. There will be those that are envious, and jealous of what God has done, and will do in our lives. Nevertheless, no one will be able to stop what He is doing.

Every thing that we experience is designed to drive us toward our purpose in God. Anything He brings into our life, will propel us into our destiny. Those that choose to celebrate us, invite them into our dreams. Those that choose not too, release them into their yesterday; because they cannot go into our future.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank you for giving me dreams and visions about my life as well as wisdom on who to share them with. I thank you for surrounding me with visionaries with the desires of your heart, to fulfill your purpose in their lives; while encouraging others to do the same. Help me not to be prideful, or arrogant about the things that you speak to me in secret; but to be humble-minded, always depending on you. I thank and praise you for daily wisdom, knowledge and understanding in all things. In Jesus name, amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

Joseph: 3130
Joseph = "Jehovah has added"

1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel
2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies
3) a son of Asaph
4) a man who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
5) a priest of the family of Shebaniah in the time of Nehemiah
dream: 2472

1) dream
a) dream (ordinary)
b) dream (with prophetic meaning)

and when he told: 5046
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known

a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1) to tell, announce, report
2) to declare, make known, expound
3) to inform of
4) to publish, declare, proclaim
5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
a) messenger (participle)
b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

it to his brothers:251
1) brother
a) brother of same parents
b) half-brother (same father)
c) relative, kinship, same tribe
d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
e) (fig.) of resemblance


they hated: 8130
1) to hate, be hateful
a) (Qal) to hate
1) of man
2) of God
3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)
b) (Niphal) to be hated
c) (Piel) hater (participle)
1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom

him even: 5750
1) a going round, continuance
adv
2) still, yet, again, besides
a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence)
b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition)
c) again
d) still, moreover, besides

more: 3254
1) to add, increase, do again
a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again
b) (Niphal)
1) to join, join oneself to
2) to be joined, be added to
c) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to add, increase
2) to do more, do again

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 37 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 15 Jan 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=37&t=NASB
 
Higgins, S. (2009). The Dream That Wouldn't Die. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com