Genesis 37:10

New International Version

When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”

For Encouragement

His eyes were starry and bright, filled with childlike wonder and expectation. His voice betrayed his joy and need to share with somebody. Though his brothers were his only friends, they had snubbed him with hatred the first time he had a similar dream (Gen. 37:5-8). This time, he spoke with his father, who had had personal encounters with God in dreams during his youth, expecting some encouragement. Instead, Jacob welcomed him with a sharp rebuke (Gen. 37:10).

​Several years later, the same young man, Joseph, was hastily prepared and hurried from the dungeon and brought before Pharaoh (41:14). The King of Egypt had two haunting dreams that none of his magicians and wise men could interpret. These dreams perplexed Pharaoh all the more. There should be somebody to interpret his dreams, and that was when the ungrateful cupbearer of Pharaoh remembered Joseph (9).

Years earlier, Joseph had met Pharaoh’s cupbearer in prison. The king’s cupbearer and baker had offended him, and he incarcerated them in the royal prison. Both had dreams on the same night, which Joseph correctly interpreted. Pharaoh hanged the baker and restored the cupbearer. Joseph asked him to remember him before Pharaoh, but the cupbearer forgot Joseph. However, by divine orchestration, Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer remembered the “young Hebrew” and mentioned him to the king when he needed someone to interpret his dreams (41:9-13).

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” (41:16). Joseph interpreted the two dreams and added an elaborate plan of action to counter the severest drought the world would soon experience. Pharaoh wisely appointed Joseph as prime minister to oversee the plan he had suggested (39-43). The drought struck, and the entire world descended on Egypt in search of food. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food, just like everyone else. Through a series of events, Joseph reunited with his family, and he became their breadwinner and host for the rest of their lives. Joseph’s two dreams, which had occurred thirteen years earlier, had come true because God had so determined, fulfilling His promises.

So, if God has decreed an event, it will surely come to pass. The world can fight against it. People can laugh and sneer, and the devil can do his worst, but because God has purposed that thing for your life, it will surely prosper in His set time and for His glory. Even if the clouds are dark and heavy, you don’t need to see past them to know that a brighter future is coming. As He says in Isaiah 46:11,

“Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it”. 

That’s the testimony of Joseph’s life, a powerful lesson you can learn from for your encouragement today and beyond.

Pray with Me

Dear God, help us hold on to your faithful promises until you fulfill them. Strengthen our faith and patience as we wait for your perfect timing. Amen!

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