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 bright, full of childlike expectation. His voice revealed joy, but his brothers snubbed and didn’t believe his dreams (Gen. 37:5-8). Neither did his father, who often told him how his dreams had helped him through hard times. How could Joseph have expected a strong rebuke from Jacob, his father (Gen. 37:10)? 

Years passed, and, by God’s providence, Joseph’s life took a dramatic turn: Pharaoh’s messengers hurried him from his prison cell to stand before the king (41:14). The king had experienced two consecutive dreams that none of his magicians could interpret. Amid the confusion, God stirred Joseph’s former fellow prisoner—now restored to the honored position of Pharaoh’s cupbearer—to recall his past failure (9).

In this pivotal moment, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s two dreams and faithfully presented a crisis management plan for the upcoming drought. By God’s providence, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as Prime Minister to carry out the plan. As the drought struck, Joseph was providentially reunited with his family and became their breadwinner for the rest of their lives. Ultimately, Joseph’s two dreams from thirteen years earlier were fulfilled because God had ordained it.

Joseph’s journey prompts reflection. How many have told you your dream will never see the light of day? You told them with brimming eyes and a bubbling heart. However, their response just took the joy out of your heart. But what do they know? You received the dream from your Father in heaven. Don’t let their snobbishness destroy your faith. Trust in the faithfulness of your sovereign King and wait on Him to manifest (Hab. 2:3) or redirect it.

If God decrees something for your life, it will succeed, regardless of obstacles or opposition. Trust that what God has spoken will come to pass in His timing. The world can fight against it. People can laugh and sneer. The devil can do his worst. But because God has purposed something for your life, it will prosper in His set time. 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.” (NKJV)

Can you trust Him?

Pray with Me

Father, I believe You still speak to us in visions and dreams, as your word, life events, and nature can confirm. So I trust in your faithfulness, even when I have long forgotten the dream. When you finally manifest it, Lord, remind me to thank you with a joyful heart in Christ Jesus. Amen.    

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