A Lesson from Joseph's Faith in Dreams

In Genesis 37, we read about Joseph's dreams which alluded to a future when his 11 brothers would bow down to him and the second dream revealed that even his parents would bow down. Joseph told his family about the dreams and in verse 10, 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?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Why did God give Joseph these dreams? After Joseph told his family about these dreams, it just caused him trouble with his jealous brothers. They threw him in a well and sold him into slavery. Yet this eventually led Joseph to be given the position as the head of Potipher's household. However, Joseph's good fortune would end with a lie from Potipher's wife and Joseph was sent to prison. He was, once again, in an undesirable situation.

What kept Joseph from giving up in his circumstances? He knew that whatever bad situation he was in, that it wasn't the end of his story. He knew he had a calling and a prosperous future as was revealed to him in his dreams. He held on to the promises that God revealed to him. He kept his faith in God and that God would be with him through each difficult circumstance. And God was indeed with Joseph as we read in Genesis 39:20-21,

"But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden."

God guided Joseph along the path towards his calling. It wasn't an easy path, but this challenging path led to a prosperous and rewarding outcome.

We read in Psalms 105:16-22,
"He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom."

Joseph saw his calling come to fruition. God fulfilled the dreams He gave Joseph and Joseph's brothers did bow down to him in a time of widespread famine during which Joseph saved the people of Egypt and Canaan from starvation. Later, his brothers pleaded for his forgiveness and Joseph told them in Genesis 50:20,

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

The lesson we learn from Joseph is that no matter what difficult circumstances we are enduring, it is not the end of our story. Therefore, we must keep our eyes fixed on the promised future which God has for each one of us. Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18,

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

So let us keep the faith and not lose heart as we face difficulties, hardship or suffering. Let us keep the proper perspective of the big picture that God has painted for us in His word and His promise to strengthen us, help us and uphold us by his righteous right hand as we read in Isaiah 41:10. And let us remember our Lord's promise in ‭Jeremiah 29:11,

"I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

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