JOSEPH & THE PHARAOH’S DREAMS
Genesis 37:1-11
Bible Stories We Remember Message Series
August 7, 2016
Pastor Nathan J. Thompson
Education along with the educational process has often had a difficult time knowing what to do with the students who are dreamers; with those who learn in unconventional ways. Education has often had a difficult time knowing what to do with those who aren’t linear in their thinking; who have a hard time with standardized tests; who don’t focus and learn in more “normal” ways.
Now granted I know that there are children who have deeper behavioral issues; there are those who have different levels of attention deficit disorder. These of course can be serious issues that may need medication/special education. There definitely are many teaching challenges today.
Therefore the dreamers I am talking about is not intended to minimize these often serious issues. Those I am talking about are the ones who may learn a different way; who may not take the standardized tests very well; who may be thinking/dreaming about something totally different when the teacher wants them focused on one certain thing.
I was definitely one who didn’t often learn in the normal ways through my educational training. Growing up with three older siblings who were always on top of their classes in mathematical and scientific thinking, in 10th grade I got a D+ one quarter in Geometry; a D+ in Latin (yes our school had Latin); and I dropped out of chemistry before I went far enough to fail it.
Growing up in the educational system in the 1960's I often felt like I would never amount to much. I often felt (had convinced myself) that I would never get very far academically; I actually wondered many times if I would even get into college; graduate school.
However the academic areas I excelled in were verbal learning; writing; sharing ideas; music understanding/vocal singing; practical Bible understandings/concepts; dreaming. I couldn’t take a multiple choice test worth beans yet I could share a vision or write a paper with most anyone.
I remember as a student at Luther Seminary (still fretting in graduate school over tests and subjects like Greek) how one of my New Testament professors, Dr. Roy Harrisville, wrote on my final paper, “Nathan is a much better student than he thinks he is.” Life changing words.
Dreamers (visionary people; entrepreneurs) have often had a difficult time in our educational system; in even fitting into the normal structures. I have a very good friend who basically caused nothing but problems in his small town school in Montana. He spent lots of time with the principal who actually told him he would never amount to anything.
However this friend became a PhD in Physiology; he is one who has developed and has patents on over 30 medical products; who is an entrepreneur in starting new businesses. He is definitely a dreamer par-excellence. Yet to this day he still can hardly sit still in long business meetings.
Focusing today on the Biblical story of Joseph I am convinced that he was one of those dreamers who was often looked on differently by others. Not only was Joseph one who had the God-given ability to interpret dreams, he was also a dreamer himself. It is true that only those people who are dreamers themselves have the ability to completely understand other dreamers.
Being a dreamer could also possibly explain why Joseph was rejected and severely hated by his brothers. Fact is that being spoiled by his father Jacob and receiving a beautiful robe of many colors; these things alone were probably not enough to cause Joseph's brothers to actually sell him to some traveling merchants.
Rather I wonder if he wasn’t one of those kids who was always asking lots of questions; who was off chasing a butterfly when work needed to be done; who was always thinking about idealistic visions of a better world. Don't you agree that dreamers can often be kind of annoying?
Then when Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers of the binding sheaves of grain along with the sun, moon, and stars. When he interpreted these signs to mean that he would eventually rule over his brothers (that they would eventually bow down to him) the brother’s hatred grew.
They threw him in a pit; sold him to some Ishmaelites who were traveling through; they took his robe of many colors. They then covered the robe with blood; took it to their father Jacob; proceeded to tell Jacob that his son, their brother, is dead. The annoying dreamer is gone.
In Egypt Joseph is then sold to Potiphar who is the captain of Pharoah’s guard. He quickly rises through the ranks and is put in charge of Potiphar’s house. However when Joseph refuses to allow Potiphar’s wife (a truly a desperate housewife) to seduce him she frames him and he is thrown into prison.
Yet in prison Joseph is again called upon to use his ability to interpret dreams. He interprets that the cup-bearer will be restored to his position while the baker will be executed. When those interpretations actually came true Joseph is remembered by the cup-bearer (this butler) as a dreamer who truly cares about others.
Then a couple years later when the Pharoah is having some troubling dreams this butler remembers what Joseph did for him and tells the Pharaoh. As a result the Pharoah sends for Joseph; he tells the Pharoah exactly what his dream means. Joseph then gives glory to God; he credits God with his gift for dreaming and being able to interpret dreams
Joseph is then promoted through the ranks; he actually becomes the Pharaoh's right-hand man and is put in charge of overseeing the kingdom's grain and food supplies. Then back in Canaan as his own family are going through a devastating famine Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt. They amazingly meet with Joseph yet they do not recognize him; they actually beg him for food.
Therefore Joseph’s dream as a boy that he will rule over his brothers; that they will bow down to him comes true. Then when Joseph forgives his brothers and offers them food, they go back and move Jacob along with their whole family to Egypt to be cared for by Joseph. God’s people are ultimately safe and cared for by this dreamer who remained faithful to God.
I firmly believe that God continues to call people today (like Joseph) to dream big dreams for God’s kingdom. I believe he calls people like you and me to be pushing the envelope; to be visioning and imagining those possibilities which are beyond what people may think is normal. The Bible does remind us time and again that with God all things are possible.
Yet as we do this it is important to also remember that there are many dream-killers around us each day. Just like with Joseph’s brothers—anytime you dream there will be those who will tell you it’s impossible. There are those individuals who are uncomfortable with new ideas; with new ways of doing things. Lots of people like things done the way they always have been.
As a dreamer you may even meet some people who get downright angry and upset by your visions. Some individuals may actually discredit your ideas; may want you to go away. Just like Joseph’s brothers some people may be so annoyed by your dreams that they might even think of putting you in a pit and selling you to some traveling merchants.
One really sad thing is that sometime in your life you may have had the joy of dreaming taken from you. Perhaps your dreams have been stifled; perhaps you have never been given the freedom to see God’s amazing dreams for you. Perhaps you aren’t able to dream about exciting ways that God can use you; can use your talents; can use you in miraculous ways.
Perhaps some of you have never been able to really imagine the great things God’s Spirit can do in and through our church here at Messiah. Perhaps you have listened too much to those people who declare that the things of God are impossible; perhaps you have a difficult time living boldly by faith; have a difficult time trusting God to do even greater things.
Yes, it is true that dream-killers are alive and well in our society today. It’s true that there are many skeptics who love to declare God’s dreams as impossible. Yet our God is always a God of possibilities. Our God is a God of miracles; of dreams for growing his kingdom; of sinners becoming new and transformed people.
Many years ago on a staff retreat day at my previous church we spent some time writing personal mission statements for each other. It was a great team-building exercise. The mission statement the staff wrote for me was, “To nurture, celebrate, and empower Christ’s dreams in people.”
This wonderful staff seemed to affirm that one of my gifts; one of my callings is to help nurture and empower Christ’s dreams in them as staff members; in the congregation and the community. I do firmly believe that God has special dreams and possibilities for each person if you will only allow his dreams to work in you; allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with his possibilities.
This is a great mission and calling I believe for our whole congregation. The truth is that when we dream big dreams for God; when we realize that God’s Spirit wants to do even more wonderful and powerful things through Messiah; it is then that we will move ahead in hope and faith trusting completely in the great things God can do.
Yes Joseph was a dreamer whom God used in some amazing ways. And this Bible story reminds us that God also wants to use you as a dreamer for him and his kingdom. Let us like Joseph stand firm against those who want to kill our faith-centered dreams. May God use you and Messiah to do amazing things in Jesus’ name.