I find it hard to imagine that anyone could read the story of Joseph’s brother’s treachery without feeling something like broken-heartedness and a movement in the soul. I mean no offense to those who don’t, but it is beyond me to escape such a reaction these days. I had not read this story for such a long time, and I had not before meditated on the significance of how young he was when they sold him. It has drawn out a very intense sadness from the deep places in me.
And aside from the raw emotion that comes with betrayal, there are tremendous implications in the hatred of dreams. It is very purposeful that the author juxtaposed these two sentences: “They hated him and could not speak to him in peace. Then Joseph dreamed a dream” (Genesis 37:4-5). And later, when Joseph is approaching them in the field and they’re plotting to destroy him, his brothers said mockingly, “Behold, this master of dreams has come” (37:19). The tearing of the varicolored robe, his father Isaac’s gift, is like the demolition of Joseph’s dreams, which are indeed gifts to him from God.
It’s a story that can be quickly read and underappreciated. It’s not only about the betrayal of his brothers. Joseph had lived amidst both their hatred and his father’s love all his life; and at that time when he was thrown into the pit and then sold into slavery, he had to face the reality that the hatred and overcome the love, and there was no longer any reminder of the love that once had comforted him. Joseph’s dreams, the dreams of a seventeen year-old, were torn and ripped away from him.
But the master of dreams never really let hatred overcome love within himself. The remainder of his story is evidence. Very powerful.
When I read Daniel also I felt a similar emotional response to the death sentence of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (ref. Daniel 3). These young people went through so much pain, and yet none of them lost sight of the dreams God had given them. How inspiring! though I am utterly incapable of writing a proper or full response at this hour. Goodnight.
And aside from the raw emotion that comes with betrayal, there are tremendous implications in the hatred of dreams. It is very purposeful that the author juxtaposed these two sentences: “They hated him and could not speak to him in peace. Then Joseph dreamed a dream” (Genesis 37:4-5). And later, when Joseph is approaching them in the field and they’re plotting to destroy him, his brothers said mockingly, “Behold, this master of dreams has come” (37:19). The tearing of the varicolored robe, his father Isaac’s gift, is like the demolition of Joseph’s dreams, which are indeed gifts to him from God.
It’s a story that can be quickly read and underappreciated. It’s not only about the betrayal of his brothers. Joseph had lived amidst both their hatred and his father’s love all his life; and at that time when he was thrown into the pit and then sold into slavery, he had to face the reality that the hatred and overcome the love, and there was no longer any reminder of the love that once had comforted him. Joseph’s dreams, the dreams of a seventeen year-old, were torn and ripped away from him.
But the master of dreams never really let hatred overcome love within himself. The remainder of his story is evidence. Very powerful.
When I read Daniel also I felt a similar emotional response to the death sentence of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (ref. Daniel 3). These young people went through so much pain, and yet none of them lost sight of the dreams God had given them. How inspiring! though I am utterly incapable of writing a proper or full response at this hour. Goodnight.
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