Genesis – Book of Beginnings
Joseph – The Dreamer
Intro
 Reminder about New Members class begins and service times next week
 Funny stuff
Creation, Fall, Flood, Nations,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
Gen.30:25
After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Send me on my way so I
can go back to my own homeland.
Gen.37:1-4
Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
2
This is the account of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the
sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their
father a bad report about them.
3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been
born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate[a] robe for him. 4 When his
brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him
and could not speak a kind word to him.
I. A Family Not Perfect
A. The Green Eyed Monster of Jealousy and Hatred
Tech Team – Show Picture of Green Eyed Monster
 Ugly
 Mean
 Something no one would want to be around
Gen.37:1-3
37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
2 This
is the account of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah
and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about
them.
1. Doing what’s Right is Always Right vs.2b
and he brought their father a bad report about them.
 Was it dishonesty, or some kind of involvement in evil practices that was
overtly wrong but also forbidden?
 We don’t know, but Joseph made the difficult decision and spoke up to his
Father
2. Favorite Son Title vs.3-4
3 Now
Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him
in his old age; and he made an ornate[a] robe for him.
4 When
his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him
and could not speak a kind word to him.
 Now, we can’t say exactly what the robe looked like – it was thought to have
been colorful, (maybe looking like this robe – Show robe or have Jeremiah
Devroy walk up)
 Was it Joseph’s fault for this happening? No
 Jacob should have been wise to the dynamics in his family
 Things don’t seem to make sense sometimes why Jacob showed so much
favor to Joseph
 Think of it this way with me.
 Jacob was in a sense telling the family that Joseph was his heir. It was
Reuben who gave up his firstborn status when he sinned with his father’s
wife Billah. The next son Simeon, along with brother Levi retaliated against
the men of Shechem, committing murder. The first 4 sons born to Leah,
Jacob never intended to marry but was tricked by her father Laban. So
Jacob may have reasoned this way, “In God’s sight, Rachel was my first
wife, and Joseph was her firstborn. Therefore, Joseph has the right to be
treated as the firstborn.” (Warren Weirsbe)
4 When
his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they
him and could not speak a kind word to him.
hated
I want to touch on this for a moment. At times in life we get slighted, things
happen that are not fair. My message next Sunday in the early service will be titled
When Life Doesn’t Go Right
Leah’s boy’s didn’t deserve being passed over either. But notice what take’s place.
The wrong’s and frustrations of life continue to build and never get dealt with.
I want to give you a simple phrase that can not only be helpful to you but also in
understanding others.
Hurt People – Hurt People (Not in your notes)
God calls us to forgive.
Forgiveness in the Bible is a prominent theme. Yet, it's not uncommon for
Christians to have questions about forgiveness. The act of forgiving does not come
easy for most of us. Our natural instinct is to recoil in self-protection when we've
been injured. We don't naturally overflow with mercy, grace and understanding
when we've been wronged.
The Bible says…
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my
brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell
you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 6:14-16
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive
your sins.
B. The Power of Hatred
Next week we will see the extent this hatred grew – to a place where Joseph’s
brothers were actually going to murder him.
In June of 2012, Carl Ericsson, a 73-year-old South Dakota man, was
sentenced to life in prison after admitting to the murder of a former high
school classmate. Friends and family members were shocked that the
once-successful insurance salesman seemed to snap. Ericsson had been
married to his wife for over 44 years.
But after the murder, Ericsson's secret finally came out. For over 50 years
he had simmered with a belated grudge: He was still mad about a
classmate who had once pulled a jock strap over his head during a high
school locker room prank. Norman Johnson, the classmate and murder
victim, was a star athlete on the track team. Ericsson was a student sports
manager. According to Ericsson's confession, on one occasion Johnson
put a jock strap on Ericsson's head, humiliating him and planting the seed
of resentment that would continue to grow for over half a century.
Apparently, throughout their lives, Norman Johnson continued to outshine
Ericsson. Prior to his murder, Johnson had competed in college football,
earned a degree, and then taught and coached at his alma mater for more
than three decades.
After holding the grudge for over 50 years, Carl Ericsson rang Johnson's
doorbell and shot him dead. Ericsson told a judge, "I guess it was from
something that happened over 50 years ago. It was apparently in my
subconscious." During his sentencing, Ericsson turned to Johnson's widow
and apologized, saying, "I just wish I could turn the calendar back."
Matt Woodley, managing editor, PreachingToday.com; source: Cameron Smith, Bizarre S.D. murder
caused by resentment over 50-year-old locker room jockstrap prank," Yahoo Sports Prep Rally blog (618-12)
In a different article I found this quote –
Johnson's oldest daughter, 52-year-old Terri Wiblemo, noted in court that
Sunday is Father's Day, and each year her dad looked forward to enjoying his
favorite meal of fried chicken, potato salad and rhubarb pie.
"We miss my dad very much," she said.
We forgive out of obedience to the Lord. It is a choice, a decision we make.
However, as we do this "forgiving," we discover the command is in place for our
own good, and we receive the reward of our forgiveness—freedom.
So how do we know we are moving in the right direction in this process?
4 When
his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they
him and could not speak a kind word to him.
hated
When we can genuinely wish people well.
Rom. 5:20
(NIV) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
(KJV) But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
II. Dreams
A. Joseph Dreams
1. Dream about Farming vs.5-8
5 Joseph
had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He
said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field
when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine
and bowed down to it.”
8 His
brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And
they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
2. Astronomy Dream vs.9-11
9 Then
he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another
dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”
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?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in
mind.
10 When
Acts 2:17
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old
men shall dream dreams;
Amos 3:7
“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
Numbers 12:6
And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to
him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.
B. God’s use of Dreams and Visions
Dream Defined
a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind
during sleep.
Vision Defined
something that you imagine : a picture that you see in your mind
1. Old Testament Dreams and Visions
God used visions in the Old Testament to reveal His plan, to further His plan, and to put His
people in places of influence.
Abraham (Genesis 15:1): God used a vision to restate the Abrahamic Covenant, reminding
Abram that he would have a son and be the father of many nations.
Abimelech (Genesis 20:1-7): Abraham's wife, Sarah, was beautiful—so beautiful that when
Abraham came into a new area he occasionally feared that the local ruler would kill him and take
Sarah for himself. Abraham told Abimelech king of Gerar that Sarah was his sister (she was his
half-sister). Abimelech took Sarah into his harem, but God sent him a dream telling him not to
touch Sarah because she was Abraham's wife. The king returned Sarah to her husband the next
morning; the dream had protected Sarah and safeguarded God's plan for Sarah to be the mother
of His chosen people.
Jacob (Genesis 28:10-17): Jacob, with his mother's help, stole Esau’s firstborn inheritance.
Jacob then fled Esau's anger, and on his journey he had his famous dream of a ladder reaching to
heaven on which angels ascended and descended. In this dream Jacob received God's promise
that Abraham's blessing would be carried on through him.
Joseph (Genesis 37:1-11): Joseph is one of the most famous dreamers, and one of the most
famous dream-interpreters, in the Bible. His first recorded dreams are found in Genesis 37. They
showed through easily deciphered symbols that Joseph's family would one day bow to him in
respect. His brothers didn't appreciate the dream and in their hatred sold Joseph into slavery.
Eventually, Joseph ended up in prison in Egypt.
Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker (Genesis 40): While in prison Joseph interpreted some
dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker. With God's guidance, he explained that the cupbearer
would return to Pharaoh's service, but the baker would be killed.
Pharaoh (Genesis 41): Two years later, Pharaoh himself had a dream which Joseph interpreted.
God’s purpose was to raise Joseph to second-in-command over Egypt and to save the Egyptians
and the Israelites from a horrible famine.
Samuel (1 Samuel 3): Samuel had his first vision as a young boy. God told him that judgment
was coming upon the sons of Samuel’s mentor, Eli. The young Samuel was faithful to relay the
information, and God continued to speak to Samuel through the rest of his life.
The Midianite and Amalekite armies (Judges 7:12-15): The pagan enemies of Israel had a
divinely inspired dream. God told Gideon to sneak into the enemy camp at night, and there in the
outposts of the camp, Gideon overheard an enemy soldier relate a dream he had just had. The
interpretation, from another enemy soldier, mentioned Gideon by name and predicted that Israel
would win the battle. Gideon was greatly encouraged by this revelation.
Solomon (1 Kings 3:5): It was in a dream that God gave Solomon the famous offer: "Ask what
you wish Me to give you." Solomon chose wisdom.
Daniel (Daniel 2; 4): As He had done for Joseph, God placed Daniel in a position of power and
influence by allowing him to interpret a foreign ruler's dream. This is consistent with God's
propensity to use miracles to identify His messengers. Daniel himself had many dreams and
visions, mostly related to future kingdoms of the world and the nation of Israel.
2. New Testament Dreams and Visions
Visions in the New Testament also served to provide information that was unavailable
elsewhere. Specifically, God used visions and dreams to identify Jesus and to establish His
church.
Zacharias (Luke 1:5-23): God used a vision to tell Zacharias, an old priest, that he would soon
have an important son. Not long after, Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, had John the Baptist.
Joseph (Matthew 1:20; 2:13): Joseph would have divorced Mary when he found out she was
pregnant, but God sent an angel to him in a dream, convincing him that the pregnancy was of
God. Joseph went ahead with the marriage. After Jesus was born, God sent two more dreams,
one to tell Joseph to take his family to Egypt so Herod could not kill Jesus and another to tell him
Herod was dead and that he could return home.
Pilate's wife (Matthew 27:19): During Jesus’ trial, Pilate’s wife sent an urgent message to the
governor encouraging him to free Jesus. Her message was prompted by a dream she had—a
nightmare, really—that convinced her that Jesus was innocent and that Pilate should have
nothing to do with His case.
Ananias (Acts 9:10): It would have taken nothing less than a vision from God to convince
Ananias, a Christian in Damascus, to visit Paul, the persecutor of Christians. But because
Ananias was obedient to God's leading, Paul regained his sight and found the truth about those
he was trying to kill.
Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6): God spoke to an Italian centurion named Cornelius who feared the
God of the Jews. In his vision, Cornelius saw an angel who told him where to find Simon Peter
and to send for him and listen to his message. Cornelius obeyed the vision, Peter came and
preached, and Cornelius and his household full of Gentiles were saved by the grace of God.
Peter (Acts 10:9-15): While Peter was praying on the rooftop of a house in Joppa, God gave
him a vision of animals lowered in something like a sheet. A voice from heaven told Peter to kill
the animals (some of which were unclean) and eat them. The vision served to show that
Christians are not bound by kosher law and that God had pronounced Gentiles “clean”; that is,
heaven is open to all who follow Jesus.
Paul: Paul had several visions in his missionary career. One sent him to preach in Macedonia
(Acts 16:9-10). Another encouraged him to keep preaching in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11). God also
gave him a vision of heaven (2 Corinthians 12:1-6).
John (Revelation): Nearly the entire book of Revelation is a vision John had while exiled on
the island of Patmos. John’s vision explains in more detail some of the events that God had
shown Daniel.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/dreams-visions-Bible.html#ixzz2zjTJZLq9
Dreams and visions are a means of God speaking to people –
We have Gods Word the Bible available to us which is the primary means of God
speaking to us.
At times, it’s not the case with people, and God chooses to reveal Himself by
means of a dream or vision.
Tech Team – Play Video from CBN
Listen to this story --- (Read only if time)
On November 9, 2003, a 19-year-old woman was baptized in my church and gave the
following testimony:
I choose this day to love and serve Jesus Christ as the Lord, the Messiah, the rest of
my life.
My name is Humaira Kahn Kabir (not her real name). I became a Christian 5 months
ago. When I was 7 years old, I moved to Pakistan. I was injured, and I was in a coma.
After 8 months, I came out of the coma. I was in a wheelchair, my eyes were open, but I
couldn't move, and I couldn't talk to people at all. At this time in my life, I saw my 18year-old brother die in front of me.
Every Friday, I went to the mosque and slept there because I didn't have any hope from
the doctors that I could walk again or talk. One night I was really upset. I went straight to
the picture of Jesus [who is recognized as a prophet in Islam] and started talking to him:
"Why did you keep me alive? Why didn't you just kill me? Why did you keep me alive so
I could see my 18-year-old brother dying in front of me?" My head was on the floor, and
I was crying.
Suddenly somebody squeezed my shoulder and said, "I kept you for something
special." I looked back, and it was the same person who was in the picture.
I fainted.
In the morning I woke up—my grandpa woke me—and he said, "You fell asleep all night
on the floor." I looked at him and said, "He was here. He was right here."
My grandpa said, "Who?" Then he said, "Oh my gosh, you're talking again."
I said, "He was right here. Where is he now?"
My grandpa said, "Who?"
"This guy [pointing at the picture of Jesus]. He told me he kept me for something
special."
"Sweetie, that's not true, because he died a long time ago. Remember, I told you that
story."
I said, "No, I saw what I saw," and I stood up.
My grandpa had a hard time believing me, but there was a part of him that wondered
because he saw me talking and walking again.
I kept that memory in my heart, just a vision, and no one believed me at all. Everyone
kept laughing at me.
So that's why I chose to get baptized in the name of Jesus, but in my heart I am already
baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Submitted by Kevin A. Miller, vice-president, Christianity Today International
Closing
The Bible says that (Jacob’s)
11
His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the
matter in mind.
Why did Jacob feel it important to remember this fact that Joseph had these
dreams? Once upon a time God met him in a dream.
God protected Jacob by coming to his father in law Laban in dream and telling him
not to harm Jacob.
 Had Jacob’s brothers paid attention to the dreams, they might have been
helped and prepared for what would happen 20 years later
 Had Jacob remembered and understood the significance of the dreams, he
might have had faith to believe that Joseph wasn’t dead but still alive.
God had a plan to establish a Nation of people beginning with Abraham.
The purpose of all of this is that one day, you and I and the rest of this world
would have the awesome opportunity to meet Jesus Christ, experience His love,
and receive His free gift.
That’s why I’m here today, it’s why I do what I do. It’s why you came to church
today. Because the love of Jesus touched your life and you want to know more,
you want to experience more, you want your life to reflect him more.
And I would say that some are here today that have yet to personally experience
that love from Jesus Christ, but you have encountered others that have, and
noticed that they are different. How they care for people, speak, act and live.
April 13th, two weeks ago
LAS VEGAS -- The new WBO welterweight world champion was surrounded by his people
Sunday, high above this gambling and boxing mecca, in his massive suite on the 61st floor of
The Hotel at Mandalay Bay.
Manny Pacquiao and friends were rejoicing in his spectacular unanimous decision victory
against Timothy Bradley in their rematch the night before, in front of a partisan Filipino crowd
just down the strip at the MGM Grand, in the manner that makes him most happy these days.
SPORTS ON EARTH: Pacquiao's compassion not evident
PACQUIAO'S MOTHER: The star of the night
Once a gambling, womanizing, party animal whose idea of fun was
cockfighting in the Philippines and singing rock songs after fights, Pacquiao
now finds his happiness in reading the Bible.
On this sunny morning, 75 to 100 Filipinos — men, women and children —
were packed into his suite and gathered around a piano, singing and praising
the Lord, with Pacquiao's minister leading a religious service that lasted more
than an hour.
Three Filipino television stations filmed the service.
ROUND BY ROUND: Scoring Pacquiao-Bradley II
The most famous Filipino was right in the middle, singing and playing the
piano, ironically in front of a huge picture window overlooking the Sin City
strip.
"It means a lot," Pacquiao told USA TODAY Sports during an interview Sunday. "It's really
important to have these people around me. They all flew in from the Philippines to watch the
fight. They're going home happy."
John 13:34-35
The Message (MSG)
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I
loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are
my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
34-35
Prayer --God, just as you speak to people through dreams, may my life be a message to
people about who you are.