8th.: Dreams, Joseph & God
Genesis chapter 37 & Genesis chapters 39-50 give the account of Jacob’s son Joseph.
Dreams, who does not like them, at least good dreams.
Joseph told his family about his dreams.
Because of envy, Joseph's brothers turned Joseph's dreams into nightmares.
They sold him into slavery.
He then ended up in prison in Egypt.
God turned those nightmares back into dreams.
God pulled Joseph out of prison, and made him second in command to Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
And God reconciled things between Joseph and his family.
None of Joseph's prayers, spoken during the nightmares, were recorded.
Nevertheless, it is inferred that Joseph and God were close.
Some examples shall be given.
One time, while Joseph was in jail, two fellow inmates were troubled by dreams that they had.
Joseph told them, “Do not [dream] interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you.” (Gen. 40:8)
Joseph knew that God would give him the correct interpretation (Gen. 40:9-23).
Over two years later, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had a dream that baffled both Pharaoh, and his magicians (Gen. 41:8).
Pharaoh summoned Joseph, and asked him, “I have dreamed a dream. …
I have heard say of thee that thou can understand a dream to interpret it.” (Gen. 41:15).
Joseph answered, “It is not in me. God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Gen. 41:16).
Joseph knew God would again give him the correct interpretation.
Lastly, although Joseph’s brothers sold Joseph into slavery, God must have told Joseph the
real reason for him coming to Egypt (see Gen. 45:6-8, Gen. 50:20).
It is inferred that Joseph had many private conversations with God, and God blessed Joseph in public.
This story does not imply that private prayers will make us second in command of a nation.
But God will bless us, in ways that he sees fit.
“When you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to you Father, which is in secret, and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly.” (Matt. 5:6)