Genesis 37:5-11

Joseph’s dreams were revelations from God (cf. Genesis 40:8; Genesis 41:16; Genesis 41:25; Genesis 41:28). Joseph, his brothers, and his father did not grasp their significance fully until God brought them to pass. Joseph regarded his dreams as important, however, and therefore did not hesitate to make them known to his family.

"This is the first dream in the Bible in which God does not speak (cf. Genesis 20:3; Genesis 28:12-15; Genesis 31:11; Genesis 31:24). It forms a transition in the dominant means of God’s revelation from theophany in Genesis 1-11, to dreams and visions in Genesis 12-35, and now to providence in Genesis 36-50. These three stages resemble the three parts of TaNaK (i.e., the OT). In the Torah (’Law’), God speaks to Moses in theophany; in the Nebiim (’Prophets’), he speaks in dreams and visions; and in the Ketubim (’Writings’), he works mostly through providence." [Note: Ibid., p. 500.]

In the first dream (Genesis 37:7) God revealed that Joseph’s brothers would come to him for bread. Note the agricultural motif in both the dream and its fulfillment. His brothers did not fail to note Joseph’s position of superiority over them (Genesis 37:8), and they resented still more humiliation from him.

In the second dream (Genesis 37:9), which was even grander, Joseph was himself supreme over the whole house of Israel. The repetition of the main point of the dream confirmed that what God predicted would certainly happen (cf. Genesis 41:32). Jacob took note of these revelations but resented the possibility that his son might be in a position of authority over him (Genesis 37:10-11). Many people today also are offended by God’s election of some to special prominence and usefulness, especially close family members.

"Joseph is depicted as morally good but immature and bratty. His tattling, boasting, and robe parading inflames his brother’s hatred against him." [Note: Ibid., p. 498.]

"God’s future agent and mouthpiece in Egypt could hardly make a worse impression on his first appearance: spoiled brat, talebearer, braggart." [Note: Sternberg, p. 98.]

Textual references cannot establish whether Joseph at this time realized that his dreams were divine prophecies or not. People often regarded dreams as divine revelations in the ancient East. [Note: Ross, Creation and . . ., p. 600.] If Joseph did, the fact that he related them boldly to his family may indicate his faith. [Note: Cf. Erdman, p. 113.]

"More than likely, the dream, and its recounting, is to be understood as an unsuspecting prophecy uttered by Joseph. God has a plan for his life, a destiny in his future, and Joseph spontaneously shares the enthusiasm that revelation spawns." [Note: Hamilton, The Book . . . Chapters 18-50, p. 410.]

God chooses faithful, righteous individuals for positions of leadership, but those chosen may experience the jealous hatred of their brethren.

"Divine sovereignty is not a rigid detailed blueprint that manipulates and straitjackets human behavior." [Note: Mathews, Genesis 11:27-50:26, p. 692.]