January 15, 2025 - Genesis 37-39

For chapter 37 of Genesis, my ESV has the heading “Joseph’s Dreams of Greatness.”  The story of Joseph, his coat of many colors, his brothers and slavery in Egypt, false accusations, and his rescue of Jacob’s family is well known.  It begins, of course, with these dreams in which he sees himself – rightly, I might add – one day ruling over his brothers.  Twice we read about the brothers’ jealousy:  “Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more” (37:5) and “His brothers were jealous of him” (37:11).  It’s pure speculation (the narrative does not tell us this) but we might imagine Joseph not only telling about his dreams but doing some with a bit of haughtiness and arrogance (his dreams of greatness).  If so, on some level, Joseph’s troubles are on him.  However, the dreams were given by God and they proved to be true.  And, once again, we see that human weakness and sinfulness, here on the part of both Joseph and his brothers, cannot waylay the purposes of God.  God has promised a Redeemer who will come from Abraham and through Isaac and Jacob, and nothing can halt the progress toward fulfillment of that promise.  And, through all his troubles, Joseph (and, certainly, we) could sing:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,

join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;

surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

if with his love he befriends you.   --Joachim Neander (1680)