Genesis 37:5-8 ESV
“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.  He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.”

Notice the dreams that Joseph had were dreams that elevated his spirit. He supposedly never dreamed about the pain that he would suffer mentally, physically and emotionally. Joseph’s brothers hated him because of his dreams and his father’s over compensating love for Joseph. Because of these two things, Joseph’s brothers would fall into the trap of being used for evil but God would turn Joseph’s hardships to good.

I believe the dreams that Joseph had were for his knowledge, to plant a seed that God was going to use him to do great things. Jacob’s mistakes in life would follow him most of his life, but I believe he could have done a better job guiding his children. All in all, as we can see, Joseph prevailed the rough start.

We may have grown up in a difficult family, we may have seen hard times in our younger years, but God always has a plan to bring us out of the past. I often think of things that happened in my earlier years and how some of the pitfalls could have been avoided, Not to repeat the mistakes and go on with life and not allow those things to dominate or slow my pace.

Joseph probably thought some of the same things. If you read the history of his father and brothers, you wonder how Joseph became so great. It was God! God makes the difference in our lives despite what our family did or did not do. Life is not always fair but God has a plan; “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Prayer:
Lord, my past may not have gone as well as I hoped it would, but my future is bright because of Your plans for me. Teach me to follow You closer, for You have the most excellent way!