Genesis 37 - Joseph's Dreams | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Genesis 37 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In Genesis 37 the effects of Jacob’s favoritism of Joseph end up hurting him. It’s a powerful reminder that having a favorite child is not good for your family. If you have non natural children such as foster children, step children, or others under your care, you need to seek God for grace, and determine to be fair with them. God can provide you with an affection for them that is not natural but just as good.

Joseph has his first recorded dreams in this chapter, and the sun, moon and stars bow to him. These were symbols for people in his life, and remind us firstly that dreams are symbolic, but secondly that so often in scripture, references to stars and other heavenly bodies are also symbolic. We see this in the prophets, and also in Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24.

In the second half of the chapter Joseph is sold to Ishmaelites… or is it Midianites? The chapter seems to keep calling them different names. Various commentators, such as the Enduring Word commentary show us that this was a common language feature of the Israelites and also happens in Judges 8:22-28. They equated these two groups as the same.

Finally Jacob begins a whole new period of pain in his life. HIs favourite wife just died, and now his favourite son is apparently dead. He must have wondered where God was in this. Later of course, Joseph’s words come back into the situation when he says to his brothers, “you intended it for evil, but God intended it for good.” It demonstrates why when we face pain, and have no answers, we need to trust God and even praise Him. He is at work to bring about good.