Genesis 37:10
He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream that you have had? Will your mother and brothers and I actually come and bow down to the ground before you?"
But when he told his father and brothers
This phrase sets the stage for the familial dynamics at play. Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, shares his dream with his family, which is a significant act given the cultural context. In ancient Near Eastern societies, dreams were often considered divine messages. Joseph's willingness to share his dream indicates his youthful confidence and perhaps naivety. The Hebrew root for "told" (נָגַד, nagad) implies a declaration or announcement, suggesting that Joseph was not merely sharing but proclaiming something he believed to be significant.

his father rebuked him
The act of rebuke here is crucial. Jacob, also known as Israel, responds with a reprimand. The Hebrew word for "rebuked" (גָּעַר, ga'ar) conveys a strong disapproval or correction. This response highlights the tension between divine revelation and human understanding. Jacob, despite his own experiences with dreams and divine encounters, struggles to accept the implications of Joseph's dream. This rebuke reflects a common biblical theme where God's plans are often beyond human comprehension.

and said, 'What is this dream that you have had?'
Jacob's question underscores his incredulity and perhaps his concern for the implications of the dream. The phrase "What is this dream" suggests a challenge to the validity or interpretation of the dream. In the Hebrew context, dreams were often seen as significant, yet Jacob's question indicates skepticism. This skepticism can be seen as a protective measure, as Jacob might be wary of the potential discord the dream could sow among his sons.

Will your mother and brothers and I actually come
This rhetorical question reveals Jacob's disbelief and the perceived absurdity of the dream. The mention of "your mother" is intriguing, as Rachel, Joseph's mother, had already passed away. This could imply Leah or Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, who raised Joseph. The phrase "actually come" (בּוֹא, bo) in Hebrew suggests a future event, emphasizing the prophetic nature of the dream. Jacob's question reflects a struggle to reconcile the dream's implications with the current family hierarchy.

and bow down to the ground before you?'
The act of bowing down signifies submission and honor, which in the cultural and historical context, would be unusual for a father and elder brothers to do before the youngest son. The Hebrew word for "bow down" (שָׁחָה, shachah) is often used in the context of worship or deep respect. This phrase foreshadows the future events in Egypt, where Joseph's family will indeed bow before him, fulfilling the dream. This prophetic element highlights God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan, despite human skepticism and familial discord.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
The central figure in this passage, Joseph is the son of Jacob and Rachel. He is known for his dreams, which foretell his future rise to prominence.

2. Jacob (Israel)
Joseph's father, who rebukes him for his dream. Jacob is a patriarch of Israel and has a complex relationship with his sons, especially Joseph.

3. Joseph's Brothers
They are envious of Joseph and his dreams, which suggest that they will one day bow to him.

4. The Dream
Joseph's dream symbolizes future events where his family will bow to him, indicating his future leadership and authority.

5. Canaan
The land where Jacob and his family reside at this time, which plays a significant role in the account of the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Timing
Joseph's dream was a revelation of God's plan, but it required patience and faith. We must trust in God's timing for the fulfillment of His promises.

Handling Rejection and Criticism
Like Joseph, we may face skepticism or rebuke when sharing our God-given visions or callings. It's important to remain steadfast and humble.

Family Dynamics and Favoritism
Jacob's reaction to Joseph's dream reflects complex family dynamics. We should strive for fairness and love in our family relationships, avoiding favoritism.

The Role of Dreams and Visions
In the Bible, dreams often convey God's messages. We should be open to how God might communicate with us, while also seeking discernment and wisdom.

God's Sovereignty and Purpose
Joseph's account reminds us that God is sovereign and His purposes will prevail, even when circumstances seem unfavorable.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Joseph's dream and his father's reaction reflect the broader theme of God's sovereignty in the Bible?

2. In what ways can we relate Joseph's experience of sharing his dream to our own experiences of sharing our faith or personal callings?

3. How do the family dynamics in Genesis 37:10 inform our understanding of the importance of healthy relationships within our own families?

4. What lessons can we learn from Joseph's account about handling criticism and rejection, especially when it comes from those closest to us?

5. How can we discern when a dream or vision is from God, and what steps should we take to seek confirmation and understanding?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 42:6-9
This passage describes the fulfillment of Joseph's dream when his brothers come to Egypt and bow before him, not recognizing him as their brother.

Philippians 2:10-11
This New Testament passage speaks of every knee bowing to Jesus, drawing a parallel to the theme of authority and submission found in Joseph's account.

Daniel 2:19-23
Daniel's ability to interpret dreams is similar to Joseph's gift, highlighting the theme of divine revelation and wisdom.
Ambition's Brilliant DreamsJ. D. Davies, M. A.Genesis 37:5-11
How to Judge of a DreamGenesis 37:5-11
Joseph has Clear Intimations of His Future GreatnessE. DaltonGenesis 37:5-11
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 37:5-11
The Dreams of JosephHomilistGenesis 37:5-11
The Favourite SonW. S. Smith, B. D.Genesis 37:5-11
The Sanguine Temperament of YouthT. Gibson.Genesis 37:5-11
The Representative ManR.A. Redford Genesis 37
People
Bilhah, Ishmaelites, Jacob, Joseph, Medanites, Midianites, Pharaoh, Potiphar, Reuben, Zilpah
Places
Canaan, Chezib, Dothan, Egypt, Gilead, Shechem, Valley of Hebron
Topics
Actually, Bow, Brethren, Brothers, Certainly, Dream, Dreamed, Dreamt, Faces, Ground, Hast, Indeed, Ourselves, Protesting, Pusheth, Rebuked, Recounteth, Related, Sort
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 37:1-11

     8730   enemies, of believers

Genesis 37:1-35

     5738   sons

Library
Joseph, the Prime Minister
'And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
'And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
Thomas De Witt Talmage was born at Bound Brook, N.J., in 1832. For many years he preached to large and enthusiastic congregations at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. At one time six hundred newspapers regularly printed his sermons. He was a man of great vitality, optimistic by nature, and particularly popular with young people. His voice was rather high and unmusical, but his distinct enunciation and earnestness of manner gave a peculiar attraction to his pulpit oratory. His rhetoric has been criticized
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8

The Crucifixion.
"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."--Isaiah liii. 7. St. Peter makes it almost a description of a Christian, that he loves Him whom he has not seen; speaking of Christ, he says, "whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Again he speaks of "tasting that the
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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