Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, is a central figure in the narrative of Genesis. His account, particularly his dreams and subsequent betrayal by his brothers, is a profound testament to God's sovereignty and providential care.

Joseph's Dreams

Joseph's dreams are recorded in Genesis 37 and serve as a pivotal moment in his life and the unfolding of God's plan for the nation of Israel. At the age of seventeen, Joseph received two prophetic dreams that foretold his future rise to prominence and the subservience of his family to him.

In the first dream, Joseph saw himself and his brothers binding sheaves in the field. His sheaf stood upright, while his brothers' sheaves gathered around and bowed down to it. Joseph recounted this dream to his brothers, which fueled their jealousy and animosity towards him. The Berean Standard Bible records this dream in Genesis 37:7: "We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine."

The second dream was even more audacious. Joseph dreamed that the sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to him. This dream, which he shared with his father and brothers, suggested not only his brothers but also his parents would bow to him. Genesis 37:9 states: "Then he had another dream and told it to his brothers. 'Look,' he said, 'I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.'"

These dreams were divinely inspired and foreshadowed Joseph's future authority in Egypt, where he would eventually save his family from famine. However, at the time, they only served to deepen the rift between him and his brothers.

Betrayal by His Brothers

Joseph's favored status with his father Jacob, who gifted him a richly ornamented robe, further incited his brothers' envy and hatred. This favoritism, combined with Joseph's dreams, led to a conspiracy against him.

The opportunity for betrayal arose when Joseph was sent by Jacob to check on his brothers who were grazing their flocks near Shechem. Upon seeing him approach, the brothers plotted to kill him, sarcastically referring to him as "this dreamer" (Genesis 37:19). However, Reuben, the eldest, intervened, suggesting they throw Joseph into a cistern instead, intending to rescue him later.

Ultimately, the brothers stripped Joseph of his robe and cast him into an empty cistern. As they sat to eat, a caravan of Ishmaelites approached, and Judah proposed selling Joseph to them. The brothers agreed, and Joseph was sold for twenty shekels of silver, as recorded in Genesis 37:28 : "So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt."

To conceal their deed, the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in goat's blood and presented it to Jacob, leading him to believe that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal. Jacob mourned deeply for his son, refusing to be comforted.

Theological Significance

Joseph's dreams and betrayal are rich with theological implications. His dreams, though initially a source of conflict, were a revelation of God's future plans. They highlight the theme of divine providence, as God used the betrayal to position Joseph in Egypt, where he would eventually rise to power and preserve his family during a severe famine.

The betrayal by his brothers, while an act of human sinfulness, was woven into God's redemptive plan. It underscores the biblical truth that God can bring good out of evil, a theme echoed in Joseph's later words to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 : "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Joseph's account is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises, even amidst human failings and adversity.