Dreams Of Deliverance

Genesis 37

Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from it all. Joseph was clearly earmarked for greatness but his brothers hated him. God chooses whom to have mercy on. He doesn’t need the approval of men. The brothers made an evil decision but God used it for good.

What can we learn?

#1. God can use our ordinary dreams for His agenda. (Genesis 37:1-11)

The story of Joseph is not just a guy who dreamt of greatness but a guy whom God gave dreams of preserving His people from destruction. Abraham was told by God that his descendants will go into slavery and be freed after many years (Genesis 15). God chose Joseph, who was loved by his father and hated by his brothers to be the one to preserve His people. He could only achieve this if He attained greatness in the most powerful nation of the world – Egypt. When God gives us dreams, it may seem ordinary but His hand is all over it because God uses human history for His divine agenda on earth. Thus, Joseph dreamt dreams that scared his father and brothers because God was behind what was happening.

#2. God can use evil for His good. (Genesis 37:12-36)

If we act in the flesh, we will always miss the agenda of God in our lives or that of other people. Joseph’s brothers thought that he was too favoured, pampered and seeking to be head over them who are older than him. They missed it that not everyone dreams for their personal agenda. Some things are from God for men. They schemed and sold him into slavery to a foreign land. Unknown to them, their evil deeds will turn out for the good of themselves. When the religious leaders of Jesus’ day decided to kill him, they never knew His death would be for their own redemption. God uses even evil for the good of all of us. 

Joseph dreamt which caused hatred by his brothers but unknown to them, it was their wicked action of selling him that would bring their preservation when famine emerged. God can use the good, bad and the ugly for His purposes. Trust in His judgment.

Highlights of Chapter:

• Joseph is favoured by his father.
• Joseph dreams of preservation for God’s people.
• Joseph is hated and sold by his brothers.
• Joseph’s brothers lied to their father about Joseph.

Take Action: Pray that every bad story in your life will turn for your good.