OCTOBER 5, Genesis 37:5-11

Do you have dreams? I suspect your dreams are different from Joseph’s. His dreams were special as they were divinely inspired. This means that God was sending a message to Joseph.

Joseph’s first dream was about sheaves of wheat. The sheaf that Joseph bound in the field was upright while the sheaves his brothers bound were bent and bowing to his sheaf. Could you imagine how angry his brothers were when Joseph related his dream to them? They were being told that, one day they would have pay respect to him – who is their junior. What audacity? This drove them to say, “Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?” They refused to believe Joseph and detested him even more.

Days later, Joseph dreamed yet another dream. This time it was about the sun, moon (representing his father and mother) and eleven stars (representing eleven brothers) all bowing to him. It was interpreted as his parents and his brothers would pay homage to him one day. He would rise higher in position and become more important than all of them. When Joseph told his dream to his father and brothers, he was again met with ridicule. Even his father rebuked him and refused to openly acknowledge the interpretation of it, but Jacob did secretly keep it in his heart. While the brothers might have envied him inwardly, outwardly they only showed hatred.

Despite these dreams, was Joseph proud? Did Joseph try to exert power over his brothers? Not in the least. He did not sin against God by being proud. Despite such dreams, he was humble.

Dear child, humility is so important. Some of you may be gifted in studies, music, or art. Some of you may be able to speak a few languages easily. With such talents, it is tempting to think the world of yourself. Don’t be puffed up. Remember Joseph. Remember that God will resist the proud and lift up the humble.

Thought: Humility is the best policy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to be humble always and to bear a good testimony to Thy name. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.