Introduction:

Good morning and welcome to week 2 of this sermon series following the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. Last week we talked about Jacob’s wives Leah and Rachel and the sort of competition between the two of them (and their servants) to have more children than the other. Joseph ends up being the youngest of the 12 children born. He’s born to Rachel after she endures a long season of barrenness and prays to the Lord for a child. As the youngest and the answer to Rachel’s prayers, Joseph is well loved and favored by his dad. In fact he is the favorite son of Jacob. In today’s scripture we are starting into the story many of us know from growing up in Sunday school or maybe seeing the theater play about Joseph and his colorful coat. But you may notice that our scripture today ends rather abruptly. 

I think it is important to recognize that the stories in the Bible don’t take place over a single day or even a single week but oftentimes over years. And it is really easy to kind of forget the time period that elapses in scripture even when doing a sermon series like this where just last week we were talking about Joseph being born, and now this week talking about Joseph sharing his dreams with his family. I think we often forget the concept of time in scripture as what transpired over the course of years we can read in the course of minutes. So today let’s not let our ability to gloss over time take place. Let’s recognize the time and circumstances surrounding Joseph as described in our scripture this morning. Let’s dive in to this scripture together. 

• Briefly introduce Genesis 37:1-11, the beginning of Joseph's story and his pivotal dreams.
• Highlight the key themes: dreams, favoritism, jealousy, and God's sovereignty.
• State the purpose of the sermon: to explore how God’s plans are fulfilled despite human flaws and emotions.

1. Joseph's Dreams (Genesis 37:1-5)

1. Context and Background:
• Jacob's family had settled in Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• Introduction to Joseph, who is 17 years old, and is one of Jacob's twelve sons.
• Emphasize Jacob’s special affection for Joseph, born to him in his old age and to his favored wife, Rachel.
2. Joseph's Dreams:
• First Dream:
• Joseph and his brothers were binding sheaves of grain in the field when Joseph's sheaf stood upright while his brothers’ sheaves gathered around and bowed to it.
• Explain the cultural context of agricultural imagery and how it symbolizes leadership and authority.
1. In Joseph’s time, agriculture was a central part of daily life and the economy in the ancient Near East. It was deeply intertwined with social status, wealth, and power.

Agricultural Economy:

• Agriculture was the backbone of the economy in ancient Canaan and Egypt.
• Wealth and power were often measured by the amount of land owned and the productivity of that land.

Control Over Resources:

• Those who controlled the land and its produce held significant power.
• Grain and other agricultural products were essential for sustenance and trade, thus controlling food resources equated to controlling the economy.

The Sheaves of Grain (Genesis 37:7):

• Joseph’s dream of his sheaf standing upright while his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to it is a clear metaphor for dominance and leadership.
• The upright sheaf symbolizes Joseph’s future authority and his role in providing for his family and others, especially during the famine.

Agricultural Imagery in Leadership:

• The imagery of sheaves would have been instantly recognizable to Joseph’s brothers as representing economic power and survival.
• It foretells Joseph’s future position in Egypt, where he would manage the storage and distribution of grain, crucial during the years of famine.

• Second Dream:
• In this dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to Joseph.
• Note the significant imagery, with the sun representing Jacob, the moon representing Joseph's mother, and the eleven stars symbolizing his brothers.
• Highlight the escalation in the dream’s significance and the broader scope of Joseph’s future prominence.

1. Significance of Dreams:
• Dreams in the ancient Near East were often seen as messages from God.
• These dreams foreshadow Joseph’s future rise to power in Egypt and the critical role he would play in God’s salvation plan for Israel.

Now there are a couple themes in this story that help us to better understand family and relational dynamics that I think are important not to miss as well.

1. Favoritism and Its Consequences (Genesis 37:3-4)

1. Jacob’s Favoritism:
• Jacob’s overt favoritism is shown through the gift of a richly ornamented robe, often translated as a "coat of many colors."
• Explain the cultural importance of such a garment, symbolizing special status and affection.
2. Family Dynamics:
• Explore the negative impact of favoritism on sibling relationships.
• Jacob's actions created resentment and a sense of injustice among his other sons, leading to family discord.
3. Lessons on Favoritism:
• The destructive nature of favoritism within families and communities, leading to division and strife.
• Biblical teachings on impartiality, emphasizing God's equal love for all His children.
1. Romans 2:11-12- For there is no partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law
2. Jesus came to save all who put their trust in him. If God is impartial despite our sins, then in following his example we must also remain impartial in everything we do. We are not the judges of the world nor do we have the position to favor one over the other but to extend grace and love to all, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 
3. This isn’t just a family dynamic but one mark of a person who is following Christ. 

Another lesson not to miss is the effects of jealousy. In Philippians 4:8 the Apostle Paul writes  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Here in today’s story, we have an example of when we do the opposite. Not thinking positively but being blinded by jealousy. 

III. Jealousy and Its Effects (Genesis 37:5-11)

1. Brothers' Jealousy:
• Joseph’s recounting of his dreams exacerbated his brothers’ jealousy and hatred.
• Discuss how the brothers’ jealousy blinded them to the potential positive significance of Joseph’s dreams.
1. The dream wasn’t simply about Joseph’s authority, but provision and wealth through that authority. 
2. Consequences of Jealousy:
• Jealousy leads to sinful thoughts and actions, such as plotting to harm Joseph.
• Biblical examples and warnings about the destructive power of jealousy (e.g., Cain and Abel).
3. Moral Implications:
• The need to guard our hearts against jealousy, seeking God’s help to cultivate contentment and love. - It’s easy to think of the brother’s as clearly in the wrong and someone we would never be. Far too often we are the brothers. We take some fictitious moral high ground or hate something or someone because it is popular. We even say we don’t hate someone or something but will, in the same sentence, talk poorly about said thing or person. Jealousy is ugly and comes for us all. 
• So how do we avoid this pitfall? - Thinking back on what we just referenced from Philippians…
• Practical steps to address jealousy: prayer, self-reflection, and seeking reconciliation.

1. God’s Sovereignty in Human Affairs

1. God’s Plan Unfolding:
• Despite human actions and intentions, God’s sovereign plan for Joseph’s life and the salvation of His people continues.
• Illustrate how God used even the negative actions of Joseph’s brothers to bring about His purpose (e.g., Joseph’s eventual rise to power in Egypt).
2. Trusting in God’s Sovereignty:
• Encouragement to trust God’s plans even when circumstances seem unfavorable or confusing.
• Assurance that God is in control and can bring good out of difficult and challenging situations (Romans 8:28).8 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

1. Application for Today

One of the hardest things to do sometimes with an Old Testament story is understand the implications and application for today. So let’s talk about some for today.

1. Dealing with Favoritism and Jealousy:
• Practical advice for families: Show impartial love and avoid the thief of comparisons. Child development comparison is a thief. 
• Church and community application: Promote inclusivity and equal respect for all members. There is also the trap of partiality of the church - we are not to be a closed off country club of church attenders looking down our noses at people that aren’t here. Let’s be real, by show of hands who here has it all together? Who has it all figured out and never has issue anymore? - Then who are we to judge anyone else? No, we can call sin, sin, but our call is simultaneously to love all sinners, as Christ loves us. Romans 5:8 - 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1. Recognizing God’s Hand in Our Lives:
• Encourage congregants to identify ways God is working in their current circumstances, even through challenges.
• Remind them of the importance of remaining faithful and patient as God’s plans unfold in their lives.

Conclusion:

• Recap the main points: Joseph’s dreams, the impact of favoritism, the dangers of jealousy, and God’s overarching sovereignty.
• Reiterate the importance of trusting God’s plans and seeking to reflect His impartial love and grace in our relationships.
• Emphasize that God's purpose will prevail despite human flaws and that He can use our circumstances for His glory.