Remembered Dreams

 

Remembered Dreams

Genesis 42: ⁶ Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. ⁷ Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?”

And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”

 

⁸ So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. ⁹ Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

 

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Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They were sent to Joseph who they had not seen in thirteen years or so. He was dressed as an Egyptian so they did not recognize him. They bowed down to him. When Joseph saw his brother and saw them bowing down to him, he remembered the dream GOD gave him.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph did not know how the dream would play out when GOD gave it to him.
• Joseph treated his brothers harshly, knowing the answer to the questions he asked.
• Joseph may have had many mixed feelings about seeing the brothers who sold him into slavery versus GOD being with him, teaching him grace.

 

Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. This gave Joseph an advantage that he never would have dreamt of. The brothers were forced to bow down to Joseph. They never would have done this on their own because of the hatred they harbored in their heart. BUT GOD knew this when HE gave Joseph the dream.

 

GOD gave Joseph a prophetic dream that came to fruition after HE created a famine that would make the brothers do anything to survive. This sometimes happens to you and me. Things, people and places are taken away from us, forcing us to rid ourselves of pride, fear and self-doubt. Joseph’s faith increased exponentially when seeing the dream come true/.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s “rough” handling of his brothers during their reunion?
• Has GOD caused a famine around you that is so great, that you have to change?
• Is GOD guiding you to let go of something you are holding onto by placing you in an uncomfortable circumstance?

Big Dreamers Look Forward

Big Dreamers Look Forward

Hebrews 11: ²² It was faith that made Joseph, when he was about to die, speak of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and leave instructions about what should be done with his body.

 

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Reasoning with GOD, I thought of the things “I” had done for HIM. “Remember the time when I…” was my argument that I thought of. I was going through a rough time and I wanted GOD to clear it up immediately. Not only did the problem persist, other problems piled on.

 

• I wanted out of the trial I was going through.
• I looked back on a few times when I thought I was being “good.”
• I expected GOD to get me out of the trial if HE would simply realize “I” have been trying.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives another example of faith. This time he mentions Joseph, who had the gift of interpreting dreams. He also was given huge dreams by GOD. He was hated, lied on and falsely imprisoned, yet he rose up to heights unimaginable. He did not look at his achievements as a fulfilled dream.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s plans far exceed my life.
• I am only a part of GOD’s entire plan.
• Any accomplishment I do is only part of the dream ahead.

 

Dreaming brings on faith and faith brings on dreams. I mean, when I look forward to a better place, my dreams and thoughts brings on faith that GOD will provide that better place. I then hear from GOD through problems HE wants me to solve. HE provides the plan that sometimes seems overwhelming.

 

GOD wants me to look forward to HIS solution rather than looking backward at “my” accomplishments. HE was the one who enabled me to accomplish everything, so I cannot take credit. I gladly look forward to what HE will do and what HE will provide.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer focus on the time when Joseph was about to die as an example of faith?
• Have you ever had a big dream and got nervous that the dream was much bigger than you?
• Will you ask GOD for the faith it will take for HIS plan to be manifested through your efforts in HIS time and HIS way?

Climb 'Til Your Dream Comes True - Helen Steiner Rice

Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable, too.

But always remember, the hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seem,
And with Faith in your heart start upward
And climb 'Til you reach your dream.

For nothing in life that is worthy
Is never too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it
And you have the Faith to believe.

For Faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God's wisdom and will.

For Faith is a mover of mountains.
There's nothing that God cannot do,
So start out today with Faith in your heart
And "Climb 'Til Your Dream Comes True" !