Another transition occurs, this time abruptly, announcing the entrance of Joseph onto the scene of the patriarchal story. A 17-year-old young man bursts into his family’s psyche as the favored son of all the 12 sons of Israel. Jacob (Israel) had Joseph a special coat made of many colors, and his brothers knew of Israel’s feelings toward Joseph. They hated him.
Joseph had a dream of he and his brothers binding sheaves of grain in the field, and his sheaf stood up straight and all the others bowed down to his, signifying that all his brothers would bow down to him, and it made his brothers despise him even more. He then had a dream, and the sun, moon, and stars all bowed down to him, signifying that his parents and brothers would all bow down to him. At this dream, he also drew the rebuke of his father.
Genesis 37:10–11 (NKJV)
10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
While–no doubt–Joseph’s audacity ruffled the feathers of those around him, there is also no doubt about the fact that Joseph had a true dream from God. All one has to do is look forward in the story of Joseph to see how God brings the dream to pass in a grand way. However, a 17-year-old child, presuming to rule over his brothers and his parents, is audacious, to say the least.
However, audacity is a trait that is missing in the church today. Oh, I don’t believe Christians should be gratuitously audacious, just for shock value or self-aggrandizement. However, audacious Christianity should be quick to offer the gospel to those who open a door of opportunity, should be quick to stand for righteousness and truth in the face of a sinful nation, and should be sure to believe for the miraculous in spite of the odds against it. When the church decides to believe, the church will have a prominent place in the community again. Let the church be the church!
Devoted To You 