Genesis 37:5
"One day Joseph had a dream. When he told his dream to his brothers, they hated him even more."
Genesis 37:9-10
"But Joseph had another dream, and he made the mistake of telling them about this dream too. He said, 'Listen! I've had another dream. I saw the moon, the sun, and 11 stars bowing down to me.' When he told his dream to his father and brothers, even his father scolded him saying, 'What kind of dream is this? Do you actually think your mother and I and your brothers are going to bow down before you?"
Reading this passage, I just wanted to yell at Joseph and tell him to stay quiet. If only he would have kept his mouth shut. I feel like he would learn an incredible lesson from Odysseus- how to hold his tongue. Odysseus knew that when he returned to Ithaca, that he would slay all the suitors. Athena even went so far as to disguise him to keep others from recognizing this man of greatness. If Odysseus had come bounding into his home, alone against the suitors, and without the element of strategic surprise, I have to wonder if he would have survived. Joseph was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery. Sometimes having a big mouth is a big problem. Come on Jo! Learn a lesson from Ody!
I commented on Matt Henson's...
I agree, I definitely thought that it was unnecessary to share that dream with his brothers. It seemed almost arrogant. I also thought the entire section of Genesis was reminiscent of the style of the Odyssey.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to remember that God often spoke through dreams. Maybe he was simply sharing this dream with his brothers to gain a bit of insight. However, he probably could have approached it in a less self-centered fashion.
ReplyDeleteIf he hadn't have told his dream, then the power of his testimony at the end of Genesis wouldn't be there. Joseph said himself that they meant him evil, but God repaid it with good. Joseph is a totally different character than Odysseus. He's the younger sibling, he's a shepherd, not a warrior or a married man. Just saying that it's not that surprising that he shared his dreams with his family. Perhaps he was just excited about the gift that God had given him.
ReplyDeleteAs I read through that part, I could not help but wonder was Joseph getting cocky and prideful. He felt God had chosen him to be leader, and his pride kept his mouth open instead of shut. With that said, could Joseph being sold into slavery be a way God taught Joseph to be humble? I mean, Joseph thought he was going to be bowed down to by his older brothers and parents, but he is sold into slavery instead? I know later, his dreams come true, but for that moment, could it have been a lesson of humility for Joseph?
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