11. Joseph, Master of Dreams

Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

"Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?" exclaimed his brothers in envious anger. {PP 210.1}

Soon he had another dream, of similar import, which he also related: "Behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me." This dream was interpreted as readily as the first. The father, who was present, spoke reprovingly--"What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?" Notwithstanding the apparent severity of his words, Jacob believed that the Lord was revealing the future to Joseph. {PP 210.2}

Memory Text

And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. . Genesis 37:19

This SS Lesson will describe and deal with the highlights of God’s promises to be fulfilled even amidst uncertainties and difficulties in the life of Joseph. It includes how God orchestrated every way in the fulfillment of His purposes through providential interference even in the wickedness of the human heart.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: Family Troubles (The Dreams of Joseph) - Gen. 37:1-11

Monday: The Attack on Joseph (Joseph is Sold) - Gen. 37:12-36

Tuesday: Judah and Tamar (Interlude) - Gen. 38

Wednesday: Joseph, a Slave in Egypt (Joseph is imprisoned) - Gen. 39

Thursday: The Dreams of Pharaoh - Gen. 40:1-41:36

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Sunday: Family Troubles (The Dreams of Joseph) - Gen. 37:1-11

“Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” (Genesis 37:5).

Joseph’s Dream Aroused Envy and Hatred

The Lord gave Joseph a dream which he related; Jacob would have been alarmed had he suspected the hatred and malicious feelings this dream aroused in the hearts of his sons against his beloved child. Joseph dreamed that while they were all engaged binding sheaves of grain, his sheaf arose and stood upright, and the sheaves of all the rest stood round about and bowed before his sheaf. No sooner was his dream related than they all understood its significance. His brothers exclaimed with indignation, "Shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?" Their hatred toward him burned deeper in their hearts than before. Soon the Lord gave Joseph another dream of the same import, but more strikingly significant. This dream he also related to his father and his brethren. He said, "Behold I have dreamed a dream more, and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me." The interpretation of this dream was quite as quickly discerned as was that of the first. "And his father rebuked him, and said unto him, what is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying." {ST, December 18, 1879 par. 4}

Consider the following

Joseph was reporting the bad behavior of his brothers to their father (Genesis 37:2). It was obvious that Jacob wanted to place Joseph—the firstborn of Rachel—above all his brothers (Genesis 37:3).

To top it all, Joseph had two dreams that showed him above his brothers (Genesis 37:5-9). Jacob didn’t seem happy with those dreams, but he reflected on their meaning and possible fulfillment (Genesis 37:11)

Monday: The Attack on Joseph (Joseph is Sold) - Gen. 37:12-36

“Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.” (Genesis 37:36)

Judah’s Proposition to Sell Joseph

Judah now proposed to sell their brother to these heathen traders [Ishmaelites] instead of leaving him to die. While he would be effectually put out of their way, they would remain clear of his blood; “for,” he urged, “he is our brother and our flesh.” To this proposition all agreed, and Joseph was quickly drawn out of the pit. {CTr 92.2}

Joseph’s Brothers Possess a Satanic Frenzy

Joseph was weary and hungry, yet they gave him neither rest nor food. "And they took him, and cast him into a pit; and the pit was empty, there was no water in it." As Judah thought of Joseph lying in the pit, suffering a lingering death by starvation, he was troubled. For a short time, he, with others of his brethren, seemed to possess a satanic frenzy. But after they had begun to accomplish their wicked purposes to the helpless, innocent Joseph, some of them were ill at ease. They did not feel that satisfaction they thought they should have to see Joseph perish. Judah was the first to express his feelings. He "said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, and our flesh; and his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver; and they brought Joseph into Egypt." {1SP 129.1}

Consider the Following

Everything happened quickly (Genesis 37:13-36).

— Jacob sent Joseph to visit his brothers (13-14).

— A man met Joseph “by chance,” and told him where to find his brothers (15-17).

— His brothers decided to kill him when they saw him (18-20).

— Reuben tried to save him and interceded on his behalf (21-24).

— Judah proposed a new plan: to sell him instead of killing him (25-28).

— They tricked Jacob by telling him that Joseph was dead (29-35).

— Once in Egypt, Joseph is sold to Potiphar (36).

Tuesday: Judah and Tamar (Interlude) - Gen. 38

“So Judah acknowledged them and said, ‘She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.’ And he never knew her again.” (Genesis 38:26)

Judah, a descendant of godly Abraham, married a pagan Canaanite (v2). We know from Scripture and archaeological artifacts that the Canaanites were very idolatrous, immoral people. If the Israelites stayed in their homeland, this type of intermarriage would have surely gone on for years, and God’s chosen people would have no longer been distinctively Jewish. But in Egypt there was very little intermarriage because the Egyptians detested the Hebrews (Genesis 43:32; Genesis 46:34). Living in Egypt, the nation of Israel was actually sheltered from contamination by the idolatrous Canaanites!

The wonderful grace of God continues in Judah’s life throughout Genesis 37-50. In Genesis 37, Judah was willing to betray his younger brother and sell him into slavery, but he wasn’t willing to kill him. In chapter 38, Judah was willing to confess that he was the primary wrong-doer in his dealings with Tamar. And later, Judah was willing to give up his freedom—and even his own life—to rescue his brother Benjamin, and to save his father Jacob from the grief of losing another son. The story of Judah and Tamar magnifies the wonderful grace of God.

Tamar is one of the four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1, along with Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. These women were most likely all Gentiles, and three of the four were not models of a godly life. But God, in his wonderful grace, overruled in each of their lives and situations.

Consider the following

Judah left the nest, married, and had three children (Genesis 38:1-5). Er was the firstborn and married Tamar. Then, God began to respond to the evil acts of Judah’s children (Genesis 38:6-10).

However, God didn’t punish Judah and Tamar for their mistake (Genesis 38:11-18). Juda acknowledge his mistake, and Tamar was considered righteous (Genesis 38:26). God transformed evil into good, and He redeemed Tamar by grace.

Wednesday: Joseph, a Slave in Egypt (Joseph is imprisoned) - Gen. 39

“And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.’” (Genesis 35:2)

Joseph Brought Blessing to Egypt

Joseph regarded his being sold into Egypt as the greatest calamity that could have befallen him; but he saw the necessity of trusting in God as he had never done when protected by his father's love. Joseph brought God with him into Egypt, and the fact was made apparent by his cheerful demeanor amid his sorrow. As the ark of God brought rest and prosperity to Israel, so did this God-loving, God-fearing youth bring a blessing to Egypt. This was manifested in so marked a manner that Potiphar, in whose house he served, attributed all his blessings to his purchased slave, and made him a son rather than a servant. It is God's purpose that those who love and honor His name shall be honored also themselves, and that the glory given to God through them shall be reflected upon themselves (YI March 11, 1897). {1BC 1096.4}

Consider the following

Joseph was put in charge of all his estate. Success didn’t corrupt him. On the contrary, he refused to give in to his mistress’ insinuations (Genesis 39:9). However, he was sent to prison. Back to the beginning.

God was still with Joseph at prison. He also extended His mercy on him and gave him favor in the sight of the guard (Genesis 39:21).

He was again put in charge of everything (Genesis 39:22-23). Joseph never forgot that his success was God’s. He remained faithful to God under all circumstances.

Thursday: The Dreams of Pharaoh - Gen. 40:1-41:36

“And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.”

(Genesis 41:32)

From Prison to Palace

It was humiliating to Pharaoh to turn away from the magicians and wise men of his kingdom to consult an alien and a slave, but he was ready to accept the lowliest service if his troubled mind might find relief. Joseph was immediately sent for; he put off his prison attire, and shaved himself, for his hair had grown long during the period of his disgrace and confinement. He was then conducted to the presence of the king. {PP 220.1}

Disclaimer of Honor - It’s not in Me!

"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Joseph's reply to the king reveals his humility and his faith in God. He modestly disclaims the honor of possessing in himself superior wisdom. "It is not in me." God alone can explain these mysteries. {PP 220.2}

No One Declare the Dream Before Pharaoh

Pharaoh then proceeded to relate his dreams: "Behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: and, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favored; and they fed in a meadow: and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: and the lean and the ill-favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: and the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me." {PP 220.3}

The Interpretation of the Dream

"The dream of Pharaoh is one," said Joseph. "God hath showed Pharaoh what He is about to do." There were to be seven years of great plenty. Field and garden would yield more abundantly than ever before. And this period was to be followed by seven years of famine. "And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous." The repetition of the dream was evidence both of the certainty and nearness of the fulfillment. "Now therefore," he continued, "let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine." {PP 220.4}

Consider the following

Joseph expected to be released quickly after interpreting the dreams of the butler and the baker (Genesis 40:14-15). But his freedom didn’t come then.

Then, two dreams and a worried dreamer again. Pharaoh was eager to understand their meaning. After two years, God’s time had finally come (Genesis 41:1-14).

Even before Pharaoh, Joseph didn’t forget his success was actually God’s: “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Genesis 41:16)

Joseph’s two dreams were beginning to become true. After many years, he was put in charge of all Egypt (Genesis 41:41).

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

There are few who realize the influence of the little things of life upon the development of character. Nothing with which we have to do is really small. The varied circumstances that we meet day by day are designed to test our faithfulness and to qualify us for greater trusts. By adherence to principle in the transactions of ordinary life, the mind becomes accustomed to hold the claims of duty above those of pleasure and inclination. Minds thus disciplined are not wavering between right and wrong, like the reed trembling in the wind; they are loyal to duty because they have trained themselves to habits of fidelity and truth. By faithfulness in that which is least they acquire strength to be faithful in greater matters. {PP 222.3}

An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir. Without it none can rise to an honorable eminence. But character is not inherited. It cannot be bought. Moral excellence and fine mental qualities are not the result of accident. The most precious gifts are of no value unless they are improved. The formation of a noble character is the work of a lifetime and must be the result of diligent and persevering effort. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them. {PP 223.1}

Questions to Ponder

1. For what reasons do Joseph's brothers hate him so much? How could they do such a deadly attack on their brother?

2. What lessons can we learn from the family where evil exists amidst its members? And why is it so important to seek God's power to change our lives into His image?

3. Why did God include the story of Judah and Tamar in the inspired text of the scripture?

4. What kind of woman was Tamar described and demonstrated in the story (Gen. 38)? How did God transform the evil woman into good?

5. With the interruption of the story of Judah and Tamar, why does the scripture then, introduce Joseph's resistance to Potiphar's wife's temptation? What purpose does it bear?

6. Based on the passage above (PP 222.3-223.1), how do little things in life prepare for the bigger challenges ahead? For what purposes that Joseph's successes become a precursor for His becoming a governor in Egypt?

7. How to overcome fear when providential experiences won't favor us seems to show defeat on our side, and what lesson can we learn from Joseph's life?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. It was a position of high honor, yet it was beset with difficulty and peril […] But Joseph's character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner's cell […] he fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his position. Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of Egypt was directed to the true God [...]” E. G. W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 20, p. 222)

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