"When Dreams Seem Like Nightmares"
Subject: How should we respond when our life gets turned upside down?
Compliment: We respond by leaning upon God, because he has a master plan for our lives!
Text: Genesis 37ff.
Preaching idea: " When your life gets turned upside down, hold on to God and hold unto your dream."
Introduction:
There I was in a deep dark pit, thrown in by my jealous brothers. I’m scared to death! There’s no way out of here. I have nothing to climb with. I’m just a kid. I knew they hated me, but I never saw this coming. Brothers fight ok, and I ’ll admit there was a rivalry going on, but why would they want me dead?
Oh, I’m sorry, I guess I should introduce myself. Good morning my name is Joseph, son of Jacob. I come from the 18th century B.C.. My great-grandfather was Abraham, my grandfather was Isaac and my father was Jacob.
We lived during a time of change and upheaval. We were known as the patriarchs of our nation, Israel---the founding fathers.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob . . . this is my family tree. We lived in Canaan . . . the placed where God had called my great-grandfather to from his home in Ur.
There God had made a promise and a covenant with him---that his descendants would be as the sand of the seashore and as the stars of the sky.
Our families were shepherds and herdsman. We were always on the move looking for pasture.
I had 10 older brothers . . . they didn’t care too much for me . . . and to be quite honest I enjoyed my position, because even though I was younger---I was smarter than they were!
But That’s exactly what got me into trouble. They were jealous of me---actually they despised me. My Dad, Jacob, favoured me above them . . . and everyone knew it; I knew it, they knew it and even the servants knew it. Looking back now I can see how that caused some tension in our family. So I don’t really recommend it as a good parenting skill.
My only real friend among my brothers was Reuben--he looked out for me as much as he could. If not for him, I wouldn’t be here today.
Now my Dad never heard about "Focus on the Family" or the "Promisekeepers" . . . what he knew about parenting he picked up wherever he could, and it showed.
I’m sure none of you would ever make the mistake he made. He gave me a stunning jacket to wear! I loved it and wore it proudly. But it caused deep resentment among my brothers. It was a way of flaunting my favoured status with my Dad.
One day I went too far. I told my brothers of my special dream, a dream that became a nightmare. My dream described my brothers serving me and bowing at my feet. They were beside themselves. Rage just overtook them. So they decided enough was enough--I had to go.
One day as they were out feeding the flocks in Shechem, my Dad sent to check on them.
They seized me and wanted to murder me right then and there.
Reuben immediately came to my defence . . . he convinced them to throw me into a pit--(he intended to come later and release me)
So here I am at the bottom of this pit, wondering what’s next. Have you ever been in a position like that? Scary isn’t it?
But then Reuben has chores to attend to, thinking the matter is resolved, Reuben returns to his chores, caring for the herds. Then a caravan of Midianites heading for Egypt came by . . . with Reuben not around to defend me they sell me as a slave to these desert merchants. They sold me as a slave for 20 shekels of silver.
I was scared to death. I’m only 17 years old! My life was turned upside down, all I had now was my God and my dream.
I’ll never see my father or mother again . . . I’ll never sleep in my own bed and who knows what awaits me in Egypt? The only thing I had to cling to now was God himself . . . I knew he was still with me even though it seemed strange that he let all of this happen! (My father had told me stories of how God had proven himself faithful to our family many times going right back to my great-grandfather Abraham. I struggled with anger toward my brothers, it was hard to forgive them, but I knew enough about God to know I had to. God helped me overcome it all.
In Egypt . . .
Have you ever moved to a new country? If you have, you know something of what I was about to face--as a 17-year-old kid! The move to Egypt was full of new experiences . . . a new language, new culture, new religion, new foods. Things actually went quite well for a while. When I was placed on the slave auction--which is the most humiliating experience you could imagine, I was purchased by a man who had power and means. His name was Potiphar; he was a captain in Pharaoh’s army. With God’s blessing I soon became the overseer of the entire household, earning the respect and favour of Potiphar.
But then just when things were going smoothly, my master’s wife tried to seduce me. I refused her, but she would not stop, again and again she tried to seduce me. My refusals made her vengeful and so one day she falsely accused me of trying to seduce her. Another choice to make. Should I allow this temptation to overcome me, or will I overcome the temptation? I remembered my dream and I remembered my commitment to God. I ran from her in fear, leaving my garment behind that she had torn from me. She kept my garment and showed it to Potiphar when he returned from a business trip. When Potiphar got the news, I was in deep trouble. All the respect and goodwill I had earned vanished into thin air. Potiphar was furious! Within minutes I was in jail. No trial, no lawyer for a plea bargain. Straight to jail.
My life was turned upside down again, all I had now was my God and my dream.
Prisons in ancient Egypt were dreadful places . . . but again God looked after me.
The prison I was assigned to was the place where the King’s prisoners were held, so I made some good social contacts that would come in handy later!
Again through God’s hand on my life, I gained the favour of the prison keeper and became the warden’s right-hand man. like an administrative assistant.
And it came to pass that Pharaoh became angry with two of his officers . . . the Baker and Butler. They were thrown in jail too. And because of my position, I was placed in charge of them.
Then both of them had dreams. They were disturbed and perplexed by the dreams and became sad and depressed, so I asked them what was going on.
Dreams, I know a few things about dreams; sometimes a dream can become a nightmare.
So they described their dreams to me. God had given me the ability to understand and interpret dreams, so by God’s grace, I was able to explain the dreams for them.
One was a good news dream--that was the Butler’s. In three days he would be released from prison. The other was a bad news dream-the baker’s. In three days he would be dead.
I said to the Butler, clearly and emphatically, remember me when you get out of here.
This was my best chance to get out of prison. Otherwise I might be forgotten and just rot away in there. Now have you ever felt let down? I really thought this guy would come through for me, but he didn’t. I could have become really bitter inside, but God in his grace helped me through it.
I knew bitterness wasn’t the answer. God would stay with me. Yet I must confess I didn’t completely understand what was going on. Two long, grinding years past--nothing---no help, no freedom---he simply forgot about me . . . that is, until he needed me again.
My life was still turned upside down, all I had was my God and my dream.
Then, finally the wheels started turning. You see, Pharaoh also had a dream, a dream that no one could interpret. Pharaoh called in all his magicians and wise men, but none of them could interpret the dream. Suddenly the Butler remembered me--mostly to save his own neck!
(Have you ever noticed that people remember you when they want your help?) Is your culture like that? The Butler spoke to Pharaoh and said something like: "I know a chap I met in prison who has an amazing ability to understand dreams, maybe he can help us!"
Immediately Pharaoh said: " Summon him at once."
I quickly changed into fresh clothes, shaved and washed myself. After all I was appearing before the King! When Pharaoh related the dream to me I immediately understood it as God gave me the interpretation. I was careful to tell Pharaoh that I was not a magician, but a servant of the most high God.
The dream went something like this:
Seven good years are coming for Egypt, the harvest will be a bumper crop for seven consecutive years, but then there will be seven years of hardship and drought, years of famine--unless we plan and prepare for them. Pharaoh listened as I spoke, he became quite sober and quiet when I shared with him what was about to happen in Egypt. While Pharaoh didn’t know my God, the true and living God, he believed everything I said. (See 41:39-40)
While the dream was astounding and incredible, on a personal level, this was the big break I had been hoping and praying for! God had opened a way out of prison for me! Sometimes God really surprises us. Just thinking of Pharaoh’s dream reminded me of my own dream. My life was still upside down, all I had was my God and my dream. But that’s really all I needed!
Surprised, yes! But I had no idea what a surprise it would be. Then Pharaoh really shocked me! He actually appointed me as second in command in his kingdom! He actually took off his signet ring and placed in on my finger. Fine linen clothes were given to me, and a gold chain was placed around my neck. And then the biggest honour of all---I was given the second chariot to ride in!!! People started bowing before me and crying out---"Bow the Knee!" Talk about going from rages to riches! This was too much and it was happening so fast I couldn’t believe it! Then Pharaoh spoke: "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." (41:43)
I went from being virtually powerless to being the second most powerful man in all of Egypt! I knew this was God’s doing because he had given me the gift of interpreting dreams. I just didn’t know why. I sensed there was more to come.
I was now thirty years old. It was 13 years since my brothers had sold me as a slave. Much of that time I spent in prison--feeling forsaken, and now by God’s grace I was promoted to the second ranking official in all of Egypt!!! Pharaoh even presented me with a beautiful wife--arranged marriages were common in our ancient world. Shortly thereafter, two beautiful sons were born to my wife and me. We named our first, "Manasseh" that means "God has made me forget all my labour and toil." The second we named "Ephraim" which means "Fruitful in the land of affliction." We chose those names because they really state how I feel about my life and about God. He had proven himself again.
These two precious sons meant everything to me---when I looked into their faces I saw the grace and the loving care of God. God sure is filled with surprises. My dream was starting to take shape as God showed me over and over again that he was in control. I remembered what had sustained me in earlier years; "When my life was turned upside down, all I had was my God and my dream." Now by God’s grace my dream was becoming a reality.
In my new responsibilities as second in command, Pharaoh charged me with preparing the entire nation for the seven bad years to come. During the seven good years, I gathered and warehoused as much grain as possible. Storage sites had to be built, workers had to be mobilized. This was a major national campaign to preserve Egypt from famine. I worked long days and long nights. At the end of the 7-year campaign, we had our survival plan in place.
The seven good years ended, and the seven bad years began. We went from boom to bust. The rain stopped falling, the mighty Nile slowed to a trickle, drought began to set in.
The drought was severe in all the surrounding lands too, and people from all the nations came to buy grain from me in Egypt! It took wisdom--divine wisdom to distribute the grain fairly and justly. But by now I knew a few things about justice. But I was not prepared for what happened next. My father Jacob sent his 10 sons--my hated brothers to Egypt to buy food.(42:1)
Now, after all these years, my 10 brothers are standing before me---I recognized them right away. But they didn’t recognize me, after all I was an Egyptian executive now, not some lean and rash Jewish teen. My mind began to work fast. What to do? Revenge or mercy? They would never know it was I, but God would and I would. I had to help them. I knew what was at stake here ---the survival of my people! Now it was all beginning to make sense. Amazing! That’s why God brought me to this place.
But first a little lesson for my siblings. To challenge them I spoke roughly and accused them of being spies . . . "You are spies" (42:7). They denied my accusation of course. So I decided to make it interesting. I set up a test of their truthfulness: "bring this younger brother you speak of, and I will keep Simeon here until you return." They already felt guilt over their wicked plot to kill and then sell me as a teen. Now this. Reuben spoke to his brothers: "Didn’t I tell you God would punish us for what we did to Joseph?" Of course I could understand everything since I knew the language. I had to turn away and weep (42:24). So Simeon stayed as insurance. Then I filled their sacks with grain and put their money back in the sacks and sent them off.
When they return home without Simeon and now being forced to deliver Benjamin, Jacob is distraught: "Joseph is dead. Simeon is in prison in Egypt, now they want Benjamin. It’s almost too much for my aging father.
Reuben spoke up---"I guarantee I’ll bring Benjamin back safely." Joseph said no deal. Stay home. So they decide to stay home, but their grain runs out and the famine has not ended; they need more food. So they come to Egypt a second time (ch. 43).
This time when they arrive I invite them to dine with me. Benjamin is with them. When I saw my beloved younger Benjamin, I had to leave the room to weep, it was too much for me. We ate a meal together for the first time in 13 years! Then I filled their sacks with grain, and I planted a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack (ch. 44). Of course our security people discovered the stolen property and arrested them and brought them to me immediately. They were apologetic and baffled. I set their punishment: Benjamin is to become my slave. They protested: no, no it will kill our father! At this point I can take it no longer . . . so I revealed my identity to my brothers.
"Come close to me." (45:4) "I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into slavery." Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me here before you to preserve life. We have had famine for two years and we have five more years of famine remaining.
"God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So it was not you who sent me here but God and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."
Now bring our father here say to him "God has made Joseph lord of all Egypt, come down to me, do not tarry. Dwell in the land of Goshen and you shall be near me and your children and your flocks and herds and all that you have. There I will provide for you, for there are still five years of famine remaining. Then I simply fell on Benjamin’s neck and wept and he on mine and he also wept. Then I kissed all my brothers and then we talked together for a long while.
When Pharaoh heard all this, he supplied carts and animals to journey to Canaan for Jacob and he said "the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."
As I reflect upon my life and the dramatic events God brought me through, I can summarize it all this way, "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive!" (50:20)
Conclusion: Have you heard the expression, "it’s not how you start its how you finish! Well I’ve proven that to be true! And God proved himself faithful to me! My dream became reality, for a while it seemed like one big nightmare that just wouldn’t go away, but God proved faithful. I have learned to trust him! When my life was turned upside down, all I had was my God and my dream. I discovered that was more than enough! God had a plan and his plan never fails.
When I was a boy, God gave me a dream--it was actually a promise. And God made good on his promise. I look at my children, I see the power I have in Egypt, I look at my brothers with whom I’m now reconciled and I look at my Father. What a blessing to have a few years with him before he died. As for my dream that had my family bowing down to me, I now see it as a privilege to serve them and in serving them, I’m really serving my Lord.
