This Dreamer cometh…

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

People definitely recognize dreamers…and sometimes don’t like them. Dreamers are the people that get teased and are topics of people’s conversations. They unknowingly sometimes draw attention. Emotions about them can even grow to reach even hate.

If you are a dreamer, do not be discouraged! The Bible is full of powerful and successful dreamers – from Moses to Noah to even Jesus. In the scripture above it’s referring to a particular dreamer. Let’s ponder the life of Joseph and then begin to rejoice at what the end will be!

Just like in the case of Joseph in Genesis 37 mentioned above- family & friends see glimpses of what God has imparted into anointed individuals. Their reactions? Well, some revel and rejoice in the potential like his Father Jacob/Israel did. Others, like Joseph’s brothers see the gift/potential and begin to envy and act on those emotions reasoning they are able to affect the dreamer’s outcome to detriment.

To counteract the naysayers and dream killers – dreamers like Joseph have scriptures they can rely. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God is the anchor scripture. (Romans 10:17) God works everything in their lives and everyone around them for good. (Romans 8:28) God has a plan for each and every one of us – He knew us before we were formed in the belly. (Jeremiah 1:5) Those that sow in tears will eventually reap in joy. (Psalms 126: 5) When we look at the life and great testimony of Joseph, these all were most assuredly the case.

The problem – dreamers get so excited and want to tell whomever they can about all that they perceive and have been given. They think others will be just as enthusiastic. They become almost overwhelmed with possibilities and find they cannot hold it within their own mind. To fault and their harm they get way ahead of the manifestation and tell it all. They feel it must be shared! There are times God instructs them to reveal. Some may think dreamers are bragging or showing off – like Joseph’s brothers. I’m not sure if that was Joseph’s intention, but that is how he was perceived and how most dreamers are perceived.

Unfortunately, the above actions attract doubters and enemies. It did not help the situation that Joseph was his Dad’s favorite as his son in old age and that daddy gave him a “coat of many colors.” Joseph unknowingly assisted birthing his brothers’ envy and hatred to grow by letting them know that later in life they would all bow down to him.

Their anger and envy caused them to plot to throw Joseph off track to attempt to disprove the dream. His brothers wanted to kill him and kill the dream but, God intervened and had one brother convince the rest to throw him into a pit and then to sell him into slavery. He then was on a path thought never to recover. It definitely got worse before it became better for Joseph. Through it all, peaks and valleys, he held to the vision God gave.

We learn through Joseph’s journey to eventual triumph that the path in life is not always “straight” and “ease” from dream to fruition – even for those that are faithful through every stage. What we can say is – God is omniscient, meaning He has complete knowledge. Dreamers are to trust in God’s omniscience as Joseph did even though folks and family came against him, falsely accused him, and forgot him. (I encourage you if not acquainted with his story to read the entire recount in Genesis to obtain the whole story.)

Hold on dreamers…people do recognize what is down deep in you. God is faithful and he knows and will work His plans for you. I believe I need to repeat for emphasis – although being thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, jailed, falsely accused, and forgotten about – in the end Joseph prevailed. His ability to remain firm in action no matter what surrounded him proved true. His brothers and father eventually bowed before him.

Joseph, one of the Bible’s greatest dreamers, remained a faithful follower even in the worst of times brought on for no reason. All the steps were a part of the plan God had for him and for those around him. The dreamer came forth…Glory to God!