DREAMS THAT TRANSFORM—JOSEPH’S STORY

“Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38)

One of the most notable dreamers in the Bible was a seventeen-year-old named Joseph. Despite Joseph’s emotional immaturity, favoritism from his father, and tactlessness with his siblings, the Spirit worked through Joseph’s dreams.

Joseph’s first dream shows his wheat bundle standing tall while his brothers’ bundles bow toward his. In his second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow to him (Genesis 37:5–11). Unable to read the room, Joseph excitedly shares these dreams with his already jealous family, fanning the flames of their rage.

Sometimes I wonder how Joseph’s life might have turned out if he’d been more considerate or more prayerful about his dreams. Perhaps his story unfolds as it does to encourage us that even when we fumble the interpretation or sharing of a dream, the Spirit can still fulfill it.

Joseph’s brothers soon plot his demise, selling him to human traffickers and lying to their father about his fate. Yet those Spirit-infused dreams are making the long, grueling journey toward fulfillment. After Joseph is sold in Egypt, falsely accused, and imprisoned, those surrounding Joseph discover his gift of dream interpretation.

When Pharaoh has troubling dreams of seven plump cows devoured by seven skinny ones, and seven lush heads of grain swallowed by seven thin ones, Joseph interprets them as predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Impressed, Pharaoh makes Joseph his right-hand man with a stunning declaration: “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38).

The same Joseph who once grew excited over his brothers’ futures of bowing to him now grants them pardon and provision during the famine. The dreams that came to an immature teenager are fulfilled in ways that only God could have orchestrated.

When the Spirit speaks through a dream, it’s an invitation to transformation.

This saga reveals that the Spirit was working in Joseph through dreams and dream interpretation for most of his life. Of course, Joseph came by his divine dreams honestly; they’d been occurring in his family for generations. His great-grandfather Abraham also knew the Spirit worked the night shift, receiving dreams about his future descendants (Genesis 15:12–16). His father, Jacob, had the famous dream of a ladder stretching to heaven (Genesis 28:10–17).

Today’s Reflection Questions:

1. How might the Spirit be using your current circumstances—even difficult ones—to fulfill purposes you can’t yet see?
2. Joseph’s dreams took years to be fulfilled. Are there promises or insights God has given you that require patient waiting?
3. What transformation might the Spirit be inviting you into, through your dreams or other spiritual promptings?

Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, help me recognize Your voice in response to my dreams and waking moments. Give me patience when Your promises take time to unfold. Transform me through the waiting, just as You transformed Joseph from an immature teenager to a wise leader. May I become someone others recognize as having Your Spirit within. Amen.