Heroes: The Bible Trivia Game
For sure, you know Joseph, the dreamer. You have probably known his story from the Bible, specifically from Genesis.
Meanwhile, do you know that there was another Joseph in the Bible who also had prophetic dreams?
Who was he? More importantly, what were his dreams about? Read further to discover.
1.0. JOSEPH THE DREAMER WE COMMONLY KNOW
Old Testament Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel. He had 11 brothers.
1.1. HIS DREAMS AND THEIR INTERPRETATIONS
a) Eleven bundles of sheaves bowing down to one
Here, the bundle at the center represented Joseph. Meanwhile, the eleven others were his brothers.
As an implication, Joseph’s brothers would someday thank him for a life-changing act he has done for his family and nation.
b) Sun, moon, and stars bowing down to him
Joseph did not interpret this dream. However, his brothers could have assumed something out of it. Specifically, they were the stars. The sun was their father, Jacob. Finally, the moon was their stepmother.
Despite having no biblical interpretation, we can assume this dream meant Joseph was in the position of being his brothers’ keeper and observer. Hence, he recognized his life’s purpose – saving his family and providing for their needs in the future.
1.2. THE PLOT
Joseph’s dreams made his brothers jealous more so that he was his father’s favorite. For instance, Jacob made him a unique coat with many colors. Thus, whenever they had the chance, his brothers would plot to make him suffer, or worse, put him to death.
Eventually, one day, Joseph’s brothers sold him to Egypt. He couldn’t do anything but go with the traders. Unfortunately, to save themselves, his brothers lied to their father that Joseph died from an animal’s attack.
1.3 HIS LIFE-CHANGING ENCOUNTER IN EGYPT
In Egypt, Joseph served Pharaoh as a slave. He endured many trials, such as being imprisoned for something he did not do. Nevertheless, Joseph stood firm in his faith and became a blessing to his fellow prisoners. Specifically, he helped them interpret their dreams with God’s help.
Later, Pharaoh had two unusual dreams. First, seven thin cows ate up seven healthy cows. In the second dream, seven delicate ears of grain ate up seven thick ears of grains (Genesis 41:1-7).
Waking up, he wanted someone to tell him its meaning. Fortunately, the royal cupbearer, Joseph’s former cellmate, remembered and recommended him to the king.
Interpreting the king’s dreams, Joseph told him there would be seven years of abundance in Egypt. Unfortunately, after that would come seven years of famine which would “consume the land” (Genesis 41:30, ESV).
Because of the proposal to appoint a wise man and overseers over Egypt, Pharaoh assigned Joseph to be the governor.
1.4. THE FULFILLMENT OF PHARAOH’S DREAMS
During the seven years of abundance, Joseph led the kingdom to store up food. Then, when famine came, Egypt opened all its storehouses and sold food for Egypt and “all the earth” (Genesis 41:57, ESV).
Among the people who came to Egypt to buy grain were Joseph’s brothers.
1.5. THE FULFILLMENT OF JOSEPH’S DREAMS (TEST OF CHARACTER)
While his brothers didn’t recognize him, Joseph did by their faces. However, he didn’t introduce himself yet. He took it as an opportunity to test if they had changed for the better.
Joseph pretended to be doubting the men as spies. However, they proved they were honest individuals by telling him of their family background. Specifically, they mentioned they had lost one brother while the youngest was in Canaan with his father.
To prove their word, Joseph asked the men to bring Benjamin, their youngest brother. However, they had to leave one of them to make sure they would return.
The ten brothers came home, telling their father what happened. Unfortunately, Jacob couldn’t allow Benjamin to go with them to Egypt. He feared that he would also lose him like Joseph.
Fortunately, Jacob later made up his mind to let Benjamin go. So, he prepared a present for the governor. It included the money he thought Joseph had mistakenly returned to their sacks.
As his brothers came back to Egypt with Benjamin, Joseph called a feast in celebration. However, he still wanted to test their character. Joseph secretly left a royal cup in one of their sacks. Then, he let them go.
As his brothers were traveling, Joseph sent his house steward to chase them. The steward asked them to stop and open their sacks. Surprisingly, he found the cup in one of them. Thus, he brought them back to Joseph’s house.
1.6. THE FULFILLMENT OF JOSEPH’S DREAMS (REVELATION AND REUNION)
The men couldn’t believe what they saw from one of their sacks. Nevertheless, for peace’s sake, they asked for the governor’s forgiveness.
As his brothers proved their innocence, Joseph could no longer hold his tears. Finally, he revealed himself as the brother they had once sold to Egypt.
However, Joseph did not blame them. Instead, he wanted them to know that God used such an unfortunate fate to be a great blessing.
Joseph’s brothers couldn’t believe it, but they were delighted to know their betrayed brother was still alive. Even Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
After this dramatic confession, Pharaoh promised Joseph to give his family a portion of the land of Egypt. For this, Joseph asked his brothers to bring their father.
As the men returned with their father, it was an even more dramatic reunion. Can you imagine how happy and memorable this day was for them?
2.0. WHO WAS THIS ANOTHER JOSEPH WITH PROPHETIC DREAMS?
If I mention Jesus, you probably have an idea who this another Joseph was. Yes, he was our Messiah’s father – not in heaven but on earth. His wife was Mary.
However, little do we know that this New Testament Joseph also had prophetic dreams. What were they? But first, let us get to know him personally.
2.1. HIS BIBLICAL BACKGROUND AND LIFE STORY
Honestly, the Bible had not much account of Joseph. What it only mentions are his ancestry, occupation, and life as Jesus’ father.
Specifically, Joseph was a descendant of King David. Then, he worked as a carpenter even after Jesus was born. The young Man inherited such an occupation.
Meanwhile, we do not know when Joseph had died. However, Luke 2:41-42 says that he was alive when Jesus was about 12 years of age.
2.2. HIS PROPHETIC DREAMS
a) “Marry Mary!”
One night, an angel appeared in Joseph’s dream. He said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife” (Matthew 1:20, NIV).
For this, she would “give birth to a son” and “give Him the name Jesus” (verse 21). True enough, Joseph married Mary, who gave birth to the promised Child.
b) “Go to Egypt!”
At another time, an angel showed in Joseph’s dream again. “Get up, take the Child and His mother and escape to Egypt” (Matthew 2:13, NIV).
With this, the angel warned Joseph to stay there because Herod was planning to kill the Child.
c) “Go to Israel!”
King Herod died when Joseph was in Egypt. His threatening plan failed. Then, his son Archelaus took his place.
Coincidentally, Joseph had another dream. Specifically, an angel told him to go to Israel “for those who sought the Child’s life are dead” (Matthew 2:20, ESV).
d) “Go to Nazareth!”
Since Herod’s son, Archelaus, was the ruler over Judea, God warned Joseph in a dream not to go there. Instead, he should take his family to Nazareth.
Significantly, this is the fulfillment of the prophecy that Joseph would be called a Nazarene.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Indeed, Jesus’ earthly father was another Joseph in the Bible who had prophetic dreams. His dreams had saved Baby Jesus from harm. True enough, God has taken care of His conception through the angels as messengers.
However, God does not only speak through dreams or visions. As a fact, He convicts in many different ways. The question is, are you willing to listen and follow His leading?
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