This is a story we (think we) know well. There’s a special coat – a series of dreams, some murderous brotherly intent, and soon the family of Jacob will be reduced (if only temporarily) by one favoured son.
We will explore this story over the next several weeks, but our focus will be Joseph and his way with dreams.

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Joseph comes from a long line of dreamers. From great-grandpa Abraham, whose dreams led him to settle in a strange and distant land, to Jacob, who dreamed and wrestled and bargained with God as though his life depended on it. Joseph’s ‘rookie mistake’ was in thinking the dreams were all about him.

In this story that we know so well, there are a few puzzling details. The strangest might be the seeming absence of God,

We are presented with a case of sibling rivalry. A favoured, much-loved son is hated by his brothers. The favourite overplays his hand – dares to imagine that he will be somebody. The brothers decide to deal with it.

Sure, there is a hint of mercy (doesn’t one of the brothers resolve to save Joseph?) but in the end, the slave traders do their thing, and Joseph is a slave. Alone. In a foreign country. Where is God in that?

And these dreams – dreams of greatness are all well and good, but when does a human seeking worship ever end well? (sheaves of wheat bowing – moon and stars and even the sun bowing) God, whose story this is, seems to have taken a break.

Joseph was not wrong to be mindful of his dreams. A little wrong-headed, perhaps – but this is his first time dealing with the kind of revelation that might help one see beyond the ordinary.

The workings of the universe are mostly mysterious, but there are those who seem to be able to read the signs – to sense something greater at work, and Joseph is remembered as one of those people.

Someone who sees more than just the ordinary. Someone who can imagine different possibilities – grander designs – a divine power at work.

Our favourite Biblical characters are ‘dreamers’ in that way. People who understand that there is more to reality than meets the eye.

Jesus reminds the crowds that follow him of the limited scope of their vision: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and so it happens. ⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:54-56)

Jesus’ words are both accusation and challenge – an invitation to open our minds; to change our perspective.

There are things easily seen, and there are things that only the dreamers can sense – the divine workings of the reign of God, just beyond the edges of ordinary sight. Those who see the world with compassion and hope; those who see the world with mercy and love; these are the dreamers whose stories in Scripture captivate us. Joseph – Moses – the prophets – Jesus. People we are invited to learn from. People whose path to God takes them through all manner of human experience.

Joseph has the right idea, but he starts on the wrong foot. He imagines these dreams are about him. He is still the centre of the universe. God is strangely absent from his interpretation. His selfish ambition will have real consequences in the early part of his story. And too often we make a similar mistake.

Our ambition – our ideas – leave no room for the bigger picture. Our high ideas would bring glory to us and we imagine that he world, or the community, or the family will be grateful – glad of our ‘success.’

Joseph’s early story reminds us that is hardly ever true.

Selfishness Is rarely rewarded. And God (too often) seems willing to let us make our own mistakes.

Jospeh learns and grows – that’s for next week – but in the meantime he (and his brothers) must sit with the consequences of his wrong-headedness.

Joseph will be great. The story confirms it, but the path to greatness will run through humiliation and isolation. The road to the kingdom is not so smooth as we would like.

And the kingdom is at the edge of our awareness – the dreamers among us can see it – and live it. But that kingdom resists the selfish urges of those who imagine that it is some personal achievement – a glory waiting to honour only the one who sees it.

The dreamers among us are often misunderstood. Sometimes that’s because they are motivated by their own gain. Often, it is because their ideas seem too good to be true. But those dreams can open our eyes to the glory of God that is always and ever here among us.

May we be willing to watch for those signs.