Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” Genesis 42: 6-10, NIV.
Gracious God, Here we are again. We are willing to learn from You, that we might obey Your will. So speak to us now we pray, in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
What a “Wow!” moment this must have been for Joseph! Here he was watching his dream coming to life right before his eyes – and he recognized it! I am amazed that He was so calm (or so it appears), that he could “pretend” before them. I would have been so shocked, I do not know if I could have even uttered a word!
There are several lessons that we can learn from Joseph’s story that speaks to us about how the power of God’s grace can make a difference in our lives as we pursue our dream:
1) It is your dream, do not be surprised if others do not recognize it. Our Scripture for today informs us of the following: “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” Joseph had told his brothers about his dream. But when it met its fulfillment, they did not recognize it. I am sure that Joseph must have changed somewhat. His manner (going from a little pampered boy, to the most influential person in the entire land of Egypt – after Pharaoh), could represent quite a change, physically, as well as in his manner. But for them not to recognize him even after he had conversed with them on several occasions, was something else.
Sacred Scripture informs us: “Joseph said to his brothers, ‘ “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” ‘ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence” (Genesis 45: 3). They were dumbfounded; speechless! They were in the dream, but the dream was not in them, because it was not their own! They played a part in the dream, but did not recognize it!
2) When God puts a dream in your heart you may forget it, momentarily, but “when the fullness of time” (Galatians 4: 4) is come, you will remember it! We read the following in our Scripture for today: “Then he remembered his dreams about them.” This is rather interesting! Most people would give anything in the world to have power. Bowing before an adversary is one way of acknowledging that he or she is more powerful that you are. In any period of earth’s history, bowing before someone, is an act of respect. In many cases, it is an acknowledgement that the person before whom you are bowing, is, in some way, your superior! The person with less power is expected to bow before the person having greater power.
For many, this is the moment for which they would have been living! This would have been, perhaps the only thing in their dream that they would have remembered through the years: “One of these days those mean brothers of mine are going to bow before me. And when that day comes . . .” With Joseph, he first recognized his brothers! They were a part of his dream. Their paying him obeisance was of secondary importance. Only after he got over the emotion of seeing his brothers, did he remember that part of the dream! In my assessment of things, this attitude of Joseph speaks quite highly of his character.
God’s amazing grace had done its wonderful work in Joseph’s life. He was now ready for his dream to be fulfilled – and it was!