WEBVTT - Tony Evans - Oct 29 - 7:30 pm 0:00:00.569 --> 0:00:03.540 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to 0:00:03.580 --> 0:00:08.520 his brothers, and they hated him yet the more. Genesis 0:00:08.520 --> 0:00:13.500 37.5 Heavenly Father, as I greet this new day, I 0:00:14.500 --> 0:00:17.780 thank you, Lord, that I'm growing in blessing and influence. 0:00:19.020 --> 0:00:22.639 Like Joseph, I thank you for uncommon favor with everyone 0:00:22.700 --> 0:00:26.730 I come in contact with. Like his coat of many colors, 0:00:27.530 --> 0:00:30.710 I thank you that my unique giftings can be seen 0:00:30.870 --> 0:00:34.690 by all around me. And when others around me plot 0:00:34.729 --> 0:00:38.160 against my future and try to derail the dreams you've 0:00:38.200 --> 0:00:41.720 given me, I will refuse to become a slave to 0:00:41.740 --> 0:00:46.360 their bitterness and envy. I will not allow fear to 0:00:46.400 --> 0:00:50.490 make me forget my future. I will not abandon my 0:00:50.550 --> 0:00:55.170 position of power. For I know that he who began 0:00:55.190 --> 0:01:00.320 a good work is faithful to complete it. I decree 0:01:00.460 --> 0:01:05.280 and declare that my dreams are still alive and that 0:01:05.310 --> 0:01:09.390 they will come to pass. In Jesus' name. 0:01:11.110 --> 0:01:11.429 Amen. 0:01:12.310 --> 0:01:15.869 Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever 0:01:15.930 --> 0:01:19.990 told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. 0:01:22.250 --> 0:01:24.700 I'm Ed Young, and I'd like to welcome you to 0:01:24.760 --> 0:01:29.140 this first episode in the Heroes of the Bible series 0:01:29.260 --> 0:01:34.030 of podcasts on the life of Joseph. I call him Joe. 0:01:34.890 --> 0:01:38.870 The Bible devotes an astonishing 14 chapters of the book 0:01:38.910 --> 0:01:42.720 of Genesis to Joseph's story. So as we journey through 0:01:42.740 --> 0:01:45.900 these chapters together, I think we can trust that we 0:01:45.959 --> 0:01:49.860 will learn a great deal from Joseph's life about how 0:01:50.000 --> 0:01:53.220 God works in our lives and how he provides for 0:01:53.420 --> 0:01:58.960 us in times of adversity as well as times of prosperity. 0:01:59.580 --> 0:02:03.740 We will see that Joseph experienced amazing extremes in his 0:02:03.780 --> 0:02:07.790 circumstances from poverty a life of privilege as a favorite 0:02:07.830 --> 0:02:11.510 son of his father Jacob, to years as a slave, 0:02:11.910 --> 0:02:14.910 and then a prisoner in Egypt, and finally to a 0:02:14.930 --> 0:02:19.470 position of prominence and power second only to that of 0:02:19.630 --> 0:02:24.940 Pharaoh himself. From the pit to the prison to the palace, 0:02:25.760 --> 0:02:29.940 Joseph learned that he could trust God's plan for his life, 0:02:30.360 --> 0:02:32.980 and the dreams he had given Joseph as a young 0:02:33.000 --> 0:02:38.240 teenager were would be fulfilled in God's way and in 0:02:38.340 --> 0:02:39.880 God's timing. 0:02:40.900 --> 0:02:42.040 Each episode will. 0:02:41.900 --> 0:02:44.700 Begin with a brief prelude in which we will hear 0:02:44.760 --> 0:02:48.320 how God revealed himself to another individual in the Bible. 0:02:48.980 --> 0:02:52.160 In the first episode, we'll learn how God fulfilled his 0:02:52.210 --> 0:02:55.410 promise to Abraham to give him a son and to 0:02:55.470 --> 0:02:59.060 bless his offspring. We know that this child of promise 0:02:59.100 --> 0:03:02.639 was Isaac, who became the father of Jacob, who became 0:03:02.700 --> 0:03:06.480 the father of Joseph and his brothers. Now hold on tight, 0:03:06.919 --> 0:03:09.619 because the story of Joseph is one of the most 0:03:10.000 --> 0:03:19.109 dramatic in all the Old Testament. It is filled with intrigue, jealousy, hatred, lust, pride, bitterness, 0:03:19.630 --> 0:03:23.830 and betrayal. And without giving away the ending, it also 0:03:23.889 --> 0:03:29.299 contains one of those beautiful scenes of reconciliation, and forgiveness 0:03:29.660 --> 0:03:34.560 you will ever, ever encounter. Also, if you enjoyed this podcast, 0:03:34.650 --> 0:03:37.810 please write a review and let me know how Joseph's 0:03:37.850 --> 0:03:42.750 story has impacted your life. Join me now as we 0:03:42.770 --> 0:03:46.690 meet Joseph, one of the most godly individuals in all 0:03:46.750 --> 0:03:47.250 the Bible. 0:03:48.280 --> 0:04:00.620 Let's get started. Introduction It all began with a whisper. 0:04:01.700 --> 0:04:04.810 In the coolness of night under the bright eastern stars, 0:04:05.440 --> 0:04:11.330 God spoke softly to his servant, Abraham. The grass swayed 0:04:11.370 --> 0:04:14.190 to the gentle evening breeze and the spirit of the 0:04:14.250 --> 0:04:19.219 Lord dwelled in the heart of his chosen one. Look up, Abraham, 0:04:20.100 --> 0:04:27.100 God whispered. Look and behold my glory. Abraham, look to 0:04:27.160 --> 0:04:31.630 the heavens. Bright stars filled the skies like ripples in 0:04:31.650 --> 0:04:36.310 the sea. The galaxy could be seen stretching across the firmament. 0:04:37.470 --> 0:04:40.990 Abraham stood in awe of the vastness of God's creation. 0:04:41.930 --> 0:04:45.950 A single tear streamed down his face as God spoke 0:04:45.990 --> 0:04:50.390 to him again, saying, Do you see these stars, Abraham? 0:04:51.710 --> 0:04:56.310 Are you able to number the lights above? Abraham's eyes 0:04:56.500 --> 0:05:00.580 glowed as he basked in the glory of God. The 0:05:00.660 --> 0:05:05.540 wind blew in his ears as he spoke boldly, proclaiming, 0:05:06.520 --> 0:05:11.640 I will make your offspring outnumber the stars. Through your seed, 0:05:12.620 --> 0:05:16.380 all the nations will be blessed. I will raise up 0:05:16.460 --> 0:05:23.520 a nation through you. You need only to believe. God 0:05:23.620 --> 0:05:28.940 delivered on his promise. Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, 0:05:29.220 --> 0:05:33.120 and Jacob begat twelve sons. It would be through these 0:05:33.220 --> 0:05:38.320 sons God would bless the entire world. Yet, they were 0:05:38.400 --> 0:05:42.880 not perfect vessels of righteousness. No, Jacob and his sons 0:05:42.960 --> 0:05:47.860 were wrought with disarray and backbiting. Jacob's twelve sons were 0:05:47.920 --> 0:05:53.460 begotten by four different women. Leah, the wife who always 0:05:53.550 --> 0:05:57.930 longed for the heart of Jacob, but never had it. Rachel, 0:05:58.589 --> 0:06:04.570 the wife whom Jacob truly loved, but could not bear children. Zilpah, 0:06:05.089 --> 0:06:08.670 Leah's servant, bore children for her when she was past 0:06:08.750 --> 0:06:15.160 childbearing age. Bilhah, Rachel's servant, bore children for her when 0:06:15.279 --> 0:06:19.680 she was barren. The four of them bore sons, all 0:06:19.720 --> 0:06:22.860 of whom strove for the heart of their father, but 0:06:22.940 --> 0:06:27.850 could never truly grasp it. Yet, the promises of God 0:06:28.010 --> 0:06:34.700 endure through chaos, dysfunction, and wickedness. Even the most imperfect 0:06:34.720 --> 0:06:37.599 of souls could be held in the hands of God 0:06:38.140 --> 0:06:41.760 like a chisel to the stone. The creator of the 0:06:41.820 --> 0:06:45.630 stars would complete his promise to Abraham. He would use 0:06:45.690 --> 0:06:49.670 the twelve sons of Jacob to bless the world. And 0:06:49.710 --> 0:06:57.779 it all began with the youngest son, Joseph. Chapter 1. 0:06:57.779 --> 0:07:02.380 The Prison of Pride The valleys of Canaan were shrouded 0:07:02.540 --> 0:07:06.240 underneath the midnight stars. The night was cool, but by 0:07:06.360 --> 0:07:10.470 no means quiet. Shouts of labor pains pierced through the 0:07:10.530 --> 0:07:14.270 night like fiery arrows as Rachel struggled in her tent. 0:07:15.510 --> 0:07:19.130 Jacob paced outside, looking down at each step he took 0:07:19.230 --> 0:07:23.310 in the dirt below. He and Rachel had tried many 0:07:23.380 --> 0:07:27.750 times to get pregnant, to no avail. Eleven other children 0:07:27.790 --> 0:07:31.190 had been born to Jacob by other women, but none 0:07:31.310 --> 0:07:36.750 by his beloved Rachel, until now. Rachel sweat on the 0:07:36.790 --> 0:07:40.410 floor beside the lamplight. Her servants were at her front 0:07:40.530 --> 0:07:45.280 and side, calling for her to push. However, she did 0:07:45.460 --> 0:07:49.300 not have the strength. She lay there, looking up at 0:07:49.340 --> 0:07:53.680 the canvas above her. Sweat beat down her brow and back. 0:07:54.790 --> 0:07:55.410 I can't! 0:07:56.210 --> 0:08:00.870 I can't do this anymore! Her servants said nothing. They 0:08:00.950 --> 0:08:04.460 held her firm, knowing that a mother has no choice 0:08:04.520 --> 0:08:08.940 but to push when the time comes. Tears streamed down 0:08:09.000 --> 0:08:14.980 Rachel's face. Jacob! She yelled from the tent. Jacob ran 0:08:15.060 --> 0:08:18.120 close to the canvas wall and placed his face beside it. 0:08:19.030 --> 0:08:24.180 I'm here, my love, Jacob whispered gently. Rachel closed her 0:08:24.320 --> 0:08:29.940 eyes and smiled. Having Jacob close helped. She had longed 0:08:29.960 --> 0:08:33.699 to give him a child since the first time they met. Now, 0:08:34.260 --> 0:08:39.460 years later, here she was, only moments away from her dream. 0:08:40.540 --> 0:08:43.059 She propped her head up and nodded to her servants. 0:08:43.780 --> 0:08:48.800 She curled forward and pushed with all her might. Still, 0:08:49.360 --> 0:08:53.270 no baby. She did it again with a high scream. 0:08:54.450 --> 0:08:59.570 Still no child. A third time, she clenched her fists 0:09:00.110 --> 0:09:06.560 and pushed. Her screams were suddenly replaced by the soft 0:09:06.700 --> 0:09:12.179 cries of a newborn child. A son. The miracle of 0:09:12.260 --> 0:09:16.460 Jacob and Rachel's old age had arrived. The minute Jacob 0:09:16.540 --> 0:09:19.100 heard those cries from the other side of the tent, 0:09:19.300 --> 0:09:25.320 he ran in. His son cried in Rachel's arms. He 0:09:25.420 --> 0:09:30.040 was the most beautiful thing Jacob had ever seen. Finally, 0:09:30.570 --> 0:09:34.990 he had a child born from love. All other blessings 0:09:35.050 --> 0:09:38.430 in his life seemed to fade into the background as 0:09:38.510 --> 0:09:43.070 he gazed upon his miracle child. He held him in 0:09:43.150 --> 0:09:48.390 his arms. His beaming smile revealed his old and cracked face. 0:09:48.410 --> 0:09:56.370 I shall name you Joseph, Jacob whispered. He kissed his 0:09:56.470 --> 0:09:59.740 son's cheek and laid him in the arms of his mother. 0:10:01.390 --> 0:10:04.460 Out of all his brothers, Joseph carried the favor of 0:10:04.520 --> 0:10:07.920 his father. The boy would grow up under the attentive 0:10:07.960 --> 0:10:12.760 wing of his parents and increase in knowledge, skill, and pride. 0:10:13.520 --> 0:10:17.130 Great would be his rise in his family, and great 0:10:17.210 --> 0:10:23.100 would be his fall. Seventeen years had passed and Joseph 0:10:23.120 --> 0:10:27.030 had grown into a strong and capable young man. His 0:10:27.110 --> 0:10:30.350 sandy curls hung over his forehead as he worked the 0:10:30.410 --> 0:10:34.330 fields with his brothers. He swung his sickle and bound 0:10:34.390 --> 0:10:37.990 up the sheaves of grain over his broad shoulders. He 0:10:38.070 --> 0:10:41.410 worked alone, listening to his brothers' laughter in the distance. 0:10:42.170 --> 0:10:44.840 They had often worked the fields and tended the flocks 0:10:44.880 --> 0:10:49.739 without him since Joseph was busy at his father's side. However, 0:10:50.450 --> 0:10:54.200 Joseph did not care too much. He had what his 0:10:54.320 --> 0:10:58.820 brothers had always longed for, the favor and affection of 0:10:58.900 --> 0:11:04.000 their father. Smiling, Joseph threw the last bushel of grain 0:11:04.059 --> 0:11:09.600 into the short wooden silo. He breathed in deeply and 0:11:09.660 --> 0:11:13.400 wiped his brow. He looked to see his father and 0:11:13.480 --> 0:11:17.040 mother waving to him from the tents. He ran towards 0:11:17.100 --> 0:11:24.420 them and embraced them. My son, come in and see 0:11:24.480 --> 0:11:27.640 what we have made you, Jacob said with his arm 0:11:27.700 --> 0:11:32.900 around Joseph. He put his hands over Joseph's eyes. Winter 0:11:32.980 --> 0:11:38.179 is approaching, and you, oh, you've already grown out of 0:11:38.260 --> 0:11:43.320 your old coat, Jacob said with excitement. Your mother has 0:11:43.360 --> 0:11:47.450 been hard at work getting the material for this. Jacob 0:11:47.500 --> 0:11:51.410 took his hands off Joseph's eyes. In front of him, 0:11:51.970 --> 0:11:56.130 his mother was holding a flowing coat of many colors. 0:11:57.150 --> 0:12:00.970 Joseph's eyes beamed at the sight of the garment. Its 0:12:01.110 --> 0:12:04.770 shoulders were a bright red flowing into deep blue sleeves. 0:12:05.480 --> 0:12:07.980 At the bottom of the robe were streaks of purple 0:12:08.040 --> 0:12:12.160 with silver patterns. It was hemmed with bright golden lace, 0:12:12.460 --> 0:12:16.020 and the straps were a brilliant orange brighter than the sun. 0:12:17.280 --> 0:12:20.780 Rachel slipped the coat to Joseph and kissed his cheek. 0:12:22.059 --> 0:12:24.699 Joseph stepped to the water trough in the side of 0:12:24.740 --> 0:12:29.640 the tent and looked at his reflection. The coat was perfect. 0:12:30.600 --> 0:12:35.800 Its shimmering colors showcased Joseph's favor over his brother's. It 0:12:35.900 --> 0:12:39.559 was a physical reminder that he alone held the heart 0:12:39.800 --> 0:12:44.580 of his father. Joseph walked outside with the coat. The 0:12:44.640 --> 0:12:48.190 bright sun shone directly on it. causing the patterns to 0:12:48.330 --> 0:12:52.040 pop in the light. With the coat flowing behind him, 0:12:52.580 --> 0:12:57.600 Joseph sauntered back to the fields where his brothers worked. Reuben, 0:12:57.900 --> 0:13:02.720 the oldest, spotted Joseph from afar. Reuben was a tall 0:13:02.800 --> 0:13:06.300 and muscular man. He already had a wife and children, 0:13:06.660 --> 0:13:09.470 many of whom worked in the fields with him and 0:13:09.540 --> 0:13:13.050 his brothers. He rolled his eyes at the sight of 0:13:13.150 --> 0:13:17.429 Joseph and warned his brothers of his coming. Here he comes, 0:13:18.030 --> 0:13:23.750 Reuben shouted to them. Behave yourselves. The other brothers looked 0:13:23.850 --> 0:13:27.770 up and scoffed as Joseph descended down the hill into 0:13:27.840 --> 0:13:32.400 the fields. His coat of many colors shimmered in the 0:13:32.480 --> 0:13:37.840 late afternoon sun. Joseph, being fully aware of his favor, 0:13:38.480 --> 0:13:41.809 made a spectacle of the coat. Did you see what 0:13:41.910 --> 0:13:47.500 father gave me? Joseph asked. It's the zine. Looks good 0:13:47.559 --> 0:13:53.060 enough to be Egyptian. Simeon, the second oldest, scoffed and 0:13:53.140 --> 0:13:59.490 threw down his plow. Ah, yes, the favored son of Jacob. 0:14:00.090 --> 0:14:01.850 Simeon spat at his direction. 0:14:02.710 --> 0:14:08.310 I'm sure you can afford to wear such a lovely coat, Joseph. 0:14:09.290 --> 0:14:12.790 You don't spend enough time working to get it dirty. 0:14:14.010 --> 0:14:19.350 The other brothers chuckled. Don't be bitter, Simeon, Joseph chided. 0:14:20.690 --> 0:14:24.130 I'll be sure to let you borrow it the next 0:14:24.190 --> 0:14:28.340 time you visit the prostitutes in Timna. The rest of 0:14:28.380 --> 0:14:32.400 the brothers gasped, and Simeon struck Joseph to the ground. 0:14:33.240 --> 0:14:36.700 The two of them scraped through the dirt. However, Joseph 0:14:36.740 --> 0:14:39.380 was a head taller than Simeon and was able to 0:14:39.560 --> 0:14:43.560 easily subdue him. He had his arms around Simeon's shoulders 0:14:43.620 --> 0:14:52.210 and neck from behind. Get your hands off me! Simeon yelled. Joseph, 0:14:52.520 --> 0:14:56.870 entertained by his brother's begging, only laughed and squeezed harder. 0:14:57.610 --> 0:15:01.390 His fun was short-lived, though, as Judah took Joseph by 0:15:01.430 --> 0:15:03.870 the coat and threw him into the creek bed a 0:15:03.930 --> 0:15:08.870 few feet away. The brothers laughed as Joseph sat soaking wet. 0:15:10.030 --> 0:15:14.950 Reuben helped him up and patted his cheek. Easy, little brother. 0:15:15.810 --> 0:15:19.430 He said in his deep, rumbling tone, Your coat may 0:15:19.480 --> 0:15:24.200 be brighter than ours, but your blood is red, just 0:15:24.260 --> 0:15:28.660 like ours. Reuben pointed to the blood dripping down Joseph's lip. 0:15:29.480 --> 0:15:34.040 He smiled, wiped his lip, and nodded. The brothers went 0:15:34.140 --> 0:15:37.109 back to their work, and Joseph picked up a plow 0:15:37.150 --> 0:15:41.090 and began to help them. For a moment, the brothers 0:15:41.150 --> 0:15:45.030 were at peace with one another. However, There was always 0:15:45.110 --> 0:15:48.350 a tension between Joseph and the others. There was an 0:15:48.550 --> 0:15:52.970 unseen evil that dwelled among them. The same evil that 0:15:53.030 --> 0:15:56.110 devoured the heart of Cain was close by in the 0:15:56.170 --> 0:16:00.470 sons of Jacob. An evil that lurked in the shadows, 0:16:00.890 --> 0:16:06.940 awaiting its moment to strike. Later that evening, Joseph returned 0:16:06.980 --> 0:16:09.500 to the camp where his father and mother prepared a 0:16:09.580 --> 0:16:13.110 meal with the others. The brothers were sore from a 0:16:13.230 --> 0:16:17.670 long day in the field. Simeon immediately dunked his head 0:16:17.730 --> 0:16:21.450 in the water trough, while Gad and Asher dipped their 0:16:21.530 --> 0:16:24.950 fingers in the stew. The end of the day was 0:16:25.250 --> 0:16:28.810 always a joyous event for the sons of Jacob. Their 0:16:28.890 --> 0:16:32.910 mothers would prepare a large feast, and the family would 0:16:33.010 --> 0:16:36.370 gather together by the fire and listen to their father 0:16:36.450 --> 0:16:40.090 tell stories of his travels and the time he wrestled 0:16:40.150 --> 0:16:44.300 with God Himself. The brothers would sing and play games. 0:16:44.920 --> 0:16:49.490 The servants would join in and laugh alongside them. However, 0:16:50.350 --> 0:16:56.370 the mood quickly shifted when Jacob saw Joseph's face. What 0:16:56.430 --> 0:17:01.530 is this? Jacob asked Joseph, pointing to his bloodied lip. 0:17:02.660 --> 0:17:06.600 Joseph's eyes quickly darted to Simeon, then back at his father. 0:17:07.760 --> 0:17:12.580 Jacob puffed his chest and turned to Simeon. Did you 0:17:12.680 --> 0:17:18.719 strike my son? He asked intensely. Simeon stood straight up. 0:17:19.500 --> 0:17:25.430 Aren't I your son too? He asked. Answer the question, Simeon. 0:17:26.530 --> 0:17:34.510 Did you strike Joseph? Yes. Simeon answered impassively. Your precious 0:17:34.650 --> 0:17:39.909 Jewel was scuffed a bit, but I'm sure there's nothing 0:17:39.950 --> 0:17:43.300 a little kiss from father can't help. The rest of 0:17:43.359 --> 0:17:48.980 the brothers chuckled. However, Jacob was not amused. Be careful 0:17:49.060 --> 0:17:54.419 of that sharp tongue, Simeon. Joseph has told me of 0:17:54.500 --> 0:17:58.980 your dealings in Timnah. I know how all of you 0:17:59.060 --> 0:18:02.610 have gone into the Canaanite cities to get drunk and 0:18:02.680 --> 0:18:07.070 lounge about when you should be working. The rest of 0:18:07.109 --> 0:18:11.510 the brothers sneered at Joseph. He had been spying on 0:18:11.570 --> 0:18:16.450 them for quite some time. Judah, in specific, was outraged. 0:18:17.270 --> 0:18:20.450 He looked over to his wife and children. They had 0:18:20.710 --> 0:18:23.560 no idea where he had gone for nights at a time. 0:18:24.700 --> 0:18:27.260 The sins of the brothers were exposed in the open, 0:18:27.900 --> 0:18:31.520 and it was Joseph's fault. He had sniffed out their 0:18:31.560 --> 0:18:34.640 sin like a dog and brought a bad report back 0:18:34.720 --> 0:18:38.780 to his father. Joseph saw every one of his brother's 0:18:38.900 --> 0:18:43.140 imperfections as another foot of separation between him and them. 0:18:43.960 --> 0:18:47.940 Since his father had given him so much favoritism, Joseph 0:18:48.220 --> 0:18:54.399 truly believed that he was superior to them. Pride puffed 0:18:54.420 --> 0:18:58.080 him up. He would soon find out about the prison 0:18:58.200 --> 0:19:01.780 of pride. It would ensnare him like a trap and 0:19:01.920 --> 0:19:08.820 isolate him. His hubris would be his downfall. Jacob argued 0:19:08.840 --> 0:19:13.600 with Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah throughout the night. They 0:19:13.660 --> 0:19:18.050 were responsible for leading their brothers and guiding them. However, 0:19:18.250 --> 0:19:22.270 they had allowed sin and lewdness to creep in. Their 0:19:22.369 --> 0:19:25.990 bickering was like white noise to Joseph. He was quite 0:19:26.190 --> 0:19:29.050 used to the sound of arguing. He had heard it 0:19:29.130 --> 0:19:31.389 from his mother to the other wives and from his 0:19:31.510 --> 0:19:36.580 father to his brothers. Joseph peered through a crack in 0:19:36.619 --> 0:19:40.940 his tent up at the stars. The canvas slowly moved 0:19:40.980 --> 0:19:44.570 to the gentle evening breeze. He took a deep breath 0:19:44.970 --> 0:19:47.970 and rolled over on his side. With the coat of 0:19:48.070 --> 0:19:52.230 many colors draped over him like a blanket, Joseph drifted 0:19:52.380 --> 0:19:58.420 into a deep sleep. Joseph opened his eyes. He was 0:19:58.500 --> 0:20:02.680 standing in a field of grain. The grain waved to 0:20:02.740 --> 0:20:05.340 and fro to the wind. There was no sun in 0:20:05.380 --> 0:20:08.760 the sky, only the light emanating from the grain itself. 0:20:10.060 --> 0:20:12.869 Joseph looked down to see a sickle in his hand. 0:20:13.790 --> 0:20:16.690 He cut a large sheave of grain and placed it 0:20:16.810 --> 0:20:21.030 on the floor. Joseph looked to see his brothers carrying 0:20:21.109 --> 0:20:24.909 sheaves around him. They placed their sheaves of grain in 0:20:24.970 --> 0:20:30.680 a circle around his. Then Joseph was caught up to 0:20:30.720 --> 0:20:34.240 the air as his sheave of grain rose high into 0:20:34.280 --> 0:20:39.040 the sky. Joseph looked down below at his brother's sheaves 0:20:39.180 --> 0:20:44.530 bowing before him. A warm feeling welled up within him 0:20:44.650 --> 0:20:48.510 as he watched them bow. He smiled and raised his 0:20:48.710 --> 0:20:53.190 arms into the air. Then, in an instant, he woke 0:20:53.290 --> 0:20:56.080 up to the rising sun peeking through the entrance to 0:20:56.150 --> 0:21:01.359 his tent. Joseph arose and draped his coat over his back. 0:21:02.000 --> 0:21:06.390 The cool morning air was crisp against Joseph's face. He 0:21:06.490 --> 0:21:10.300 went to the water trough and splashed his face. As 0:21:10.340 --> 0:21:14.940 the ripples subsided, Joseph could see Simeon's face looking down 0:21:15.040 --> 0:21:19.270 at him in the reflection. Joseph looked up and gulped. 0:21:20.430 --> 0:21:23.910 Simeon said nothing. He drew some water and took a sip, 0:21:24.350 --> 0:21:29.909 then dropped the ladle back into the trough, splashing Joseph. Ishikar, 0:21:30.090 --> 0:21:33.450 the ninth-born... walked up to Joseph and handed him a 0:21:33.510 --> 0:21:36.190 bowl of broth and a piece of bread for breakfast. 0:21:37.190 --> 0:21:39.830 He smiled and gestured for him to join them by 0:21:39.869 --> 0:21:45.109 the fire. Joseph sat down and began to eat. I 0:21:45.150 --> 0:21:50.190 heard you laughing in your sleep, Joseph, Ishikar said. Joseph 0:21:50.330 --> 0:21:54.210 nodded and thought about the dream he had had. He 0:21:54.450 --> 0:21:58.730 should have said nothing. He should have remained silent and shrugged. 0:21:59.680 --> 0:22:02.419 Yet he could not resist the urge to tell his 0:22:02.460 --> 0:22:06.040 brothers about his dream. He retold the dream to them 0:22:06.480 --> 0:22:13.680 in great detail. Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, 0:22:14.109 --> 0:22:20.850 and my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your 0:22:20.950 --> 0:22:25.770 sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf. 0:22:27.910 --> 0:22:33.690 Joseph's brothers ate in silence as Joseph retold his dream. Show, 0:22:34.600 --> 0:22:39.000 Levi began with a mouthful of bread. Are you to 0:22:39.320 --> 0:22:45.920 rule over us, Joseph? Joseph realized immediately that he had 0:22:46.020 --> 0:22:50.520 made a grave mistake telling them his dream. The brothers 0:22:50.760 --> 0:22:55.960 stood up and bowed to him. They laughed, scoffed, and left. 0:22:57.160 --> 0:23:02.120 The brothers hated him for his dream. Jacob, however, listened 0:23:02.200 --> 0:23:07.560 from a distance. He was familiar with dreams such as this. Oftentimes, 0:23:07.640 --> 0:23:11.610 such vivid dreams were given by God. He pondered them 0:23:11.670 --> 0:23:16.750 in his heart as Joseph should have. However, Joseph looked 0:23:16.790 --> 0:23:21.629 for any excuse to rise above his brothers. He craved it. 0:23:23.430 --> 0:23:26.820 The next night, Joseph stared up at the stars again. 0:23:27.810 --> 0:23:30.870 Joseph's eyes grew heavy as he laid on his back. 0:23:31.890 --> 0:23:35.990 The stars above were twinkling to the melodies of crickets chirping. 0:23:37.270 --> 0:23:41.820 As Joseph looked up, he could see the stars beginning 0:23:41.890 --> 0:23:46.720 to move. Joseph felt himself being taken up into the heavens. 0:23:47.720 --> 0:23:50.820 The wind blew swiftly as he was taken up into 0:23:50.859 --> 0:23:56.240 the dark skies. Eleven stars flashed and shot around him. 0:23:57.050 --> 0:24:01.510 Their brilliant light surrounded him. Then, as the sheaves of 0:24:01.570 --> 0:24:07.359 grain did before, the eleven stars bowed before Joseph. He 0:24:07.410 --> 0:24:10.820 looked up, and the brightness of the sun flashed like 0:24:10.859 --> 0:24:14.520 a mighty meteor. It raged around him with the moon 0:24:14.619 --> 0:24:19.959 close by its side. Its light was blinding. However, it 0:24:20.050 --> 0:24:22.770 stopped its raging for a moment to move back and 0:24:22.850 --> 0:24:28.290 bow to Joseph. The youngest son of Jacob looked in 0:24:28.670 --> 0:24:33.790 awe as the heavens themselves were bowing before him. Eleven stars, 0:24:34.109 --> 0:24:38.520 the sun and the moon were bowing to him. He 0:24:38.660 --> 0:24:42.800 felt like a king. Yet there was a tinge of 0:24:42.960 --> 0:24:46.260 sorrow in his stomach as he watched. He couldn't tell 0:24:46.300 --> 0:24:50.070 where it came from. But Joseph had a sinking feeling 0:24:50.630 --> 0:24:55.859 that their reverence would come at a price. Joseph woke 0:24:55.940 --> 0:24:59.080 up and rushed out of his tent. Jacob and Rachel 0:24:59.140 --> 0:25:02.580 were eating beside the rest of the family. Joseph sat 0:25:02.640 --> 0:25:08.480 beside them. Mother, father, last night I had another dream, 0:25:09.300 --> 0:25:14.940 he whispered. Ah, the king has had another vision, Simeon 0:25:15.020 --> 0:25:19.880 said from a few feet away. Please, my lord, tell 0:25:19.940 --> 0:25:25.560 us your dream. The others laughed, but Jacob, remained silent, 0:25:26.100 --> 0:25:30.159 eager to hear Joseph's dream. It was similar to before, 0:25:30.440 --> 0:25:35.360 but this time there were more. I was surrounded by 0:25:35.460 --> 0:25:40.200 stars and they were all bowing down to me. Even 0:25:40.240 --> 0:25:44.360 the sun and the moon joined in, Joseph said softly. 0:25:45.600 --> 0:25:49.220 Jacob looked down at the fire. He pondered for a moment, 0:25:49.960 --> 0:25:55.859 furrowing his brow. So, Not only did your brothers bow 0:25:55.920 --> 0:26:01.359 to you, but your mother and I as well? Jacob asked. 0:26:02.359 --> 0:26:06.140 Joseph's eyes widened. He did not mean to imply his 0:26:06.280 --> 0:26:12.060 father would bow to him. However, Jacob stood in rage nonetheless. 0:26:12.920 --> 0:26:18.879 Shall I bow to you, my son? Shall your mother 0:26:19.380 --> 0:26:25.090 treat you as Lord? Jacob's tone was harsh and direct. 0:26:25.910 --> 0:26:30.450 It cut Joseph to the heart. Jacob walked away. His 0:26:30.560 --> 0:26:33.500 brothers gave a sly grin and grabbed their tools to 0:26:33.540 --> 0:26:38.000 go work the fields. No matter how true Joseph's dreams 0:26:38.100 --> 0:26:41.680 would become, they fell on deaf ears because they were 0:26:41.760 --> 0:26:47.389 laced with pride and self-righteousness. Joseph wore a bright coat 0:26:47.470 --> 0:26:52.490 of many colors, showcasing his favor and superiority over his brothers. 0:26:54.040 --> 0:26:57.919 One day, there would be another hero who would wear 0:26:57.980 --> 0:27:01.939 a different garment. It would be a purple royal robe 0:27:02.660 --> 0:27:06.240 placed on his scarred back. It would be a robe 0:27:06.300 --> 0:27:12.280 of shame and torture. Unlike Joseph, he would clothe himself 0:27:12.460 --> 0:27:16.930 in humility and sacrifice himself for the ones he loved. 0:27:23.650 --> 0:27:26.670 The account of Joseph's life opens with plenty of drama, 0:27:26.710 --> 0:27:30.230 doesn't it? Even in this open episode, we learn about 0:27:30.290 --> 0:27:33.970 the devastating effects of favoritism in the family and the 0:27:34.030 --> 0:27:40.060 destructive capacity of jealousy to escalate to bitterness and open hatred. 0:27:40.859 --> 0:27:43.940 Jacob should have known better than to lavish special favor 0:27:44.100 --> 0:27:48.460 on Joseph. Jacob himself was the favorite son of his mother, Rebecca, 0:27:48.880 --> 0:27:51.879 while his ten brother, Esau, was the favorite son of 0:27:51.920 --> 0:27:55.470 his father, Isaac. This resulted in a great deal of 0:27:55.570 --> 0:27:59.800 tension in the home. When Jacob, with Rebekah's help, tricked 0:27:59.920 --> 0:28:03.119 Esau out of his birthright and then took his inheritance, 0:28:03.640 --> 0:28:07.080 he had to flee for his very life. His journey 0:28:07.119 --> 0:28:10.260 took him to Haran, where he encountered his uncle Laban 0:28:10.700 --> 0:28:15.350 and met the love of his life, Laban's daughter Rachel. 0:28:16.530 --> 0:28:19.910 You may recall this story. Jacob worked for Laban for 0:28:19.970 --> 0:28:23.270 seven years to earned the hand of Rachel in marriage, 0:28:23.770 --> 0:28:26.910 only to be tricked by Laban into marrying Rachel's sister 0:28:26.970 --> 0:28:31.500 Leah instead. Jacob willingly served for another seven years so 0:28:31.540 --> 0:28:35.400 he could marry Rachel, stating that those years seemed like 0:28:35.600 --> 0:28:39.760 only a few days to him because of his love 0:28:40.000 --> 0:28:45.290 for her. For many years, Rachel was childless, so Jacob 0:28:45.310 --> 0:28:48.730 had children by Leah and by two handmaids of Rachel 0:28:48.790 --> 0:28:52.630 and Leah. After ten sons were born to Jacob, the 0:28:52.690 --> 0:28:57.060 Bible says that God remembered Rachel, and she gave birth 0:28:57.100 --> 0:29:01.940 to a son, Joseph. That helps explain why Jacob favored 0:29:02.020 --> 0:29:05.340 Joseph so much as he was the son of Jacob's 0:29:05.380 --> 0:29:11.170 favorite wife. Eventually, Jacob returned to Canaan. Only 20 years before, 0:29:11.430 --> 0:29:15.190 he left with nothing, zero. but he returned with a 0:29:15.300 --> 0:29:20.040 large family, many servants, large flocks of sheep and goats 0:29:20.120 --> 0:29:23.240 and herds of cattle and hundreds of donkey. He came 0:29:23.300 --> 0:29:27.860 back a rich, rich man. When jealousy in a family 0:29:27.920 --> 0:29:32.850 grows into open hatred, you have a situation I call nitroglycerin, 0:29:33.390 --> 0:29:39.630 because it's a sure-fired recipe for an explosive outburst. In 0:29:39.670 --> 0:29:43.380 the open episode, we learn of several sources for the brothers' 0:29:43.460 --> 0:29:47.970 hatred of Joseph. In the first place, Jacob gives Joe 0:29:48.070 --> 0:29:52.030 a very colored tunic, often referred to as a coat 0:29:52.070 --> 0:29:56.400 of many colors. This tunic would be ankle-length, having long sleeves, 0:29:56.480 --> 0:29:58.960 and be the type of garment you'd want to wear 0:29:59.040 --> 0:30:02.610 in physical labor. The gift of the coat would say 0:30:02.620 --> 0:30:06.550 to the brothers that Joseph was exempt from the task 0:30:06.790 --> 0:30:10.910 they were expected to do. Joseph was also truthful, and 0:30:10.950 --> 0:30:14.940 that resulted in him giving Jacob bad reports on his brothers. 0:30:15.680 --> 0:30:19.460 It is not surprising, then, that the hatred increased to 0:30:19.600 --> 0:30:23.610 fever pitch when Joseph revealed his dreams to his brothers. 0:30:24.310 --> 0:30:29.350 While the dreams are different, both dreams indicated that Joseph 0:30:29.370 --> 0:30:32.840 would one day rise to a position of such honor 0:30:32.890 --> 0:30:36.940 and power that the brothers would even bow down to him. 0:30:37.840 --> 0:30:41.240 Perhaps you have some personal experience with envy or jealousy. 0:30:41.720 --> 0:30:45.920