When Bowing Down Is A Dream Come True

 

 

Introduction:

 

1.                  Our dreams are not major life-changing events.

 

2.                  In the days of patriarchs, kings, and prophets they were: God used them to demonstrate his own sovereignty over the course of the world.

 

3.                  A sub-plot in the account of the dreams of Joseph carries a powerful lesson for us about our relationship to the sovereign God.

 

Discussion:

 

 

1.                  An idea that draws a strong reaction

 

a.                   Something about the dreams of Joseph set his brothers off.

i.                    Gen. 37:5, 8--“When he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.”

ii.                  Gen. 37:10, 11--“His father rebuked him...and his brothers were jealous of him.” 

iii.                Gen. 37:19--“Here comes this dreamer...we will see what will become of his dreams.” 

 

b.                  What set them off was the thought of bowing to him.

i.                    The point of both dreams:  the sheaves, then the sun, moon, and eleven stars.

ii.                  Gen. 37:8--"Are you indeed to rule over us?”

iii.                Gen. 37:10--"Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”

 

2.                  A reaction that must be examined personally

 

a.                   There is a time for bowing down in every life.

i.                    Ps. 95:6--"Oh come, let us worship and bow down...”

ii.                  Rom. 14:11, 12--"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me...”

iii.                Phil. 2:9, 10--"So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

 

b.                  In any life there are factors that make bowing down disagreeable.

i.                    Gen. 37:2--"Joseph brought a bad report of them...”

ii.                  Gen. 37:4--"When his brothers saw that their father loved him more...”

iii.                Gen. 37:27--"Come, let us sell him...for he is our brother...” 

 

 

3.                  When done appropriately, a blessing

 

a.                   Bowing down is not a bad dream that goes away.

i.                    Not when their conspiracy was accidently accomplished.

ii.                  Not by distance or time.

iii.                Not through their belief that he was no more.

 

b.                  Bowing down may be a dream come true–for yourself!

i.                    When you are completely without, Gen. 42:6, 8-9

ii.                  When you are confused and afraid, Gen. 43:26, 28; 44:14

iii.                When you condemned by guilt, Gen. 50:17-20

 

Conclusion:

 

 

1.                  A spiritual goal: to come to the place where you can regard the sovereignty of God as your greatest comfort.

 

2.                  Acts 21:14--"Let the will of the Lord be done.”

 

3.                  James 4:10--"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”