How does Genesis 37:19 reveal the brothers' attitude toward Joseph's dreams? Genesis 37:19—A Window Into Their Hearts Berean Standard Bible: “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. What Made Joseph a “Dreamer”? • Genesis 37:5-11 records two God-given dreams foretelling Joseph’s future exaltation. • In both dreams (sheaves bowing, sun-moon-stars bowing) the implication is unmistakable: the family, including the brothers, will someday honor Joseph. • Verse 11 notes, “His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said.” Jealousy had already taken root; verse 19 now shows how deeply it had grown. Attitudes Revealed in One Scornful Line 1. Contempt • “This dreamer” (lit. “master of dreams”) drips with sarcastic mockery, belittling both Joseph and the possibility that God is speaking through him. • Their word choice reduces Joseph’s divine revelation to childish fantasy, signaling complete dismissal of God’s message (cf. 2 Chron 36:16). 2. Envy Turned to Hostility • Jealousy (Genesis 37:11) escalates into a murderous plot (v. 20). Verse 19 shows the tipping point: they now speak of him not as a brother but as an annoyance to be removed. • Proverbs 14:30 warns, “Envy rots the bones.” The brothers’ hearts are already rotten with envy by verse 19. 3. Resentment Toward God’s Plan • The dreams were revelations of God’s future providence; ridiculing the dreams is indirect rebellion against God Himself (Numbers 16:11). • Their sarcasm echoes the later attitude of tenants who say, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him” (Matthew 21:38). 4. Groupthink and Peer Pressure • “They said to one another” shows a collective hardening; individual misgivings are drowned out by shared disdain (Psalm 1:1 warns against such counsel). Evidence of Growing Hatred (vv. 18-20, 23-24) • Premeditation: seeing Joseph “from afar” (v. 18) gave time to plot. • De-humanization: no name, no familial term—just “that dreamer.” • Violent resolve: “Come now, let us kill him” (v. 20). Verse 19 sets the emotional stage; the deed follows swiftly. New Testament Echoes • Acts 7:9—“The patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt.” Stephen pinpoints envy as the heart-issue Genesis 37:19 displays. • John 15:25—“They hated Me without reason.” Joseph, a type of Christ, experiences irrational hatred foreshadowing the Savior’s rejection. Takeaways for Today • Mockery of God’s word starts with subtle sarcasm and can end in open rebellion. • Envy, if unrepented, morphs into contempt and cruelty. • God’s purposes stand despite human opposition; the brothers’ scorn cannot thwart His sovereign plan (Genesis 50:20). |
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