Families are funny, in an odd way, we all have a dysfunctional one and no one is exempt from this. Not even Pastors and their wives, Deacons, and their wives nor you and your family. “Satan is seeking whom he may devour” in this present world. He is a deceiver and a divider whatever he touches end in sin / death. God is a multiplier always adding to whatever he touches. We should follow his leadership, not our feelings because they change every minute.
Joseph was truthful and of good character and he became and created a blessed life.

Genesis 37:1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

His father Isaac, and his mother was Rebecca, and his brother was Easu.

Jacob lived in the land where “his father a was a sojourner.” a stranger, in that land. Strangers in foreign lands do not live the same way you do, or you’re used to.

Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

Sin-affects many generations, look Adam and Eves sin has followed us too.

Jacob – was a stranger in a foreign land. God want us to be sojourners not to settle down in this present world, we need to understand we are just passing through this world.   

Joseph … was feeding the flock was a shepherd over the flock”—he a lad, with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. (Racheal and Leah’s Handmaids) Oversight is evidently implied. This post of chief shepherd might be assigned to him being the son of a principal wife or because of his own superior qualities of his character.

Background – Jacob worked for seven years for his uncle Laban (Rebecca Brother) and he loved and desired to marry Racheal, but he was tricked by his uncle Laban and was given Leah instead because she was the oldest Daughter. Jacob continued to work for seven more years so he could marry his beloved Racheal.

Jacob made some bad choices in his life, and I am sure he paid the price for them he was unequally yoked, together with his cousins.

Problems – He married many wives; he created many other problems in his life by starting out this way. This created jealousy, envy, and strife between sisters and family.   Sisters fighting amongst each other, causing division. Satan is always dividing; Jesus is always multiplying.

Jacob ends up with thirteen children and four wives, don’t you think that was a major problem and it was of his own choosing too.

Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

Israel= Jacob His named changed after he wrestled with the angel… He would not let go of the angel until he blessed him. He changed his name to Israel, and he left with a limp.

Problems – “loved Joseph more than all his children” caused him to treat him differently, he made him a coat of many colors. Parents don’t pick favorites. This created jealousy, envy, and strife between brothers and family.  Don’t we have enough in this world without creating more problems.  His brothers treated him with distain just as Jews did to Jesus. “His own received him not.”

 Genesis 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.       We need to speak peaceably to others no matter what. What happens is we let jealousy, envy, and strife speak for us and you cannot get it back.

Problems – His brethren hated him and could not speak peaceably unto him.

When his brethren saw created jealousy, envy, and strife between brothers. Verse two says Joseph “brought unto his father their evil report.” This did not help matters. However, at least Joseph was truthful and of good character. He had integrity. A good character and integrity will follow you. Just like a bad reputation will too.

 Genesis 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. Double trouble! This created more trouble for Joseph.

Joseph the dreamer had visions and insight. Dreams in ancient times were evidently symbolical and they were divine in origin. The establishment of dream interpretation was in practice during this time. Joseph was given a gift of dream interpretation from God. Not everyone has the same gift, don’t be jealous because you don’t have it.

Genesis 37:6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: “Harken unto me thy people.”

Joseph- begins to tell his brothers his dream. I am sure they did not want to hear this.

Genesis 37:7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.   

Be diligent in your work for God.

We were binding sheaves in the field-symbol of harvest and food. He was also speaking of work.   Good work versus bad work, also reference to their character.

My sheaf arose, and also stood upright- his work would stand out and be noticed.

Joseph work stood out, more than his brothers. “God Loves a cheerful giver.”

Joseph– is a type of Jesus, his own brothers hated him, the Jews hated Jesus.

Joseph told his brothers would one day bow down to him, one day “every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf – Someday my work will be shown to you and you all will bow down to me.

Obeisance- bowing down to one, like you would to a King. Humbleness.

One day we will all bow down to the king of kings and the Lords of Lords

Joseph- loved all his brothers despite their sin and hatred towards him.

Despite our sin and hatred towards him, God still loves us. Look at what he did for us..

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.