When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”
Genesis 37:10 NIV
When God begins to reveal His plans, they often arrive in ways that defy human understanding. For Joseph, it started with dreams—glimpses of a divine future not yet fully understood. Those dreams were a window into God’s purpose for his life, even though he may not have grasped their full meaning at the time.
Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers and his father, despite the growing tension and resentment around him. If he had fully understood the weight of what he was sharing, perhaps he might have been more guarded. Especially knowing how deeply his brothers despised him. Yet, he remained sincere and open, not allowing their hatred to corrupt his heart. He continued to treat them with kindness, choosing grace over retaliation.
The striking truth in Joseph’s story is that God’s purpose was never at the mercy of others’ opinions. His brothers’ hatred and disbelief, and even his father’s scepticism, could not prevent what God had ordained. In Genesis 37:10, Joseph’s father rebuked him after hearing one of his dreams. Even then, Joseph’s destiny was met with doubt from those closest to him.
Still, God’s plan was unshaken. Whether people believed it or not, God’s purpose for Joseph remained intact. This teaches us something deeply reassuring—what God intends to do in our lives does not rely on human validation. People’s rejection, disbelief, or resistance do not define our destiny. The only one who could have hindered the fulfilment of Joseph’s dream was Joseph himself—if he had lost faith, walked away from God’s leading, or allowed bitterness to take root.
This truth applies to us just as much today. Our responsibility is not to force people to accept the call of God on our lives, but to walk in obedience. So long as we remain in right standing with God, their opinions hold no eternal weight. When others treat us unfairly or misunderstand us, it may hurt, but it need not deter us. God’s eyes are on those who trust Him, and His faithfulness is unfailing.
The fulfilment of God’s purpose in your life hinges on your faith and your willingness to follow Him, even when trials mark the journey. Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, but he never lost sight of the God who gave him the dream. And in time, that dream was fulfilled in ways more glorious than he could have imagined.
As believers, we are to live with that same confidence. We must trust that what God has promised, He will surely bring to pass. Our circumstances may shift, people may oppose us, but God’s purpose stands firm. The psalmist declared, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). May that confidence anchor your heart today.
Stay faithful. Keep believing. Let your life align with His purpose, and you too will witness the goodness of the Lord unfold in your story.