Genesis 37:5: “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.”
Simeon stayed true to his word and found a good husband for his sister. In a year’s time Dinah married a rich merchant whom Simeon had befriended on their way back from Egypt.
In the meantime Jacob dedicated all his energy to raising Joseph and Benjamin. Every time he was around them he could feel Rachel’s presence. Jacob taught Joseph how to read and write. In fact, he taught him everything he knew. It was his dream that Joseph would take over the family business one day. That was a slap in the face of his firstborn Reuben and did not sit well with the rest of the family either. Favoritism introduces jealousy and soon the sons of Jacob had nothing nice to say to either Joseph or Benjamin.
On Joseph’s 17th birthday his father gifted him with an ornate robe. It was around this time that Joseph started having prophetic dreams. Perhaps he was oblivious to his brothers’ jealousy or wanted to show off when he told them his dream. “Listen up”, he addressed his brothers. “I have something to say.” Reuben snorted and said: “We’re not listening to you, little brother. Go home to your daddy! You’re not cut out for the real work out here in the fields.” But Joseph went on, unimpressed and said [Genesis 37:6-7]:
“Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
Simeon clapped his hands and said: “Your highness, I believe your dream is delusional. The royal treatment of our father must have gone to your head.” Everybody laughed and taunted Joseph. They hated him all the more; and from that day on they called him “The Dreamer”.
This was not Joseph’s last dream, however. One evening, as they were having their family dinner, he brought up his second dream. “Listen”, he said, “I had another dream.” – “Not again”, Levi sighed while his brothers murmured angrily among themselves: “Unbelievable! This has got to stop!” Their father lifted his hands and commanded: “Quiet! I want to hear what Joseph has to say.” There was an uneasy silence as Joseph told his family what he saw: “In my dream the sun, moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” – Jacob looked at his son flabbergasted and said: “What do you mean? That your father and mother and all your brothers fall down at your feet to worship you?” – “He’s full of himself”, Reuben interjected, but his father rebuked him: “I’m not talking to you, Reuben. If I want your opinion, I will ask.”
But Jacob kept Joseph’s dreams in his mind and often pondered its meaning.