False Expectations : Avoiding Misinterpretation
When you look at those dreams that Joseph had, you might misinterpret the intention and the true meaning of the dreams. Why did God give Joseph those specific dreams? What was it trying to awaken in Joseph ? When Joseph saw the dreams, and even when his brothers interpreted the dreams, it appeared as if Joseph would be the next head of the family, the one who would receive the double portion of the inheritance. So, when his brothers looked at the dreams, they felt challenged that Joseph wanted to take a position of leadership in the family.
However, the dreams did not speak of Joseph being a leader to his brothers or him being the one who would receive most regarding the inheritance. Instead, it spoke about the position that God was bringing Joseph to that would benefit his brothers. The misinterpretation of the vision caused anger in his brothers and blinded them to what God wanted to do. Many people have similarly misinterpreted what God intends to do.
We see another example of misinterpretation when it comes to Jesus. When Jesus came, the Pharisees expected the Messiah, but the Messiah they expected was one who would help them to be free from Roman rule. They expected a physical king, not a spiritual leader. Because they misinterpreted what God said, they were misaligned.
Similarly, Joseph's brothers, because they misinterpreted what God said, were misaligned. Yet, they later benefited from what God had told Joseph in the beginning, even though they were initially blinded to it. I have seen many believers who, although God has spoken to them, have misinterpreted what God said.
The question I have for you is: do you understand the vision or the promise He gave you? Remember the eunuch in the Bible who was reading the letter of Isaiah. When Philip asked if he understood what he was reading, many people, though they have heard and seen God, have misinterpreted what God said to them initially.
When the Pharisees persecuted Jesus, they believed they were fulfilling God’s will. When the brothers of Joseph persecuted him, did they understand they were misinterpreting the dream? Many people have misinterpreted what God has said, leading to frustration and difficulties.
The key to understanding what God said to you is to apply what the Word of God says in Habakkuk 2:2: “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Every time God shows you something or speaks to you, the key is to write down what He has said. Once you have written what He has said, meditate on it and seek interpretation. The last part of the verse emphasizes that you should make it plain, meaning before you do anything with the vision, seek understanding of it. After you have understood it, you should run. Many run without fully understanding the vision. Joseph’s brothers hated him because they had failed to make the vision plain . Many are frustrated because they ran without understanding what he had really said .
What has God said to you, and are you properly aligned with the promise? Remember, it says to write down the vision, make it plain upon tablets so that he who reads it may run. Walking in what God has called you to do requires clarity of what He has said. My prayer is that you will have clarity and will not misinterpret what God has said. May you not be misaligned with what God has intended for you.
God bless you.
