Genesis 37:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, their reasoning became clouded, and they allowed their emotions to turn against him further, unaware that they were acting in opposition to their own well-being. Why, you pitiful beings, do you harbor such animosity, when you understand his character and recognize that the dream signifies God’s clear favor upon him? Do not delude yourselves into thinking that you can alter what God has foreordained. The interpretation of the dream, as you yourselves have noted, will indeed come to pass shortly, no matter how many obstacles you may attempt to create. The wise and sovereign Lord, demonstrating the strength of His power, often allows various troubles to arise in order to showcase the greatness of His omnipotence when His purposes are accomplished. Yet, envy is blinding; it cannot conceive the ramifications, and being utterly captivated by it, a person acts contrary to their own salvation. Consequently, these individuals, stirred by the dream’s interpretation, found their hatred magnified even further.

For when God revealed to Joseph the splendor of his future glory, they should have understood that the fair and just God would not elevate the unworthy to the highest honors, and thus they should have rejoiced over their brother, recognizing the great hope and divine favor bestowed upon him. Instead, their hearts burned with envy, and they raged like untamed beasts, almost challenging God for promising him such glory and revealing that he would draw all attention to himself. We can also observe a parallel in the account of Cain and Abel. When the Lord of all accepted Abel's offering by sending down fire from heaven while ignoring Cain's sacrifice, Cain was immediately consumed by murderous envy. In a twisted sense of defiance against the divine will, he approached his brother with malice and took his life. Such is the inevitable end of envy.

But what do these visions convey? We interpret the sheaf as representing time. The elevation of one sheaf could signify its future glorification. It foretold a time when the divine Joseph would shine in glory, and all his brothers would bow before him in submission, as symbolized by the sheaf that received worship from the others. Thus, those born of maidservants are driven to sorrow for the reasons just mentioned. They became suspicious as a result of the dream narratives, aware that in due time, they would be subservient to and honor Joseph, who would rise to such heights that even their parents would bow to him. In their bitterness, they gritted their teeth and ultimately decided to take his life. Likewise, the Jews were offended and troubled, knowing that Immanuel would surpass even the revered forefathers and be worshiped by all people and indeed by the entire earth. Aware of this, they declared, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance' (Matt. 21:38; Mk. 12:7). The blessed David affirms regarding the Incarnate Only Begotten, 'All nations created by You shall come and worship before You, O Lord' (Ps. 85:9); in another instance, he reiterates, 'All nations created by You shall come and worship before You, O Lord' (Ps. 85:9). Additionally, he explicitly exposes the Israelites' envy toward Christ and their malevolent anger against Him, saying, 'The Lord reigns; let the nations tremble!' (Psalm 98:1).

Having thus highlighted the fierce and unyielding envy of the Jews, we will also incidentally address their detestable and irreverent actions, tracing the narrative of history and returning to the true purpose of the Incarnation of the Only Begotten, which is the natural progression of this dialogue.

Despite their envy, the brothers dismissed the integrity of the dream, yet they interpreted it in their own manner, questioning him, ‘Will you truly govern us? Will you have authority over us?’ Indeed, this vision foretells the arrival of the coming King before whom every person will ultimately kneel (cf. Phlp. 2:10).