DON'T LET PEOPLE MOCK WHAT GOD SHOWED YOU

DON'T LET PEOPLE MOCK WHAT GOD SHOWED YOU

Key Scripture: Genesis 37:19–20

"They said to one another, 'Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.'"

Joseph's brothers mocked his dreams. Not everyone will understand what God has placed in your heart. You don't need everyone's approval to remain faithful.

The Tests

The Test of Ridicule. The very first test you will face when people mock what God has shown you is the test of ridicule, because when you share your dream, you open yourself to the possibility of being laughed at, dismissed, or scorned. Joseph's brothers did not simply disagree with his dream; they mocked him, called him "this dreamer," and plotted against him because of what he had shared. The test of ridicule asks whether you can endure the laughter of others without losing your confidence in God, whether you can stand firm when people question your sanity, your judgment, or your character. You will be tempted to withdraw, to hide your dream, or to water it down to make it more acceptable to others, but ridicule is not a sign that your dream is false; it is often a sign that your dream is from God and that it threatens the status quo.

The Test of Rejection. Alongside ridicule comes the test of rejection, because not only did Joseph's brothers mock his dream, but they rejected him personally, and their rejection was painful and isolating. The test of rejection asks whether you can continue to believe in God's calling when those closest to you do not believe in you, whether you can maintain your faith when your family, friends, or community turn against you. You will be tempted to seek validation from others, to try to prove yourself, or to give up on your dream because of the rejection you face, but rejection from people does not mean rejection from God, and His approval is worth more than the approval of any human being.

The Test of Secrecy. The third test is the test of secrecy, because after being mocked and rejected, you may be tempted to keep your dream to yourself, to hide what God has shown you, and to protect yourself from further pain by remaining silent. The test of secrecy asks whether you will allow the mockery of others to silence the dream God has placed in your heart, whether you will let fear of man keep you from sharing what God has revealed. You will be tempted to become silent, to hide your vision, and to pretend that you never had a dream in the first place, but keeping your dream to yourself is not the same as protecting it; it can also be a way of letting the mockery kill it.

The Test of Remaining Faithful in the Face of Opposition. Perhaps the most profound test is the test of remaining faithful in the face of opposition, because the mockery and rejection you face are not just personal attacks; they are attacks on the dream itself, and you must choose whether to remain faithful to God or to abandon what He has shown you. The test of remaining faithful asks whether you will continue to believe, continue to trust, and continue to press forward even when others are actively working against you. You will be tempted to compromise, to give up, or to turn away from the dream, but remaining faithful in the face of opposition is the evidence that your faith is real.

The Principle

The Dream Is from God, Not from People. The foundational principle at work in Joseph's story is that the dream is from God, not from people, and the source of the dream determines its value and its destiny. Joseph's brothers did not give him the dream, and they could not take it away from him, because it was given by God and sustained by God. The mockery of people does not invalidate what God has spoken, and the rejection of others does not cancel the call of God. The source of your dream is the source of your confidence, and when you remember that the dream came from God, you can withstand the mockery of people.

Mockery Is Often the Evidence of a Divine Dream. The principle also teaches that mockery is often the evidence of a divine dream, because when you carry something from God, it will often be met with opposition from those who do not understand it or who feel threatened by it. Joseph's brothers mocked him because his dream exposed their own inadequacy and jealousy, and their mockery was actually a confirmation that the dream was real. When people mock what God has shown you, it may be a sign that you are carrying something significant, something that challenges the status quo and carries Kingdom weight.

Approval of God Is More Important Than Approval of People. The principle further reveals that the approval of God is infinitely more important than the approval of people, because human approval is temporary, fickle, and unreliable, but God's approval is eternal, steadfast, and life-giving. Paul wrote, "If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ," and the same is true for you. You do not need everyone to understand your dream, because your calling is not subject to a popular vote. The approval of God is sufficient.

Faithfulness Does Not Depend on Understanding. The principle culminates in the truth that faithfulness does not depend on understanding, because Joseph did not need his brothers to understand his dream in order for him to remain faithful to it. Faithfulness is not about persuading others to agree with you; it is about remaining true to what God has called you to do. Your faithfulness is not measured by the number of people who support your dream but by your commitment to walk in obedience to God, regardless of how others respond.

What Does It Mean?

Here Comes This Dreamer. The brothers' mocking words, "Here comes this dreamer," reveal their contempt for Joseph and his vision, and they reduced his identity to a single mocking label. The words of mockery are meant to diminish, to dismiss, and to destroy, and they are designed to make you feel foolish for believing what God has shown you. The labels that others place on you do not define you; only God defines you.

Come Now, Let Us Kill Him. The brothers' intention to kill Joseph reveals the hostility that a God-given dream can provoke, because the dream threatened their position, their pride, and their sense of superiority. The dream exposed their jealousy and their inadequacy, and their response was to try to destroy the dreamer. The opposition you face may be rooted in the same thing, and the intensity of the opposition can be a sign of the significance of the dream.

We Will See What Will Become of His Dreams. The brothers' mocking question, "We will see what will become of his dreams," was a challenge to God's faithfulness, a taunt that suggested the dream would never come to pass. Their question was the same question that the enemy asks of every promise God has given: "Did God really say?" and "Will it actually happen?" The question is designed to sow doubt, but it also reveals the arrogance of those who oppose God's purposes.

The Dream Did Not Die. The ultimate meaning of this passage is that the dream did not die, because Joseph's dream survived the pit, survived slavery, survived imprisonment, and eventually came to pass in a way that his brothers could not have imagined. The mockery did not cancel the dream, and the opposition did not stop God's purpose. The same is true for you: the mockery of people does not have the final word over what God has ordained.

The Twist

Mockery Is a Sign That You Are Carrying Something Significant. The twist in this teaching is that mockery is often a sign that you are carrying something significant, because people do not mock what is trivial or inconsequential; they mock what threatens them, challenges them, or exposes their own limitations. The mockery Joseph faced was a sign that his dream was real, and the opposition you face may be a sign that you are carrying something of Kingdom importance.

The Mockers Do Not Have the Final Word. Another twist is that the mockers do not have the final word, because Joseph's brothers did not get to determine his destiny, and God's purpose prevailed over their opposition. The mockers may have laughed, plotted, and rejected, but God was working behind the scenes to bring His purpose to pass. The final word belongs to God, not to the mockers.

The Dream Is Not Defined by Others. The twist also reveals that the dream is not defined by others, because Joseph's dream was not diminished by his brothers' mockery, and it was not validated by their approval. The dream was defined by God, and its value was determined by its source, not by its reception. Your dream is not defined by how others respond to it; it is defined by the God who gave it.

Their Rejection Was Part of God's Plan. Perhaps the most surprising twist is that the rejection Joseph faced was actually part of God's plan, because without his brothers' jealousy and betrayal, Joseph would never have gone to Egypt, and without going to Egypt, he would never have been positioned to save his family and fulfill God's larger purpose. The rejection that seemed like the end was actually the beginning, and the mockery that seemed like a setback was actually a setup.

What Can I Learn?

I Learn That Mockery Is Not a Sign That I Am Wrong. From Joseph's story, you can learn that mockery is not a sign that you are wrong, because God's people have been mocked throughout history, and mockery is often the response of those who do not understand the things of God. Do not let the laughter of others make you doubt what God has shown you.

I Learn That God's Approval Is Sufficient. You can learn that God's approval is sufficient, because the approval of people is temporary and unreliable, but God's approval is eternal and secure. You do not need everyone to understand your dream; you only need the approval of the One who gave it.

I Learn That Faithfulness Is My Responsibility. You can learn that faithfulness is your responsibility, and the response of others is not your concern. You are called to be faithful to what God has shown you, regardless of how others respond, and your faithfulness is the evidence of your trust in God.

I Learn That God Will Vindicate His Dream. You can learn that God will vindicate His dream, because He does not abandon what He has begun, and His purposes will be fulfilled despite the opposition of people. The mockers may laugh today, but God will have the last laugh, and His dream will be vindicated.

How Can I Apply It?

Guard What God Has Shown You. Applying this truth begins with guarding what God has shown you, by protecting your heart from the mockery of others and not allowing their words to diminish your confidence in God. You can pray, "Lord, protect my heart from the mockery of others, and help me to hold onto what You have shown me."

Share Wisely, Not Fearfully. You can also learn to share wisely, by discerning who is safe to share your dream with and who is not, and by not casting your pearls before swine. Sharing wisely is not fear; it is wisdom, and it protects your dream from unnecessary attack.

Find Your Identity in God, Not in Others' Approval. You can find your identity in God, not in the approval of others, by remembering that your value is determined by God, not by how others respond to you. You can say, "I am who God says I am, and I carry what God has given me."

Forgive Those Who Mock. Finally, you can forgive those who mock, because bitterness will only poison your heart and hinder your faith. Joseph forgave his brothers, and his forgiveness was the key to his freedom and his restoration. You can say, "Lord, I forgive those who have mocked my dream, and I release them to You."

Clear Conclusion

The clearest conclusion from Genesis 37:19–20 is that you must not let people mock what God has shown you, because the mockery of others does not invalidate the dream God has placed in your heart. Joseph's brothers mocked him, rejected him, and plotted against him, but his dream survived, and God's purpose was fulfilled in ways that exceeded his original expectations. You do not need everyone's approval to remain faithful, because your calling is from God, not from people, and His approval is more than enough. Do not let the laughter of others silence the voice of God; do not let the rejection of people diminish the vision He has given you. Guard your heart, stay faithful, and trust that the God who gave the dream will bring it to pass, regardless of who mocks you along the way.

Final Reflections

Sit quietly with this truth: the mockers do not have the final word. Their laughter does not define your destiny; their rejection does not cancel your calling. Joseph's story is a reminder that God's purposes are not subject to popular opinion, and His dreams are not diminished by the mockery of people. You may be mocked today, but you will be vindicated tomorrow, and the dream will survive because the Dream-Giver is faithful. Do not let the mockery of others steal your confidence; hold onto what God has shown you, and trust that He will bring it to pass in His time.

Prayer

Father in heaven, I confess that I have sometimes allowed the mockery of others to shake my confidence in what You have shown me, and I have been tempted to hide or abandon my dream because of the laughter and rejection I have faced. Forgive me for seeking the approval of people over the approval of You. Help me to guard my heart, to hold onto what You have given me, and to remain faithful regardless of how others respond. I choose to find my identity in You, not in the opinions of others, and I trust that You will vindicate the dream You have placed in my heart. I forgive those who have mocked me, and I release them to You. In the name of Jesus, who was mocked and rejected but who is now seated at the right hand of the Father, I pray, Amen.

Concluding Scripture Texts

Blessed Are You When Others Revile You. Stand upon the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:11–12, which declare, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven." The mockery you face is not a sign of God's displeasure but a sign of His blessing, and your reward is great in heaven.

Do Not Fear Their Reproach. Anchor yourself in the promise of Isaiah 51:7, which says, "Fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings." The reproach of people is not to be feared, because God is with you, and His vindication is greater than their mockery.

The Lord Will Vindicate You. Let the promise of Psalm 37:5–6 encourage you, for it says, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." God will vindicate you, and your righteousness will shine like the light.

He Who Endures to the End Will Be Saved. Finally, let the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:13 seal this meditation with hope, for He says, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Endurance is the key, and those who endure the mockery and rejection will see the fulfillment of what God has promised.