This Dreamer

. . . a man found him wandering in the fields . . . 

 - From Genesis 37

If we look at the clues about the personality of Joseph enough, fill in the blanks, connect the dots, I think we can get a pretty accurate take on him. We know the type, very well.

His brothers called him "this dreamer." He did dream dreams. He told stories. He was ridiculously naive . . . not knowing how socially inept it is, to go telling your older siblings such things; especially when their father, Jacob preferred Joseph. 

Joseph was not favored because of his good looks, his charm, his hard work, his good grades. 

Jacob just loved Joseph. He wasn't even the baby of the family: that would be his little brother, Benjamin. Why is any kid favored? Why do most parents show such lack of wisdom in picking their favorites? (Why do teachers and coaches do the same?)

For whatever reason, Jacob thought Joseph could do no wrong.

Or maybe it was this delicate aspect to his personality. He seemed unable to function in normal society. When sent out to check on his brothers, he was found, just wandering around, aimlessly. Jacob saw this and kept a close eye on Jacob . . . he gave him extra attention and protection.

What was Joseph doing out in the fields? Thinking? Dreaming? Daydreaming? He certainly wasn't plotting evil, as his brothers did. 

Out of this unpromising background, God rose up a reflective and empathetic leader for Egypt, at just the right time.

Keep that in mind, when you can't help but be totally mystified and frustrated at the behavior of some really odd person.