Genesis...Joseph....dream interpretation......?

[desikawa]

I am starting to study the Bible. I have a question. God gave Joseph the power to interpret dreams, right? But doesn't God say that prophecy is a sin? Joseph was a kind of medium....
It's all very confusing. Did God change the rules somewhere after the Old Testament (I know he is allowed to, of course)?
I don't need defensive answers. I am not criticising. I have recently refound God, and am trying to learn more through Bible study. I am just confused about some things, and hope someone can direct me toward the answers......

[gonnawin]

This has always been a source of confusion for me as well, and something me and my husband go round and round about at least 3 times a year...mainily when he see me watching montel on the days with sophia brown. I'm not sure I believe that she is actually a psychic or what not, but she is fun to watch. anyway. I think the distinction is suppose to come when we use it for our own gain...by that I mean, if I go to a psychic to find out what I should do with my life, instead of trusting in God, thats wrong. and it was the same for them back then, I think there is a story in the bible with Saul, and he calls for Abraham (after he has died) and asks his advice...to God this was wrong because Saul should have been asking God what he should do. but prophecy is different, prophecy usually comes from God, and is usually used for the good of the people, not just one person, whenever in the bible God has sent a prophet, it usually didn't just help out the one person, but it was usually for the benefit of his chosen people the israelites. in the case of Joseph, we see how God giving him the ability to interpret dreams led to Joseph being Co-ruler with Pharaoh, and his family moving into Egypt, during a time when there would great faminie, his family would have starved had they not moved into egypt. this of course had consequences for them later...but led them down the path they needed to go. basically the way I see it, is God says fortune telling is a sin, prophecy is different.

[ALLEN G]

There is a difference in being a prophet and a seer.In those days some followed after familiar spirits.They were mislead by them.Prophets were the ones God spoke to.They relied on God For their information.

[?Belzie?]

Yes, Joseph had the power to interpret dreams. No, God never stated that prophecy is a sin. In fact prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit.