I once heard a lecture by Dr. Tong, that in the Bible, Joseph and Daniel were the only two, which the Bible has not quite revealed their sins, if not completely stays silent on the subject.
I have kept those words in my study of the Bible, so that I may study with a pious heart.
Since then, I have come across interpretations from a few about Joseph's sins in the Bible.
They usually concluded that Joseph has sinned when he 'boasted' his dreams to his family. Fewer would complain about his initial treatment of his brethren in Egypt.
I have always carefully struggled with all these interpretations. And I have often concluded those who interpreted that way are timid, cunning and without true love. For it only shows, Joseph's trust and love to his own family, despite obvious enmity within. As Jesus, John the Baptist, Stephen and many prophets have practised similarly.
Recently, I came across the same issue when a comment on a stephen tong sermon blog upheld the same error in Tim Keller's old sermon series: The Gospel According to Joseph. I did not have time nor the money to go over what Tim Keller had actually said, but merely measured it from this 'supporter' of his. Not 100% thorough, but I'm sure my preliminary investigation on the comment is sound.
I then found out John Calvin puts the issue to rest, of all his other statements in the same chapter, in one single line. Much better than I could ever put it:
Let us then learn not to be grieved if, at any time, the shining of the grace of God upon us should cause us to be envied.
-John Calvin Commentary on Genesis 37:8
In response to an EdX course discussion on Joseph by Catholic school University of Notre Dame:
TH120.1x: Jesus in Scripture and Tradition
I posted this comment:
I do not see concrete reasoning to conclude Joseph's arrogance based on him revealing his dreams. The reason the professor gave was that he did not have to reveal his dreams as it would hurt his brothers. However, truth hurts a lot of times but it will always be justified in the end. We should not conceal truth just because it may offend others.
Therefore, the problem in question is motive. What was Joseph's motive in revealing his dreams. For me, I see no strong evidence in any direction, therefore, I rather give him the benefit of the doubt, that Joseph revealed his dreams to his family out of good will. If there's anything for Joseph to learn here, it is at least this: That he should learn that sometimes we must say things that will cause us harm (As Jesus did plenty of times, and Joseph had only told his own family where Jesus proclaimed his glory to the greater crowd).
If God shines His blessings upon someone, we must learn to not feel jealous about him/her, but to enjoy and delight with that person, even when that person's blessings far exceed ours.
In conclusion, I agree that Joseph had gone through a lot to learn maturity, but I cannot quickly conclude that he was arrogant in revealing his dreams. What then, if we were to imagine someone who is not arrogant yet find himself no fault in revealing to others his blessings from God rather than keeping them to himself? If such person exists, would he not have been better than the "arrogant" Joseph, and also better than those who keep all good things about themselves secret, and thus become a role model for us? Therefore, unless otherwise told, it is better to assume Joseph as this person, for our own benefit, lest we suffer the insecurity of individualism.