John Calvin Commentary Genesis 37:8

"And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words." — Genesis 37:8 (ASV)

Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Here it is plainly shown to us that the paternal favor of God towards the elect is like a fan to excite against them the enmity of the world. When the sons of Jacob heard that they were fighting in vain against God, their unjust hatred should, by such means, have been corrected.

For it was as if God, setting Himself in their midst, would repress their fury by these words: “Your impious conspiring will be fruitless; for although you boast, I have appointed as your chief the man whose ruin your wicked envy drives you to seek.” Perhaps, also, by this consolatory dream, He intended to alleviate the trouble of the holy youth.

Yet their obstinacy only increased it further. Let us then learn not to be grieved if, at any time, the shining of God’s grace upon us should cause us to be envied.

The sons of Jacob, however, were all too perceptive interpreters of the dream, yet they derided it as a fable because it was repugnant to their wishes.

Thus it often happens that those who are ill-disposed quickly perceive what the will of God is. But, because they feel no reverence, they despise it. To this stubborn disobedience, however, a stupor follows which destroys their former sharp perception.