Week 38, Day 3: Moses flees
Today’s Reading: Exodus 2:1-25
Some thoughts from the reading…
We read yesterday about the oppression of Israel. The king of Egypt had set himself toward controlling the population of the Israelites by killing all the male children. The oppression of Israel was severe. During this time Moses is born. His mother tries to hide him but the text tells us that after three months she could hide him no longer. Moses is found in the Nile where his mother had left him. You can imagine how stressful this all must have been for Moses’ mother and how many other mothers in Israel suffered the loss of their children. Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household as his daughter’s son. But when it is found out that Moses has killed an Egyptian, Pharaoh seeks to kill him. Moses flees to the land of Midian (the wilderness that Israel will be wandering about for 40 years). There he finds a wife and begins a family.
Question: When Israel later complains about how good they had it back in Egypt consider what they are now going through. What all kind of hardships were they afflicted with during this time? Why do you think they would have looked back on this time as good?
Week 38, Day 2: Israel is oppressed
Today’s Reading: Exodus 1:1-22
Some thoughts from the reading…
A new king arises over Egypt. This king was not familiar with Joseph and therefore felt no link to the sons of Israel. He acted in a way that makes sense from the standpoint of someone governing a land who mistrust some minority population. He sees the Israelites multiplying and flourishing greatly and moves to prevent their multiplying. He fears that this population will unite with their enemies to fight against them. So he decides to begin using Israel for hard labor and to have the male children killed. But no matter how much he worked against Israel, they still multiplied. God was with Israel and no matter what man did, He was going to raise up this nation.
This makes me think about the time in Acts when Gamaliel warned the other Jews to be careful how they treated the apostles. He said that if these actions were of God they would not be able to overthrow them, that they might even be fighting against God. Man has many times since Egypt set themselves against God’s plans. They have shown how futile it is to go against His will.
Question: Are there times in our life that we set ourselves against the will of God? How and when do we do this? How can we avoid “finding” ourselves fighting against God?
Week 38, Day 1: Joseph’s kindness
Today’s Reading: Genesis 50:1-26
Some thoughts from the reading…
The book of Genesis concludes with some sad events but also a positive outlook. Jacob is buried in Canaan and there is much morning over him. Joseph’s death is also recorded for us. But we are also told again about the character of Joseph. The brothers are fearful of Joseph after their father has died and buried. They fear that Joseph will finally seek his revenge against them for what they did to him when he was young. But Joseph tells them not to fear. He says this with tears and pledges to provide for them and their little ones. He again extends his kindness to them. He states that he does this even though they intended evil towards him. It is impressive to think back on what all Joseph had to endure and go through just because his brothers were jealous of him. It is also interesting to consider what Joseph could have done to them with the snap of a finger. And yet Joseph always kept in mind that God had sent him to Egypt to preserve life and provide for his family. He accepted this task and was faithful to serve God’s will.
The chapter closes out with another positive note. Joseph stresses to his brothers that God would take care of them and bring them out from the land. Even at death, Joseph is comforting any fear that they might have and stressing a confidence that God will provide for them. May we each have the kind of conviction and confidence in God to reflect a similar faith as Joseph.
Question: Can you think of a time when you were hurt by someone and lashed out against them? What are some suggestions that you can think of for others to help them handle such hard situations?
Week 37, Day 5: The Sons are blessed
Today’s Reading: Genesis 49:1-33
Some thoughts from the reading…
Jacob gathers his sons to him before he dies and blesses them. It is interesting to see what all he says to each. Some are hard to understand the “blessing” intended and others stand out in prominence. Judah in particular stands out because of the kingly descent that would come from Judah. It is also important to remember that Jesus descended from the tribe of Judah. Looking at the things that are said here it is intriguing to view the things said in light of what we know will happen later. We are not told how it was revealed to Jacob about what would happen to each son. But in his blessing he reveals a little about their future. In particular look at the blessing given to Levi and Simeon. They were to be dispersed in Jacob and scattered in Israel. The Levites were given cities throughout Israel to dwell in and Simeon’s territory was absorbed into Judah. I think seeing this fulfillment is fascinating.
Question: What place or event is referred to in verse 10 when “until Shiloh comes”? What is Shiloh?
Week 37, Day 4: Jacob dies
Today’s Reading: Genesis 48:1-22
Some thoughts from the reading…
After being blessed with seeing his long lost son, Jacob is near death. He has had 17 years of life after coming to live in the land of Goshen. Joseph is told about his father being ill and so he goes to visit him with his two sons. Joseph has already vowed (placed his hand under Jacob’s thigh) to carry Jacob’s body back to the land of Canaan to bury him there. At this final visit Joseph has brought his sons to Jacob to be blessed by him. But something unexpected happens. Joseph brings the sons to his father, the oldest to his Jacob’s right hand and and the younger to his left hand. But intead of blessing the oldest with his right hand Jacob crosses his hands and blesses the younger with his right hand. This displeased Joseph but Jacob states that Ephraim will be mightier than his older brother Manasseh. It is interesting how this reflects Jacob’s case growing up (the older will serve the younger). Manasseh would not serve his younger brother but Ephraim would eclipse his brother and be greater, thus going contrary to the greater blessing being on the firstborn.
The other thing that is interesting to note is that our concepts of the right hand being the hand of favor is seen here as a long standing custom of man. We say someone is your “right hand man” or we read of extending the “right hand of fellowship” (Gal 2:9) and we see someone standing at the right hand of God. I find it fascinating to see times where customs or traditions can be traced or seen in other times. The concept of the right hand being the one of favor or to be preferred is not a new concept. We’ll probably never know how that concept started but it is interesting to see such practices reaching far back in man’s history.
Question: Jacob had said to Pharaoh in ch 47 that his days were few and had not attained to the years of his fathers. Jacob died at 147. How does this compare to his fathers ages?
Week 37, Day 3: Joseph’s service is blessed
Today’s Reading: Genesis 47:1-31
Some thoughts from the reading…
In chapter 47 we find it recorded what is the outcome of the famine. God had revealed to Pharaoh what would come about. By God’s provision Joseph is raised to a position of prominence and makes provision to preserve life. But God also blesses Pharaoh greatly in the process because of Joseph. As the famine continued in Egypt and the land of Canaan. Joseph was able to gather all the money in these lands through the sale of the grain stored up during the 7 years of plenty. And in the end Pharaoh owns all the land of Egypt and the people are his slaves now. I have wondered what things were like before this time. Is our concepts of Egypt being ruled by Pharaoh and him having complete dominion over all of Egypt a post Joseph concept? Was the land governed somewhat differently before this famine? In any case, Pharaoh is now given more power and wealth because of Joseph.
Something else that was interesting to me was how willing Pharaoh was to hand over everything to Joseph. Joseph was set up to run things and be second only to Pharaoh. In this chapter Pharaoh is so confident in Joseph that he hands over all of his livestock to his care. Why I think all of this is so interesting is because I always have this concept of kings or leaders having to be worried that they might be betrayed by their servants. If one servant had too much power they my try to overthrow their master. Pharaoh’s complete trust in Joseph is a good testimony to how Joseph conducted himself. He did not covet the #1 position or try to work against his master. Rather he was a faithful and trustworthy servant. One that encouraged further trust and reliance. Joseph is such a great example to us of a man with integrity and great faith.
Question: What qualities makes someone a good servant or worker?
Week 37, Day 2: Beginning of a Nation
Today’s Reading: Genesis 46:1-34
Some thoughts from the reading…
God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him. Several times, we have seen God repeat the idea to both Isaac and Jacob. God said that the descendants of Abraham would be innumerable, like the sands of the sea, or the stars of heaven. That was a bit difficult to believe (at least from man’s perspective) when Abraham didn’t have his son of promise until he was 100 years old! However, by the time we get to this point in Jacob’s life, we see that his family has expanded to 66 people. God would now use the time that the people would be in Egypt to grow them into a true nation. It will be interesting to watch this process, and note some of the tools that God uses to make sure that His people remain His people, and that they are productive and grow quickly. They will become a huge nation in a relatively short period of time.
We see in this process the fulfillment of God’s promises. This will also be the basis on which God will fulfill many other promises. In fact, all three parts of the promise made to Abraham will be fulfilled through this process. We will see the great nation that comes out of Egypt equipped for the conquering of land–the land of Canaan. We will also see the blessing of all mankind (the coming of the Messiah) coming through this people who will be kept separate from the people of Egypt, even though they would be living in their land. God had a plan to bring all of these promises to fruition. It would be impossible for a man to devise a plan like this, and even if he could make the plan, there is no way that he could cause it to come to pass. This shows the wisdom of God, His foreknowledge, and the way that He can and does work in the kingdoms of men. Because God can do all of this, we should put our faith and confidence in Him!
Question: What other promises can you think of that were fulfilled by God throughout the scriptures?
Week 37, Day 1: God’s Purpose for Joseph
Today’s Reading: Genesis 45:1-28
Some thoughts from the reading…
When we read the story of Joseph, it seems that it would be easy for him to be angry with his brothers for what they had done to him. He had ended up a slave in a foreign country, and then he was imprisoned because they had sold him out of jealousy. But, even knowing what had happened, and how things had worked out for him, Joseph was not angry with his brothers. Certainly, in the position that he had risen to, he could have had his brothers arrested, and perhaps even killed in retribution for their acts against him. But, he showed no atrocity toward them. Instead, Joseph showed his attitude of putting his faith and confidence in God. In Genesis 45:8, Joseph told his brothers that it Was God who sent him to this place. God was using Joseph to save His people from the famine that was striking the land of Canaan.
This story should be an encouragement to us today. Sometimes, we may not realize how God is using us to fulfill His will, but He can be using us even if we aren’t in the best of circumstances. We could become angry about our circumstances, or we can look around us and figure out how we can use our setting to be of service to God. Instead of moping about our terrible “luck”, maybe we should look for better opportunities. If we trust God, and are being obedient to Him, then we should realize that He can use our talents in many different ways, even if we don’t see the end of His plan for us!
Question: What types of conditions can God use His people in today that may seem odd at the time?
Week 36, Day 5: The Return Visit
Today’s Reading: Genesis 44:1-34
Some thoughts from the reading…
Joseph’s plan seems to work out very well to get what he wanted. Benjamin has now been brought down despite his fathers reservations. He has seen his long lost little brother and now he moves to try to keep Benjamin there with him. It is hard to know if Joseph had some other plans worked out in his mind other than to bring Benjamin back but certainly hearing about his fathers love and connection to Benjamin’s well-being caused a great stirring in Joseph (we’ll see more in chapter 45). Whatever Joseph’s plans were by placing the cup in Benjamin’s bag it worked a great mystery and vexation upon the brothers. It may have simply been that Joseph wanted more opportunity to investigate things. We have seen several times in the last few chapters where we are told more details about Joseph’s inquiries. Such as when the brothers are trying to convince Jacob to let Benjamin go with them in chapter 43. Jacob was not happy with them for telling the lord of the land that they had another brother. But they tell him that he asked straitly regarding their kindred and their father. This part of the conversation was not mentioned before. It does seem that Joseph has all along been gaining information regarding the state of his father and what his brothers were like now. Perhaps his plans were simply to find out more about his family until he had deemed it right on whether to reveal himself to them. Whatever the reason for Joseph’s dealing with them, it makes for a very interesting account.
Question: How should we handle things when our plans go astray? We plan out many things, even plan well at times but like the brothers, they now found themselves in a very difficult situation. As Christians how should we handle these kind of circumstances when things just seem to go the worst possible way?
Week 36, Day 4: Bewilderment
Today’s Reading: Genesis 43:1-34
Some thoughts from the reading…
If you were not familiar with this account already, I do not see it as possible to stop reading in chapter 43. The grain has run out and the famine is severe. It is either starve to death or return to Egypt for more grain. Jacob reluctantly grants permission to take Benjamin with them back to Egypt where the lord of the land suspects them of being spies. When the brothers come back there is a very strange welcome for them. They are directed to Joseph’s personal dwelling and told to wait there. Their minds wonder about if they are in trouble or if the man is setting them up so he can take them as slaves. Then to their amazement a feast is set before them and they are eating in abundance. The chapter ends on a “cliff hanger” by making you want to know how all this turns out for the brothers.
I do enjoy reading accounts such as these because, knowing what happens later, it is amusing to see the events building and unfolding. The brothers must have been awed by what all was going on and yet very confused. Why was this man asking about their father? Why was Benjamin given so much more than everyone else? Why did the man eat by himself? All will soon be revealed to them.