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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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Week 36, Day 3: Joseph meets his brothers
Today’s Reading: Genesis 42:1-38
Some thoughts from the reading…
I spoke yesterday about understanding what someone is thinking or reasoning before acting (Joseph could have been upset with the cup bearer for not mentioning him to Pharaoh but the cup bearer did not want to remind Pharaoh of his former offenses). I see another example of this happen in chapter 42. Joseph has hidden himself from his brothers when they come to Egypt. He speaks harshly toward his brothers, accusing them of being spies. Before releasing them to return home he hears them speaking among one another about why these things are happening to them. They say to one another that they are guilty because they “saw the distress of his (Joseph’s) soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen.” The guilt of what they had done remained upon them after all these years. They now feel that these difficulties in Egypt are coming upon them as a “reckoning for his blood”. Joseph hears all of this because the brothers did not know this Egyptian official could speak their language (Joseph had been using an interpreter). Joseph wept after hearing this. I do not know if Joseph treated them differently because of hearing their discussion but I can imagine how moving it would be to hear that his brothers feel deep remorse over their sin against him.
The challenge for us today is to act and react in a godly manner. We know that we need to be slow to anger, slow to speak and quick to hear, James 1:19. We will be challenged to do this. Can you imagine what could have been Joseph’s response to his brothers when he first saw them. He could have struck them down right then. But he would have been going against why God had brought him to Egypt and raised him to this position. Before we decide a course of action, let us endeavor to understand what is going on and to not act out of malice and anger.
Question: Would Joseph have been justified in afflicting his brothers? In other words, would it have been alright for Joseph to pay them back?
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Week 36, Day 2: Joseph is remembered
Today’s Reading: Genesis 41:1-57
Some thoughts from the reading…
After Joseph has been a prisoner for another two years, Pharaoh has a dream that needs to be interpreted. But no one can interpret it. Then the cup bearer speaks to Pharaoh regarding Joseph. It seems very unjust that this man forgets all about Joseph until now but he indicates in his speech perhaps why he had not spoken before. “I would make mention today of my own offenses.” The man was weary of mentioning how he had offended Pharaoh so much. Understanding things from his stand point makes it more understandable for him to forget about mentioning Joseph before now. I know how hard it is to remember to look at things from someone else’s point of view first, before becoming angry. But with understanding we often can react appropriately.
Joseph’s rise to power is a clear indication of providence. God caused the dream. God showed the interpretation to Joseph and God made it possible for Joseph to serve as a ruler in Egypt. Joseph reflects a continued dedication to God by saying that it isn’t in him to give the interpretation but that God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. Later we also see him naming his children in a way that he recognizes what God has done for him. What a great lesson in dedication to God, a lack of bitterness, and integrity.
Question: What qualities do you see exhibited by Joseph through his trial so far?
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Week 36, Day 1: Serve Wherever You Are!
Today’s Reading: Genesis 40:1-23
Some thoughts from the reading…
Some people seem to need ideal circumstances before they are willing to serve the Lord. If they are unable to have perfect comfort, or perfect conditions, they find an excuse to avoid their responsibilities. Or perhaps, under certain circumstances, people feel justified in trying to ignore God, and His expectations. However, when we see the account of Genesis 40, we see God’s expectations for His people. Joseph was in prison, and yet, he was able to work diligently, and continue to serve God. How many of us would have ended up being dejected because of our circumstances (unjustly imprisoned)? Perhaps we would sit in our cell, moping about how miserable we were if we were in Joseph’s sandals. But, that is not what Joseph did. He worked his way up, through honesty and good character, to be in charge of all of the other prisoners. Even in the worst of circumstances, he was able to prosper.
In his position in this prison, Joseph was given the opportunity to serve God by giving the interpretation of the two dreams of his fellow prisoners, a butler and a baker. Of course, Joseph had good news for the butler, but terrible news for the baker. This would lead eventually to the release of Joseph from prison, as he would be given the opportunity to interpret dreams for the Pharaoh (in the coming chapters). But, notice that Joseph gave all the credit for his abilities to God (Genesis 40:8). He was doing this in service to God.
Sometimes we may not know why we are in a given circumstance. Perhaps Satan is trying desperately to defeat our spirit, and cause us to give up our service. Perhaps we have made mistakes that cause us to live with certain consequences. Perhaps we simply have “bad luck”, after all, time and chance happen to all men (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Whatever the case, Joseph shows us that we can serve the Lord, and that we are expected to serve the Lord, regardless of our circumstances. It is not always easy to serve God. But, during the difficult times, we may be even more productive, and more valuable in the service of God. We cannot give up just because the going gets tough!
Question: What are some difficult circumstances under which people today serve God?
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