Welcome back to our Twenty Seventh day on our journey together through God’s word. Reading for January 27, 2014 is Genesis 43-45. Chapter 43 The famine was still severe and Jacob told his sons to go to Egypt and buy more food. Judah told his father that the many in Egypt told them not to show their face back there unless they brought the younger brother. Israel asked, why did you tell the man you had a younger brother. Judah explained that the man asked specifically about our father and younger brother so we answered him. Judah told Israel to let Benjamin go with them so they can get food for their families before they die. He told his father he’d take full responsibility for his safety and offered his life as a substitute for Benjamin if anything should happen to him. Israel finally gave in and let Judah take Benjamin with them and they traveled quickly to Egypt. When they got to Egypt they went before Joseph to buy food. Joseph saw that they had brought along the younger brother Benjamin so he sent his servant off to slaughter an animal to prepare a meal for the men. He told them to bring the men to his house to eat at noon. The men were afraid when they found out that they were going to go to Joseph’s house because they thought they were going to be confronted about the silver that was found in their sacks so they went to the steward of Joseph and confessed about the silver that was found in their sacks. They explained they had brought it back and told them they brought more silver for food and other goods from the land of Canaan as gifts for Joseph. The steward told them not to worry and that their God had blessed them with the silver found in their sacks. They then brought Simeon out to them. They got the men cleaned up and Joseph came to them and they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival. When Joseph came they bowed down to him and presented their gifts. Joseph asked about their father and they told him he still was alive and then Joseph so Benjamin and he could not contain himself he had to go away to himself and weep. He returned and they ate. Benjamin was given a greater portion of food than the other brothers. How did Joseph contain himself from being angry or bitter about what they had done to him? I guess he knew he was blessed and had been blessed and the Lord was with him so there was no need for anger or bitterness. He walked in the Blessing of God. You see the fulfillment of the dream that Joseph had earlier in his life. Chapter 44 Joseph told his servants to fill their sacks with food and to put the silver in the mouth of each mans sack. He also told them to put his silver cup in the mouth of the younger brother’s sack and send them on their way. Shortly after they left Joseph sent his men after them and tell them on of them has taken his silver cup. When they got to the men the detained them and told them what Joseph had said and they denied any such act. They said that whoever’s sack you find the silver cup in they shall be a slave to my lord. They searched the sacks and found the cup in the youngest brother Benjamin’s sack. They were distressed and tore their clothes. They could not return to their father without Benjamin. They brothers were taken to Joseph and they all fell to the ground before Joseph and bowed. Judah pleaded their innocence, but they were found guilty. Judah pronounced they were his slaves, but Joseph said only the one whose sack the cup was found will be my slave. Judah pleaded that he could not leave Benjamin and return to his father without him for his father would die of grief. He offered to let the boy go and to keep him instead. I find it interesting how Judah was will to give his life in place of Benjamin if any harm would come to him, considering he was the mastermind behind selling Joseph. Chapter 45 Joseph could no longer contain himself so he revealed who he was to his brothers and they were terrified as they stood before him. Joseph told them that he was their brother Joseph who you sold to the Egyptians. Joseph told his brothers not to be distressed or angry at themselves for selling him “because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping, but God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance”. Wow! I love this part of the story. God had a purpose to work through the brother’s cruel act to bring about the blessing for his family. This brings to mind my favorite scripture again, Rom 8:28. What heart and faithfulness does Joseph show in trusting and believing in God for all his provisions, his safety and his life? Joseph doesn’t show any resentment, bitterness, anger or hostility toward his brothers, but he shows love, compassion and forgiveness toward them. Joseph recognized that it was Almighty God who was always in control. Verse 8 describes this truth that Joseph confessed before his brothers. The dreamer had become ruler over Egypt. Joseph told them to hurry and go get his father and bring him and all he owned to Egypt and he would set them up in the land to live. Pharaoh heard of the news and told Joseph to send carts and provisions for their journey and that they would have the best of the land of Egypt when they returned. Joseph sent them with new cloths and he sent he brother Benjamin with clothes and more gifts that the others because he loved his brother Benjamin. Joseph told them to go and return with his father and not to quarrel. The sons returned to their father Israel and told them all that had happen and his heart was pleased and burden was lifted knowing his son Joseph still lived. Israel said he would go to see his son Joseph before he died. What lessons of forgiveness are in this story? Joseph had set the past behind and only operated in the here and now and future. Joseph took every circumstance and made the most of it even when it seemed all odds were against him because he trusted God. Thank you for spending time in God’s word with me. May this journey continue to bring you closer to the knowledge of God and lead to you an awesome relationship with Jesus Christ. As you reflect on these chapters answer these questions: 1. What do you see at play here? 2. What did you learn about God? 3. How might you apply what you learned to the way you will live? 4. What is God saying to you? Note: This is an open community of believers and seekers alike. This is not a place for judgment or theological debate. This is a place of personal accountability and encouragement for those that have committed to reading and spending time in God’s word daily. Please dont feel obligated to openly share, but we welcome those that wish to share what God is doing or revealing to them through his word as we take this journey together. I am here to encourage and facilitate as God has so prompted and lead me to do. Please pray for me and pray for each other as we walk this journey together. Please also note the summary I share is only meant to help facilitate discussion or assist as you reflect on the word of God. It is not intended to be a complete outline or teaching, just my reflections as I share what God is showing or revealing to me as well. Tips for today: Tip #1 - Pick a translation you enjoy reading it may also be a paraphrase like the message to read from. There are many to choose from this is a personal choice. You are not limited in your choices the key is to pick one you like. Tip #2 - Pick a regular time to read the word. When we plan or schedule something you are more likely to complete it. Tip #3- You may want to keep a daily personal journal of thoughts and questions that may come up as you read God’s word daily. Tip# 4- Take time to pray before each reading asking God to give you insight into His word for understanding. Tip#5- You may want to highlight verses in the Bible that you later want to come back to for further study. Tip#6- If you fall behind in your reading try to pick up where you left off to catch up. If you miss more than two days just get back on schedule and make up the missed reading along the way. The worst thing you can do is stop. Trust me the enemy s going to throw distractions your way. He does not like what we are doing so press on. God rewards those who diligently seek him. (Heb 11:6 and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.) Thank you Reflecting and Walking in Gods Word Daily 2014 FB FAM. Reading for January 28, 2014 is Genesis 46-47. Grace and Peace to you All!
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:39:54 +0000
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