But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. NLT
OBSERVATION:
THE GENESIS SAGA: Joseph Reveals His Identity
After Judah’s plea and offer to exchange his life for Benjamin’s and his father’s, Joseph could no longer keep the secret of his identity hidden. When he had made sure that they were alone – he announced, “I am Joseph! Is my brother still alive?” The brothers were confused and gave no answer, so he said again, “I am Joseph your brother,” this time adding – “whom you sold into Egypt.” While Joseph clearly acknowledges the brothers’ part in the way his life turned out he gives God all the credit. I doubt that this was an effort of Joseph to whitewash the brothers’ betrayal, but to let them know that that God was in perfect control and had blessed Joseph despite their evil act. It was God who positioned him to rule over Egypt and God who positioned him to provide life for them, He explains to them how God had used their act of selling him to preserve their lives by making him advisor to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Other Notable Observations:
Joseph immediately puts the brothers at ease rather than throwing blame and making them feel bad. (5)
He explains how the famine will play out and assures them that it was God who sent him ahead of them in order to save their lives (7)
Joseph sends the brothers back to Canaan to bring Jacob to Egypt, so that Joseph can provide for him and his whole household, and everyone who belongs to him. (9-12)
Joseph wept over his brothers and they talked with one another. (13-15)
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?
Again, it seems there is much we can learn from Joseph, including not throwing blame or making others feel badly for their wrongs but especially giving God all the credit that He is due, as we read in the soap verse. This is true even for ourselves. We would be wise to not look at any given situation and say look what I have done, look what I have become, or accomplished, or what ‘that person’ became because of me. Surely we can celebrate what God has helped us to accomplish at school, or work, or in life, for ourselves or for others – but we put ourselves in danger when it becomes about us and not what God has helped us accomplish. It can lead to pridefulness that may turn us to choose the world’s way instead of God’s. Instead let us To steer clear of the pitfalls of pride we would do well to deflect all praise to God as Joseph did and to set aside time daily to point our own minds to remembering what God has done for us.
Prayer: Response to God’s Word.
Father, thank You for being in complete control. Thank You for using us as Your instruments to accomplish Your will and for reminding us to give You all the glory and honor due Your Holy Name. Let Your praise always be on our lips and Your goodness always on our minds. Guard us from pridefulness and boasting in ourselves. These things I pray in Jesus’ name and power – Amen!
YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
How is a willingness to forgive related to an understanding of God’s sovereignty?
Is there anyone you need to forgive or seek reconciliation with today?
Scripture Reading: Genesis 44; John 15:12-13; 1 John 1:8-2:2 (SOAP – John 15:12-13)
12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. NLT
OBSERVATION:
THE GENESIS SAGA:
Joseph is still not ready to reveal his true identity to the brothers but is obviously wanting to keep Benjamin with him and continue to show compassion to the brothers and Jacob. However, Judah and the brothers are committed to keeping Benjamin safe and from causing their father further grief, so they replay the scenario to Joseph and plead for him to understand and relent.
Judah shows great sacrificial love by offering himself in the place of Benjamin, not just for the sake of Benjamin but in order that Jacob would not suffer more grief.
Me – from the Inside-out –
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?
Today’s focus passage and application might appear to be simple – “Love one another”. Yet, the passage doesn’t stop there, nor should we. To truly understand how to apply today’s passages we must read the entire focus passage from John 15:12-13 – “My commandment is this – to love one another just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this — that one lays down his life for his friends.” We see this played out in the life of Jesus, who loved us so much that He laid down His life for us – vile, guilty sinners, enemies of His Father, We also see a similar love offered by Judah on behalf of his father Benjamin. In light of this, how then should we live? We should not simply love one another but we should “Love one another, just as Christ has loved us.” (John 13:34)
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, please help us to love like Jesus. I confess it, most often, seems like an impossible application but I remember the words of Jesus to His early disciples – “with man [this] is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”Matt 19:26 This truth, fittingly applied to all Scriptures that teach seemingly impossible tasks for man, brings much hope. May Your Spirit in us produce this Love and all else You have called us to do in Jesus’ name. – Amen –
YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
Why is self-sacrifice the greatest display of love?
How was Judah’s willingness to sacrifice himself for Benjamin a foreshadowing of what as to come in Christ?
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. NLT
OBSERVATION:
THE GENESIS SAGA: Joseph, Overcome By Affection
In our last reading Jacob had refused to let Benjamin return with the brothers even though Simeon would be held prisoner until they did. Some time passed, the famine grew worse and the food and supplies they had brought from Egypt were now gone. The brothers had another conversation with Jacob and he relented, ultimately laying aside fear’s grip on him and trusting in the mercy of His God.
When Joseph saw Benjamin was with them he arranged for them to be brought to his house for the noon meal. When they were brought before Joseph, again they bowed before him. Joseph spoke with them, inquiring about their father and asking if the one they had brought with them was indeed their youngest brother, (this must have been to keep up his pretense of not knowing who they were). When Joseph greeted Benjamin he was overcome with affection for him and had to leave the room. Scripture says, he wept in his room before returning to the brothers and enjoying the meal that had been prepared for them.
Other Notable Observations:
The brothers were still fearful. (18)
They were honest concerning the money that they had found in their sacks. (19-22)
Simeon was returned, as promised. (23)
Today’s Focus Passage:
Remember, on their previous visit with Joseph he had been harsh and demanding toward them. Yet, on their return there is clearly a change in his demeanor – a humbleness that led him to have them brought to his home for a meal and undoubtedly to the affections and brokenness that overcame him when he was able to speak to Benjamin. What follows is an example for us of the words we find in 1 Peter 3:8-9, where believers are urged specifically not to repay evil for evil or insult for insult. Joseph not only resisted repaying evil for evil but we also see evidence of the other qualities mentioned. He was no longer harsh but spoke to them in a way that welcomed harmony, as he showed compassion, sympathetic concern and affection so great that the brothers “bowed down in humility” and Joseph had to leave the room because he was overcome by his emotions.
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?
Now that we’ve revisited Joseph’s story and his actions towards his brothers, reread 1 Peter 3:8-9 again. As you read, underline or make note of those things that remind you of Joseph’s actions toward his brother. I think you will find Joseph to be a wonderful example of how Peter encouraged the new testament believers to live.
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 NLT
In light of these two passages and Paul’s words to Timothy that all Scripture is useful for training in righteousness, I believe we have a clear answer as to how we are to live. Like Joseph, we should be harmonious, unified around one way of thinking – namely “the way of Jesus”. We shouldbe sympathetic and compassionate, truly caring about our fellow believers and showing them kindness – even those who have hurt us or others we love. We are to be affectionate, showing ‘brotherly love’ to all believers; and as Joseph so clearly demonstrated, we should be humble – putting others above ourselves, making Christ and them the focus of our attention.
PRAYER: RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD.
Father, surely it is not easy to show love and kindness or to be sympathetic to those who have hurt us – but You have given us a perfect example in Joseph. Help us to be full of compassion, tenderhearted and forgiving as You are with us. Guide us in loving and living like Jesus – stir our affections to align with Yours so that others will see and know You and Your love in us. – To Your Glory – Amen!
YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
How can you develop responsibility, honesty, unity, faith, and gratitude?
How do these characteristics bless the body of Christ?
As we move into week five we will get to see the unfolding story of Joseph. We will see his own dream as a teenager become a reality and once again see his unusual but extraordinary reaction to his brothers. We will watch as they bow down to him. We will see them leave one brother behind in prison in order to bring Benjamin to Joseph – and we will listen as they try to convince their father to let his youngest son go back with them to Egypt. We will witness Joseph’s affection for his betrayers and see a sacrificial love that the brothers have for each other and their father. We will witness Joseph’s revelation that he is their brother and the reunion with his father. We will even get to see how Pharaoh reacts to learning that Joseph’s brothers had arrived. The fears and challenges are great and the lessons are inspiring as we see the battle with trust run deep with Jacob and his ten sons, and then there’s Joseph’s beautiful declaration that God had meant it all for good. I would encourage you to sneak away to a quiet place today for about 30-minutes to read these chapters, 42-46:30. It’s 5 chapters and not nearly as long as you would think but well worth the read as a whole before focusing on them individually in the study. I promise it will be time well spent and I know your heart will be glad.
The feature verse
This week’s feature verse comes from day 2, and is found in 1 Peter 3. If you watch carefully throughout the week you will see how well it applies to the reactions and actions of Joseph.
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
Challenge
This week we will focus on Joseph’s process of testing his brothers, as well as their reconciliation. Is there someone with whom you need to reconcile? Take steps to forgive them first, and then if possible seek reconciliation. Record how God works in your life and how you see His faithfulness in the process.
Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” 52 Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” NLT
OBSERVATION:
THE GENESIS SAGA: PHARAOH’S DREAM
Two years after the cupbearer was released from prison and returned to Pharaoh’s service, Pharaoh had a dream but none of his ‘diviner-priests’ or any of his ‘wise men’ were able to tell him what it meant. BUT… the chief cupbearer, whose dream Joseph had interpreted, finally remembered Joseph and made mention of him to Pharaoh, telling him how Joseph had interpreted his dream and the dream of the royal baker exactly as it had happened.
Because of this, Joseph was summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and he was brought out of the dungeon and taken to Pharaoh. When they met Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream and there is no one here who can interpret it. But I have heard about you, that you can interpret dreams.” Can you imagine the hope this must have given Joseph? Perhaps this is why his reply to Pharaoh wasn’t simply, ‘yes I can,’ but rather one of clarification that it was not within his power to interpret dreams – but that God would speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.
God had used Joseph’s dreams, his faithfulness through the temptation of Potiphar’s wife as well as all other matters, his time in prison, and his gift of interpreting dreams to position him right where He wanted him.
ME-From the Inside-out
Pharaoh seemed unfazed by the response and proceeded to tell Joseph the dream. Joseph’s explanation and revelation from God made sense to Pharaoh (37), and he placed Joseph (an Israelite) in authority over all the land of Egypt. God had used Joseph’s dreams, his faithfulness through the temptation of Potiphar’s wife as well as all other matters, his time in prison, and his gift of interpreting dreams to position him right where He wanted him.
TODAY’S FOCUS VERSEs (also week four recap)
To truly appreciate the emphasis of these verses let’s recap one more time. Joseph was placed in a pit by his brothers, then with a change of greedy plans he was taken out by the brothers and sold for profit, ultimately he became a slave in the house of Potiphar. He was faithful in all of his duties and even in the proposition of Potiphar’s wife. Because of her actions and accusations against Joseph he was thrown into the prison, finding favor with the guard things went well for him but years passed despite hope of release following the interpretation of the cupbearer’s and royal baker’s dreams. Finally, the day came when he was released to interpret the dream of Pharaoh and as we’ve just read, the rest of the story is somewhat like a fairytale. Joseph, the Israelite, becomes second to none under Pharaoh and benefits more than he could have imagined as a 17 year-old teenager betrayed by his brothers. Yet even in all, beyond all the doubts that I imagine he had and all the heartache of the betrayal of his brothers, and all the disappointments where hope was risen and dashed to the ground, and even after all he had gained Joseph had not forgotten the God of his fathers. So when he is blessed with two sons he chooses names that honor God by recognizing His presence with him through it all.
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?
Clearly, Joseph remembers that God is with him even in the “land of his suffering”. He may have ruled Egypt but by this reference it appears he didn’t consider it home. He didn’t forget his God and as we will see in the coming week, he didn’t truly forget his family. All of these are good examples for us … While we may not actually be ‘happy’ about our hard circumstances of life or truly forget family or friends that have betrayed or hurt us – we will find that God often brings good things, seasons of hope, and even joy in the difficult times. I have often found it helpful to make note of God’s goodness in the past and to look for His goodnesses even in the present affliction. For remembering whose we are and that He is always with us is essential in the dark and difficult days of our life that bring fear, doubt, and pain.
Prayer: Response to God’s Word.
Father, thank You for Your presence with us – especially in the difficult seasons or moments of life. Thank You for using these times to prepare us and position us for where you want and need us to be. Help us to be alert to Your presence and to see Your fingerprints even in times of troubles, that we might remember You are direct ing our paths – so that we do not doubt and lose hope.
YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
When has God been faithful to redeem you from a season of suffering?
If you are enduring a season of suffering right now, what can you do to remind yourself of His faithfulness?
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. NLT
Observation:
The Genesis Saga: The Cupbearer and Royal Baker
So , not only was Joseph a dreamer – apparently he was also an interpreter. sometime after Joseph was put in prison Pharaoh had two of his officials, a cupbearer and a royal baker, put in prison. As God would have it, they were placed in the same facility where Joseph was being kept and he was made their attendant. While they were there the cupbearer and royal baker both had a dream that left them noticeably depressed. They shared the dreams with Joseph and they (well, at least the cupbearer) were delighted that he was able to interpret them. Joseph was most likely delighted as well – since it gave him hope that they would mention him to Pharaoh and he would release him. Unfortunately, while things went just as Joseph had predicted from the dreams, his name was not mentioned and he remained in prison.
TODAY’S FOCUS VERSE
David wrote this Psalm in a very emotional state. He spills out frustration, confusion, fear of his enemy, desperation, great sorrow, hunger for God’s attention, worry, suffering, shame, and embarrassment. “BUT…” (you have to love the ‘buts’ of God’s Word – right?). After spilling out all of these emotions he responds to his own rant, breakdown, or what I would call a panic attack with the expressed determination and declaration, “But I trust in Your faithfulness.” His trust was so solid that he even declared a time of rejoicing, certain that God would both deliver and vindicate him. Don’t you love this? I do. I love that David open and close relationship with God, especially knowing that God refers to David as “a man after My own heart”. Don’t you see, God wants to have this kind of relationship with us – one where we are open and honest, not hiding our hearts from Him but laying them open before Him – truthful of our doubts but so confident in Him that trust and praise always win out.
But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ NLT
While we shouldn’t doubt God, when doubts arise – and they will – we should cry out to Him like David did. We should also follow-up our questions and concerns with declarations of His faithfulness, His goodness, and our trust in Him to ‘deliver’ or meet whatever need we have expressed. When we do this praise is sure to follow and overwhelm the emotions of doubt.
Doubt brings sorrow; faith brings praise
BibleRef.Com
PRAYER: RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, help me never doubt you. Surely I have seen Your goodness and faithfulness all the days of my life. Help me in the throes of suffering and trials of this life to trust You, to remember, to call out to You, and to look for Your deliverance, and to praise You when it comes! – In Jesus’ Name – amen and amen.
How was God’s faithfulness shown to Joseph in prison?
How have you seen God show His faithfulness to you when you were in a season of despair?
WANT MORE?
(I’m sure that I’ve shared this before but the highlighted portions came to mind when I was reading/writing and I couldn’t resist sharing again – I encourage you to read the lyrics and then take some time to sit [or dance] before God in worship.)
Blessings Lyrics[this song and its rights do not belong to me]
We pray for blessings We pray for peace Comfort for family, protection while we sleep We pray for healing, for prosperity We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering And all the while, You hear each spoken need Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You’re near? And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom Your voice to hear And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love As if every promise from Your Word is not enough And all the while, You hear each desperate plea And long that we’d have faith to believe
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if the thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You’re near? And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us And when darkness seems to win We know that pain reminds this heart That this is not, this is not our home It’s not our home
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if the thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments Or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy And what if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are Your mercies in disguise?
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. NLT
Observation:
The Genesis Saga: Joseph’s Story
After being sold by his brothers (chapter 37) Joseph was taken down to Egypt. Away from his father and all the “comforts of home” he now belonged to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officicals and the captain of the guard. Scripture makes it quite clear though that the LORD was with Joseph, so much so that Potiphar could see that the LORD made everything he was doing successful, so he appointed Joseph over all that he owned, and the LORD blessed it all.
the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned.
Genesis 39:5-6 NLT
Potiphar was not wrong to trust Joseph as he did. However, it does seem that he was wrong to trust his wife. I’m sure you’ve heard the story – she continually propositioned Joseph and while he faithfully turned her down, in the end he was forced to run away from her bold advances – unfortunately not before she grabbed his outer garment. She used this as a weapon against Joseph making Potiphar believe that Joseph had taken advantage of her. Potiphar, of course, was furious and threw Joseph in prison. Even there, the LORD was with Joseph, showing him kindness and granting him favor in the sight of the prison warden – so that he was put in charge of all the prisoner’s care.
If we watch and listen – even in the hardest times, we will see and hear God with us and around us.
Me-from the inside-out
TODAY’S FOCUS VERSE
James writes that the one who “endures testing”, or testing and temptation as the NLT translates it, is blessed. While most translations explain this blessing as happening because “he has stood the test”, I love the way the NET phrases James’ words of explanation: “because he has proven to be genuine in his faith.” Regardless of which translation you read, the result is the same – the one who endures receives the “crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” While there are differences of opinions among commentators as to whether the crown of life is equal to eternal life, I fall on the side of those that say they are different – in that, all believers are promised eternal life based on their faith in Christ, while the crown of life seems to be a distinct reward for loving God and enduring the testings of this life.
Other note worthy observations in these three verses would be ….
God cannot be tempted and does not tempt anyone.
Every good and perfect gift is from God.
God does not change.
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?
Today’s application is, like most applications of God’s Word, challenging. I mean, let’s face it, enduring the trials and temptations of this life is rarely easy and can at times seem impossible. I have found a helpful key to this challenge is to remember Paul’s words to the Corinthians about temptations. He told them that when they are tempted God would show them the way out so that they could endure. We can and must TRUST GOD to show us that way of escape, actively looking for the escape in each struggle. We must purpose in our hearts and minds to endure, meaning we choose to press on to prove ourselves genuine and obtain the ‘crown of life’. We must guard against the mental and spiritual battle of questioning God’s motives in our troubles and trust that they are to strengthen our faith and produce endurance, (James 2:2-4, 13). We must also guard against trusting God less because of our trials and instead rely on Him even more. To paraphrase one commentator, if we don’t see Him as trustworthy we will move away from Him when trials come.
A Little Extra Insight from james
In light of today’s portion of the Genesis saga, I think we would be remiss to not make note of why we are tempted. Like Esau, Judah, Tamar, and so many others we have seen throughout our cast of characters, we are tempted when we are lured and entice by our own desires. Once the desire is born, it gives birth to sin and grows – and gives birth to death. James’ final warning here is a notable application for us – “Do not be led astray” or in other words – “choose God (life) instead of the world (death).
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13
PRAYER: RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, when we remember that every good and perfect gift is from You – the enemy flees*! As we name the good gifts we defeat his use of the trial to move us away from You. He seeks to steal, and kill, and destroy – help us to constantly be in the habit of naming the gifts and blessings of Your generous hands. Alert us to the temptations of this world and help us to always choose You! – Your ways – Your power – Your love – and Your strength! To Your Glory and the promised reward of The Crown Of Life! – AMEN and AMEN – In Jesus’ Name!
You can also dive deeper into James with these helpful commentaries from BibleRef.com
[James 1:12] makes the connection between our love for God and our ability to remain faithful to Him in hard times. Those who truly love God trust Him, and those who truly trust Him continue to obey even when life gets hard. https://www.bibleref.com/James/1/James-1-12.html
[James 1:13] The temptation attached to trials is to trust God less. We might decide He is not strong enough to provide for us, not faithful to meet our needs, not compassionate about our pain and heartbreak. Is God good? Is He loving? Is He powerful? James is talking about how we choose to answer those questions about God on our worst days. If we decide to tell ourselves God is not faithful, we may declare our independence from Him by choosing not to obey. If we decide He is trustworthy, we will move closer to Him looking for more help, more connection.
James makes clear that blaming God for tempting us to reject Him, by allowing trials into our lives, is not a valid response. God never orchestrates the events of our lives with an intent to lure us away from Himself. He always roots for us to move closer. That’s who He is. The purpose of trials is not to drive us away from God, but to draw us closer to Him.
In the previous verse, James urged his readers not to be deceived. Emotions and sinful thinking can trick us into turning away from God. It’s important to cling to the truth, which is that every good thing in our lives is a gift from God. In the midst of our trials, we are tempted to change our opinion of the trustworthiness of our God. We start to make lists of all the things we think we are missing in our lives, of all of the things we have lost. If God were good, wouldn’t we have those things?
This attitude leads to even more temptation. We begin to look elsewhere for the good things we think we’re missing. “If God won’t provide them,” we think, “we’ll have to go and get them for ourselves.” We attempt to take control. We struggle to find our own satisfaction.
12 And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah.” Ruth 4:12 NLT
Observation:
The Genesis Saga: Judah’s Story
Judah, Jacob’s fourth son born to Leah, is the focus of today’s portion of Genesis. He marries, has three sons of his own, acquires Tamar as a wife for Er, his oldest son, and shortly after this he buries that same son. Now Judah requires his second son to fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to his brother’s widow, his son’s refusal -of sorts- brings death to him as well; soJudah – fearful that his third son would also die – sends Tamar away with the lie that when the son is old enough he will send him to her. If you haven’t read the story, you may want to – so that you don’t miss all the details I’ve left out. However, the real story comes when Tamar realizes that Judah has lied to her. Not only did he lose his two sons but he lost his wife as well. When Tamar learns that he is traveling near her she positions herself in his path – disguised as what Judah believed to be ‘a temple prostitute’, so he did not recognize her. Judah’s fleshly appetite overcomes him and he barters his very identity (his seal, cord, and staff) for sexual pleasures. You need to readthe rest of the story but suffice it to say her plot worked and twins were born – Perez came out first then Zerah.
TODAY’S FOCUS VERSE
Ruth 4:12 is literally a one sentence prayer, but in conjunction with the story played out in Genesis 38 that one sentence carries a lot of weight. I wonder what you hear or see in your mind when you read the prayer. Do you see Tamar’s veiled face, as she played the prostitute along the roadside hoping to entrap Judah? Or do you hear Judah’s desperation fueled by his fleshly appetite for sexual pleasures. Perhaps you gasp when you realize that his desire was so great he pledged his very identity by giving her his seal, his cord, and his staff. Maybe you see Perez and can only think of how God used Tamar, the shamed, lied to, and embittered daughter-in-law who sought her own kind of justice … or is it the fearful father-in-law, Judah, who had lost two sons, protected the third, and having now lost his wife is so desperate for physical satisfaction that he literally and figuratively gives himself away.
There are so many things that can come to mind when we hear these names and recall their story – not exactly a love story for the centuries … or is it? We only have to read the genealogy recorded in Matthew to see that in some beautiful way it is the love story of God. Love that for the sake of fallen man led him to send His son to save the lost and dying world. Love, poured out in grace and mercy, that used the fallen of this world to play a role in the birth of that Savior.
From Abraham, the one chosen and called by God to be the father of a new nation, to Joseph, the husband of Mary, and all that were listed in between – none were perfect. Each man and woman and generation made their share of bad choices but God was always there – working all things together for the good of those who loved Him and were called according to His purpose – and this was JESUS. The sinless Son of God, sent to make a way where there was no way – sent through a human in human form – descended through Judah and Tamar. – Now this is love!
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?
While we can see great beauty in this story – we must not miss the application of wisdom that says … learn to trust God and leave the outcome to Him – rather than take it upon ourself to fix what we see as wrong in our life or someone else’s. I battle this sometimes, do you? One of the things that helps me in the battle is reading through these genealogies. I love looking to see who God used – and always appreciate the fresh reminder that God uses whom He pleases to accomplish what He pleases – when He pleases. Again, as in our previous day’s journey we also see the importance of learning to choose God instead of the world is learning to walk by faith and not by sight.
God uses whom He pleases to accomplish what He pleases – when He pleases.
Me from the Insideout
PRAYER: RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Father, who would have believed that the actions of Tamar and/or Judah would have ever lead to something (Someone) so good? Yet, as Your Word allows us to see – not only did it bring about good – it led to life and light and hope for a world lost in sin and darkness. You, in Your goodness, take all things and work them together for Your glory and for the good of those who love You and have been called according to Your purpose. No scheme of man can thwart Your plan! In this there is great HOPE! – And in this HOPE I pray and trust – AMEN!
YOUR TURN:
Have you faced a situation where you have felt the need to resort to desperate means to bring about God’s purposes?
How can you remain obedient to God even in difficult situations?
How can you trust Him today even if you are in the middle of a mess?
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. NLT
Observation:
Joseph
Today’s passage from Genesis gives us another look at Joseph. This second look bears witness to just how far hatred and jealousy can drive us to do horrible things. If you’re familiar with Bible stories at all, you most likely remember how his brothers plotted to kill him but ended up selling him to a caravan of Ishmaelites instead. I can only imagine that Joseph, the youngest of eleven brothers, most loved by his father, and a ‘dreamer’ would have been traumatized at by these events. Sent by his father to check on the flocks and his brothers he finds himself stripped of his special tunic, placed in a pit, and then headed toward Egypt away from all he had known.
Don’t miss the fingerprints though – look for them throughout Joseph’s story – they are actually a story within the story. In this case we see Reuben’s intervention that changed the plot from murder to leaving him in a dried up well, and then Judah’s intervention and plot to make money off of the situation moves him from the pit to being sold to a band of traders. One set of fingerprints kept him from being killed and the other led him to Egypt. I can only imagine how he felt. A 17 year old boy, a dreamer, the youngest and most openly loved of Jacob’s 11 sons. Scared, angry, hurt???
27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.' His brothers agreed. So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, 'The boy isn't there! Where can I turn now?' Then they got Joseph's robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, 'We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe.' He recognized it and said, 'It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.' Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. 'No,' he said, 'I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.' So his father wept for him. Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard. Genesis 37:27-36 NLT
Today’s Focus Verse
Joseph’s story is certainly an example of today’s passage. For surely he was going through trouble and more is on the way but he’s not going to be destroyed. Instead he will be the display of God’s extraordinary power, just as Paul describes in our text from 2 Corinthians. His strength to deal with the circumstances he faces through the years that follow never cease to amaze me but it isn’t from himself – it is, as we will see, clearly from God’s continual presence and glimpses of hope along the way. Joseph’s suffering will produce an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison or our understanding. Paul explains that this is what happens when we aren’t looking at the trouble that can be seen but at what God has promised for eternity. It is safe to say that Joseph is (and will be) learning to walk by faith and not by sight.
Application: How then should we Live?
Surely our lives, have from time to time, or perhaps even now for some of us, seemed to be filled with suffering or trouble on every side, as Paul said. We too must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. We must learn to trust the One who goes before us and comes behind us, the One who knows the beginning and the end and works all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. Despite what we can see here in the world we must choose to fix our eyes on the eternal things we cannot yet see.
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, thank You for all the ways Scripture defines Scripture and allows us to see Your fingerprints and sovereign power. Thank You for Your extraordinary power in Joseph’s life and in ours. Strengthen us to walk by faith and not by sight. Help us to fix our eyes on the eternal things belonging to You and not the troubles of this world. – In Jesus’ Name – Amen!
Your Turn:
Have you ever had to endure hardship, like Joseph?
Have you ever found yourself in the place of the brothers before, full of jealousy and hate and tempted to oppose or hurt the one in ‘Joseph’s’ position?
How can you maintain an eternal mindset in these situations?
In week three we have seen everything from reconciliation to horrific revenge, the difference between choosing life and death, the benefit of holding on tightly to our faith, and the importance of being faithful even in a little thing. With all of these lessons we have seen the wisdom in choosing God instead of the world in our own lives.
A Look AheaD to week four
As we move into week four we will get to know Joseph and see his extraordinary reaction to the horrifying and challenging events of his life. We will read shocking details about the life of Judah, another of of Jacob’s sons, and get a glimpse of God’s fingerprints in the outcome generations later. We will also listen as Joseph moves from dreaming dreams to interpreting the dreams of others.
Your turn: (Comments are welcome below)
What stood out to you this week from the story of Jacob?
What were your early impressions of Joseph?
What benefits or reasons are you seeing for choosing God instead of the world?
Me From the Inside Out 