Genesis 47-50 & Psalm 16

Genesis 47-50

The ending of Genesis is filled with the blessings and promises of Jacob and Joseph in their final requests as they die.  Joseph continues to care and feed all of Egypt during the famine.  In fact, as the people of Egypt begin to run out of money to buy the food, they begin buying food with their livestock, and finally by selling their land and even themselves as slaves to buy food.  This will set the stage for Exodus when all of Egypt will be enslaved by Pharaoh.  Joseph introduces his two sons to Jacob before he dies and they are blessed as "sons" of Jacob in terms of the inheritance of Jacob's sons.  On Jacob's deathbed, he begins to introduce the 12 tribes of Israel as he blesses his sons with their inheritance.  The sons fulfill their promise to bury Jacob with his ancestors back in Canaan.  And when Joseph prepares for his death, he instructs his brothers and his sons to carry his body back to Canaan when they return.  The end of Genesis.

There are two interesting notes as we conclude this story.  The first is the assumption of Joseph and possibly Jacob that the return would be immediate.  God's timing is often different than our own.  We live in a timed world that expects everything to be on time.  Often, God is not on our time.  But when we trust Him-He is always faithful! 

The second is that of faithfulness.  We have discussed in Genesis the idea that sin always has its consequences even if they are not immediate.  Likewise, remaining faithful and obedient to God always has its rewards.  They may not be immediate, but they will come!  Can you imagine what Joseph must have been thinking when enslaved or imprisoned?  "Where are you God?"  "Why am I here?"  Instead, and perhaps even amidst his questioning, he remained faithful and obedient to God!  His obedience did not immediately pay off.  He lived that life for several years.  However, God say His obedience and His faithfulness.  And God blessed Him and made Him the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt which ultimately allowed Joseph the ability to take care of his family!  God always sees the big picture even when we cannot!

Psalm 16

Verse one speaks incredible volumes for me-"You are my Master!" (New Living Translation)  The NIV says "In You I take refuge".  When I wake up in the morning, my the first words to leave my mouth be to God saying to Him, "Today Lord, I live in You!  You are my Master!"  I like verses 3-4 because they remind me of church.  I find it comforting to see fellow Christians who I go to church with out in the community throughout the week.  I love spending time with non-Christians then too--hoping that they will see Jesus in me.  But I cherish the times I can sit next to a brother in Christ at a ball game or see a sister in Christ at the grocery store because I know that they believe in Jesus and I hope we can encourage one another as we go about our week!  Verse 5 in the NIV refers to "assigned my portion" which speaks of an inheritance.  This is heaven!  Each day, do I take delight in my inheritance in heaven?  There is a security of knowing you have that inheritance (verse 9).  When I know I am going to heaven, my heart shouts for joy and my body rests.  For we will not stay in the grave left to rot, but we will share in the way of life with Jesus in heaven!  Does that give you reason to live today?

Genesis 43-46 & Psalm 15

Genesis 43-46

The famine was continuing as we pick up the story fo Joseph in Genesis 43.  Some time has passed since the last time Joseph's brothers had been to buy food and now their food is running short.  However, Jacob will not allow his brothers to return to Egypt with their brother Benjamin because he is the lat remaining son of Rachel's and Jacob couldn't bear the thought of losing his last son.  Finally after some convincing, he allows them to make the journey.  This magnificent story continues with Joseph "fulfilling" his original dream when he was a boy of hos brothers blowing low before him as their master.  When he finally reveals his identity, joy bursts forth and even Pharaoh welcomes the family to live in Egypt.  Egyptians did not welcome shepherds to live in their land for it would have been like the Clampants moving to Beverly Hills.  However, Pharaoh will make an exception and God uses Joseph's circumstances to continue God's plan of making Abraham's family into a great nation.  (More on that as read into Exodus)  Imagine how Jacob's family will grow if shielded from all the elements of the land that could possible kill them.  Living in Egypt and being provided for will help them to grow more rapidly.  For just 13 brothers provided a family that has now grown to 70 in one generation!  God uses all circumstances to work toward His greater plan!  

Psalm 15

This Psalm calls God's people to me morally right to honor God.  Thomas Jefferson called this Psalm "the picture of the true gentleman".  In Old Testament language, "Sanctuary" and "holy hill" are interchangeable for describing the focal point of Israelite worship.  We focus our worship on God Himself.  The Israelites focused their worship on the presence of God being that they felt they were too unworthy to even speak the name of God.  Psalm 15 lists 10 characteristics that people who obey God should possess.  They are:

1) Lead lives that others can find no blame in

2) Do what is right 

3) Speak the truth with sincerity

4) Refuse to speak bad against others

5) Refuse to bring harm against others

6) Do not condone the persistent sin of others

7) Honor the faithfulness of followers of God

8) Keep their promises even when it may hurt 

9)Do not benefit off less fortunate when you loan them money

10) Refuse to accept bribes to testify falsely

The Psalmist concludes by saying that these people who do these things will stand firm for God forever in His holy place (heaven).  So stand firm!  

Genesis 40-42 & Psalm 14

Genesis 40-42

The account of Joseph continues and picks up while he is in prison.  Soon two men from the Pharaoh's palace are placed in the same prison as Joseph.  They have weird dreams.  Remember Joseph had dreams!  So they tell Joseph their dreams and he offers them an interpretation.  And what he says actually comes true!  

Some time later (about than two years) Pharaoh has a dream that is weird.  The one official who had his dream interpreted by Joseph in prison remembered Joseph and his ability to interpret dreams.  So he mentions Joseph to Pharaoh and immediately he calls for Joseph to be brought before him.  IMMEDIATELY: What if you were called on immediately to give an account about God?  I mean, what if on the spot today you were asked about God and what God would say about something?  Would you be able to speak for God (using His word, the Bible) or would you simply be able to offer your own opinion?  Keep in mind, Joseph's opinion would not have done it here.  He spoke for God because He had a relationship with God--He prayed to God.  Reading your Bible this year is more than a goal or an accomplishment to say that you have done so.  It is the beginning of a life-long practice of allowing God to speak to you through His word!  

Because of Joseph's accurate interpretation of Pharaoh's dream, Pharaoh placed him 2nd in command of all of Egypt-the most powerful land in the world at the time.  And because of Joseph's ability to manage the situation of the famine, Joseph built a name for himself and the ability to save his family from a terrible and life threatening situation.  If Joseph had not been the man to go get the grain from, Jacob's family would not have been able to get grain.  The ruler would have turned them away because he would have hoarded it for his own people.  

Psalm 14

Ever heard anyone say that God doesn't exist?  According to this Psalm, they are fools!  Think about it.  Have you noticed something that has happened in your life on in the life of someone close to you that can only be explained by there being a God?  I have.  No one can attempt to talk me out of that fact!  Really intelligent people attempt to offer natural explanations so that God could not be.  But that doesn't suffice for me.  The Psalm goes on to speak of the "fool's" evil actions and corrupt lifestyle.  For many, they explain away God because they have lived by their own reliance and have ignored God!  When you feel like you are alone and God is not around (or that He even might not exist), rest in this promise of Psalm 14:5-"for God is with those who obey Him."  If God is with you even when you are being attacked by those who are evil...then they are attacking God too!  Psalm 2:4-5 tells us that His anger will flare up against those who oppose Him!  What promises to rest in that there is a God!!! 

Genesis 37-39 & Psalm 14

Genesis 37-39

The story of Joseph is probably one of the most familiar story in Genesis.  Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob because he was Rachel's first-born son and because he was born in Jacob's old age.  So since he was the favorite son, he received a gift that made him the envy of the other brothers.  To make matters worse, he told the brothers of a dream that symbolized Joseph as a master to all the other brothers.  Joseph's boastful attitude caused there to be a vengeful spark among the brothers.  Anger can certainly get the best of us if we let him.  When I consider my anger, I recall the Psalm we read over a week ago in Psalm 4:4 that says, "Do not sin by letting your anger control you, but think about it over night and be silent."  If we keep that in mind and do what it says, then we can avoid many problems our anger gets us into. 

Not only did the brothers allow their anger to control them, but they also saw an opportunity to profit from it.  They sold their brother into slavery making 20 pieces of silver.  Today I checked to see that silver was selling for about $10 per ounce making the sale of Joseph about $200 (in today's economy).  If you remember according to Matthew 26:15, Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and a plot of ground was purchased with it where Judas hung himself.  

Judah, one of Jacob's sons born to Leah, enters the scene for a chapter.  After he married he had three sons.  The oldest (Er) was arranged to be married to a young lady but due to Er's wickedness, his sins caused him to die (there are always consequences for our sins-some even claim our life).  Therefore, it was the custom, and later will be Jewish Law (Deut. 25:5-10), for the next oldest brother to marry the widow of his older brother.  The second son was willing to marry; however, he was unwilling to conceive a son for his older brother's heir.  This sin caused him to die as well.  The third son was too young to be married.  So Judah sent the two-time widow to her home until the third son was old enough (although Judah was unwilling to allow them to be married).  He lied to her.  And some years later, she sought her revenge.  She tricked Judah into getting her pregnant and his shame caught up with him.  Our sin always has their consequences.  

The story of Joseph picks back up after some time now.  He is a leader in the house of Potiphar and a trusted official over his other servants.  We do know that Potiphar's wife has a "thing" for Joseph. But Joseph does what we should do when faced with temptation--RUN!!!  However, although he ran, he was still framed.  So perhaps, we should do more than run, we should tell someone else about the situation so that we are not left in an innocent situation looking guilty! 

Psalm 14

Ever heard anyone say that God doesn't exist?  According to this Psalm, they are fools!  Think about it.  Have you noticed something that has happened in your life on in the life of someone close to you that can only be explained by there being a God?  I have.  No one can attempt to talk me out of that fact!  Really intelligent people attempt to offer natural explanations so that God could not be.  But that doesn't suffice for me.  The Psalm goes on to speak of the "fool's" evil actions and corrupt lifestyle.  For many, they explain away God because they have lived by their own reliance and have ignored God!  When you feel like you are alone and God is not around (or that He even might not exist), rest in this promise of Psalm 14:5-"for God is with those who obey Him."  If God is with you even when you are being attacked by those who are evil...then they are attacking God too!  Psalm 2:4-5 tells us that His anger will flare up against those who oppose Him!  What promises to rest in that there is a God!!! 

Day of Reflection

Day of Reflection

Today is Wednesday, therefore we we a day to reflect upon the Scriptures we have read the last seven days.  If you possibly missed a day of reading or are behind, use today to get one day caught up.  So what are you reflecting on today?  Please post your reflection day status!  

Genesis 33-36 & Psalm 12

Genesis 33-36

Jacob's prayers were answered.  Do you see from Jacob's example how the Lord works when you trust Him too?  Jacob could have done it on his own.  Possible formulated an army, or possibly gone the long way to avoid Esau's land.  Instead, he prayed to God to take care of it.  And when he and Esau saw each other, Esau ran and embraced his brother whom he had not seen in over twenty years.  God worked through Jacob's prayers.  

Jacob continued to obey God and he traveled to the city of Bethel which is in the land of Canaan (the land God promised Abraham and Isaac).  Along the way, one of Jacob's daughters were captured and raped.  However, her captor swore he was in love with Jacob's daughter.  So, because the sons of Jacob were too few to launch an army attack, they plotted to get back at Shechem.  This however, was in their own planning.  They didn't include God in on their decision.  So we see Jacob being faithful to God and praying and trusting God in one instance.  However, in an instant, his anger gets the best of him (and who could blame him) and they carry out their own plan.  But we see him second guessing himself and their actions in Genesis 34:30.  But God continues to offer protection for them.  And Jacob continues to listen to God. 

As they traveled to Canaan, Rachel gives birth to a second son (Benjamin); however, she had great difficulties while in labor.  She died while giving birth to Benjamin.  We don't read about it; but, I can imagine that this was incredibly difficult for Jacob for Rachel was his first chosen wife whom he loved more than Leah (Genesis 29).  Soon after, we see in passing this sentence that said "Rueben (Leah's oldest son) slept with Bilhah, his father's concubine (Rachel's maidservant) and someone told Jacob about it".  And nothing else here is said.  However, this is not the last time we will hear about this incident.  Jacob will see to it that Reuben is punished.  Our sins may not always see immediate consequences.  But they always will reap their due consequences.  

Genesis 36 sums up the genealogy of Esau.  We see that Esau marries a girl from the family of Ishmael (Abraham's son from Hagar, Sarah's servant).  Remember from Ishmael would come the Arab nations.  Therefore, the family line splits again--Jacob is God's chosen one to bear God's chosen people.  It is God's chosen people and the Arab people that always have the problems between them.  Interesting how the intermarrying occurs.  Rebekah sent Jacob off to be married to a woman from their family (Genesis 28).  But Esau is left to marry the women of the land.  Although we don't find much spiritual value in genealogies, we can find interesting ties to make the story make more sense.   

Psalm 12

Again, like in Psalm 11, David is crying out to the Lord amidst the evil oppression from his enemies.  He lives among a lying  generation of people.  And so God sees their oppression.  You know, maybe our society is not quite this bad yet, but we live in a perverse generation where you lie to get ahead and immorality is quickly becoming an accepted norm.  And those of us who try to live righteous lives, we feel that we are slowly fading into the background with an unfair disadvantage because we do "the right thing".  The footnote in my Bible about this chapter makes reference to an Old Testament character we will soon read about named Elijah who felt so lonely that he wanted to die at one point.  But God told him that there were 7,000 other faithful believers and that he needed to find them (1 Kings 19).  We need to understand that we need each other.  Church is vital in this day and age because it is a safe environment where we can be encouraged in our beliefs and in our obedience to God.  In a world that would rather sleep off the night before, Sunday mornings are important for us to be recharged to be in a world that was like David's--that is a lying and perverse group of people.  

Genesis 30-32 & Psalm 11

Genesis 30-32

Genesis 30 opens with the same conflict that we read about with Abraham and Sarah.  Sarah gave her servant to Abraham to sleep with to have a child.  Now, just 2 generations later, Rachel is doing the very same desperate move.  From this a competition between the sisters ensued to having the most babies.  This is how the seven years passed as Jacob worked for Laban for the hand of Rachel in marriage.  

When Jacob requests to leave and return to his homeland in Canaan, Laban realized how valuable Jacob was in his work and how wealthy Laban had become while having such a good worker.  He didn't want to see him go.  So they bargined and decided any sheep or goat with color in its coat will be Jacob's.  All of the pure white ones will remain Laban's.  Bust Laban schemed against Jacob and had all of the colored goats moved to a field that was a 3 day journey to get to.  Therefore, Jacob set out to train the goats to mate near the watering trough at which he placed peeled tree branches.  This method seems incredibly ridiculous.  However, some shepherds during this time thought you could affect the color of the goat's coat by the images that you place in the mind of the mother carrying the kid.  Perhaps more believable, it was God's provision and promise to make Jacob into a great nation that caused the goats to react to the tree branches.  

The Lord then sent Jacob home to Canaan-he, his family, and all of the wealth that he had acquired.  It was three days before Laban realized that they had left.  So he left in pursuit to find them.  Seven days later, he caught up to them.  But on the sixth day, Laban had a dream in his sleep and it was God speaking to him.  God said to Laban, "Be careful what you say to Jacob."  God was continuously watching out for Jacob.  After several events, they made a treaty not to harm one another and the next day, Laban left for good.  

Along the way home, Jacob and his family must pass through the land of his brother Esau.  It had been more than 20 years since they had last seen each other and it was then that Jacob deceived his father Isaac for Esau's blessing.  So Jacob was afraid that Esau would still be angry and might seek to bring harm to Jacob and his family.  And so at the news that Esau was coming to meet Jacob personally, Jacob split up his family into 2 groups.  He had hopes that at least on of the groups would make it through safely.  In addition, Jacob prepared a gift for Esau in hopes to appease him or earn his favor.  He prepared a huge gift of more than 550 animals!  Such a gift would instantly make a man incredibly wealthy!  In addition to his own extravagant gift and splitting up his family, he prayed to God.  Don't you know that it is good for us to act under our own minds and figure out solutions to our problems.  However, we should also entreat God on our life's situations!  Jacob prayed to God for provision.  We should too!  

As Jacob sent his family and possessions away, Jacob spent the night alone at the camp.  In the night, "a man" came and began to wrestle with Jacob.  Why would this unexpected event happen?  Well, for the first time Jacob turned his problem totally over to God when He prayed!  And so, possible to test him, God came in the form of a "man" and began to wrestle with Jacob.  But Jacob would not give up.  This went on all night.  Jacob continued, in utter exhaustion, until morning.  Then the "man" touched Jacob's hip and put it out of socket so that Jacob might give up.  He never did and only asked that God "bless" him.  At that, God changed Jacob's name to Israel which means "He struggles with God."  Jacob finally got it with God!  No longer will he be a deceiver but now will be one who struggles through life with God but will overcome with God!  What do you need to trust to God so that you can overcome it in your life?  

Psalm 11

We will now continue into a set of Psalms (Psalm 11-13) that carries a unified theme-"David is overwhelmed with the wickedness in the world."  Although this may seem very somber and not very uplifting; how many times do we feel the same way?  The setting of this Psalm is continuing when David was hiding from King Saul who was seeking to kill him (1 Samuel 18-26).  David cries out to God amidst his hiding "The wicked are stringing their bows and setting their arrows in the bowstrings."  He is afraid for his life.  But he continues to trust in the Lord that He would carry out justice: "The Lord still rules from heaven" (verse 4).  Bear in your heart today as you go about your day verse 7--"For the Lord is righteous, and he loves justice.  Those who do what is right will see his face."  Do what is right in the name of the Lord.