Month: September 2021

But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:7 (Genesis 42-46)

These chapters hold one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible. Joseph, who was sold into slavery and presumed dead, has ascended to the highest realms of Pharaoh’s government. As was foretold in Joseph’s youthful dreams, he is now in a position of authority over the same brothers that planned his demise. However, Joseph has a heart of love and forgiveness and the father and son who thought they would never meet again have a beautiful reunion. When Jacob dies in the foreign Land of Goshen, Joseph, along with his own sons, returns his father’s remains to Canaan.

When God made his covenant with Abraham He established a Messianic line that began with Abraham and ended with Jesus.  The first five links in this chain are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and Perez. No Joseph to be found! The family line descends through Joseph’s older brother Judah, who was not a very nice person!! Four of these men were guilty of egregious sin. If not for Joseph’s holiness and faith, the covenant nation would have ended in it’s fourth generation.

From the beginning of God’s covenant nation struggled to survive. Man’s sin, and now an act of nature, threatened to end all for the Hebrew people.  But God prevailed! He made a way. A pesky little brother became the victim of hatred, but he rose to become the second most powerful man in the most powerful government of that time. Joseph found he was liberated from other’s destructive and sinful behavior when He hoped and trusted in God’s providence. Do right, do good, never take your eyes off the Throne and He who is seated there. The Kingdom of God will withstand ALL forces of opposition.  It is the winning team!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Gretchen

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”  Genesis 41:16 (Genesis 40-41)

A very quick summary of these two chapters is difficult because they tell a detailed story, but the skeleton narrative is, Joseph has been a slave for thirteen years. While in prison he explains the dreams of the Pharaoh’s chef and butler. The chef dies, the butler is restored to his position, but forgets to bring Joseph’s name before Pharaoh for a pardon. Two years later Pharaoh himself is disturbed by a vision his magicians cannot unravel. Spoiler! Joseph goes from prisoner to governor in the blink of an eye. 

Pharaoh’s dream foretells of seven years of bountiful harvest in the Nile valley, then a drought extending way beyond Egypt’s borders will place many nations in peril. The job of being prepared for both feast and famine is passed to Joseph and he does a stellar job.

Although not part of the Messianic family tree, Joseph takes up quite a lot of space in the story of the Hebrew people. Egypt was not the brutal, enslaving power we see in Moses’ time. Joseph was judged on his own merit, not pedigree. His steadfast faith and determination toward righteousness made him a vital instrument in Israel’s survival (see details in tomorrows story). Maybe God is showing all of us that the little man, with faith as their strength can quietly change the world. 

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Gretchen

The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Genesis 39:23 (Genesis 39)

Joseph, the favored son, was sold into slavery by his jealous and spiteful brothers. Instead of living in despair, anger, bitterness and regret, somewhere between his father’s tent and the home of the Egyptian man who purchased him, Joseph became a man of great integrity. Because of an impeccable character, he is given charge over Potipher’s entire household. With strength of character and body, Potipher’s wife desires Joseph and when she is rebuffed she makes it look as if she is the offended rather than the offender. Joseph is incarcerated, but again, his exceptional leadership and high standard of behavior draw the attention of the prison warden, and once again, Joseph is entrusted with other’s belongings and well being. 

No doubt Joseph is at fault as a bratty little brother, but that did not excuse the actions and reactions of those who responded with evil intent. Neither are the actions of others an excuse for Joseph to despair and turn against God. In the face of false accusations and disgrace Joseph stood righteous. 

Shame and sin begin in secret places of hearts and minds and find their way into habits and life choices. What you do when no on is looking is a really big deal. God will not co-exist and share your heart with the devil. Live righteously and satan will have no ability to impede God’s plan and your blessings. 

Have a great weekend!

Gretchen

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Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her my son Shelah.” Genesis 38:26a (Genesis 38)

Oddly stuck in the middle of Joseph’s story is the story of Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah.  It is probably insinuated here as a proper record of all that transpired in the history of this man whose progeny became the Messiah. It is an ugly story with a powerful message.

Judah arranged a marriage for his son Er. Er was wicked and died young. His widow, Tamar, was given to the next son so that the family line could continue appropriately and his wife would have safety and security. This tradition is called a Levitical marriage. Son number two took full pleasure from Tamar’s body, but denied her the child that would assure her a place in the family.  For this selfish act, this man died also. With fear that his third son might also die, Judah forfeited tradition and left this woman vulnerable in a world where she had no rights or freedoms.  Eventually she hid her identity and tricked Judah in to conceiving a child with her. When Judah came in judgement, Tamar provided evidence of his sin, neglect and disregard for those he was given charge over.

The following is my commentary on other’s commentary:

I wish God was not blamed for the actions of man. But He is, and for this reason, those that say they believe must strive with diligence to intimately know God’s character and trust His ways, not our own. God did not, has not and will not weave together a social order that leaves anyone, male, female, child, adult, red and yellow, black and white…….marginalized or desperate. Only man’s twisted heart does this. We must take care of each other, love one another.  We are not called to take care of everyone, but all are called to care of some one. 

If God is going to get credit for what you do, then it had better be good, because God is Good and we represent Him.

Have a Great Day,

Gretchen 

When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. Genesis 37:21 (Genesis 36-37)

In route a final time home to Isaac, Rachel, the wife Jacob loved, died giving birth to Benjamin. She was buried in Bethlehem. Later, Isaac died and Esau and Jacob laid him to rest. Genesis 36 gives a history of the descendants of Esau and then begins the story of Joseph, oldest child  of Rachel and Jacob.

Jacob’s sons were watching the family herds in Shechem. He may have been concerned for their safety when he sent the seventeen year old Joseph to assess things and bring him a report. It was suspected that dad intended to give this young boy the birthright. Rueben, the oldest, was illegitimate and possibly disqualified as heir. Levi and Simeon had committed the awful crimes in Shechem, leaving Judah, the fourth in line, to become the family patriarch. But, Joseph was the best loved, and the dreams he shared regarding his own ascendancy in addition to sporting a beautiful, custom made robe of many colors, bred strong resentment among his older brothers. They wanted him dead, so they designed a scheme to kill and a story to deflect suspicion. 

Rueben, who actually had the most to lose by Joseph remaining alive, tried to divert violence and save the boy. The other nine continue toward murder, until they saw a caravan of spice traders and decided the better option would be to sell Joseph. They then take his one of a kind coat, cover it in animal’s blood and return to their father with the story of a devastating, brutal, wild animal attack. 

Joseph was precious and loved, but he found himself enslaved as the lowest of the low and lucky to be alive. Somewhere out in the desert, in route to Egypt, Joseph decided that his father’s God was going to be His God too. His faith might be shaken on occasion, but he would stand firm!

Something happens when it’s just one man (you) and God. When He’s your only hope, you find that His hope is everything.

Love,

Gretchen

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” Genesis 35:2-3  (Genesis 34-35:15)

When Jacob returns to Canaan he buys a plot of ground near Shechem and makes his home there. Jacob and Leah’s daughter, Dinah, was out walking when the Prince of Shechem raped her. He quickly asks for her hand in marriage but he was refused because the men of Shechem were uncircumcised. So, all the men of Shechem are directed to have surgery to become like Jacob’s household. While they are in great discomfort from their circumcisions, Levi and Simeon, Dinah’s full brothers, kill every male in the city and then all her brothers looted the community, rescue Dinah and take the women and children as slaves. 

When Jacob discovered this horrific act of vengeance, he had no option but to pack up and leave. The shadow of his sons’ murderous act ruined any hope of abiding peace. The move brought him to Bethel, the place he first encountered God. Here, Jacob builds an alter, and God renews His covenant. 

Jacob is not counted as saying much to his two sons about their behavior, but in chapter 49 he speaks to their minimized blessing as a result of their sin. Later, Levitical Law sets an-eye-for-an-eye as a standard judgement. No more no less. 

Justice and revenge are not the same thing. The first is for the greater good, the later is borne of hatred. God alone is the Perfect Judge. Retaliation leaves no room for justice and the miracles of God’s wisdom and love. God sees and knows all and He is Holy and just. Let Him handle it!

Have a Great Wednesday! And Happy Birthday MOM!

Gretchen