Gen 45:5a “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here….”
What really strikes me in this chapter, in this whole section of Genesis, is Joseph’s attitude. He seems utterly at peace with the past 22 years, even though no one would have begrudged him feelings of anger and bitterness. Perhaps that’s why the past several chapters, where he was testing the brothers and their change of heart, were so difficult for me—because if he were just getting back at his brothers, it would indicate revenge instead of contentment. Throughout this experience, however, throughout all the false claims and unfair actions, Joseph has been at peace in God, content in Him, and that is a beautiful thing.
Gen 45:5b “…because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
Just thinking about anger and bitterness gets my heart rate going. I physically feel my breath quicken. My muscles contract, perhaps in fight or flight mode. The physical sensations of anger, bitterness, anxiety, and stress are real and incredibly unpleasant. The feelings of peace and contentment, which Joseph finds in God, are just as real. The ability to take deep, nourishing breaths, the slowing of the heartbeat, the relaxing of the muscles—it feels totally different. I feel like Joseph has been able to tap into that peace the whole time because he contented himself in God, in where God placed him, and the fact that God is in control.
Gen 45:8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this example. You know it is so easy for me to get caught up in my humanity, so easy to give in to anger, bitterness, anxiety, and fear. But I don’t like what those emotions do to me, Lord, and I know that if I can find contentment in You, I can wrap myself in Your peace. Always. Help me, Jesus. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 45:15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them….
Have a blessed day.
Look to their character…. (devo reflection)
Gen 44:1 Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house….
It feels very much like Joseph is playing cat and mouse with his brothers, torturing them to exact retribution for all that he endured because of their treatment of him. That thought has certainly been rolling around in the back of my head for the past several chapters. But today’s commentary urges me to remember the character of Joseph—Joseph, who knows that God is in control. Joseph, who has humbly served God throughout his time in Egypt, despite false accusations, unfair imprisonments, and forgotten promises. Joseph has been humble and faithful from the beginning. Why would he turn to revenge now?
Gen 44:2 “Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack….”
Lord, Your ways are not our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). Forgive us when we apply faulty human logic to things we don’t understand. When we see people acting in ways that don’t make sense, help us to remember to look to their character and to lean on You for wisdom and guidance.
Gen 44:4 …”Go after those men at once… say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that things are not always as they appear. Help us to remember that “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them, people judge by outward appearances, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Help us to trust You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 44:14 Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in….
Have a blessed day.
Yours, fully and completely…. (devo reflection)
Gen 43:2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
Jacob, Israel, is the father of 12 grown sons, many of whom have families of their own. I tend to think of someone in that position as wise and mature, but he still seems to be struggling with God and man and, most chiefly perhaps, himself. There is much commentary on this chapter showing Jacob’s leadership missteps. He seems to be driven primarily by fear. He has already lost Joseph, firstborn of his beloved Rachel. He is afraid he is going to lose Benjamin as well.
Gen 43:6 Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?”
In ways that I am ashamed to admit, I understand Jacob’s motivation. I know what the fear of something happening to my children feels like—it is the worse, most helpless sort of horror. My wrestling with my precious Savior over the safety of my children brought me to the realization that He loves them even more than I do, that He knows far more than I about the future, their future, that if we will let Him, He will make a way in their wilderness, not necessarily to safety but to a solid relationship with Him, one that could be forged no other way than through trials. That knowledge doesn’t make it any easier to not worry for their safety and well being. I still have to remind myself that He is in control, that He is sovereign. Help me, Jesus, to never lose sight of the fact that my children are Yours, fully and completely.
Gen 43:14a “And May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder of Your sovereignty, grace, and mercy. Thank You for being our shield and our very great reward. Help us to trust You. Always. Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 43:14b “As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
Have a blessed day.
Reminders to be vigilant…. (devo reflection)
Gen 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days.
When Jacob believed Joseph had been killed by an animal in Genesis 37, he grieved as one who had no hope. Jacob came from a rich history of trusting God and seeing His faithfulness. Abraham was his grandfather and Isaac his father. Hadn’t Jacob heard the stories of God’s faithfulness to them? Did he not remember the times he had seen God’s faithfulness with his own eyes? Did his limp not serve as a reminder?
Gen 37:35b …he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” …
My heart hurts for Jacob, for his pain. And I understand his struggle. I, too, have wrestled with God over my children. I’ve battled pain, anger, and bitterness. I’ve walked through frightening valleys, comforting myself with the knowledge that my children belong to Him, they are gifts from Him, that as much as I love them, and I love them with all that I am, He loves them still more. He walks with them, even through the valleys. And STILL I have to consciously let go of anger and bitterness at the things they have to endure at times, knowing that God can work ALL things to our good and His glory if we will allow. Jesus, Help me.
Gen 42:36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your fierce and steadfast love. Thank You for the reminders to be vigilant against bitterness and anger so that we don’t slip into the mindset that “Everything is against me!” Lord, help me to cling to You always. Help me to remember always that You are my shield and my very great reward (Gen 15:1). Blanket me with Your hope and peace. Amen.
Gen 42:38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”
Have a blessed day.
Let go of the anger and bitterness…. (devo reflection)
Gen 41:16 “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.”
Joseph has grown and matured greatly in the 13 years since he eagerly told his brothers his dreams about becoming so great that the entire family bowed down to him. All that he’s endured since that time has brought him to this place—both the physical place where he can interpret Pharaoh’s dream and the emotional place where he can give God the credit and the glory for knowing how.
Gen 41:38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
And as I ponder the lesson God would have me to learn here, I know without question that He is urging me to let go of the anger and bitterness I cling to about certain situations in my life. Joseph endured so much greater hardship, but because he was able to let go of bitterness, God was able to grow and mature him so Joseph was ready when God’s timing was right. By choosing to hold feelings of anger and bitterness, I am not able to grow and mature in the way God would have me to. Jesus, Help me.
Gen 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that if my hands are clinched in anger and bitterness them they are not open to receive Your blessings. The world says that if I let go of my anger and resentment that I am condoning the behavior, but that’s not how You work. Help me, Lord, to let go of the things of this world, including my anger and bitterness. Help me to forgive and move forward so that You can mature me into the person You need me to be. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 41:40 “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Have a blessed day.
Antsier in the waiting…. (devo reflection)
Gen 41:1 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream….
I’m not a tremendously patient person. And once I’ve hatched a good plan and attached a timeline to it, I get even antsier in the waiting. So Joseph’s story is a concrete reminder for me to trust God’s timing, even when I don’t understand it, even when I don’t like it, even when it doesn’t fit neatly into my plan.
Gen 41:9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.”
Genesis 41 takes place two full years after Joseph interpreted the cupbearer’s dream and asked in return only to be remembered so that he could get out of prison. For two years the cupbearer thought nothing of Joseph. By earthly standards, Joseph would have been well within his rights to be eaten up with anger and rage because of that oversight. But God in His infinite mercy was continuing to make a way, to line everything up just so, to refine Joseph’s character so that Joseph was ready when God’s timing was right.
Gen 41:12 “Now a young Hebrew was there with us….We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder to trust in Your timing, even when it is so very different from our own. There are many situations that I thought would be resolved by now, many times when I thought You would finally make a way, many times where I have chosen to respond with earthly frustration. But I know and Joseph reminds me that “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And My ways are far beyond anything you can imagine” (Isaiah 55:8). Help me to persevere, Lord, knowing with confidence that You continue to make a way, even though I cannot yet perceive it. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 41:14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon….
Have a blessed day.
Remember me…. (devo reflection)
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles….
My devotional readings this morning started me in Hebrews, but I immediately sensed a connection to Genesis. In this section of Genesis, Joseph is the epitome of perseverance. His only sin, at the tender age of 17, seems to be that of exuberance. He had dreams that foretold an amazing future, and he shared those dreams eagerly with his family, causing jealousy, leading to his being sold into slavery.
Gen 40:14 “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out if this prison.”
Even in slavery, he is maligned and mistreated. Even in prison, he cares for others and tries to help, asking in return only that he be remembered. Yet even the cupbearer forgets his assistance once he is released. However, God’s not through with him yet. God has a plan for Joseph and is preparing the way, even now.
Gen 40:15 “I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are making a way, even when we can’t yet perceive it. Thank You for working all things for our good and Your glory. Draw us closer. Help us persevere. Amen.
Gen 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Have a blessed day.
Firmly focused…. (devo reflection)
Gen 40:6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.
By earthly standards, Joseph has every right to be consumed with anger and bitterness. As I mentioned yesterday, the string of events that happened to him—sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by his master’s wife, imprisoned for those false accusations—were not a result of anything he did or failed to do, and they were horribly unfair. I’ve been angry and bitter over much less, and that realization brings me great pain.
Gen 40:7 So he asked Pharaoh‘s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”
We’ve all been there before, stewing in our anger and misery. If Joseph had acted that way, I doubt he would have been put in a position to attend to others. He would not have asked what was wrong with the cupbearer and baker. He probably won’t have even noticed they seemed sad. He would have missed all God was lining up for him. He would have missed the opportunities God was preparing.
Gen 40:8a “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the example you have given us in Joseph. Lord, I am guilty of giving in to anger and bitterness, of stewing in my misery. Help me to lift my eyes and my heart past my own mess and to keep both firmly focused on You. Give me the strength and presence of mind to care for Your people. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 40:8b Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
Have a blessed day.
You are with us always…. (devo reflection)
Gen 39:1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of the Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites….
The story of Joseph seems to be a story of faithfulness—both Joseph’s and God’s. Joseph has been wrongfully sold into slavery by his brothers, wrongfully accused of sexual advances by his master’s wife, wrongfully imprisoned because of those false charges. By human standards, he has every right to be angry because what keeps happening to him is not fair. But he remains faithful and finds a way to serve God, even in his unpleasant circumstances.
Gen 40:2-3 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody…in the same prison where Joseph was confined.
In Genesis 40, I am reminded again and again of Isaiah 43:19 (…Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness…) and Romans 8:28 (…in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him….). Potiphar, the master whose wife falsely accused Joseph, is the captain of the guard in the prison where he is housed. He shows Joseph kindness and favor while he is imprisoned, showing that he did not believe his wife’s charges against him. And with the addition of the chief cupbearer and chief baker, God is continuing to put things in place to move Joseph where He, God, can powerfully use him.
Gen 40:4a The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are with us always, even when our circumstances are unpleasant, unfair, or unbearable, even when we feel alone. Thank You that You can use all things for our good and Your glory and for continuing to make a way in our circumstances. Help us to trust and obey. Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 40:4b-5 After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men…had a dream the same night.
Have a blessed day.
Help me to live in You…. (devo reflection)
Gen 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph so he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
The biggest motif I see in this chapter is that Joseph knew the LORD was with him and the LORD allowed him to prosper, even in his current situation. Joseph didn’t whine or sulk. He was a slave. His master’s wife told lies about him, even though he did the right thing, and he ended up in prison, yet he was content because God was with him. I definitely need more of that contentment in my life.
Gen 39:3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did….
It also strikes me that not only did Joseph KNOW God was with him, he lived in such a way that others knew his God was present as well. Both Potiphar and the prison warden knew God was with him and was prospering him.
Gen 39:20b-21a …But while Joseph was there in prison, the LORD was with him…
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this example. Help me, regardless of my circumstances, to live contentedly because You are with me. Help me not to get caught up in the pleasures of this world because I know what You have for me is always better. Help me to live in You so completely that even those who don’t know You personally see You through me and my life. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 39:21b …He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
Have a blessed day.