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.
Infinite wisdom, grace, and mercy…. (devo reflection)
Gen 38:1 At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah.
I’m a bit at a loss for today’s reflection. The focus of the chapter seems more on Tamar than Judah. Judah gets her as a wife for his oldest son Er. Er is judged wicked in the LORD’s sight and killed. Judah gives her to his second son, Onan, as is the custom of the time. Onan does not want to provide offspring for his brother, so he deliberately takes steps to avoid that, is judged wicked in the LORD’s sight, and killed.
Gen 38:6-7 Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight.
Judah tells her to live as a widow in his house until his youngest son grows up. Tamar has little choice but to obey. But Judah is afraid the youngest will find the same fate as his brothers and never fulfills his promise to her. Tamar eventually takes matters into her own hands and becomes pregnant with twins by Judah. One of the twins, Perez, is a direct ancestor to Jesus.
Gen 38:10 What [Onan] did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death also.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. This chapter is hard for me in that no immediate revelations come after the reading except that You, in Your infinite wisdom, grace, and mercy, continue to make a way where there is no way. Help us to persevere through our trials in life, knowing that You have a plan for us, for our good and Your glory, and that You are sovereign and in control. Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 38:26 Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I would not give her to my son Shelah.” …
Have a blessed day.
Seeing God’s potential in each other…. (devo reflection)
Gen 29:35 Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, for she said, “Now I will praise the LORD!” ….
The contrast between Judah’s birth in Gen 29 and his actions in Gen 37 is a sharp one. Leah and Rachel were having a bitter battle with offspring as their pawns. Finally, with the birth of Judah, Leah seems at peace—she’s not vying for position with her husband, she’s not trying to outdo her sister. She seems content, to the point she names Judah to commemorate the fact that she is celebrating what God gave her. This is an occasion for much hope and it contrasts sharply with the Judah we see is Gen 37.
Gen 37:26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?”
The Judah of Gen 37 seems cold and calculating. He says, essentially, “If we are going to do away with our brother anyway, why don’t we just sell him? Then at least we’ll gain something from the situation.” The words, the thoughts, the actions, seem unforgivable. How could anyone be so callous and heartless? How could there be any redeeming such a soul? But God, in His infinite mercy, is able to do so much more than we can humanly conceive (Eph 3:20). This calculating, treacherous schemer is a direct ancestor to our Savior. Even in this seemingly impossible situation, God is making a way. Thank You, Jesus.
Gen 37:27a “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.” …
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the richness of Your word, of Your love, and of Your mercy. Thank You that You can redeem even the most hopeless situation. Thank You that You don’t see only what we’ve done but also what we can do for You. Help us to see Your potential in each other, Lord. Help us to remember that You are making a way, even if we can’t yet perceive it (Isaiah 43:19). Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 37:27b …His brothers agreed.
Have a blessed day.
No matter what…. (devo reflection)
Gen 37:21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.
Genesis 37 is a rich chapter. Today, I want to take a look at Reuben, firstborn of Leah and Jacob, Reuben, who back in chapter 35 had relations “with his father’s concubine Bilhah.” On the one hand, he seems to have come a long way. He is not of one mind with his brothers about killing Joseph. In fact, from the beginning, he seems to be trying to figure out a way to keep Joseph alive and get him back to his father. On the other hand, he doesn’t call his brothers out on their evil behavior. Commentary says: “Reuben wanted to be merciful to Joseph, but he also wanted to please the other brothers who hated Joseph.”
Gen 37:22a “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.”
How often have I been or seen others in a similar position, wanting to stand up for someone but not wanting to draw the ire of the group. Perhaps Reuben rationalized his partial action by telling himself that if he just flatly spoke up, he’d lose the ability to influence the brothers at all. However, he isn’t around when his brothers sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites, and while Joseph isn’t physically dead, he is just as gone, so Reuben’s half-hearted attempt to get him back to his father failed. Jesus, Help us.
Gen 37:22b Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder to stand up for others in need. Forgive me for the times I’ve acted like Reuben, trying to navigate doing the right thing without offending those causing the disruption. Help me to shine Your light, Lord, no matter what. Help me to comfort Your people and to bring You glory without thinking of the personal cost. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 37:29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.
Have a blessed day.
On dreams and dreamers…. (devo reflection)
Gen 37:5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.
I started this trip through Genesis because of a conversation with my pastor. The scripture is always the key component, but reading commentary along with each chapter has been a crucial piece for me as the commentary often gives me cultural history I did not know or understand. Sometimes the commentary points out insights I hadn’t thought of. Sometimes the commentary just doesn’t jive with my core beliefs about God’s love and mercy. Even that can be beneficial as it usually serves to strengthen my personal beliefs about my Savior.
Gen 37:9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers….
One of the observations I found particularly convicting in Gen 37 focused on Joseph and his dreams. “A focus on our life dreams can be dangerous, because we make the fulfillment of our dream the most important thing….We think of Jesus as a way to accomplish our dream; we make Him an actor in our life story.” I find this observation to be incredibly profound, and I am left wondering how many times and in how many ways have I inadvertently tried to make Jesus an actor in my story instead of trying to lovingly and prayerfully discern and fulfill my part in His? Jesus, help me!
Gen 37:19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the insights and revelations You have led me to as we journey together through Genesis. Every chapter, every page, every word brings me closer to You, and I am eternally thankful for this journey. Open my eyes and my heart as You show me Your truth, Lord. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 37:20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
Have a blessed day.