Category: Genesis

Gen 47:11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land…as Pharaoh directed.
Nothing in Genesis 47 immediately struck me as I was pondering what my Savior wanted me to reflect on in this chapter. Joseph seems to just keep doing the next right thing, providing for his family, being fair in his dealings with the Egyptians, being honest in his accountings with Pharaoh.
Gen 47:12 Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food….
And I’ll be honest, it was only after prayer for direction that He nudged my heart, whispering, “That’s My point. Be honest in your dealings with others. Show integrity. Persevere. Keep doing the next right thing, taking the next step I show you. Lean into Me. Trust Me.”
Gen 47:27 Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that being honest, persevering with integrity, working hard—all these things are from You and can be done for You, in You, and with You. You don’t always have us trepidatiously slogging through valleys or joyously shouting from mountaintops. Many times we are just moving forward in You. Even that can be done intentionally, with focus, giving glory and honor to You, even in quiet and reserved ways. Help me to keep taking the next step in You, Lord. Help me to persevere with integrity. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 47:28 Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven.
Have a blessed day.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.