Undeserved Favor

Undeserved Favor

¹⁴ Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. ¹⁵ Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.

 

¹⁶ Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. ¹⁷ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. ¹⁸ Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the ^[c]fat of the land. ¹⁹ Now you are commanded—do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. ²⁰ Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ”

 

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During Joseph’s big reveal of his identity to his brothers, his weeping was so loud that all the Egyptians around him could hear. News made it to Pharaoh’s house making him aware that Joseph had long-lost brothers. Pharaoh told his brothers that he would give them the best land.

 

My Observations:

• Pharoah saw the power of GOD through Joseph and probably wanted more power so he gave the brothers the best land.
• Pharaoh was inviting towards Joseph’s family possibly for his own selfish reasons, but little did he know it was part of GOD’s plan.
• Joseph’s family was about to experience a luxurious lifestyle despite their hateful, jealous, lying and blaming ways.

 

Jacob, who was renamed to Israel, was a deceiver. His son’s murdered a town of men and raided the town of everything. They also planned out the murder of their own brother. BUT GOD made a promise to Abraham that HE would keep. HE saw the sins of Israel, his son’s sins, your sins and mine and forgave us through belief in JESUS.

 

Sometimes we try to think that life can be “fair,” but if it were, we would already be eternally condemned. We don’t want fair, we want grace and mercy. Joseph’s pain was now turned into provision for his entire family. Even Pharaoh, who looked at himself as a god, recognized the power of the MOST HIH GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Pharaoh’s decree?
• Have you ever experienced undeserved favor?
• Is your focus on blame or blessings from GOD?

Feared Favor

Feared Favor

Genesis 42: ²⁵ Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them. ²⁶ So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. ²⁷ But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. ²⁸ So he said to his brothers, “My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!” Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, “What is this that God has done to us?”

 

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GOD gave Joseph a dream that his family would one day bow to him. It was not Joseph’s desire, rather a prophecy from GOD. Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him over jealousy, but sold him into slavery. After being thrown in a pit and prison, Joseph was made Governor of Egypt. He gave a command to a group of people to return their money, give them food and provide feed for the animals.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph showed extreme grace for his brothers who wanted to murder him.
• Joseph’s brothers had hidden guilt, but after discovering they left Egypt without paying for the food, they believed they would be labeled as thieves.
• Joseph’s brothers could not see favor, possibly because of their guilty and dishonest past.

 

Fear struck the brothers as they found their money they brough to pay for the food. They were already called “spies” by Joseph, but they did not know that it was he who had the funds returned to them. The remainder of the trip home had to be terrifying. Over and over they talked to each other saying “What is this that GOD has done to us?”

 

They may have felt that GOD was repaying them for their attempted murder and hatred of their brother. They probably could not sleep because they feared GOD would zap them at some point if they moved forward or the Egyptians would get them for stealing if they went back. There was no comfort in the favor they received.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the brother’s reaction to Joseph’s secret favor?
• Have you ever felt guilty and could not believe that you deserved favor?
• Would you believe that GOD is showing you favor even though you don’t feel that you deserve it?

New Assignment

New Assignment

Genesis 39: ¹⁹ So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. ²⁰ Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. ²¹ But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. ²² And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. ²³ The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

 

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After being lied on, Joseph was thrown in Jail by Potiphar. But the LORD was with him. The prison keeper showed favor to Joseph and placed him in charge of all of the prisoners.

 

My Observations:

• This prison was probably a place that made the slaves do even more work for the Egyptians.
• I believe the pre-incarnate JESUS would visited Joseph and the HOLY SPIRIT worked on the heart of the prison keeper.
• GOD allowed Joseph to go to prison to also give the prisoners favor.

 

Frome being thrown in a pit to being placed over the palace to being put into prison, Joseph had a strange ride in life. He didn’t ask for the dream GOD gave him and GOD knew that. So far, he was hated by his brothers and lied on by Potiphar’s wife. JESUS walked with Joseph every step of the way. Joseph’s fame may have preceded him as he entered prison.

 

The prison keeper may have known who Joseph was and may have heard of his skills. The men who threw Joseph in jail probably knew about Potiphar’s wife’s lie, but they had to follow orders. GOD orchestrated Joseph’s success in prison for a long-term future assignment. Joseph would one day need the prisoner’s help. GOD gave Joseph a strange assignment that had HIS favor.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the favor HE showed Joseph in prison?
• Have you ever ended up in a figurative prison that robbed you of hope?
• Do you believe that the LORD is with you and HE needs you to view your assignment in a way that HE is showing you favor?

Trusted Blessings

Trusted Blessings

Genesis 39: Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. ² The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ³ And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. ⁴ So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. ⁵ So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. ⁶ Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

 

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Joseph was given a dream by GOD that his father and brothers would one day bow to him. Some of his brothers wanted to kill him but Reuben and Judah convinced the others to do something less lethal by selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites where he was then sold to the Egyptians. Potiphar bought Joseph as a slave.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s story continues from where it left off, after he was sold, but wee don’t know how many years have passed.
• The pre-incarnate LORD visited Joseph daily and helped him be successful.
• Potiphar trusted Joseph because the LORD was with him.

 

Extreme trust was placed on Joseph by Potiphar. He trusted Joseph so much, that he didn’t even count his money anymore. He was only concerned about the next meal he ate. The LORD stayed with Joseph and blessed all he did.

 

Joseph, like many others who had been left alone, probably needed JESUS to walk with him to remain encouraged. He was sold into slavery, never to see his father again, or so he thought. JESUS had to keep him encouraged, so HE stayed with him. Potiphar was only concerned with becoming wealthy. He did not mind JESUS coming around Joseph. He became blessed because of Joseph’s favor.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD emphasize to Moses that “The LORD was with Joseph?”
• Have you ever felt alone and wanted to give up?
• Do you realize that the LORD is with you today and is walking through your troubles with you?

 

Favorable Blessings

Favorable Blessings

Genesis 31: ⁴ So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, ⁵ and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. ⁶ And you know that with all my might I have served your father. ⁷ Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. ⁸ If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked. ⁹ So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.

 

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Jacob saw that the situation was getting serious. He called for Rachel and Leah to explain how Laban was acting towards him. He then explained that Laban had tried to cheat him out of wages by changing the criteria.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was with Jacob and was changing him little by little.
• GOD caused the animals to be born with whatever Laban’s wild criteria was.
• Jacob recognized that the GOD of his father protected him.

 

It seemed like this situation was a turning point for Jacob. This is the first time he mentions “the GOD of my father.” He probably reflected on his life and saw that is was a mess. How as he going to get out of this situation? Only GOD could help him.

 

Jacob’s deceiving days were coming to an end. He had eleven children by four wives, and now he felt it was time to go. GOD told him to leave He had to tell Rachel and Leah that everything would be alright. GOD would bless him favorably.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the conversation between Jacob, Rachel and Leah?
• Have you ever come to a place where only GOD could help you out of the situation?
• Will you trust GOD to get you out of the situation HIS way and in HIS time?

Favor Recognized

Favor Recognized

Genesis 23: ⁵ And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, ⁶ “Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead.”

 

⁷ Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. ⁸ And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish that I bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and meet with Ephron the son of Zohar for me, ⁹ that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me at the full price, as property for a burial place among you.”

 

¹⁰ Now Ephron dwelt among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the presence of the sons of Heth, all who entered at the gate of his city, saying, ¹¹ “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field and the cave that is in it; I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I give it to you. Bury your dead!”

 

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Sarah had come to the end of her life. Abraham wanted to bury her some place special. Ephron had a cave that would have been suited for a ruler of that day. Abraham offered to pay for the cave, but Ephron wanted to give it to him.

 

My Observations:

• Ephron recognized the favor GOD had on Abraham.
• Even in a land of people who did not follow GOD’s ways, Abraham was seen as special.
• Abraham and Sarah were feared because of the many supernatural things that happened in their lives.

 

The Hittites were powerful from a human perspective. They probably took what they wanted, when they wanted it. But Abraham did not want a gift from Ephron, probably for the same reason he did not want money from the king of Sodom.

 

Ephron and the other Hittites saw Abraham as someone who could bring on destruction to their city and respected GOD’s power, but only out of fear. They still did not follow GOD. Abraham’s relationship with GOD seemed known, even by those who did not believe in HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about these conversations?
• Have you ever been in a place where you were the only follower of CHRIST?
• Do you realize that when JESUS called you light, you brighten up dark places just by being present?

Earned Favor

Luke 2: ⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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“Here… take my keys and lock up” were the surprisingly nice words from a very grumpy boss. I mean he never spoke to me and when he did, he barked at me. “Good job” were his next words. I almost fainted on the bowling balls.

• There were times when I have earned favor.
• There have been people who have granted me favor.
• There were times when I received favor from people and had no idea why I received it.

As JESUS got older, HE became wiser, taller and, more importantly, grew in favor with HIS FATHER. But what does favor mean? Was JESUS laughing at crass jokes that were out of character for HIM? Was HE out to please people by compromising HIS beliefs? No!

• JESUS says to me “Serve people while fearing ME.”
• JESUS says to me “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
• JESUS says to me “Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments.”

Fearing GOD means I don’t want to disappoint HIM. I know I have been saved and HE will not allow me to lose the salvation HE gave me as a gift. I still don’t want to disappoint GOD by being foolish or bending HIS rules to get my way.

GOD has done so much for me that I seek to serve HIM any chance I can. I desire to please GOD more than pleasing humans who, at the drop of a hat, change what pleases them. GOD has already given me full favor but strangely I do not want to take advantage and assume there are no consequences for my actions. I live to please GOD.

• Are you stuck where you are?
• Do you find yourself wanting but not getting?
• Can you give your sins, your desires and your wants to GOD and let HIM do with them as HE pleases?

You will never know how high GOD will take you

Genesis 11: ³ (The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.)

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Daydreaming for only a second, I recalled the struggle of getting out of college. One person told me to change majors. Then as my mind shifted back to the meeting, I realized I was at the table making decisions for a large corporation.  I can’t take credit, although I would like to. GOD had made conditions favorable for me to get to that position. I never would have guessed I would be there.

• GOD can tear me down or raise me up depending on HIS plan.
• When GOD raises me up I have a responsibility to be a good steward of the position.
• GOD has a plan that is far greater than anything I can think of.

Moses said he couldn’t speak well then he made other excuses and finally he asked GOD to “send someone else.” He knew the message would be difficult and there was a possibility of rejection from his own people. BUT GOD saw something different. GOD opened the ears of the Egyptians and the Israelites to hear Moses message.

• GOD can make people hear me as long as I have HIS message.
• GOD can clear the way as long as I am on HIS path.
• GOD can move people to my favor as long as I am being used to draw people to HIM.

GOD can take me to heights I never would have imagined. HE can use a sinner like me to speak to kings of countries if that is HIS will. But for now HE wants me to speak to those around me who can hear.

• Do you know GOD made you special?
• Have you asked GOD what is your purpose?
• Can you stop trying to be somebody and let GOD elevate you?
• Won’t you stop doubting yourself and let GOD elevate you?