Extra Blessed

Extra Blessed

Genesis 48: ⁸ Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”

 

⁹ Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.”

 

And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” ¹⁰ Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. ¹¹ And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!”

 

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Israel saw Joseph’s sons and asked “Who are these?” Joseph introduced his sons to Israel who became delighted! He thought he would never see Joseph again, but now he was able to see Joseph and his sons!

 

My Observations:

• Joseph did not spend a lot of time in Goshen due to his responsibilities of running Egypt.
• Joseph’s sons may have been teenagers by the time they met Israel.
• Israel never imagined he would see Joseph or his sons because he was told Joseph was dead.

 

Not only did he see Joseph alive and well, but he also saw Joseph’s sons. Israel was delighted to have been so blessed. He did not know how GOD’s prophecy would play out. All Israel knew was that GOD would make many nations through his lineage.

 

Now that Joseph showed his sons to him, he could see how GOD was working. He had no idea that GOD had a different lineage through which JESUS would be born. All he knew was that Joseph, his beloved son, had children.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the first meeting of Israel’s grandsons?
• How do you react if a blessing came much later than you thought?
• Can you praise GOD when HE blesses you, especially when HIS timing took longer than you expected?

Moved to the Best

 

Moved to the Best

Genesis 46: ²⁸ Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. ²⁹ So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.

 

³⁰ And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.”

 

³¹ Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. ³² And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ ³³ So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ ³⁴ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

 

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Jacob sent Judah as the guide to Goshen. All of their possessions were loaded on carts and their herds had to walk to Egypt. Joseph came out to be reunited with his father. He then told his brothers what to say in order to live in Egypt peacefully.

 

My Observations:

• The move to Egypt took a long time because seventy people and their cattle had to walk.
• Israel was delighted to see Joseph alive!
• Joseph gave the brothers insight into Egyptian culture from his vast experience with them.

 

Being reunited with Jacob was the pinnacle of Joseph’s life. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that he would ever see his father again. Jacob may have felt the same way. BUT GOD orchestrated a strange move that brought Israel to Egypt.

 

Goshen was a land made for cattle and sheep. The flocks would flourish there if the right people tended to them. Joseph told his brothers that shepherds are loathed, so tell the Egyptians that you tend livestock. He wanted them to put a positive spin on their occupation to live in the land in peace. GOD used what was meant for evil to bring good to the p[people of Israel.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about what Joseph did and said to Israel?
• Have you ever got a new occupation and did not know what to say?
• Is GOD using your experience to move you to a new occupation where HIS plan will continue through you?

Rachel’s Fourteen

Rachel’s Fourteen

Genesis 46: ¹⁹ The sons of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, were Joseph and Benjamin. ²⁰ And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. ²¹ The sons of Benjamin were Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. ²² These were the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob: fourteen persons in all.

 

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Jacob was told to go away from the women who were around him in the land of the Philistines. He was sent to Rebekah’s brother Laban to look for a wife. He fell in love at the first sight of Rachel. But he was given Leah as a wife because it was tradition. Jacob worked another seven years to finally marry Rachel.

 

My Observations:

• Rachel was the only woman labeled as Jacob’s wife.
• Rachel believed in household gods and magic from mandrakes.
• Rachel was barren the longest and died when she had benjamin.

 

Joseph and Benjamin were special to Jacob because he loved Rachel. He treated them differently than his other sons. This unequal treatment would cause jealousy amongst his sons that would cause Joseph to be sold into slavery, but ultimately rule Egypt.

 

Rachel did not raise Benjamin and barely raised Joseph who was a young teen when she died. Rachel did not experience her nephews attempted murder like Jacob. But she did experience the pain of watching everyone else have children when her husband was supposed to be the one who would produce many nations. GOD kept HIS promise, but not he way she thought.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Rachel being Jacob’s wife?
• What promise has GOD made to you that may look different than you think?
• Has GOD appointed you for something special but it looks way different than what you are used to?

Shocked

Shocked

Genesis 45: ²⁵ Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. ²⁶ And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. ²⁷ But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. ²⁸ Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers left Egypt with the strong, well-engineered carts given to them by Joseph. They came back to Jacob and told him that Joseph was alive. Jacob was shocked. They showed him the carts, then “Israel” was no longer shocked.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob was called Jacob in the beginning of this paragraph and Israel at the end, possibly in reference to Joseph being the son of Rachel and everyone else was mothered by others.
• Jacob was shocked to hear that his son was alive after all these years.
• Israel originally was not willing to go anywhere, but after hearing that Joseph was alive, he felt that was enough to make him go.

 

Being shocked, in this instance, could mean disbelief, or overwhelmed. I believe Jacob had both. The news that his son is alive that he thought was dead for decades, drove him to disbelief and feeling overwhelmed.

 

He did not get mad about the lost time he missed with his son, rather he looked forward to seeing him before he died. We can get shocked when we hear unexpected news. This requires us to go to GOD for answers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses to use Jacob and Israel when referring to Joseph’s father?
• What is your normal first reaction to shocking news?
• When you are shocked or surprised by a situation, do you become overwhelmed and debilitated, or go to GOD for strength?

Do Not Be Troubled

Do Not Be Troubled

Genesis 45: ²¹ Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. ²² He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. ²³ And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. ²⁴ So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers got prepared to go home. Joseph gave them an overwhelming amount of food and other items to take back to Israel. He gave Benjamin multiple times more than his brothers. He sent them away and told them to “not become troubled along the way.”

 

My Observations:

• Joseph had to reassure his brothers that there would be no tricks like he did when he had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack.
• Joseph listened to Pharaoh and gave them the finest provisions of Egypt.
• Joseph’s brothers were probably overwhelmed with seeing him and receiving so many provisions.

 

So much had happened to the brothers, that they needed some assurance. Simeon had been thrown in prison and they were accused of being spies by Joseph. When they got the overwhelming favor, they may have hesitated. Same with us. We may hesitate praising GOD too soon or too loudly because we have been through so much.

 

GOD cleared the way for the sons of Israel to move to Egypt without worry. Joseph remembered his father by sending gifts. Female donkeys would be used to breed. The family received an overwhelming amount of gifts without deserving anything.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the gifts Joseph sent?
• Have you ever received a blessing but hesitated in your praise?
• Will you listen to GOD when HE says “Do not be troubled” so you won’t second guess HIS blessings?

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?

Honest Summary

Honest Summary

Genesis 44: ²⁴ “So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. ²⁵ And our father said, ‘Go back and buy us a little food.’ ²⁶ But we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ ²⁷ Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; ²⁸ and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen him since. ²⁹ But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’

 

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Being forced to turn around from their journey home, Judah carefully explains what happened in an attempt to apply logic to an illogical situation. Joseph had the servant of his house place his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. To top it off, Joseph said Benjamin would need to stay as a slave and the rest could go free.

 

My Observations:

• Judah summarized the conversation with his father by using the truth.
• Judah explained how his father would feel if Benjamin did not return.
• Judah explained that his father experienced a great deal of loss when Joseph was presumed dead.

 

Facing a dire situation, the best thing was to tell the truth. He said how Israel felt possibly to appeal to the human side of Joseph. He did not know he was speaking to Joseph so he did not have anything to gain by lying.

 

Judah said the truth in front of his brothers who were conspirators in the attempted murder of their brother. Judah never said who was the primary contributor to the murder attempt, rather he kept his conversation focused on the truth of Israel's sadness.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Judah’s summary of his conversation to Israel?
• Have you ever been in a situation that you caused and knew it was time to start telling the truth to keep you from getting in deeper trouble?
• Is your summary of what happened filled with the truth so GOD will be pleased?

Careful Approach

Careful Approach

Genesis 44: ¹⁸ Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. ¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ ²⁰ And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ ²¹ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ ²² And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ ²³ But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’

 

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Reluctantly, Israel allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt with his brothers to fulfil the terms of Joseph. Judah said he would be responsible for Benjamin and would return with him. But Joseph had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. Judah had to respond to the difficult situation.

 

My Observations:

• Judah recognized Joseph’s position and acknowledged his role.
• Judah chose his words carefully when recapping Joseph’s request of them to bring Benjamin to Egypt.
• Judah mentioned that he and his brothers are servants so Joseph would not get placed on guard.

 

Tense situations need a careful approach that may include humbling yourself. Judah saw a situation that could not be won by blaming Joseph or by not admitting to what happened. Even though the situation was manufactured, Judah recapped the situation in a way that would possibly help Joseph hear his plea.

 

Judah was humble, thoughtful and very cautious with his words. This was a dire situation that required him to grow tremendously. He had to speak up for his brother and show respect to Joseph. GOD saw this exchange of words and was changing everyone.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Judah’s careful approach?
• What things are you trying to get that you are possibly blaming others versus adjusting your approach?
• Are there some ways to your approach that could use some humble adjustments that need courage from GOD?

Singled Out

Singled Out

Genesis 44: ¹⁴ So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. ¹⁵ And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?”

 

¹⁶ Then Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.”

 

¹⁷ But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.”

 

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Their worse fear had come true. Before the journey began, Judah assured Israel that nothing would happen to Benjamin. Now all eleven brothers were in front of Joseph again, this time with serious accusations. Judah volunteered all of them to become slaves of Joseph. But Joseph singled out Benjamin.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph knew how precious he and Benjamin were to Israel.
• Joseph took the special thing from his brothers, namely Benjamin.
• Joseph had no intention of making Benjamin a slave.

 

Adversity shows the real character of a person in his or her reaction to the situation. Judah responded well because he had no explanation for the situation. All he could do was surrender. Same with you and me. We may fight to stay the same, yet we need to surrender to GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Judah and Joseph?
• Have you ever gone through something and wondered “Why me?”
• Are you prepared for GOD to grow you and can you see the current situation is part of HIS growth plan?

Getting It Back Together

Getting It Back Together

Genesis 43: ²⁹ Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. ³¹ Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.”

 

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Joseph was seventeen years old when GOD gave him the dreams. He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, put in charge of a house, falsely accused of rape, put in prison, taken out of prison to interpret Pharaohs’ dreams and placed over all of Egypt. Seven years of plenty happened and now the world was in the middle of seven years of famine. Joseph was now right around forty years old. He had not seen his brother in decades.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph was filled with extreme emotions by seeing Benjamin.
• Joseph may have given up on ever seeing Benjamin or his father again.
• Joseph could not contain his emotions and had to leave the dinner to cry, then get himself together to be the strong leader the Egyptians expected.

 

Being sold into slavery did not make Joseph cry. Nor did being thrown into prison, or being left in prison. He cried when he saw his brother alive and was overcome with joy. He could not show the Egyptians his deep love he had for his brother.

 

Joseph went into his chamber and had a good cry. He then washed his face and got himself together enough to command “Serve the bread.” Everyone had to wait for him to return before a bite was eaten.  GOD brought joy back into Joseph’s life.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s reaction to seeing Benjamin?
• Have you ever been so filled with joy that you just cried?
• Can you believe that GOD enjoys giving you joy and has plenty for you today?

Presents

Presents

Genesis 43: ²⁴ So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. ²⁵ Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

 

²⁶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. ²⁷ Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”

 

²⁸ And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.

 

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Israel had prepared his sons by sending gifts for Joseph. They had no idea they would end up at a feast in Joseph’s house. The steward of Joseph’s house “gave” them water to wash their feet. He also “gave” the donkeys feed. When Joseph arrived, his brothers “brought him the present.”

 

My Observations:

• Even the animals got something during this reunion.
• Joseph’s brothers received clean feet and knew food was coming.
• Joseph received a present from Israel and his brothers as they bowed down to him.

 

Just as GOD told Joseph in the dream, Joseph’s brothers bowed down to him. This was not the desire of Joseph, rather a statement of fact. Joseph did not need their gift, but the present was sent by Israel to create good relations between his family and the Egyptians.

 

This time Joseph asked questions about his father. The brothers answered saying “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” More than likely these words were considered the best present Joseph could get.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about all the giving that happened in Joseph’s house?
• Has fear taken away your generosity?
• If you don’t have money to give, what else can you give someone to show generosity?

Erased Guilt

Erased Guilt

Genesis 43: ¹⁵ So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. ¹⁶ When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.” ¹⁷ Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

 

¹⁸ Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers did as Israel told them to do. They took Benjamin and the presents and the extra money to Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he ordered the “steward of the house” to take them to his home and make a feast.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph may have suspected that his brothers would have killed Benjamin, so he needed to see him alive.
• Joseph started off as a steward of Potiphar’s house and now he had a steward waiting on him.
• Joseph’s brothers felt guilty, but little did they know, their guilt was erased.

 

Thinking about the mistakes they made over the years led them to a conclusion that they were about to be sentenced. It wasn’t just about the money, rather it was their guilty lives. Up to this point, they tried to kill Joseph, then sold him into slavery and covered up what they had done. Then when Simeon was put in prison, they told Israel a half-truth.

 

Now the brothers were being invited to a feast and they could not see this as a blessing. They thought the worst by saying they would be taken as slaves, possibly like they did to Joseph. They had no idea their guilt had been erased.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the reaction of Joseph’s brothers when they were invited to a feast?
• Have you ever felt guilty and had your mind made up that you are about to be punished?
• Do you realize that JESUS was tempted in every way you have so HE is sympathetic to the way you feel and loves you dearly?

Reluctant Acceptance

Reluctant Acceptance

Genesis 43: ¹¹ And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. ¹³ Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. ¹⁴ And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

 

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Seeing there were no other options, Israel reluctantly accepted the fact that Benjamin had to be sent to Egypt. He told his sons to take the money that was returned to them and give it to the Egyptians. He also said give them special items from the land.

 

My Observations:

• Israel finally accepted that the famine was still there and he had to do something.
• Israel did not mention Simeon’s name, but he did mention Benjamin, which shows he and Simeon still had strife between them over Dinah’s assault.
• Israel seemed to brace himself to also lose Benjamin by saying “If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

 

It seems like Israel reluctantly accepted the fact that nothing was going well and he was about to lose the son from the woman he loved. Rachel, his wife, was barren for so many years that it seemed like she would never have children. But when she had Joseph, then Benjamin, everything seemed alright with Israel. But now Rachel was dead and so was Joseph, or so he thought. He could not see what GOD was doing.

 

Israel figured he would try to make the situation better by sending items that were locally grown and were appealing. He may have hoped that he could keep Benjamin alive by sending extra stuff. We do this too. We try to control the situation that GOD has ordained. Israel had seen enough sorrow. GOD saw everything and was planning something huge that Israel did not expect.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Israel’s response to his son’s request to take Benjamin to Egypt?
• Have you ever settled in your mind that you have to be miserable?
• Can you not settle for a miserable outcome and ask GOD to renew your faith in HIS power to make you thrive?

Not Buying It

Not Buying It

Genesis 42: ³⁵ Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. ³⁶ And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.”

 

³⁷ Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.”

 

³⁸ But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers came back from buying food with all their money in their sacks. When Jacob saw the money, he was filled with fear. The plan presented by his sons was to take Benjamin back to Egypt so Simeon could be released. Jacob refused.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob’s sons deceived him when they implied that Joseph was killed by an animal.
• Jacob’s sons had no plan to address the famine, so he had to tell them to go and buy food.
• Jacob’s sons came back with a story that sounded like they did something wrong and were trying to protect themselves from the consequence of their action.

 

It was clear to Jacob that his sons hated Joseph. He could see it in their interaction with Joseph that they had sibling rivalry. Jacob did not help the matter when he spent an enormous amount of time making a coat of many colors for Joseph. They lied about Joseph implying he was dead when they sold him into slavery. Now they were telling the truth, but Joseph wasn’t buying the story.

 

There did not seem like anything good would come out of the plan to take the remaining son of Rachel to Egypt. He refused to send Benjamin, leaving Simeon in jail or possibly he presumed him as dead. BUT GOD had this in the plan.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Jacob’s reaction to the found money and the plan to take Benjamin to Egypt?
• Have you ever tried to change and run into people who do not believe you are taking steps to a new you?
• Will you stick with the change GOD is making in you and not return to your old ways?

Interesting Choices

Interesting Choices

Genesis 42: ¹⁸ Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: ¹⁹ If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. ²⁰ And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.”

 

And they did so. ²¹ Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.”

 

²² And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” ²³ But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. ²⁴ And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

 

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Joseph told his brothers that one must stay in prison while the others take the grain home and bring Benjamin back. Not knowing it was Joseph, Reuben got angry and said “See, I told you this would happen” in so many words. They did not know Joseph could understand their discussion because he spoke to them through an interpreter.

 

My Observations:

• Simeon was chosen by Joseph possibly because Simeon had a quick temper, and he killed the Shechemite men, avenging Dinah.
• Reuben chose to not be part of the plot against Joseph and he brought this up during the distressful conversation.
• Jacob would eventually curse Simeon for his rage that he may not have gotten under control.

 

Simeon made a choice to kill the Shechemite men when is sister Dinah was assaulted. But he went several steps further by taking the Shechemite possessions. When Reuben left the scene of the crime during the plot against Joseph, Simeon was the next oldest brother and it is believed that he made the decision to dip Joseph’s coat in blood to pretend Joseph was killed by an animal.

 

Akk of the brothers spent time in prison. But Simeon would spend extra time while the brothers traveled back home and then returned with Benjamin. Joseph wept over the pretense, but got his composure back, knowing his family would one day be united.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the choice of Joseph and his brother’s argument?
• What choices have you made that are growing up to be consequential?
• Would you believe GOD is showing you grace over that bad decision and is using it for HIS good plan?

Shrewd Plan

Shrewd Plan

Genesis 42: ¹⁰ And they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. ¹¹ We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.”

¹² But he said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

¹³ And they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.”

 

¹⁴ But Joseph said to them, “It is as I spoke to you, saying, ‘You are spies!’ ¹⁵ In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. ¹⁶ Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!” ¹⁷ So he ^[d]put them all together in prison three days.

 

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Joseph was put in an awkward position. He was surprised to see his brothers and he was being watched by the Egyptians. Joseph devised a plan to bring Benjamin to Egypt without letting either side know what he was doing.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph was not acting petty by placing them in jail for three days, rather he needed to position his brothers as spies with the Egyptians so he could pretend to interrogate them without blatantly showing favor.
• Whoever was the spokesperson for the brothers was being honest at that moment, but knew the brothers had a secret.
• Joseph did not ask them about their family, but they volunteered the information about the size and makeup of the family.

 

Being thrown in jail looks like poetic justice, but it was probably wise positioning on Joseph’s part. Why would he show a specific group of people favor that he did not show anyone else? He had to think of a plan that would give him access to his brothers in front of the Egyptians while showing them favor.

 

But sitting in jail was a consequence of their attempted murder and treachery. GOD was orchestrating a reunion that would ultimately move the Israelites into the promised land. “Three” days was used as their sentence, probably not by coincidence. This number was connected o the butler’s and the baker’s dreams. GOD may have given this number to Joseph as the symbolic time JESUS would spend being raised from the dead.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s accusation of his brothers?
• Have you ever been placed in a difficult situation that seemed like punishment, but was really a blessing?
• Can you look at your current situation differently, knowing GOD is working it out for you to fit in HIS plan?

Protective

Protective

Genesis 42: ³ So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. ⁴ But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some calamity befall him.” ⁵ And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

 

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Ten of Joseph’s half-brothers were sent to Egypt to buy grain. But “Jacob” did not send Benjamin with his half-brothers. So the sons of “Israel” went to buy grain.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob may have suspected his sons were not telling him the truth about what happened to Joseph.
• Rachel was the woman Jacob loved, so he treated Joseph and Benjamin, her sons, differently.
• Jacob sent ten of his sons to buy enough food that each could carry.

 

Jacob had hundreds of servants who tended his animals, so they would need to be fed as well. But Jacob sent only his sons to Egypt. He clearly showed a difference between Benjamin and his other sons by saying “Lest some calamity befall him.”  Jacob may have seen something in his sons that he could not quite put his finger on. All he knew in his mind was Joseph was dead.

 

The sons of “Israel” went to Egypt. I believe this distinction was given to Moses on purpose. As Moses writes this book, he flows between Jacob and Israel. I believe GOD is showing how the tribes of Israel ended up in Egypt. The importance of the tribes would become known later. GOD chose a very complex family.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Jacob’s protective statement to his other sons about Benjamin?
• Has something ever happened in your life that made you more protective of people around you?
• Is GOD moving you to a place where HIS new work will begin?

Deliverer

Deliverer

Genesis 41: ⁵³ Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, ⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. ⁵⁵ So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.” ⁵⁶ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. ⁵⁷ So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.

 

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After the seven years of plenty ended, seven years of famine began, just as Joseph prophesied. First the Egyptians came to Pharaoh, asking him to fix their problem. But he sent them to “Joseph.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Joseph the interpretation of the dream HE gave Pharaoh.
• Joseph used his gift of administration to store up food all over the providence of Egypt.
• Pharaoh called Joseph “Joseph” versus using the name he gave him.

 

Maybe it was a good guess that the land would provide abundance, Pharaoh may have thought. If  abundance happened for eight or nine or ten years, Pharaoh would still look good. But it happened just as Joseph predicted. How can this be, Pharaoh may hove thought. Then he realized, GOD was speaking through Joseph.

 

Pharaoh sent everyone who asked to Joseph. Even Pharaoh recognized this was no coincidence. GOD positioned Joseph to deliver the Egyptians and all the countries from the famine. GOD provided the abundance and positioned Joseph as HIS deliverer.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Pharaoh’s reaction to the cries of the people regarding the seven years of famine?
• Are you going through a difficult time?
• Is GOD positioning you to be HIS deliverer by using the gifts HE has given you?

Significant Revival

 

Significant Revival

Genesis 41: ⁵⁰ And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. ⁵¹ Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” ⁵² And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

 

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Sometime during the years of plenty, Joseph had two sons Manasseh and Ephriam. Asenath, an Egyptian daughter of a priest who worshipped Ra the sun god, is mentioned for the second time.

 

My Observations:

• Asenath influenced her sons to live as Egyptians.
• Manasseh would later struggle with GOD
• Ephriam would become a huge tribe, yet would also struggle with GOD.

 

The birth of these two sons was so significant to GOD, that one of the tribes, Dan, was replaced in the book of Revelation with Manasseh. My guess is Manasseh was born somewhere around year three of the famine and Ephriam was born around year five. I have no factual basis for the numbers other than Joseph was extremely busy storing up food for Egypt.

 

Joseph struggled with being separated from his father. He may have thought of Jacob every day. Joseph may have learned how to manage people from Jacob. Naming Manasseh “Making me forget my sorrow” indicates He missed his father. Naming Ephriam “Double fruitfulness” was done after collecting so much food that the amount could not be counted.

 

Joseph recognized that he was in a land that afflicted him. He had been taken from his father, enslaved  and imprisoned. This land started off as a place of doom. BUT GOD healed the situation and made Joseph fruitful in all he did.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the birth of Joseph’s son in such detail?
• Have you ever come out of a trial and remembered what you went through?
• Does GOD’s revival of you have to come in the way you think?

Wrong Crowd

Wrong Crowd

Genesis 41: ¹⁷ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. ¹⁸ Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. ¹⁹ Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. ²⁰ And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. ²¹ When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. ²² Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. ²³ Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. ²⁴ And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

 

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After Joseph was released from prison, Pharaoh told him about the dreams that troubled him. Pharaoh then said he told his magicians, but they could not interpret the dream.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was disturbed by this dream GOD gave him.
• Pharaoh used magicians who had limited supernatural powers.
• Pharaoh was revered as a god, and was probably even more disturbed that he could not understand this dream.

 

Believing in what he saw, Pharaoh entrusted his strange dreams to his magicians who had performed tricks that could not be explained. The magicians may have gotten their supernatural powers from Satan, but these powers were limited. 

 

Pharaoh may have seen Joseph as similar to the magicians. He considered himself as a god and everyone else was his servant. He felt he had power over life and death of a person because the crowd also believed he was a god. But the one and only true GOD baffled him.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Pharaoh’s discussion with Joseph?
• Have you experienced getting advice from a group of people who may or may not have consulted GOD?
• Will you seek GOD’s guidance today to get HIS supernatural direction for you today?