Genesis 41
Vs. 51-52 And Joseph named the first-born Manasseh, "for," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble, and all my father's household."
And he named Ephraim, "For," he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
So Joseph isn't just out of prison and still working for Potiphar, or even freed from slavery to go back home--he's now the ruler of all Egypt, with an Egyptian name and an Egyptian wife. He's having a family and living the "good life" and never even thinks about the old life any more. And he's prospering, managing the food supply for the whole nation. What more could he want?
But God's plan for him is even bigger than all of this!
Even when our troubles seem to be over and life is sailing smoothly along, God still has more--just wait for the monkey wrench being thrown into the works!
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that what God has planned for us is more than we could ever think of or imagine in our puny little human brains! Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, and,
Philippians 4:19 says that, God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus, not stingy, just enough, but over-abundantly, in His generosity.
And my setback today can only mean that God has something even better for me in the works. May I be patient in waiting for His timing in the doors He is closing and opening to me, trusting in His goodness and love for me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
The Story Of Joseph
Genesis 37, 39, & 40
Chapter 37
Joseph's brothers really resented that their father Jacob favored Joseph over them. So when he came to them far away from home, they decided to get rid of him. When Reuben heard this he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. "Don't shed any blood (don't kill him). Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father (vs. 21-22).
Then they sat down to eat the lunch Joseph had brought them! While they ate, they noticed a caravan passing by, headed to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to these Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed (vs. 26-27). Judah (the first Jew) had a profit motive. So they sold him into slavery for twenty silver shekels, and got rid of him.
Only these two brothers, Reuben and Judah, seemed to have any regard for their brother, or for their father's care for him. But neither did these two betray the secret they all kept about Joseph. They didn't turn in their brothers, even to ease Jacob's agonizing mourning for the loss of his dear son.
Meanwhile, the traders sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard (v. 36).
Chapter 39
He's working for Potiphar, and everything he does for him makes a profit, and Potiphar recognizes that God is blessing him for Joseph's sake, so he promotes him. Now he's working in his master's house, and the wife takes notice of how handsome and well-built he is, and starts to rag on him every day to have an affair with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside (v. 11). Oh boy, this is a big red flag! She grabs him and tries to seduce him, but he gets away by "the skin of his teeth," leaving his robe clutched in her hot little hands. So she accused him of trying to rape her, and none of the other household servants that worked with Joseph, who had to have seen her coming on to him constantly, had the courage to speak up for him, possibly for fear of going to prison for insulting the wife.
So Potiphar, the captain of the guard, puts him into his prison, instead of executing him. Now Joseph is locked up, his situation has gone from bad to worse. But he hasn't given up on God. Now the warden notices how everything that Joseph does succeeds, and makes him a trustee, in charge of the other prisoners (vs. 21-23).
Chapter 40
Now it happened that Pharaoh's personal servants, his baker and his cupbearer, had offended their king and were in the prison with Joseph. One night they each had a dream, and they knew they meant something, but didn't know. Then Joseph told them that dream interpretations belonged to God, and got them to tell him their dreams, which both came true: in three days was Pharaoh's birthday, and he reviewed their cases; he hanged the baker, and restored the cupbearer to his job. When Joseph had told him he would be released, he asked him to speak to Pharaoh for him, but he forgot all about him (v. 23).
When Joseph thinks he'll finally get out of jail, he's still stuck there.
Don't worry, Joseph, My plan for you is more than just freedom; I'm giving you so much more!
Just wait, Bonnie, My plan for you will astound you!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Chapter 37
Joseph's brothers really resented that their father Jacob favored Joseph over them. So when he came to them far away from home, they decided to get rid of him. When Reuben heard this he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. "Don't shed any blood (don't kill him). Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father (vs. 21-22).
Then they sat down to eat the lunch Joseph had brought them! While they ate, they noticed a caravan passing by, headed to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to these Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed (vs. 26-27). Judah (the first Jew) had a profit motive. So they sold him into slavery for twenty silver shekels, and got rid of him.
Only these two brothers, Reuben and Judah, seemed to have any regard for their brother, or for their father's care for him. But neither did these two betray the secret they all kept about Joseph. They didn't turn in their brothers, even to ease Jacob's agonizing mourning for the loss of his dear son.
Meanwhile, the traders sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard (v. 36).
Chapter 39
He's working for Potiphar, and everything he does for him makes a profit, and Potiphar recognizes that God is blessing him for Joseph's sake, so he promotes him. Now he's working in his master's house, and the wife takes notice of how handsome and well-built he is, and starts to rag on him every day to have an affair with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside (v. 11). Oh boy, this is a big red flag! She grabs him and tries to seduce him, but he gets away by "the skin of his teeth," leaving his robe clutched in her hot little hands. So she accused him of trying to rape her, and none of the other household servants that worked with Joseph, who had to have seen her coming on to him constantly, had the courage to speak up for him, possibly for fear of going to prison for insulting the wife.
So Potiphar, the captain of the guard, puts him into his prison, instead of executing him. Now Joseph is locked up, his situation has gone from bad to worse. But he hasn't given up on God. Now the warden notices how everything that Joseph does succeeds, and makes him a trustee, in charge of the other prisoners (vs. 21-23).
Chapter 40
Now it happened that Pharaoh's personal servants, his baker and his cupbearer, had offended their king and were in the prison with Joseph. One night they each had a dream, and they knew they meant something, but didn't know. Then Joseph told them that dream interpretations belonged to God, and got them to tell him their dreams, which both came true: in three days was Pharaoh's birthday, and he reviewed their cases; he hanged the baker, and restored the cupbearer to his job. When Joseph had told him he would be released, he asked him to speak to Pharaoh for him, but he forgot all about him (v. 23).
When Joseph thinks he'll finally get out of jail, he's still stuck there.
Don't worry, Joseph, My plan for you is more than just freedom; I'm giving you so much more!
Just wait, Bonnie, My plan for you will astound you!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Esau's Journey
Genesis 33: 4
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Whew! We aren't told anything about Esau's journey to forgive and welcome his brother Jacob back into his life. But it's a relief to know that God was working in his life, too, these 20 years.
We don't need to know all the workings of what is going on in others' lives as they will affect our lives. We only need to be humble before God and trust Him to take care of the details.
Jacob had been scared to death, but God had already prepared Esau to accept him, instead of still wanting to kill him. A complete turn-around.
I can also trust God to work in my family's lives without my inserting my own two cents' worth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Whew! We aren't told anything about Esau's journey to forgive and welcome his brother Jacob back into his life. But it's a relief to know that God was working in his life, too, these 20 years.
We don't need to know all the workings of what is going on in others' lives as they will affect our lives. We only need to be humble before God and trust Him to take care of the details.
Jacob had been scared to death, but God had already prepared Esau to accept him, instead of still wanting to kill him. A complete turn-around.
I can also trust God to work in my family's lives without my inserting my own two cents' worth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, November 27, 2017
God's Power In Our Weakness
Genesis 31 & 32
This is about Jacob heading back home. His father-in-law chases him down, and they make a non-aggression pact. Then he hears that his brother Esau is coming with an army, and he's afraid that he might wipe him out. So he divides his possessions, sends a gift ahead to Esau to try to pacify him, prays for God's help here, and ends up wrestling with the Lord all night. Now he's limping.
He contended with the Lord in prayer, and ended up with a limp!
Jacob is doing what God told him to do, but it looks like disaster! He's between a rock and a hard place. He can't go back to Paddam-Aram to his father-in-law, and his murderous (20 years ago) brother is heading his way. No wonder he wrestled all night. But he ended up with a limp!
God also changed his name from Jacob (trickster) to Israel (A Prince with God).
God told Paul that His power is greatest in our weaknesses. That is what He is teaching Jacob here.
O Father, show me how Your power is great in my own weaknesses. Show me that I can do nothing in my flesh, but I must lean on You, depend on You to bring me out of the trouble I find myself in. And I will give You all the credit, all the glory, because You are the only One Who can do what You do in us, to us, and through us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This is about Jacob heading back home. His father-in-law chases him down, and they make a non-aggression pact. Then he hears that his brother Esau is coming with an army, and he's afraid that he might wipe him out. So he divides his possessions, sends a gift ahead to Esau to try to pacify him, prays for God's help here, and ends up wrestling with the Lord all night. Now he's limping.
He contended with the Lord in prayer, and ended up with a limp!
Jacob is doing what God told him to do, but it looks like disaster! He's between a rock and a hard place. He can't go back to Paddam-Aram to his father-in-law, and his murderous (20 years ago) brother is heading his way. No wonder he wrestled all night. But he ended up with a limp!
God also changed his name from Jacob (trickster) to Israel (A Prince with God).
God told Paul that His power is greatest in our weaknesses. That is what He is teaching Jacob here.
O Father, show me how Your power is great in my own weaknesses. Show me that I can do nothing in my flesh, but I must lean on You, depend on You to bring me out of the trouble I find myself in. And I will give You all the credit, all the glory, because You are the only One Who can do what You do in us, to us, and through us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Dysfunctional Families
Genesis 29:32- 30:24
"Jacob" means "trickster," and he had tricked his brother Esau out of both the birthright and the blessing. Now the tables are turned, and Laban tricked him into marrying Leah instead of Rachel. Jacob had worked 7 years for Rachel, and ended up with her sister instead! So Laban also let him marry Rachel, and work 7 more years!
And God is building the House of Jacob, the Tribes of Israel. We see eleven of his sons born in these two chapters. We also see the rivalry and competition between these two sisters: dysfunction in the families of these people God chose and used for His purposes.
And He still uses even us, with our own dysfunctional families today. Relationships are and have always been so messy! We do what we can, and sometimes we make matters worse, but sometimes we can smooth over some of the rough spots. The most we can do is to pray for our family relationships that they can be healed.
We can also be encouraged, knowing that God uses our imperfect selves and families for His own purposes, and we will only find out the whole story, the Big Picture, when we are in that wonderful Eternity God has planned for us, and see how all the dark and shining threads wove together in that grand tapestry.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
"Jacob" means "trickster," and he had tricked his brother Esau out of both the birthright and the blessing. Now the tables are turned, and Laban tricked him into marrying Leah instead of Rachel. Jacob had worked 7 years for Rachel, and ended up with her sister instead! So Laban also let him marry Rachel, and work 7 more years!
And God is building the House of Jacob, the Tribes of Israel. We see eleven of his sons born in these two chapters. We also see the rivalry and competition between these two sisters: dysfunction in the families of these people God chose and used for His purposes.
And He still uses even us, with our own dysfunctional families today. Relationships are and have always been so messy! We do what we can, and sometimes we make matters worse, but sometimes we can smooth over some of the rough spots. The most we can do is to pray for our family relationships that they can be healed.
We can also be encouraged, knowing that God uses our imperfect selves and families for His own purposes, and we will only find out the whole story, the Big Picture, when we are in that wonderful Eternity God has planned for us, and see how all the dark and shining threads wove together in that grand tapestry.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Jacob And Esau
Genesis 27 and 28
The story of Jacob and Esau, the twin boys born to Isaac and Rebecca.
God shows us just how dysfunctional this little family of four was. Isaac favored Esau, the hairy he-man who liked the outdoor life. And Rebecca favored Jacob, the smooth-skinned mama's boy who hung around the kitchen. She encouraged Jacob to trick his dad into giving him the blessing Isaac wanted to give to Esau.
But God used the dysfunctionality of this family to further His purposes. Even though it caused upset and division among those who should have been united, God used the situation to get Jacob to where he would marry the ones with the DNA God wanted for His people.
No matter what happens, even when we do things with worldly motives that seem to tear things apart, God can use them to have things fall into place in our lives to get us to where He wants us to be, to do what He has planned for us to do, to fulfill His purposes.
O my Father, it breaks my heart to see the dysfunctionality in my own family, but I know that You know what You're doing, and that You can use these sorrows and wounds to bring glory to Your Name. Please, Father, just keep me in that path You have set my feet upon, regardless of what others do around me. Help me to remember that Your joy gives me the strength to follow Your ways in all my relationships with my family members and others. That Your light in me might shine out upon all whose lives touch mine, drawing them to Yourself in Your goodness and love.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, November 24, 2017
Isaac And Rebecca--A Love Story
Genesis 24
Who was Rebecca? She was Isaac's cousin, being the granddaughter of Abraham's brother. She had a sterling character, being a virgin who was concerned for her modesty, and a willing worker, offering to draw enough water for ten camels--at 30 gallons each, that comes to 300 gallons of water! A lot of hauling for one little lady!
The culture was very different from where I live, because she agreed to marry a man she had not yet met! She did know that he was able to support and take care of her. And they did ask her if she wanted to, so it was her own decision.
When the servant told Isaac everything that happened on this trip and what she was like, he must have admired her. Then they got acquainted with each other and his admiration turned into love.
What a wonderful love story!
O my Father, I have never seen Jesus. I've met Him in the pages of Your Word, and I love Him. And I agree to being His bride. I look forward to His coming and that great Marriage Feast. Not much different from this story of Isaac and Rebecca.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Who was Rebecca? She was Isaac's cousin, being the granddaughter of Abraham's brother. She had a sterling character, being a virgin who was concerned for her modesty, and a willing worker, offering to draw enough water for ten camels--at 30 gallons each, that comes to 300 gallons of water! A lot of hauling for one little lady!
The culture was very different from where I live, because she agreed to marry a man she had not yet met! She did know that he was able to support and take care of her. And they did ask her if she wanted to, so it was her own decision.
When the servant told Isaac everything that happened on this trip and what she was like, he must have admired her. Then they got acquainted with each other and his admiration turned into love.
What a wonderful love story!
O my Father, I have never seen Jesus. I've met Him in the pages of Your Word, and I love Him. And I agree to being His bride. I look forward to His coming and that great Marriage Feast. Not much different from this story of Isaac and Rebecca.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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