Genesis 48 & 49
Jacob (Israel) is blessing his children before he dies.
In 48:5 he claims Joseph's two sons as his own, thus ensuring that Joseph would receive double the land inheritance of his brothers. And he also places the younger Ephraim over the elder Manasseh, deliberately crossing his arms to do so (vs. 13-20).
Then in Chapter 49 he gives the Patriarchal Blessing to his 12 sons. This is very interesting, as these are prophesies that will play out in the lives of these men and their families through many generations.
Reuben was first-born, but forfeited his position when he fornicated with Bilhah (see 35:22). And Jacob saw that he was unstable (vs. 3-4).
Simeon and Levi are the next two sons, but their temper and cruelty to people and animals disqualified them for the birthright (vs. 5-7).
So it fell to Judah, to be the progenitor of our Savior and Redeemer (vs. 8-12).
After he pronounced all the blessings, Jacob asked that they not bury him in Egypt, but carry his body to Canaan to the cemetery field and cave that Abraham bought from the children of Heth, and bury him there. He knew that God would bring them back to the land He promised them. Then he died (vs. 29-33).
Jacob, who became Israel, is the final Patriarch who would prophetically pronounce the future to his sons. God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Joseph lived the rest of his life in Egypt, as an Egyptian, and also with his first family, the Hebrews (Habiru, in the archaeological records). So he really did have it all: Not only was he prosperous and respected, he also had his extended family with him; God gave him much more than he ever would have thought.
And God is still the same today as He was then; He still loves His own, He cares for His own, and when we live our lives with the mind-set of God's attitude toward us--loving one another, forgiving one another, and seeking God in all our life paths--then He will bless us with all the Earthly and Heavenly blessings we can stand, out of His riches in glory.
O my Father, just as Joseph went through so much adversity, but never gave up on You, so teach me to have that same mind-set, to think Your thoughts, adopt Your attitudes, and walk in Your ways, every day of my life. Whether I am enjoying life at the moment or walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I know that You are with me, just as You were with Joseph, and if I persevere like he did, then I know that I will also prosper and be blessed by You in all the Earthly and Heavenly ways I can stand, beyond everything I can ask for, or hope, or dream, or imagine.
And You will receive all the glory, for that is Your plan that You are working out in me, in us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017
He Cares For His Own
Genesis 47
V. 19 Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh.
When times get hard enough the people willingly consent to slavery.
Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Maybe he was thinking of these Egyptians becoming Pharaoh's slaves for a little food.
V. 21 And as for the people, he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt's border to the other.
This is what Agenda 21 (now renamed Agenda 2020) proposes to do in America: remove the people from rural areas into mega-cities. Much easier to control them that way.
Vs. 7 & 10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
(Hebrews 7:7 says, But without any dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater.)
So this common shepherd, Jacob, blesses the great Pharaoh, King over all Egypt. And Jacob is the greater, in God's eyes.
V. 27 Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen (the best of the land of Egypt [45:18].), and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and increased greatly in it.
Apparently, the priests of Egypt (see 47:22) and the family of Israel were the only ones who actually owned their property, since the rest of all the Egyptians sold their property to Pharaoh.
Who would have guessed that this little family of Abraham with one son Isaac, and Isaac with two sons, and Jacob finally having a sizable family, would grow into a great Nation? When God chooses who would be His own, He always takes care of them. He did not allow Jacob and his family to starve, but brought them into the best land in the greatest Nation of the time and allowed them to thrive so well that they grew into such a large Nation that it came to be feared by a Pharaoh (see Exodus 1:8-10). Only God can work such great a wonder.
And today our Lord God has chosen His own out of every Nation, every family, every language, every people group, all over the whole World. We are His children, His servants, His church, His bride; to be His kings and queens to rule with Him on His Throne in His Kingdom.
So we know He will not neglect to take care of us today, regardless of in what circumstances we might find ourselves. God is still in control, and His greatness, His goodness and His love and care for us will never change.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
V. 19 Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh.
When times get hard enough the people willingly consent to slavery.
Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Maybe he was thinking of these Egyptians becoming Pharaoh's slaves for a little food.
V. 21 And as for the people, he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt's border to the other.
This is what Agenda 21 (now renamed Agenda 2020) proposes to do in America: remove the people from rural areas into mega-cities. Much easier to control them that way.
Vs. 7 & 10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
(Hebrews 7:7 says, But without any dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater.)
So this common shepherd, Jacob, blesses the great Pharaoh, King over all Egypt. And Jacob is the greater, in God's eyes.
V. 27 Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen (the best of the land of Egypt [45:18].), and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and increased greatly in it.
Apparently, the priests of Egypt (see 47:22) and the family of Israel were the only ones who actually owned their property, since the rest of all the Egyptians sold their property to Pharaoh.
Who would have guessed that this little family of Abraham with one son Isaac, and Isaac with two sons, and Jacob finally having a sizable family, would grow into a great Nation? When God chooses who would be His own, He always takes care of them. He did not allow Jacob and his family to starve, but brought them into the best land in the greatest Nation of the time and allowed them to thrive so well that they grew into such a large Nation that it came to be feared by a Pharaoh (see Exodus 1:8-10). Only God can work such great a wonder.
And today our Lord God has chosen His own out of every Nation, every family, every language, every people group, all over the whole World. We are His children, His servants, His church, His bride; to be His kings and queens to rule with Him on His Throne in His Kingdom.
So we know He will not neglect to take care of us today, regardless of in what circumstances we might find ourselves. God is still in control, and His greatness, His goodness and His love and care for us will never change.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, December 1, 2017
The Monkey Wrench
Genesis 44-45
Okay, here's the monkey wrench God throws into the works of Joseph's living his "good life" as an Egyptian. His brothers show up! He thought he could put this whole Hebrew past behind him, but God had other plans.
So now God is using Joseph to bring his family together in Egypt. Joseph instinctively knows from his relationship with the Lord that there is strength in unity. So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, "Do not quarrel on the journey" (45:24).
He knew his brothers. He knew how they would argue and fight with one another since they were all boys together. So he admonishes them to not air their differences on this journey, but to let the joyousness of the situation unite them as a family. They had been divided long enough.
Bringing them all to Egypt is how God is preserving this family alive, and He will bless them in this land as long as Joseph lives and is remembered. They will grow from being a family into being a great Nation.
This story gives me hope that my family may some day come together and be united in love for one another. But God will have to do this, if it is ever to come to pass. Only He would be able to heal these rifts, as He preserved and grew Jacob's family into the Nation of Israel.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Okay, here's the monkey wrench God throws into the works of Joseph's living his "good life" as an Egyptian. His brothers show up! He thought he could put this whole Hebrew past behind him, but God had other plans.
So now God is using Joseph to bring his family together in Egypt. Joseph instinctively knows from his relationship with the Lord that there is strength in unity. So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, "Do not quarrel on the journey" (45:24).
He knew his brothers. He knew how they would argue and fight with one another since they were all boys together. So he admonishes them to not air their differences on this journey, but to let the joyousness of the situation unite them as a family. They had been divided long enough.
Bringing them all to Egypt is how God is preserving this family alive, and He will bless them in this land as long as Joseph lives and is remembered. They will grow from being a family into being a great Nation.
This story gives me hope that my family may some day come together and be united in love for one another. But God will have to do this, if it is ever to come to pass. Only He would be able to heal these rifts, as He preserved and grew Jacob's family into the Nation of Israel.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Joseph's "Success"
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!
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!
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!
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