Author: Andrew Timberlake

Genesis 41:37-57

37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, 48 and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. 49 And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.

50 Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

53 The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.”

56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Joseph’s proposal pleased Pharaoh and he, like Potiphar and the Jailer, recognised that God was with Joseph. He put Joseph in charge over the entire country, second only to Pharaoh himself. The signet ring he gave Joseph would have been used as a seal on official documents like we use a signature today. It gave him the power to issue official decrees. He also received wealth and status along with his position. It seems a little crazy that Pharaoh would put a prisoner in charge of an entire nation after the interpretation of two dreams which hadn’t even come true yet. But God is clearly the One who is working here (Prov 21:1).

Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh. He had been sold as a slave when he was about seventeen (Gen 37:2). For thirteen years he had to wait patiently on God. He had been given small opportunities to show his faithfulness and times of hardship to grow his faith. Now God was pleased to lift him up for the important job he had been prepared for (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5-6).

During the seven years of plenty Joseph was so successful at storing up grain that he could no longer measure it. Then the seven years of plenty came to an end and the famine began. Eventually the people ran out of food and went to Pharaoh who sent them to Joseph and told them to do what he said. Joseph opened the storehouses and sold food to the Egyptians. He also sold food to the neighbouring countries because the famine had covered all the earth.

Repeatedly you will see that God’s timeline is often a lot longer than you might prefer. God took thirteen years to groom Joseph through trials, suffering, and opportunities of service to the point he was ready for the main job God had for him. You may have a sense or a vision of what God may have in store for you (not in the same sense as Joseph’s dreams, but perhaps an idea from the talents He’s given you, and a desire in your heart). Are you prepared to take it slow? Are you ready to submit to God’s timeline? Be faithful in the small things God gives you to do today and at the right time He will give you responsibility over something of significance for Him (Matthew 25:21).

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Genesis 41:17-36

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. 18 Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. 19 Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, 21 but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. 22 I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. 23 Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, 24 and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, 30 but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, 31 and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. 32 And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. 33 Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams. We learn a little bit more about the dreams in this passage. Not only did the thin cows come out of the Nile and eat the fat cows, but they remained thin and scrawny as if they had not eaten anything.

Joseph explains that both dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed what He is about to do. The seven cows and the seven plump ears of corn represent seven years of plenty. They will be followed by seven years of famine represented by the scrawny cows and the scorched ears of corn. The years of famine will be so severe that the years of plenty will be forgotten. He explains that because Pharaoh dreamed the repeat dreams, that means that God has fixed his decision and it will happen soon. Next Joseph boldly provides council to Pharaoh. He goes on to provide wisdom on how Pharaoh should deal with what is about to happen. He should appoint a wise man to manage things and overseers under him who are to take one-fifth of everything produced in the land and store it up during the years of plenty. That food should be kept under Pharaoh’s authority and reserved for use during the years of famine so that Egypt might survive the severe famine. Joseph freely gives Pharaoh the wisdom God has given him. He doesn’t presume to be the wise man he suggests Pharaoh appoint. Joseph had no idea at this point what would happen next. For all he knew when Pharaoh was finished with him he could have returned to jail. Joseph did what God asked him to do fully trusting his future in God’s hands (see Matthew 6:25-34).

Something interesting relevant to our current situation is that God used government as a means of preserving life during the famine. Today we see God using our government to help preserve life during the COVID-19 pandemic. We may not agree with every decision they make, and they may make wrong decisions, but God has appointed them to authority over us and we are called to be subject to their decisions (Romans 13:1). Therefore we should be praying for our government. Pray that they might have godly wisdom and submit themselves to God’s authority as they serve His purpose at this time (1 Tim 2:1-2).

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Genesis 41:1-16

1 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

It’s been another two years that Joseph has remained in prison.
One day Pharaoh has these two crazy dreams. Seven fat cows are eaten by seven scrawny cows and seven plump ears of corn are eaten by seven thin and scorched ears that sprouted after them. None of the magicians or wise men of Pharaoh’s court could interpret the dreams for him.

Then the cupbearer realises he completely forgot about Joseph who had correctly interpreted his dream. He tells Pharaoh about Joseph and the fact that he correctly interpreted both his and the baker’s dreams.

Joseph is called for, made presentable, and appears before Pharaoh. Pharaoh tells Joseph that he has had these dreams that no one can interpret but that he has heard that Joseph is able to interpret the dreams. Joseph answers that it is not him who is able to interpret dreams, but God, the dream giver, who will also provide the interpretation.

Can you imagine being completely forgotten for two years? Imagine our Covid-19 lockdown continued for another two years. Long periods of time like that may seem completely pointless to us. But God uses those times we might consider a waste to work in us, to prepare us for a time when He will work through us. Think back to Joseph’s brothers. They were so hasty to get what they wanted that they were prepared to kill Joseph. Joseph, on the other hand, patiently submitted to God and remained faithful. Now He is ready to serve God in God’s time. Are you patiently waiting, submitting to God’s working in your life? Or are you too hasty to get things done that you are planning your own life rather than living according to God’s plan?

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Genesis 40:9-23

9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” 18 And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.”

20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The cupbearer tells Joseph his dream. His dream represented his profession and had a favourable outcome. In three days he would be restored to his job and would serve Pharaoh again. Joseph asks him to remember him when things turn out well for him and to tell Pharaoh that he had done nothing wrong to deserve being in prison.

The baker is excited because this dream telling is going well. Only the interpretation of his dream isn’t as good. His dream was also about his profession, but the outcome wasn’t as good. In three days he would be released from prison but Pharaoh would hang him and the birds would eat his flesh.

Three days later the two men’s dreams came true. The cupbearer was restored to Pharaoh’s service and the baker was executed. But the cupbearer did not remember Joseph.

The fact that both of Joseph’s interpretations came true must have been of great encouragement to Joseph. He could be sure that God had not forgotten him and was still with him. He would have had hope because his boyhood dreams would still come true, even though he might not have known when or how. When times are tough and it’s difficult to see what good God is doing in your situation, look for small answers to prayer to build your faith and help you persevere through the tough times.

It must have been tough for Joseph to give a message of doom to the baker, especially after such a great message to the cupbearer. When we give God’s message to people, we must be bold to tell them the bad news that a holy God cannot and will not tolerate sin, and that the penalty of sin is death (Rom 3:23; 6:23). But we can give everyone good news because no one’s fate is sealed. Everyone may turn to God and believe in Jesus and be restored in their relationship with Him (Rom 5:8; Eph 2:8-9).

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Genesis 39:17-40:8

17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.

40:1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.

5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
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Joseph did the right thing and ran away from temptation. But Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him and her husband gets angry and throws him in jail. “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.” His situation had changed, but God had not. Even though Joseph was arguably in a worse situation, he remained faithful and God gave him favour in the eyes of the prison keeper. He once again found himself with authority and leadership in his new situation because, “whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.” Sometimes we take the line that we will be faithful if God blesses us, but that’s backwards. God is looking for faithful followers. If you are faithful where He has placed you, then he will give you success in what He’s given you to do.

We begin to see God’s purpose revealed. Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker have committed some offence against him and he threw them in prison. They end up under Joseph’s care. One night they each have a dream that leaves them troubled. Joseph sees that they are downcast and asks them what troubles them. They explain that they have each had a dream and they have no one to interpret them. Joseph responds that the interpretation of dreams belongs to God and asks them to share their dreams with him. God has placed Joseph in prison so that he can provide interpretations for these two men’s dreams. There are troubled people all around us. When you see someone battling, you are able to go up to them and say, “God is the one with the answer to your troubles.” We can then share truth from God’s word to speak to their situation. God has you exactly where He wants you. Are you open and obedient to serve Him today? Pray that He will show you how He wants to use you.

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Genesis 39:1-16

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home,

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Joseph was now in Egypt. He had been sold as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. God was with Joseph and allowed him to succeed in all that he did. Potiphar noticed this and gave Joseph more responsibility. God blessed Potiphar’s household because of Joseph and so Potiphar eventually put Joseph in charge of everything and didn’t worry about anything except the food he ate. He completely trusted Joseph. When you find yourself in a less than desirable situation, how do you react? It’s hard to think of a worse situation than being sold as a slave. What if you find yourself in a school you don’t really want to be in? Or you’re put in a class with a teacher who has it in for you? Or you’re dropped from the first team to a lower team? Or you’re put in the chorus rather than being picked for the lead role in the play? In any of these situations, it could be easy to feel sorry for yourself and give less than your best. Or like Joseph, you could have the right view that God puts you where God wants you and decide to serve Him with all your heart and soul and might (Col 3:17).

Joseph was good looking and Potiphar’s wife took a fancy to him. She tried to seduce him into sleeping with her. Joseph refused. He knew that even though Potiphar had put him in charge of everything, some things are clearly off-limits—especially his master’s wife. He told her that to sleep with her would be wicked and a sin against God. All sin is ultimately against God (Ps 51:4). She wouldn’t take no for an answer and continued to pursue him but he refused to listen to her. One day he found himself in a tricky situation. He was alone with her in the house and she began to force herself onto him. She grabbed his sleeve. He slipped out of his jacket and ran away leaving his jacket in her hand. She saw an opportunity to get back at him for not doing what she wanted and used the jacket in her hand to falsely accuse him of coming on to her. It can be hard to resist temptation especially when it’s right there calling to you all the time. Know that all sin is against God. God has called you to holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16) and even when no one else is around, there is no way to hide your sin (Hebrews 4:13). The best course of action is to stay as far away from the source of temptation as you can, and if necessary, run! (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Do not throw away God’s blessings for the pleasures of sin.

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Genesis 37:18-36

18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes 30 and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” 31 Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” 33 And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Joseph’s brothers saw him coming and they conspired together to kill him. Their intention was to report that a fierce animal had killed him and see what would become of his dreams. Reuben (The eldest of the brothers) rescued him by changing the plan. He suggested that instead of killing him, they throw him in a pit. His intention was to come back later, rescue him and return him to his father. When Joseph arrived, they grabbed him, stripped off his robe and threw him in an empty pit.

And then they sat down to eat. While they are having lunch, they see a caravan of Ishmaelite traders heading down from Gilead toward Egypt to trade. Judah (The fourth eldest brother) has his own bright idea. He says, “What profit do we make by killing him, we can make a real profit if we sell him as a slave, then his blood is not on our hands.” (He may have been right, but they were by no means innocent). When the traders come by, they pull Joseph out of the pit and sell him for twenty shekels of silver (8 ounces; just less than 250g).

When Reuben returned to the pit, it was empty. He tore his clothes (a sign of distress and mourning) because he’d lost his opportunity to rescue him and, as eldest, he would be responsible to explain his brother’s disappearance. The brothers then took Joseph’s coat, killed a goat and dipped it in the goat’s blood. They took the coat to their father and said they had found it and wanted him to identify if it was Joseph’s. They left him to recognise it and to come up with his own explanation for what had happened to Joseph. Then Jacob tore his clothes and mourned his son’s death for many days. None of his sons or daughters could console him. He said he would go to death in mourning. In the meantime, Joseph had been sold in Egypt to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.

The brothers think they will improve their relationship with their father by getting rid of his favourite. Their hatred had grown to the point that they were willing to commit murder (God warned Cain that sin was crouching at the door just before he killed Abel, Gen 4:7). God intervenes and, through Reuben and Judah, He preserves Joseph’s life. The brothers then weave together a story of deception using goat’s blood to pretend Joseph had died. The story is rather ironic because Jacob had used a goat to deceive his father (Gen 27:16) and deception had continued in his family. We cannot hope to bring about change for good through deceit and deception. If God isn’t giving you the position or the responsibilities you think you deserve, is there something about your character that you need to work on first?

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Genesis 37:1-17

1 Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.

2 These are the generations of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

12 Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 14 So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15 And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” 16 “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 17 And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

We are introduced to Joseph, the seventeen-year-old son of Jacob who brings home a bad report about his half-brothers from when they were out shepherding together. Jacob shows his approval of Joseph and his love for him by making him a special robe. When his brothers saw that Jacob loved Joseph more than them, they hated him and could not speak nicely to him. This is not a healthy family situation. Joseph might be considered a tattle-tale, and while this has never been popular, there is no indication that he reported any falsehood and the rest of Genesis shows Joseph to be a righteous man. Jacob loves Joseph more than his brothers and shows him favouritism. He should have known better because he grew up in a family where his father loved his brother more than he, and it resulted in him being separated from his family as it is going to do to Joseph. The brothers don’t seem to be a great bunch. Although we don’t know what it was, the story begins with them doing something that warranted Joseph reporting it to their father, now they have grown to hate of Joseph and can’t bring themselves to speak peacefully with him. If you look at your family, how might you place yourself in this story? Are you living right before God and find yourself misunderstood and even hated by others (careful, it can be easy to think we are the Joseph in the story, even when we are not). Or are you like the brothers, looking at your siblings or others and growing in bitterness as they seem to be receiving what you believe is rightfully yours?

God confirmed Jacob’s choice of his faithful son through two dreams. God used different ways to communicate with His people in the Old Testament. Dreams were one of those ways he had used with Abraham and Jacob previously. In Joseph’s two dreams God predicted that Joseph would rule over his family. His brothers hated him even more because of these dreams but Jacob kept these things in mind, knowing that God could declare His choice through dreams. The brother’s reaction may seem understandable but it only served to confirm Jacob and God’s choice of Joseph as the leader. When God chooses a leader, it often brings out jealousy in those who have to submit. Rather than submit to God’s decision, the brothers grow in their hatred of Joseph. While their actions were prompted by their desire to lead, it only showed that they were not worthy to be leaders.

The passage ends with Joseph again serving in obedience to his father’s request to check on the wellbeing of his brothers in spite of their hatred for him.

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Matthew 12:43-50

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Jesus uses a parable of a man cleansed from an evil spirit to describe the state of the nation of Israel. They are the man. From the time they were brought out of Egypt, they engaged in idolatry until God cleansed the nation during the exile to Babylon. At the time of Jesus, they were not engaged in idol worship and Jesus is wanting to take entrance into the clean house, but they reject Him. Without Jesus as Lord, the emptiness of the house is like a vacuum just waiting to be occupied by something. The spirit returns with seven other spirits. The number seven is used to represent perfection or completeness in the Bible. This probably refers to the nation returning to idolatry in a more complete form which the Bible predicts for the time of the Tribulation. By rejecting their Saviour, the nation has opened itself up to a worse condition than it had been previously. The same can be true in our lives. When we recognise sin, we can attempt to clean it up and even get it right. But if we don’t replace our sinful habits with good, godly habits, then we are exposed to the sin returning in an even worse state than before. Be careful not to just try to remove sin, but work to develop godly, spiritual habits that are transformative—don’t leave the house empty, let God fill it.

When His family arrives, Jesus uses that as another teaching opportunity. A relationship with Jesus doesn’t come through family ties or through culture but only through obedience to the will of God, which is that we believe in Jesus (John 6:28-29, 39-40). You are not a Christian because your family are Christians. You are not a Christian because you go to church or live in a Christian culture. The only way to be a part of God’s family is through personal belief in Jesus for your own salvation (John 1:12-13).

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Matthew 12:30-42

30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

When it comes to Jesus, there can be no religious tolerance. You cannot sit on the fence and you don’t get to choose your own way to God.

The Pharisees had accused Jesus of performing his miracles in the power of Satan. Jesus is clear, if you are not with Him, you are against Him. If you are not gathering people to Him, you are scattering people from Him. Jesus had just shown that He was working for God. Because the Pharisees were against Him, they were the ones working for Satan. The Pharisees had committed a sin so heinous that it was unforgivable. They had attributed the work of the Holy Spirit through Jesus to be the work of Satan, thus blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This was a sin specific to that time in history, the time when Jesus walked among the Jews. It is not a sin we need to be worried about committing today. The Bible is clear, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21) and “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

What comes out of your mouth reveals the truth of your heart. Just as a bad tree cannot produce good fruit, neither can a good tree produce bad fruit. It is by the fruit that we know whether a tree is good or bad. The same is true about our speech. When we fill up our hearts with rubbish, our mouths spout profanity. when we fill up our hearts with God’s truth, then our words are sweet and good. Your words will be used on the day of judgement. Whether you are justified or condemned will be based on whether you believe in Christ or not (John 3:18; Rom 3:28). But when your words have shown continual unbelief, then those words will vindicate God’s decision to punish you. For believers, our words will also reveal how much our heart has been inclined toward God and be a basis on which we are rewarded. If your words are a barometer of your spiritual condition, what do they reveal about the state of your heart?

The Pharisees and scribes ask for a sign. Jesus has already performed many miracles including many that the Old Testament said would accompany the Messiah. The Pharisees were not convinced so they are asking for a sign more miraculous than what they’d already seen (the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, and even the dead raised). Jesus condemned that generation as wicked and adulterous because of their continued request for a greater sign in the face of overwhelming evidence. Jesus promised them no more signs except the sign of Jonah. Jesus was predicting that, like Jonah spent three days in the belly of the whale, He would be buried for three days and then rise again. If that sign wouldn’t convince them, nothing would. Today we see people behave the same way. They continually ask for unreasonable proof before believing in Jesus. For those willing to look, the evidence is there.

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake 3