34 Week Genesis 39-43 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on title for Video Intro

Monday, Genesis Chapter 39

Genesis 39

Verse 3

Bart Strayer

August 27, 2006

Verse 3: “When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did.”

THOUGHT

This is a reoccurring theme in chapter 39. It is mentioned again in verse 23. Let’s not fool ourselves here as to the meaning of, “? success in everything he did”. Does this mean that Joseph’s life was a cake walk?  No. The title of chapter 39 is ‘Joseph thrown into jail’.  How can you call getting thrown into jail a success? Too many of us think that if the Lord is with us then we will have success without strife. Like we are not even going to have to try and things are going to be handed to us. Even if the Lord is for us, we will still have trials and struggles. Can you imagine the type of people we would become if we were just handed things?

Joseph had God’s favor because he was in the right place, at the right time, with the right heart for God. If the Lord has you in a special place at work, at church, small groups, whatever, and if your will is aligned with His, you have His favor. Don’t let minor setbacks get you down.  Remember, you have God on your side, and in the end, God wins.

PRAYER

Dear God, we thank You for getting us through another week. As we begin another week, encourage us in our places of ministry. Help give us the staying power even through the tough times to see your work through to the end. Give us the strength, words, and wisdom when we need it. Be our arms, hands, and hearts. We pray in Jesus Name. AMEN

Tuesday, Genesis Chapter 40

Genesis 40

Verse 8

Matt Strayer

August 29, 2006

Verse 8:  “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”  Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?  Tell me your dreams.”

THOUGHT

When I read this chapter there were a few questions that came to mind.  What did these two guys do to upset Pharaoh?  Why did Pharaoh choose to restore the chief cupbearer to his position, but hang the chief baker?  One thing that we do know is that God allowed these two men to be put into prison with Joseph for a reason.  If one had to be put in prison, being with Joseph would surely give one hope.

When Joseph interprets the dreams for these two men he starts by giving God the credit. What a way to witness when he had their undivided attention. I’m sure just being around Joseph and seeing his behavior and attitude allowed these two to see God as well.

This story seems to have a tragic ending. One man is put to death. However, at least he was able to have heard about God through Joseph. If he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, his death by Pharaoh resulted in a place in the Kingdom of Heaven. That is a joyous thought to a bad ending. As believers,

focusing on our eternal destination can improve any situation that we are in. It takes effort, however, because as humans, it’s all about the here and now.

PRAYER

Dear God, allow us to become like Joseph in this world today. Enable us to give God the credit and witness to others.  Even our attitudes and actions speak loudly. God, allow us not to cast shadow in situations, but give light in this sometimes dark world.  In Jesus Name. AMEN

Wednesday, Genesis Chapter 41

Genesis 41

Verse 46

Matt Strayer

August 30, 2006

Verse 46:  Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.  And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 

THOUGHT 

Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.  In many ways this chapter paralleled chapter 40. Once again Joseph is in prison.   He is asked to interpret a dream, and he gives God all the credit.  However, the chapter obviously has a better ending than the last.  Joseph is finally set free and put in charge of the Egyptian nation.

I couldn’t help but think of the life of Joseph up to this point. He was 17 when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. He spent 13 years as an Egyptian slave and in prison. He is now 30 and called to lead Pharaoh’s nation through a difficult time.

I would love to talk with Joseph and ask him how the last 13 years prepared him for this high position. It is obvious that God used this difficult time to give him the qualities needed to accomplish the task. Hard times are not fun to go through as we all know. We must look at them as preparation and service for something that lies ahead. What is the most difficult thing you have gone through and how has that benefited others now that it has past?

PRAYER

Dear God, help us to remember this story of Joseph so that we may apply it to the different situations that we are all going through. The difficult times may be preparing us for what lies ahead. Help us trust that God has us in His best interests at all times.  AMEN

Thursday, Genesis Chapter 42

Genesis 42

Verse 24a

Kristen Strayer

August 30, 2006

Verse 24a:  He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them to them again. 

THOUGHT

Sorry men, but because I am a female, the emotional part of this story is what stuck out to me. I can only imagine the emotions Joseph must have experienced when he saw his brothers again. All the pain from being sold into slavery must have surfaced again. If something like this happened in today’s

world, I can just imagine the victim being on a show like 60 Minutes or Dateline and expressing the hurt and anger the experience caused and then expressing the desire to see justice carried out. 

I think the difference between the average Joe and Joseph is the response. I am not so sure if many people would be so kind and unavenged as Joseph was. He gave his brothers what they came to find.  He gave them food and secretly returned to them their payment for the food. I think this is a great example of someone who turned the other cheek and didn’t seek revenge.

PRAYER

God, thank You so much for the example of Joseph. Help us to forgive the people in our lives who have hurt us, and let us treat them with kindness. Please help us to not let our emotions rule our actions.  We thank You for the forgiveness You have shown us and for not giving us what we deserve. AMEN

Friday, Genesis Chapter 43

Genesis 43

Verses 1-2

Kristin Strayer

August 31, 2006

Verses 1-2:  Now the famine was still severe in the land. So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” 

THOUGHT

I am not very impressed with Joseph’s brothers. Besides selling Joseph into slavery, they don’t go back right away to get Simeon. In chapter 42, Joseph kept Simeon in order that his brothers would come back and bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, too. They only go back to Egypt to get more food after they had run out of food.

I hate to think of what would have happened to Simeon if the famine would have ended before they ran out of food. I am guessing Joseph’s brothers would have left him in Egypt. I guess this is a good example of how not to treat people.

PRAYER

God, we confess that we too are selfish. Help us to put our own desires and comfort aside when we need to reach out to others. You have blessed us with so much. Help us to bless others with the things you have blessed us with. AMEN