GENESIS 40-43: DAY 72 JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
March 13, 2020
GENESIS 40-43
DAY 72 JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
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Focus Verse For Today: Genesis
Today’s journey begins with dreams. Three sets of them. Joseph becomes ruler of the lands of Egypt, subservient only to the Pharaoh. Joseph’s brothers bow down to him.
Is there something on your mind? Take a few minutes to take your concerns to the Lord in prayer. Then pray for wisdom regarding today’s reading. Now read Genesis 40-43. Let our journey begin!
Genesis 40-43: Joseph is in prison. Joseph ran the prison for the chief jailer. While undertaking his duties, he learned of the dreams of two men, the Pharaoh’s cupbearer and the Pharaoh’s baker. They are troubled by their dreams. Joseph tells them that God can interpret their dreams. Joseph tells the cupbearer and the baker what God revealed their dreams to mean. The interpretation came to pass. Pharaoh has a dream no one could interpret. Although two years had passed, the cupbearer remembers Joseph, and Joseph is brought before the Pharaoh. Joseph made it clear to Pharaoh that God interprets the dreams, and that he, Joseph, is the messenger for God. Joseph so impressed Pharaoh and his counsel that he was appointed manager of the land. Joseph’s job was to prepare Egypt for the coming famine. The famine strikes and Egypt is the only country prepared for it. Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food for their Canaanite family. Joseph’s brothers bow to him, not recognizing Joseph, although he recognized them. He spoke to them through an interpreter not allowing them to know that he could understand everything they said. Joseph accuses them of being spies, knowing they are not. He kept one brother prisoner while sending nine brothers home to bring his brother Benjamin to him. Jacob refuses to allow them to return with the youngest son, Benjamin. The famine worsens and Jacob is forced to allow his sons to return to Egypt, with Benjamin. Upon arriving in Egypt, they are ushered into Joseph’s home where they are to have lunch with him. They are afraid. Joseph inquired about their father, his father. Benjamin’s portion of food is five times greater than anyone else’s, for Benjamin and Jacob not only shared the same father, they shared the same mother: Rachel. (Genesis 40:1-43:35)
The focus verse for today is:
21They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”
(Genesis 42:21, NIV)
At one time or another, we have all dreamt of getting revenge on someone. Here, Joseph is able to get his revenge, but what does he do? And we all love being able to say, “I told you so!” Here Joseph is given that chance, but what does he do? Joseph remains cautious – fool me once… – but demonstrates love and forgiveness. If you decided to skip the reading and go straight to the study – stop – go back and read Genesis 40-43. God delivered Joseph. God, through His servant Joseph, delivered Jacob’s family from starvation. Joseph had his nine half-brother’s before him. The brothers who sold him to the Israelites. The nine half-brothers who thought he was dead. He had them right there. They were under his authority. What will he do? To be continued. What would you do?
Godspeace!
