In the Wilderness: Exodus 6

The battle for freedom continues: Exodus 6
Open up the Word in your Bible or click the link to read online.

Just before this chapter, Moses cried out to God: Why did You send me? (Exodus 5:22). Nothing seemed to be going right. Moses only saw more trouble, not deliverance.

God answered Moses's complaint:

"...Say therefore to the people of Israel, 'I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.'"

Exodus 6:6-8

I am the Lord. God told Moses to remind the people who He was. I am the Lord. It had been 400 years since God had spoken to His people. In the silence they forgot.

Moses spoke to the people...

...but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

Exodus 6:9

In their present condition, they could not hear what he was saying. A life of slavery breaks our spirits and dulls our ears to the truth of God. Steals our joy and dashes our hopes.

We too live a life of slavery to sin apart from Jesus and I believe many of our worries, troubles, complaints, discouragement, doubts, fears are rooted in forgetting who our God is.

When we let the ways of the world rule our lives, we become blind and deaf to who our Savior is. When we spend more time immersing ourselves in the things of the world, rather than the things of God, we become separated from the reality found in Christ. We begin to believe this is all there is and our eternal perspective is obstructed.

I know my own battle with darkness was because I did not know who my Savior was. I didn't know His power to rule over evil. His power to redeem. His great love for me. Or His eternal timeline.

Can you hear the good news of Jesus? Does it sound like good news? or like a broken record?

Listen up! Listen to Him say to you:

I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens...

I will deliver you from slavery...

I will redeem you...

Don't let the lies of the world steal your hope, your life. Open up your heart afresh to the Spirit. Thank Jesus for opening the Way of life. Praise the Father for His great love and power to restore what's been stolen. Ask Him to bless you with hope and comfort.

Today, remember who He is. Remember who you are before Him. Choose to believe Him and not the lies of the world or the doubts in your heart.

Lord, You are God. You are my Savior. My Prince of Peace.

My God of all Comfort. My Redeemer. Restorer. Rock.

Open my ears and heart to the truth of who You are

and who I am in Christ. Restore to me

the joy of my salvation.

Amen.

In the Wilderness: Exodus 5

The fight for freedom begins: Exodus 5
Read the chapter in your Bible or online by clicking the reference above.

The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, "You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day."

Exodus 5:19

Escape from slavery is a battle. Taskmasters hate to lose their slaves. Not only was it true for the Egyptians and the Hebrews, it's true spiritually, too. Sin hates to lose a soul to God.

At Moses's arrival and Aaron's sharing of the good news that God had heard them and sent Moses to free them, the Israelites believed and worshiped God (Exodus 4:29-31). But when the battle began, and it was clear trouble came with the pursuit of freedom, no one was sure they wanted to be free anymore.

They met Moses and Aaron... and they said to them, "The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all."

Exodus 5:20-23

Jesus described salvation as being born again spiritually (John 3:3-7), and every delivery requires labor. Sometimes hard labor.

God is not evil and He does no evil. But He does use evil for His good and great purposes as we saw in the life of Joseph. This is one of the lessons we learn as we grow spiritually. God is not interested in making things easy for us. He's interested in transforming us into the character of His Son, Jesus.

Part of the battle of deliverance has to do with understanding who we've been serving and becoming God's servant rather than the slave of sin. Early in my walk with God, after the joy of making Him Lord of my life, a great battle of fear and anxiety entered my life. It lasted for years...

The enemy was not going to let me go easily. But through a decade long battle of fighting off fear, God revealed unbelief in my life. I did not believe who He said He was. I did not believe His great love for me. I did not believe He was good. Through my battle with fear and anxiety He strengthened my faith and trust in His Word. He brought me to a place of true freedom.

The Israelites were still calling on Pharaoh to take care of their problems: Give us straw. They worried about being "stink" to Pharaoh when really they already were. What they didn't do. What they hadn't learned to do yet, was to call on God for straw. Was to be concerned about how they looked to God. They still had their faith in their captors and not in their Savior.

God will not let us go through life serving two masters. He will use the enemy to open our eyes to the truth and turn our hearts toward Him. If you are perplexed by trouble in your life after coming to know Him, remember, He is working to set you completely free from sin and the stronghold of enemy lies in your life.

When trouble comes, don't seek the salvation of the world. Don't blame Him for bringing evil in your life. Ask Him: What is it you are setting me free from? Where is my unbelief?

Father God, forgive me when I blame You unjustly for the trouble in my life

Open my heart, mind, and eyes to the reality of the battle I am in.

Prepare my heart for the conviction of my unbelief and unfaithfulness to You

and Your Kingdom.

In the Wilderness: Exodus 4

Moses begins his journey toward Egypt: Exodus 4
Read it in your Bible or at BibleGateway.com by clicking the reference above.

At a lodging place on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!"

Exodus 4:24-25

Here's an odd part of Moses's story. One we don't hear much about. One hard to ignore because of its mystery.

Moses obeyed God's call. He packed up his family and headed toward Egypt. But on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. What changed between the burning bush encounter and the journey toward Egypt? Why would God call Moses as a savior for His people and then stop him along the way to kill him?

Our relationship with God is full of mystery. All we can be assured of is His goodness, love, and justice. He does no wrong. So, in all of this strange story there is good. God is not at fault here, but Moses.

Zipporah, Moses's wife, clearly knew the problem, so surely did Moses. He neglected to circumcise one of his sons. Perhaps Moses circumcised their first son, but the practice may have been foreign and offensive to his wife. Maybe she interfered with the second son's circumcision and Moses allowed it. We don't really know the details, but we do know Moses had not been obedient to the covenant established by God with his forefather Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14).

Moses was entering a personal call on his life, but before we can be prepared to fulfill the personal, we must be attentive and faithful to the commands God places on all His people. Before leaving on the journey, he should have taken stock of his spiritual life. Made sure of his faithfulness to the first things before taking the steps toward his personal calling.

It's been my experience, God does not call us to personal ministry until we are faithful in the small things, the basics. Following His general way in the world through faithfulness to His Word and prayer, will lead to His calling you to begin using your personal spiritual gifts. The specific works He created you for.

His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. ..."

Matthew 25:21 ESV

Zipporah quickly took care of the matter threatening her husband's life. Then she did something to make the story even more odd. She took her son's foreskin and touched Moses's feet saying: Surely, you are a bridegroom of blood to me! Her bridegroom, her husband, brought a bloody covenant into her life, but it was one which saved the life of her husband and therefore her entire family. Could they have survived away from her family out in the wilderness between Midian and Egypt?

But here's even a greater mystery. God's people have a Bridegroom of Blood too. Jesus. Our Savior. Our Bridegroom. Shed His blood on the cross so we might be forgiven all our sins. In Him, we no longer have to fear the wrath of God for neglectful sins of omission or unconscious offenses. The Holy Spirit will certainly bring sinful failures to our attention through conviction, and we will not be free from the consequences of willful sin, but we do not have to fear death.

On your journey of faith, be attentive to first things first, the little things, so you will be prepared to hear the greater call God has for your life. The personal call using the spiritual gifts unique to you. And no matter how far your faith journey takes you, continue to be mindful of the basics: Time in His Word. Prayer. Trusting obedience. 

Lord, my relationship with You is filled with mystery,

but I recognize when I don't understand something or am offended by Your way,

the problem is with me and not You. Thank You for being my Bridegroom of Blood

who cleanses my sins by Your sacrifice. Grow me to boldly and faithfully

pursue acts of faith, both corporate and personal.

In the Wilderness: Exodus 3

Today's verse: Exodus 3
Click the link above to read on BibleGateway.com.

"....Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you..."

Exodus 3:10-12

Moses, called by God to return to Egypt and free the children of Israel. All he can say: Who am I? After years shepherding sheep, he's still not sure who he is. And he's uncertain who God is, too.

Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"

Exodus 3:13

Essentially Moses asks God: Who are You?

Sanctification, our journey toward holiness, not only helps us identify self, but also God. Steps of faith into the unknown through obedience to His call on our lives helps us to grow in understanding of Him.

I know I'm still discovering who He is to me, and who I am. The calls He places on my life have sent me stepping out into things I've never done and never imagined. Trusting Him with each step just because I believe (by faith) it's Him calling me.

The worst thing I've discovered about me, and continues to crop up, is how silly I feel at times following Him with no backing from a person or institution.

This is where Moses finds himself. A shepherd in the wilderness, no one calling him to save the children of Israel, but God. No credentials, no training, no human being backing him up. Just God saying: But I will be with you...

I've started prayer teams, led Sunday School, written devotionals and Bible studies, published blogs and an e-book all because He's asked me to. Yet I find myself longing for the certification, the education, the stamp of approval from some person or institution which says: You are legitimate.

Do you see what that says about what I know about God?! How little I think of His call on my life?! About His teaching and revealing in my life?! About who He is to me?! It's really pitiful. pathetic. I discount who He is daily, and His presence and purpose for my life, every time I ask the same thing Moses did: Who am I?

But by His grace... He continues to call... I continue to listen... and step out in faith...

What a gracious gracious gracious God, who continues to invite us into His work... His great and awesome work of salvation... even when we hardly know who He is... and often times prefer the praise of man over His praise.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:11-14 NKJV

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, forgive me every time

I've discounted Your work in my life, the purpose You have for me,

and my desire for the approval of people. Continue to grow me,

sanctify me, by Your Word. Thank You for remembering what a mess I am.

And that You are not through with me yet...

In the Wilderness: Exodus 2

Read today's passage: Exodus 2
Open it up in your Bible or online by clicking the reference above.

And they said, "An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds,

and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock."

Exodus 2:19 NKJV

Moses. Born a Hebrew slave in the nation of Egypt. Born with a death sentence on his head.

Moses. Rescued by Pharaoh's daughter. Raised as an Egyptian prince.

Moses. When grown, went to his Hebrew brothers to look on their suffering. Fought to save them. Judged between them. Killed. Mediated.

Moses. Discovered by Pharaoh as a killer of an Egyptian. Ran to the wilderness.

Moses. I think he suffered an identity crisis. Born a Hebrew, raised an Egyptian. He identified with the slaves, longed to rescue them, understand them. In the end, he was rejected by both.

By the time he got to the land of Midian, he didn't know who he was. The daughters of Reuel saw him as Egyptian. He made no effort to correct them.

As children of faith, Believers, we follow a similar pattern in life. We are born slaves to sin. Then drawn out of certain death by the Son of the King. We are raised in a new life, but still we are drawn to the ways of the world. Pulled back to our roots.

Of course, this is a negative image of what Moses went through. A reverse image. But the struggle is the same to find out who we are. Who we are in Christ. Who we are in the world. Sometimes we just don't know where we belong. And we run away.

Sanctification. The process of becoming holy in a wholly unholy world. God uses whatever comes into our path, whatever desires form in our hearts, to move His children toward Him. We haven't read much of Moses's story yet, but most have a surface knowledge of his story. He was on a journey to become a great leader of God's people. A savior.

In the same way we saw Joseph struggle, we'll watch Moses struggle. In it all, we should identify our own struggles too. God working in us, sons and daughters of the King, learning and growing into who He's created us to be.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

Father God, when I find myself in crisis, wondering who I am,

remind me You are at work to mold me and shape me

for the specific work You created me for.

Remind me I am Yours.

In the Wilderness: Exodus 1

Starting the journey into the wilderness: Exodus 1
Read the Word in your Bible or click the reference to read online.

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Exodus 1:8

Joseph delivered his family and all Egypt from destruction by the seven year famine. As long as Joseph lived, as long as he was remembered, the Egyptians honored his family. By God's grace the family of Israel flourished. But Joseph died. His brothers died. Four hundred years passed. And Joseph, along with the salvation he made the way for, was forgotten.

People die. They cannot be depended on long term. They will be forgotten, their memory wiped away like so much dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

Psalm 103:15-16 ESV

Can you name your great-grandparents? what about your great-great-grandparents?

We quickly forget those without whom we would have no life. And I wonder at the effort people make to be remembered. To not be forgotten. Names on buildings. Large donations given to put those names there. But one day... it will be replaced by another... 

A new king came to power. He had no clue about Joseph. All he saw was a threat from Joseph's incredibly large family. So he enslaved them. However, the more he oppressed them, the more they multiplied.

There is One who did not forget Joseph, or His promise to Joseph's family. God.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

Psalm 103:17-18 ESV

God and His Word endure forever, they will never fail you. He never forgets His promises. We see it in the increase of Israel's family, despite the cruelty of pharaoh. God never forgets His people. He will not allow you to be forgotten.

Who are you placing your hope in? in your own reputation and strength? in someone else?

Take time today to consider who you are depending on long term. Understand, if it is not God and His Word, they will fail. They will be forgotten. Choose to shift your hopes to the One who will never fail.

Through him we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:2-5 ESV

Father God, You never forget and never fail those who love You and are called by Your name. Show me where I have placed my hope in anyone or thing other than You and Your Word. Bless me with the faith to see Your love and work in my life no matter what comes. Amen.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 49:28-50:26

The final reading of the beginning: Genesis 49:28-50:26
Click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.

Jacob died. His sons returned him to the land of Canaan where they buried him in the family tomb. Now, the ten brothers who sold their younger brother into slavery feared the loss of protection they believed their father had provided while he was alive. They began to fear Joseph...

When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him." So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died: 'Say to Joseph, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Genesis 50:17

For 17 years (Genesis 47:28), Joseph treated his brothers and their families with kindness and generosity. He told them when he revealed himself to them how God used their treachery for good (Genesis 45:7-8). But, after all Joseph's acts of merciful compassion toward them, they didn't believe him. They doubted his goodness. So he wept... 

When we sin against others, we wound ourselves, too. It is hard to accept forgiveness. Hard to trust the one who has forgiven. Sins we've committed against others have the power to haunt us and mar relationships.

The brothers resorted, again, to lying. Telling Joseph something their father never said in order to save their own skin from a fearful fate which wasn't even true. Because the brothers had refused to offer grace, they were unable to receive grace. Joseph's forgiveness was beyond their ability to comprehend.

The same thing can happen in our relationships, not only with others, but with Jesus. Even though we've been forgiven, we continually fear payback for our sins.

Just like Joseph, our sins were responsible for Jesus's suffering and death. Just like Joseph, Jesus tells us not to fear. God used our rebellion, to send Him to the cross in order to make the way for our deliverance. Just like Joseph, Jesus was resurrected to a place of power over our lives where He offers forgiveness to all who come to Him and receive it.

Do you still fear retribution from Jesus? Have you fully received His grace? Have you learned to offer grace to others?

Our sins wound us, often more than they wound those who willingly forgive us. Yet, in receiving forgiveness, their wounds become our healing...

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 ESV 

Ask God to help you seek and receive forgiveness. Offer grace. And live at peace.

We've come to the end of the beginning. Tomorrow we begin the journey In the Wilderness: Exodus.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 49:1-27

Today's Scripture: Genesis 49:1-27
Open up the Word in your Bible or click the link above to read online.

"...The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents,

up to the bounties of the everlasting hills. ..." -- Jacob to his sons

Genesis 49:26

The blessing of a father to his son is powerful. More powerful than the words of grandparents, aunts, uncles, or mentors. Every child longs to hear their parents speak into their lives.

Jacob had a word for each one of his sons. Each blessing personal. Each blessing revealed knowledge of the son by the father. Each blessing meant to shape the future of the son.

Those of us who are parents have the power to speak words of blessings or curses into the lives of our children. Each one of our children, whether they recognize it or not, want personal words of encouragement from us.

Words are powerful. They have the ability to wound or heal. Build up or tear down.

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV

Jacob's words spoken into the lives of his sons came with a prophetic message from God. We too can do the same. Ask God what Scriptures He wants you speak into the life of each one of your children. No matter how old your children are, it is never too late to begin blessing them with God's Word for their lives.

Parents' words have the power to shape their children's futures. Call on Him to bless you with a personal prophetic word for each one of your children from His Word. Begin to speak His truth into their lives to help them know who God calls them to be. There are plenty of other voices in the world speaking lies to them. Do not miss an opportunity to share His truth about them.

If you don't have children of your own, your words still have power to influence the life of a child. So whatever children you have authority over, be they stepchildren or those you teach in Sunday School or relate to through mini-Methodists, ask God to bless you with Scriptures to speak into their lives.

Father God, forgive me for the ways I've wounded children with my words.

Bless me with the right Word for each child I have influence over,

to encourage them and build them up to be an important part of Your Kingdom.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 48

Today's passage: Genesis 48
Click the link to read online.

And Jacob said to Joseph, "...And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. ..."

Genesis 48:3, 5

Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph, Jacob brought into his family as his own. In the same way Reuben and Simeon were his first two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh would now be considered the first two sons.

Reuben was the oldest son by birth. In the Jewish tradition, the first born son was given a double portion. Here we see Jacob giving the double portion to Joseph by including his two sons in the inheritance.

Joseph a younger son was placed ahead of Reuben the oldest son. We see it happen over and over in Scripture. Isaac was placed over Ishmael. Jacob supplanted Esau. Jacob even put Joseph's younger son Ephraim ahead of Manasseh, the oldest. It's a foreshadowing of things to come. The older shall serve the younger.

In the gospel of Luke, the lineage of Jesus refers to Adam as the son of God. Adam the first son, the first man, was surpassed by God's Son Jesus, the Son of Man. The first created son sinned, establishing the way of the world, as did Ishmael and Esau. The only begotton Son Jesus, the faithful Son, came and made the way of salvation for all the lost. He became greater than the first.

Through Jesus a better way was made. The Old Testament law fulfilled by Him, made the way for the New Testament, freeing God's people from the power of sin and death. The natural life giving way to the supernatural life in the Spirit. The temporal replaced by the eternal.

This is the way God works. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. All of Scripture points to Jesus.

Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:45-49 ESV

Father God, Your Son is greater than me and my flesh. Bless me with the faith

to come under His lordship. Teach me to lay down my life for His.

I surrender to Your greater way in the Spirit, than my way in the flesh.

Transform me to the image of Jesus.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 47:13-31

Today's passage: Genesis 47:13-31
Open up your Bible or open up the Word on line by clicking the link above.

Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen.

And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.

Genesis 47:27

The majority of the people in Egypt suffered loss through the years of famine. They spent their money, sold their herds, their property, and then themselves in order to stay alive. But God's people. God's chosen ones had a very different experience in Egypt. They gained possessions. They were fruitful and multiplied greatly.

No matter what the world suffers, the people of God, the faithful, will be provided for. We should not live in fear. He is faithful to the faithful.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV

Where is your trust? in the things of the world? or the Lord?

What do you fear? This question can reveal where you have placed your trust.

Father God, the world is full of trouble. I do not want to live a life of fear.

Increase my trust in You. While those trusting the world lose more and more,

I choose to trust in You. Guide me in times of trouble.

Bear fruit for Your Kingdom through me.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 46:28-47:12

Today, a moment we've been waiting for: Genesis 46:28-47:12
Click the reference above to read online.

Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen.

He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.

Genesis 46:29

This scene takes me back to childhood memories. Times I got hurt playing with friends, whether physically or emotionally, I'd sucked up the pain... hide it under a facade of indifference... until I got home. Once Mom was in sight, I'd run, face crumbling to tears and wails as I flung myself on her for a comforting hug.

Joseph. He had years, perhaps decades, of pain stored up. Thinking he would never see his father again. Never again know the comfort of the one who loved him best. Then he sees him. Jacob and Joseph reunited. And the tears flow for a good while...

My mom has been gone more than twenty years now. There are still times I'd like to call her up or fling myself on her in tears with the pains of life. But, praise God, we have One in Christ we can run to anytime. One who loves us best. One who is always available. One who will never leave us. Our Father in heaven.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our affliction...

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

Don't suck it up when pains pierce the heart or the body, run to the your Father in heaven, the God of all comfort. He's waiting to receive you with His steadfast love. Waiting to restore and redeem the broken. Whether we have wounded ourselves with sin or someone else's sin has caused us pain. He's waiting...

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,

And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

How blessed are all those who long for Him.

Isaiah 30:18 NASB

Father God, thank You for Your great unfailing love and comfort.

Prepare my heart to run to You with every pain and hurt.

Remind me You are waiting to offer mercy and compassion.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 46:1-27

Today's verses: Genesis 46:1-27
Click the reference above to read online at BibleGateway.com.

"I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt,

for there I will make you into a great nation. ..."

Genesis 46:3

God gave Jacob His blessing to go to Egypt. There He had plans to make Jacob's family into a great nation.

When we think of a nation we think of lots of unrelated people coming together within borders and under a common government. The United States, especially, is one nation made up of many nations. We have African-Americans, Latin-Americans, Italian-Americans, Irish-Americans... you name it we have it. A recent fad is pursuing genealogy through DNA and discovering what nations your ancestors came from.

But God, He created the nation of Israel from one family. Seventy people in the whole house of Jacob went to Egypt and there, God made them a nation.

It's a wonder to me how personal this all is for God. He didn't just scoop up a handful of disconnected people and call them His. He started with one man: Abraham. Who had one son of promise: Isaac. Who had twin boys: Esau and Jacob. And from Jacob, whom He renamed Israel, God created an entire nation.

Those in the nation of Israel know exactly where their DNA goes back to. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. For God, it's all about family and relationship. Not government and borders.

From this one nation-family, God blessed all the nations of the world with His Son Jesus. And through His Son, we can all become part of His one family. 

...for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Galatians 3:26 ESV

Father God, how thankful I am You are all about family and relationship,

not rules and regulations. Help me to remember I'm part of Your family

and I can invite others to be a part too, through Jesus.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 45

We left with a cliff-hanger, yesterday. How will Joseph respond to Judah's plea? Open up your Bible or click the Scripture reference to read today's verses: Genesis 45

Judah's selfless plea to be enslaved in place of his younger brother was the catalyst which drove Joseph to reveal himself. He could take it no more... I am Joseph!

Can you imagine the thoughts racing through the minds of the ten who sold him into slavery? The ones who lied to their father about Joseph being killed by wild animals? ...they were dismayed at his presence.

They just thought they were in trouble before. Now the brother they abused is in a position to have them all executed. But Joseph calls them near... and reveals an incredible truth...

"I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. ..."

Genesis 45:4-8 ESV (emphasis mine)

God is sovereign in ALL things. Joseph at this point did not hold a grudge against his brothers, but saw the larger picture of God's sovereignty at work for the good of His people and for the preservation of life.

Consider: You are where you are today, because God sent you "here."

No matter what state your life is in. This is the place God has sent you. In Joseph's darkest days, God had a plan to lift him up. And not only him but his entire family.

Whether you are facing a time of prosperity and joy, or poverty and darkness, God sent you here. If we embrace God's sovereignty in our lives as Joseph did, remaining faithful even when we have been treated unjustly, trusting He has a purpose and plan in whatever He allows, we will one day (maybe not in our earthly life) see Him lift us up.

The incredible grace of God's sovereignty shines bright in the lives of his brothers, too. God used their sin to save them. He sent them to a place of humility, where they were lifted by His grace. Undeserved salvation through the brother they wanted to kill.

In our sin. In our persecution. God sends us to a place where His Son, whom we sent to the cross, lifts us up. Embracing His sovereignty and purpose in our lives, enables us to live like Joseph, in hopeful faithfulness and grace.

Lord, teach me to embrace Your sovereignty, power, and purpose in my life.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 44

Joseph's saga continues in Genesis 44.
Open up your Bible or open up the link above.

Brothers reunited.
They feast together.
But things are still not quite right.
Joseph remains dead to his brothers and continues to deal with what they did to him.

Benjamin finds himself unjustly accused. A thief only by Joseph's doing. Joseph's maneuverings put Judah in a position to make good on his promise to his father. And he does.

"...please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord,

and let the boy go back with his brothers. ..."

Genesis 44:33

Again, the foreshadowing of Christ is reflected in Judah and his willingness to give up his life for his younger brother and honor his father.

How often have you made a promise to someone because it was necessary to get what you needed? or wanted? What happened when you found yourself having to make good on the promise?

I confess, I've made some bold statements, saying, I never... or I will... but then when coming face to face with the consequences of I never... or I will... I've caved. The I never... now an I did... and the I will... an I failed... 

Judah shows great integrity in keeping his promise to his father. And in the promise keeping we see a change in his character. Judah now willing to sacrifice himself for the new favorite son, instead of trying to get rid of him.

Judah. A humble servant to his father.

Jesus. A humble Servant to His Father.

And when we fail to keep our vow, our promises, to sacrifice for others, Jesus is faithful to take our place. Willingly. Lovingly. Dying for us. So we might live.

Jesus, thank You for Your great faithfulness and love.

Thank You for being faithful when I fail to be.

Thank You, Lord, for taking my place on the cross.

Transform me through Your love and grace.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 43

Genesis 43
Read today's passage before you read the words below. Click the link above or open up your Bible.

Judah said to his father Israel, "Send the lad with me and we will arise and go,

that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones.

I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. ..."

Genesis 43:8-9

All of Scripture is about Jesus. He told His disciples Himself:

Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,

that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and

the Psalms must be fulfilled."

Luke 22:44-45 ESV

Today we see a glimpse of Jesus through one of the sons of Israel.

Judah. The brother whose lineage would bring forth Jesus.

Judah foreshadows Jesus by willingly taking responsibility for his younger brother.

"... If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you,

then let me bear the blame before you forever. ..."

Genesis 43:9

Jesus the Son of God, told His Father He would take on the responsibility of all those God the Father created. The ones who went east from the garden of Eden. The ones who rebelled and deserve nothing but death. He said, Hold me responsible...

You can almost hear Him say: If they are imprisoned by sin, hold Me responsible.

And we were lost. And He did take responsibility. And He did return us to the Father.

Amen!

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great love, compelling You to rescue us,

and take responsibility for what we could never do for ourselves.

Continue to reveal to me who You are through Your Word.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 42:16-38

Today's passage continues Joseph's reunion with his brothers: Genesis 42:16-38.
Read it in your Bible or click the reference to read on BibleGateway.com.

Joseph gave the test and listened to his brothers work it out in their own language. They didn't know he understood their words and something inside Joseph was stirred. So stirred he left their company to weep.

Grief can slip up on you without much warning. We often think about grief associated with death, but there are many other times we experience the sorrows of grief in our lives. Maybe it's divorce or the bad choices of a wayward child. It could be letting go of something you've held on to way too long, or the beginning of a new  season in your life. When change happens... grief happens.

Joseph was experiencing lots of grief in this moment. Sadness over his desperate cries for life and the hard-hearted treatment his brothers gave him. Sorrow over what might have been and the lost years with his family. I can imagine there was anger to let go of and a bit of joy in the process. For the moment it was too much, and all Joseph could do was weep.

We would do well to heed the lesson Joseph's actions teach in this moment. There are moments when we must allow grief to do its work in us. It might seem easier to stuff the emotion down or ignore it all together, but the result is a lot of unfinished business. Grief in the presence of God allows us to process our emotions and let them go.

Have you been prone to suck up emotions and pretend all is well even when it is not? Are you stuck in some aspect of grieving you can't seem to move past?

Turn it over to God. Express your feelings honestly, and trust him to show you the way through.

Lord, You know grief as well as anyone. Grief over rebellious creatures.

Grief over the treatment of Your Son. Grief over those who refuse to return.

Yet You are a faithful God of hope, joy, and love. Teach me to deal

with my grief. Let it move me toward faithfulness,

hope, joy, and love.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 42:1-15

Another chapter in the life of Joseph. Click on the link to read today's verses: Genesis 42:1-15

At first glance, I wondered why Joseph thought his brothers were there to spy... to find Egypt's weak spots. Let's return to the dream Joseph remembers as his brothers bow down in front of him.

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had:  We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Genesis 37:5-8 

All Joseph had to go by is what he remembered. Brothers so full of hatred they sold him as a slave. Brothers who willingly turned him over to foreigners and changed his life forever. These brothers were not to be trusted. And now the dream is coming true and all Joseph can think is... not AGAIN!

Who can blame Joseph? Not me. Because I've mistrusted others for a lot less. You've probably heard the saying before, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me." This may be the world's way, but it is not God's.

Jesus said... turn the other cheek... give him your cloak as well. Are you holding onto mistrust because someone hurt you? Has some relationship you have left you crying out... not again? Are you holding a grudge over something that happened years ago?

Maybe today is the day to let go...

Lord, help me to forgive like You. Help me to remember

all that happens is allowed by You and You have a plan to use it for good

and for Your glory. Free me from grudges, mistrust, and casting blame.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 41:37-57

Let's finish Genesis 41:37-57 today. Click on the link to read today's verses.

The very first sentence grabs my attention.

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and his officials...

Joseph interpreted the dream... gave an inspired plan to an unbeliever and his group... the wisdom of the plan seemed good. So good in fact, Pharaoh set the plan in motion and Joseph moved from rags to riches in the blink of an eye.

Do you see the message of hope found in the words... The plan seemed good...?

It wasn't just any plan, it was God's plan. And nothing... not an unbeliever, or chains of prison could stop what God put in motion. We see the same message in the life of Jesus. God's plan to save the world would not be stopped... not by unbelievers, or rejection, or even death on a cross.

Do you trust God's good plan in your life? Can you look past the roadblocks that seem to keep popping up and by faith believe God's plan will come to reality? Do you know nothing... no unbeliever... or divorce... no illness or even death will get in the way?

He has a plan for good in your life. Maybe you've been waiting for a long time, but don't give up. He will bring it to completion in Jesus!

But the Lord's plans stand firm forever;

his intentions can never be shaken.

Psalm 33:11 NLT

Lord, let me never forget Your plan for my life will not be shaken.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 41:1-36

In today's passage, Joseph is remembered.
Click on the link to read more: Genesis 41:1-36

After two whole years... Consider where you were two whole years ago. What were you doing? Can you remember the prayers you were praying? What hopes you had?

Two years is a long time, but finally the cupbearer remembers. This is not an accident or coincidence. God knew. God's plan was in motion to save Egypt, and to free Joseph long before Joseph was sold into slavery. The cupbearer remembered in just the right time and place. He remembered because God reminded him.

Joseph was a foreigner in a strange land of unbelievers. He was a Hebrew serving one God in the midst of Egyptians serving many. We'll soon read God's plan was to use a nation of unbelievers to save those who believed. Seems somewhat backwards doesn't it? God using those worshipping pagan gods to save His very own people. It may be backwards, but it is exactly what God did.

It gives us hope in our world today. Because there are times we find ourselves believing in God and wondering what will happen as the number of Believers seems to be shrinking. Will there only be a few left? How will God accomplish His plan?

Joseph's story reminds me, God uses whoever He chooses to accomplish His purpose in our lives... His purpose in the world. So do not be dismayed by the headlines screaming doom and gloom. Don't get discouraged over ungodly politicians and wayward leaders. God works in, around, and through all things to not only remember His children... but bless them!

Oh Lord Jesus, I too am a foreigner in a strange land of unbelievers.

Continue to remind me, YOU ARE AT WORK! YOU WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD!

Fill me with hope and praise, because nothing will stop Your plan and purpose.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,

nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth,

nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-37 NASB

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 40

No Bible handy. Click on the link to read today's verses: Genesis 40

Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Genesis 40:23

Joseph attended the cupbearer and the baker in prison. He revealed his concern when he asked them why they were so downcast. Each shared their dream. Each received an interpretation with only one request: Remember me...

Three days passed, only three days, and the dreams became reality. You would think the cupbearer might have been amazed, even astounded at the accuracy of Joseph's interpretation. But no, in all the excitement of the king's birthday and release from prison, he didn't remember.

Poor Joseph made one request to no avail, and I'm thinking Joseph was banking on this one. Did he wait inside the prison that very day wondering when they would come for him? release him from his imprisoned life? As he fell asleep did he think, Maybe tomorrow they'll remember? At some point did he give up, forget the whole episode himself?

God's plan for our lives is never dependent on someone remembering. What we forget, God is sure to remember. He is no forgetter. You can count on Him remembering you in your struggle, your prison, your trauma. He's never forgotten a single prayer you've offered or promise He's made. 

When you find yourself forgetting today, give praise to the One who always, always... remembers.

Thus says the Lord..."...Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are continually before me. ..."

Isaiah 49:8, 16 ESV

Lord, thank You for remembering me, for engraving my name on Your palm.

Let me not forget, You remember me.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 39

Today's passage: Genesis 39
Open up the Word. Click the link above or flip open the pages of your Bible.

The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man...

Genesis 39:2

Joseph.
Sold into slavery by his own brothers.
Carried off to Egypt by the Ishmaelites.
Bought by an officer of Pharaoh.
Falsely accused of rape by the wife of his master.
Unjustly thrown into jail.

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love...

Genesis 39:21

The Lord was with him...?!

he was successful...?!

and loved by God...?!

Hmm...

Sometimes, we can do all the right things, obey the authority we are placed under, honor God in all our choices, run from sin just as fast as we can, but unfair, unjust things come into our lives.

God allows what He allows in the lives of the faithful for a purpose. We don't see it yet, but we will. And in the all the desperate straits Joseph found himself, the Lord was with him and he was blessed. Not only did Joseph trust God was with him and continued to honor Him, but others saw God's work in his life, too.

So the next time you believe you've done all the right things, honored God in your choices, but still end up with the short end of the stick, remember, the Lord is with you. He has not forsaken you, and will continue to bless you, as long as you trust Him. It's no less than what Jesus did, obediently trusting His Father, even when He found Himself hanging on a cross, feeling abandoned...

Lord, remind me success in Your eyes is growing in the character of Christ,

and not what the world defines as success. When I feel abandoned by You,

treated unfairly by the world, remind me You are with me and love me,

and You are working for my good and Your glory.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 38

Today's passage: Genesis 38
Click the link above to read the Word online.

Now here's a family story full of deception, disloyalty, and ill repute.

The head of this family, Judah, one of the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery.

Tamar, lied to by Judah, chose to take matters into her own hands, posed as a prostitute and seduced her father-in-law to get what she was due.

Then there is the accusation of Tamar as immoral, leading to the discovery of Judah as unrighteous.

Nothing really new here, but consider this:

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David,

the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob,

and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez

and Zerah by Tamar...

Matthew 1:1-3

Judah and Tamar, in their deceit, unfaithfulness, and immorality, find themselves in Jesus's family tree.

Hmm... dare we cast stones?

Through His blood we are grafted into His family by faith. All of us liars, cheats, unfaithful, immoral, disreputable. All of us sinners. All saved by grace. You, too, choose grace when it comes to dealing with those in His family.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of his grace...

Ephesians 1:7

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I've judged others when I'm just as bad as any.

Thank You for making the Way for us to be grafted into Your family tree.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 37:12-36

Today's verses: Genesis 37:12-36
Open up the Word of Truth in your Bible or online by clicking the reference above.

The father unwittingly sent his favorite son out like a lamb to check on the wolves. Jacob had no clue what his preferential treatment of Joseph had done in the hearts of his other sons. If he had, he never would've sent him.

All sons need to know they are loved by their father, and when the love seems to be unbalanced in its weight, brothers' hearts become murderous. We saw it from the very beginning of the Beginning. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). It wasn't Adam who showed preference for one over the other, but their heavenly Father.

Abel brought a sacrifice pleasing to God, Cain didn't. Abel was blessed. Cain was rebuked. Now, God never gives preferential treatment. His dealings are always just. The difference in the treatment of these brothers had to do with the presentation of their offering. Cain's scolding was a needed discipline and warning from a loving Father. But for our hearts of flesh, even the appearance of prejudicial acceptance breeds contention.

Jacob's special love for Joseph was evident to all through the gift of an elaborate multi-colored coat. Add to the mix Joseph's foolish disclosure of his prophetic dream and you have a recipe for disaster!

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them

they conspired against him to kill him.

Genesis 37:18

The lesson for earthly fathers is clear. Love your children without preference. This does not mean to treat them all exactly the same. But to truly love them for who they are and learn to speak their love language to them. Not all will appreciate a multi-colored coat but they will all drink up words and acts of love.

We also need to learn the spiritual lesson of the love of our Father in heaven, and not misread His work in our lives and the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ as favoritism. He loves us all with the same steadfast unfailing love. He could not love us any more or less as is evident in the giving of His Son for our ransom.

God is love. And however He is working in your life, it is all done in love. Never allow yourself to be deceived and bring division in the church because you have misunderstood God's heart. As sin crouched at Cain's door, he's crouching at your door too. Love your brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't let spiritual sibling rivalry divide us. Never doubt His love.

Father God, Your love is so great for me and all those in Your church.

You love even those who hate You. Grow us up in love for one another,

so those who don't yet know You will be drawn to You.