December 7, 2020
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 50 (NIV)
1Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. 2Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, 3taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.............Continue Reading
You gotta love the difference between Joseph and his brothers. They are still dependent on their tricky ways to protect themselves and Joseph’s trust is always in God.
He holds no ill will for his brothers and recognizes how God used that bad situation for good.
If I am not mistaken, Joseph just uttered a prophecy; if not, a foreshadowing, to say the least about the redemptive plan of God to send Jesus into the world to be its messiah. As a Christian, sometimes, I may have to suffer quite a bit in order to save others and be blessed in the long run. This is true in my family, in my witnessing and relationships.
Jill, are you referring to when Joseph talks about God’s purpose to save lives through what happened to Joseph?
Genesis 49 & 50
Genesis 50
The Egyptian’s regard for Joseph is revealed in their mourning for Jacob as well as sending such a large contingent with Joseph and his brothers back to Canaan. And Joseph’s brothers are still filled with guilt and suspicion about what Joseph might do about what they did to him. And rather than talking to him about it, they put words in their dead father’s mouth to deceive their way into feeling secure.
We can be glad as believers that we do not have to resort to such things. We can trust in God’s provision and His forgiveness that frees us form guilt and suspicion as well as being honest and open with people because of all the levels of security that God provides. But Joseph provides a guiding principle for our lives: what you meant for evil, God used for good. Isn’t it nice to know that that is always the case when evil is done to us? If we believe Romans 8:28 to be true then we can believe God works all things for the good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose. And boy what peace and security that provides for our lives!
Genesis 50
I think it is interesting that both Jacob and Joseph were embalmed…..I wonder if their mummies are in elaborate gold coffins somewhere.
Joseph gives us a lesson in forgiveness. To what extent are we willing to forgive our brothers?
And Joseph’s brothers give us a lesson in repentance….although their methodology could have been a more forthright confession, they are truly sorry for their actions.
Genesis 50
19But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.