Journey Through the Bible in a Year
Reading God's Word and learning more about His plan for my life each day!
Monday, October 14, 2002
Introduction to Journey Through the Bible
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the opportunity to follow Your Son, Jesus, and to know that whatever happens to me, He is with me! I praise You for the example of Joseph, who though he was sold into slavery, imprisoned and forgotten, never grumbled or complained, but trusted in Your goodness. I praise You that in today’s Scripture Joseph demonstrates grace to his brothers instead of vengeance. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may live with the same graciousness and joy today and everyday. These things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
My Journey Verses for Today
Genesis 45:1-28
1 Joseph could stand it no longer. "Out, all of you!" he cried out to his attendants. He wanted to be alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept aloud. His sobs could be heard throughout the palace, and the news was quickly carried to Pharaoh's palace. 3 "I am Joseph!" he said to his brothers. "Is my father still alive?" But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 "Come over here," he said. So they came closer. And he said again, "I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 These two years of famine will grow to seven, during which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God has sent me here to keep you and your families alive so that you will become a great nation. 8 Yes, it was God who sent me here, not you! And he has made me a counselor to Pharaoh – manager of his entire household and ruler over all Egypt. 9 "Hurry, return to my father and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. Come down to me right away! 10 You will live in the land of Goshen so you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all that you have. 11 I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you and your household will come to utter poverty.'" 12 Then Joseph said, "You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph! 13 Tell my father how I am honored here in Egypt. Tell him about everything you have seen, and bring him to me quickly." 14 Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin also began to weep. 15 Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and then they began talking freely with him. 16 The news soon reached Pharaoh: "Joseph's brothers have come!" Pharaoh was very happy to hear this and so were his officials. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers to load their pack animals and return quickly to their homes in Canaan. 18 Tell them to bring your father and all of their families, and to come here to Egypt to live. Tell them, 'Pharaoh will assign to you the very best territory in the land of Egypt. You will live off the fat of the land!' 19 And tell your brothers to take wagons from Egypt to carry their wives and little ones and to bring your father here. 20 Don't worry about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours." 21 So the sons of Jacob did as they were told. Joseph gave them wagons, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he supplied them with provisions for the journey. 22 And he gave each of them new clothes – but to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and three hundred pieces of silver! 23 He sent his father ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten donkeys loaded with grain and all kinds of other food to be eaten on his journey. 24 So he sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, "Don't quarrel along the way!" 25 And they left Egypt and returned to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan. 26 "Joseph is still alive!" they told him. "And he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!" Jacob was stunned at the news – he couldn't believe it. 27 But when they had given him Joseph's messages, and when he saw the wagons loaded with the food sent by Joseph, his spirit revived. 28 Then Jacob said, "It must be true! My son Joseph is alive! I will go and see him before I die."
Reflecting on God's Word for My Journey
How do you think you would have felt if you were one of Joseph’s brothers at the moment he announced who he was?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word for My Journey
What was Joseph’s response to his brothers’ return to Egypt? (45:1-5)
What was the ultimate result of Joseph’s long years of slavery and imprisonment? (45:6-28)
Understanding God's Will for My Journey
How do you suppose that Joseph was able to see God’s hand in all the events that led up to his being named the second in command of all of Egypt—his slavery, imprisonment, etc…?
What empowered Joseph not to hold a grudge against his brothers or take vengeance on them?
Applying What God's Word Tells Me to My Journey
What situation do you have in your life right now, where you could offer the same grace to someone that Joseph offered to his brothers?
My Personal Journey Thought for the Day—“God Did It!”
Joseph’s ability to see the entire course of his life—being sold into slavery by his brothers; being wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife; being imprisoned and then forgotten—as something that God did is truly amazing! Joseph’s brothers must have thought, “This is it!” when Joseph revealed who he really was to them. But before they could say or do anything, Joseph said, “Don’t be angry with yourselves that you did this to me (sold Joseph into slavery), for God did it to me.” We have been studying Joseph’s life for several days now, and the amazing thing is that there is never a grumble from his mouth, never a word of self-pity, or a “Why me, God?” Joseph’s faith in God’s goodness and presence was so powerful that nothing could squash the dream of his teenage years that he would one day rule over his family. Yet, when the opportunity finally came, he ruled as a servant—he didn’t boast of his greatness, but offered his brothers and his father every possible amenity and comfort. He even told his brothers not to quarrel on the way back to Israel. May we live with Joseph’s faith and joy in the midst of whatever circumstances we experience today. As we show faith and joy in the face of whatever comes about, our testimony will amaze others, even as Joseph amazed his brothers. Remember whatever happens good or bad—God is in it. God is plotting to do us good!
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