February 1-5, 2016

February 1, 2016

Genesis 43: 11-14

Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

Message:

These verses let me see the manifestations of Jacob’s wisdom and godliness. First, he demonstrated honesty as he prompted his sons to return what he thought was mistakably put in their sack. Next, he made his sons bring goods – balm and honey –  which were not abundant in Egypt and could be exchanged for grain. And lastly, he let them bring silver amounting to more than what they brought before as if he was expecting a change in the amount of the grain they badly needed and above all, he learned to sacrifice his happiness – Benjamin – for the sake of his family’s needs. Further, my deeper understanding of man’s nature has been drawn as Jacob settled on exchanging his wordly goods to grain which would provide them their most basic need – bread. The balm, the honey, the spices, the myrrh, and the silver would be great wealth but would not provide them bread at that time of famine. Yes, Jacob’s experience made it clear that an individual may live upon the most basic need - food, without material goods. However, living with material goods without food is impossible.

Application:

I will manifest Jacob’s godliness specifically honesty even in times of great need. I will return anything mistakably given to me or anything provided to me due to oversight. Also, I will see to it that I feed myself and share the food which God has provided us all for free – the Scripture.

Prayer:

Dear God, the provider of all, I thank you for letting me realize that honesty must be observed even in times of great needs. Thank you Lord for letting me understand why all our basic needs were given free and customary. Yes Lord, I need to remind myself and teach my children that we need You more than anything else in this world. Father, as I desire to manifest Jacob’s wisdom and honesty, guide me. Bless me Lord and make me resist the temptation of material goods. Let me see what matters most in life and value each of Your provisions. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

February 2, 2016

Genesis 43: 15-24 (summarized)

Jacob’s sons went down to Egypt with Benjamin and the gifts for Joseph whom they thought they have done wrong. As they got there and Joseph saw them and Benjamin, Joseph did not leave his work. Instead, he ordered the steward of his house “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.” This order though posed fright upon Judah and the rest of his brothers for they thought they would be punished because of the silver that was put back into their sack. Also, they were thinking that they would be taken as slaves. So they spoke to the steward and presented their case in all honesty. Further, they presented their gifts for the master. The steward responded, “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.

Message:

Here I am taught the significance of integrity, righteousness, and dedication to work. Also, I am made to see the depth of Joseph’s godly influence to his steward who was an Egyptian. Joseph’s brothers arrived at the time that he was working. He saw Benjamin whom he was longing to see yet instead of acknowledging him and the rest of his brothers, Joseph went on with his job. He was the master and could have appointed anybody to take charge of the job. However, he did not do it, he let his servant attend to them instead. On the other hand, Judah and his brothers were not responsible for the silver found in their sack and they had to prove it for them to be cleared of their thought-to-be suspicions by Joseph. Hence, they honestly presented their case and their gifts to win the steward’s favor. In this instance, the men manifested integrity and righteousness. The steward’s response to Joseph’s brothers’ gesture was improbable as he was an Egyptian and expected to be having a different belief.  Matthew Henry furthers this view as he said, “It appears by what he said that, by his good master’s instructions, he was brought to the knowledge of the true God, the God of the Hebrews. It may justly be expected that those who are servants in religious families should take all fit occasions to speak of God and his providence with reverence and seriousness. “

Application:

I will never compromise my integrity and will observe dedication to my job. I will not entertain any business that may cause neglect to work especially when I’m on duty.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me to not compromise my integrity and to uphold righteousness in all instances. Thank you for letting me come across this chapter which features dedication to work. Thru Joseph’s example Lord, You made me realize that time should be valued when I’m on duty and that I’m not supposed to attend to things that may make me neglect my obligations. Lord I admit that there had been times when I did otherwise. I ask forgiveness for the act Lord. Father, bless me today as I go on manifesting and attempting to influence others the principles that You communicated to me Lord. Make me blessing and may my action be a good stimulus to everyone especially to my students. This I pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.

February 3, 2016

Genesis 43: 25-34

Joseph had come home and conversed with his brothers, still without revealing his real identity. He asked, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?” They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him. Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.” They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Message:

As I read this last verses of chapter 43, I learned the three significant core values – humility, self-control and respect. Humility was demonstrated by Joseph’s brothers as they bowed down before him. This reminded me of his dream (Gen. 37:5) and the idea that humility really exists in times of great need. A great self-control surfaced when Joseph went out and got to a private room to weep instead of embracing Benjamin, his very own brother. He was in a pretense of an Egyptian and in a status higher than anybody else in that room, so he had to keep watch of his actions. Respect was observed as Joseph neither ate with his brothers nor with the Egyptians. Joseph was an Egyptian at that moment and he could have been considering the fact that Egyptians hate eating with people who eat meat of animals which they regard sacred. He did not eat with Egyptians as well, perhaps because of his stature – master to them. He was at an Egyptian castle and an Egyptian master, so he had to show respect to the Egyptian culture.

Application:

I will try my very best to demonstrate humility, self-control and respect as I deal with every person around me regardless of their status.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for making me understand the significance of the core values manifested by Joseph and his brothers. I thank you Lord for guiding me as I tried to pacify an angered person. I ask forgiveness Lord for almost losing my self-control as I was dealing with the person. Lord I pray for that parent and the teacher as well Lord, for them to learn to settle things amicably and with all civility. For myself Lord, bestow upon me more of these core values, humility, self-control and respect that I may confront situations accordingly and communicate Your message Father to my fellows, my children and students in a comprehensible manner. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

February 4, 2016

Genesis 44:1-34 (summarized)

Joseph instructed the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said. As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.” The same words were said by the steward as he fulfilled Joseph’s command. When Joseph’s brother heard him, they responded that they were willing to become slaves if the said cup would be found in any of their sacks. So, the search went on and expectedly, the cup was found inside Benjamin’s sack. Judah and his brothers then tore their clothes and returned to the city with the steward.  When they arrived at the place, Joseph was there. Upon seeing him, his brothers then bowed down before him and pleaded for forgiveness. But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” Judah replied with all humility and said that he could not allow themselves to return to their father without Benjamin for he knew that the old man would surely be in grief if they would do so. He said, “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.”

Message:

Judah’s and his brothers’ humility and love for Benjamin and their father were tested in this chapter thru the silver cup having been intentionally placed inside Benjamin’s sack. The finding of the cup in the youngest man’s sack proved his brothers’ (especially of Judah) genuine concern for Benjamin and their father as well as their meekness when they all, again bowed down before Joseph and submitted themselves as slaves to him.

Application:

I will always remind myself to exercise humility and genuine concern for others.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for making me find You, for letting me live with people, who genuinely give importance to what I do, remind me to keep on demonstrating what is right  and support me in my spiritual journey. Lord, thank you for responding so soon to my prayers. Dear Father, I pray for the wisdom, the patience and the good health I need and that will enable me to finish my proposal for the upcoming defense. Lead me Lord to a topic which will benefit not only myself Lord but above all, my respondents. Make me spend my time wisely for me to comply with the deadline for scholarship Father. May my output Father be a manifestation of my genuine concern for my students and education as a whole. This I pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.

February 5, 2016

Genesis 45: 1-28

Joseph made himself known to his brothers. He said, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” His brothers got terrified that they were left speechless.  Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.” Then, he instructed them to go and take their father back to Egypt for all of them to be together again.  He said, “I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute. You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” He embraced all his brothers and they all wept. When Pharaoh learned of the matter, he was pleased and assured Joseph of the support if the latter would make his family live in Egypt. Joseph then let his brothers leave with a warning, ““Don’t quarrel on the way!” Judah and the rest of Joseph’s brothers with all the gifts that Joseph sent for Jacob went back to Canaan. They informed Jacob about their finding of Joseph and their brother’s present state. Jacob’s spirit was revived and he said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Message:

This chapter made me see the transformation of Judah from being mean, disobedient, and unreliable to being responsible, humble and repentant. He sold Joseph to Potiphar (Gen. 37:26-27). He associated with bad company (Gen. 38:1). He was an uncaring father-in-law to Tamar (Gen. 38:11) and got easily tempted by a prostitute (Gen. 38:16). However, as famine was experienced by his family, he became humble, responsible and repentant (Gen. 43-45). Also, I got amazed of Joseph’s great love to his family especially his incomparable concern for his father Jacob. As a whole, this chapter deepens my understanding of God’s love for His people, how He find ways to bring them back to Him as they go astray as proven by Judah’s experience, how He uses one to bless and make others see His incomparable provisions (Joseph was used by God to bless his family and others whom he associated with), and what awaits those who abide in Him and keep His commandments (Joseph suffered but he obeyed and never attempted revenge).

Application:

I will meditate on God’s word regularly so that like Judah, transformation in all aspects will be attained by me. Also, I will be mindful of my parents’ welfare, try my best to see them as often as I can and support them to the utmost of my ability.

Prayer:

Dear God, the creator of all who are dear and not so dear to me, I thank you for the life, for the blessings and provisions for despite my being undeserving Lord, You made them available to me. Lord thank you for my parents and siblings whom without, I would have not become the kind of person I am today. Thank you for my father who toiled for years for our family’s needs and for my siblings who have always been supportive of me. Lord, if there had been times that I caused all of them worries and had lacked support to their needs I ask forgiveness Lord. Father, I pray for your guidance to each of my parents and siblings. Bless each of them good health and provide their needs. I desire to be a good influence to all of them Lord and bring them all to You, so please empower and guide me.  This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.