Genesis 46: 1-34

February 7, 2016

Genesis 46: 1-27 (summarized)

So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan. Jacob brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring. All in all they were 70.

Message:

Here I’ve learned three significant points concerning prayer and thanksgiving. First point is, expressing thankfulness to the answered prayer despite the fact that the answer is not fully observed yet. Jacob thanked God after realizing that his son Joseph was still alive. And though he had not seen him yet and was clueless of what could happen should they see each other, he acknowledged the fact that it was God who made everything possible. Next is entrusting everything to God especially in times of cluelessness. Jacob heeded Joseph’s advice to transfer to Egypt despite his apprehensions - adjustments that he had to make as he got there considering that Egyptians do not eat meat and they hate people who kill animals for food. Remember that Jacob was a shepherd and from a race that eat sheep’s or cow’s meat. Further, he would be in a place whose people’s belief is different from his. Moreover, he could have been thinking of what had become of Joseph his son who had been away for a long time.  And the last is determining God’s answers to my prayer is possible if I pray devotionally and solemnly. Praying is communicating with God, so it must be done at a place where there is no distraction, where I can solemnly express my concerns, and where I will be able to feel God’s presence. Jacob determined God’s answer to his prayer in a vision because he prayed sincerely at the altar where Abram and Isaac had prayed and he did it in full commitment. 

Application:

I will devote time for praying and will do it in a place out of distraction. Also, I will keep on reading and studying God’s word for me to know and understand God’s purpose in my life.

Prayer:

Dear God, the one who listens to all my prayers and provides all that I need, I thank you. Lord, the lesson that I learn today is significant that I am reminded of all those prayers which were merely expressed out of obligation and momentary need. I ask forgiveness for those acts Lord. Father, as I am enlightened I pray for Your blessing and guidance. Enable me to share these ideas to all. Guide and empower me as I make my fellows understand the importance of a devotional prayer and the significance of commitment in studying Your word. Pastor Glenn advocates the same idea Lord, so make me deliver and reflect the message. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

February 8, 2016

Genesis 46: 28-34

Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.” Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

Message:

Through these verses I am reminded of the ideas respect to the authority, honesty and adaptability. Being subordinate to Pharaoh, Joseph demonstrated respect as he considered telling the former his family’s arrival to Egypt and his decision of making them settle in a place where they could do what they couldn’t if Joseph would let them live with the Egyptians. His honesty ruled when he advised his father to answer Pharaoh’s assumed question upon Jacob’s face-to-face encounter with the latter and reminded them of how Egyptians hate Hebrews like them. Joseph, also, imparted the idea of adaptability in this chapter as he recommended Goshen to be a dwelling place for them. Goshen is far from the community where he lived and they could live as shepherds there. If Joseph had been someone else, he could have made his family live a comfortable life with him as Pharaoh gave him the right to decide on matters concerning himself. He could have placed his brothers in positions at which they, too could give orders to Egyptian servants. However, he preferred not to. Instead, he made them adapt to a way of living in a new place.

Application:

I will make it a point to reflect respect to the authority by letting people in the position know my decisions and by giving my honest feedbacks, if required, to situations or instances that may arise. Also, I will demonstrate my willingness to adapt to certain situations and people if needed.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me that as part of the community I have to demonstrate respect and honesty to the authority and be willing to adapt to circumstances. Yes Lord, I might have been given the right to decide on matters concerning my fellow employees but I must remember that this right was not bestowed upon me to be abused. If I did otherwise Lord, forgive me. Father, I pray for your guidance and protection as I fulfill my duties. As a leader, let me positively influence my fellow employees, my students and my very own children. Send your Holy Spirit to guide me Father that I may be worthy of Your appointment. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.