January 19-24, 2016

January 19, 2016

Genesis 37: 12-36 (summarized)

When Joseph’s brothers brought the flock of sheep in the field for grazing, Jacob sent Joseph to check on them. The young man went as directed. As he was approaching the location – Dothan – his brothers saw him and they planned to kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns. Reuben heard them and as he disfavored the idea, he tried his best to prevent his brothers from killing Joseph. Having a thought that he could rescue his brother and take him back to their father later on, he advised them to throw him into a cistern but never lay their hands on him.  Thus, the plan materialized. Then, as Joseph’s brothers were having a meal a caravan of Ishmaelites from Gilead came by. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. Judah saw them and suggested to his brothers to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites. The suggestion was accepted and so when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the cistern to rescue his brother, the former found nothing. Hence, he tore his clothes in despair. He then met his brothers and told them about it. His brothers got Joseph’s robe, so they captured a goat, slaughtered it and dipped Joseph’s robe in its blood. They got home with the blood-stained robe and presented it to their father who tore his clothes and mourned as he realized what happened to his beloved son Joseph.  Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.

Message:

This part of Genesis taught me more about the outcomes of envy and jealousy. Also, this made me realize that God’s blessing sometimes come in a manner which can be considered painful but later on, turns out otherwise. Joseph underwent maltreatment by his brothers, was sold to the Midianites who later sold him to Potiphar, the means that would bring Joseph to the realization of God’s purpose – to save much people including his family alive – stated in the next chapters. As Wesley said, “And all this was working together for good.”

Application:

I will not be weakened by pain induced by problems that God may allow me to experience, as now I know that just like Joseph, the problems that I’m dealing with today may bring me solutions that will benefit me and everyone else in the future.

Prayer:

Dear God, the father of all I thank you for this reminder. I thank you Lord for all the trials that I underwent, for all the difficulties that I have gone through as those Lord made me the kind of person I am now, a living testimony of your great love. Father, forgive me for the times that I blamed and questioned You on the troubles that I was going through then, troubles which now I realized have brought me greater understanding of You and Your purpose in my life. Lord, as I go on with life, bless me. Bestow upon me the courage and the determination I need to deal with problems that may come along the way. May Joseph’s experience Lord be my constant reminder that problems come not to bring me pain and sufferings but to teach me a lesson and to benefit me and others more. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 20, 2016

Genesis 38: 1-10 (summarized)

Judah (the one who sold Joseph to the Midianites) left his brothers and associated with Hirah, a amn of Adullam. Later on Judah Married a Canaanite named Shua who gave him three sons – Er, Onan and Shelah. When Er reached manhood, Judah got the young man a wife named Tamar. Er was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death. Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death also.

Message:

This part of Genesis reminds me of Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Judah associated with a person, Hirah and got a wife, Shua whose form and object of worship are different from his. Here, Judah’s defiance of his father’s vow to God (Gen. 35) became apparent. This even more intensified when Shua bore him two sons who themselves became sinners, especially Onan who evidently challenged Judah’s command, that is to raise up children for his brother Er. Thus, God punished them death. Obviously, Judah’s disobedience and association with people who worshiped unreal god worsened his character and let him have sons who turned out even worse.

Application:

I will inculcate into my children the value of obedience not only to us their parents but above all, to God.

Prayer:

Our mighty Father, I thank you for letting me understand further the value of obedience. Judah’s experience enabled me to see the result of choosing bad company and of a father’s example to his children. Had I acted like Judah before You, and my children, I ask forgiveness Lord. Father, bless me today and if I and my children happen to associate with those whose belief is different from ours, make us influence them Lord. Unlike Judah, let us remain steadfast in our faith and enable us to bring them to You Lord through our demonstration of your love, patience and understanding. Bestow upon me Lord the kind of understanding I need so that inculcating into my children and someone else’s children obedience will be done accordingly. Make my children’s father a good influence to them. This, I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

January 21, 2016

Genesis 38: 11-30

Having a thought that Tamar, his daughter-in-law caused the death of his two sons, Judah advised Tamar to go back to her parents and live with them as a widow while they wait for Shelah, the next to be husband for Tamar, to grow up. Shua, Judah’s wife died and he grieved about it. When Judah recovered from grieving, he decided to go to Timnah where his sheep were sheared. On the other hand, Tamar learned that Shelah had already become a man, despite that he was not yet given to her as a husband. So, Tamar devised means to deceive her father-in-law and that was realized when Judah was on his way to Timnah. Tamar in pretense of a prostitute sat down at the entrance to Enaim, the way to Timnah, and got Judah’s attention. He invited her to sleep with him. Before she agreed with Judah, Tamar asked “And what will you give me to sleep with you?” Judah replied, “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock.” “Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?” she asked. He said, “What pledge should I give you?” “Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,” she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her. Henceforth, Tamar went back to her parents and lived again as a widow. Then, she got pregnant. This was unknown to Judah who later sent Hirah, his friend, to find the prostitute and get back his pledge in exchange of a young goat. As expected Hirah did not find the woman. Later Judah learned that Tamar got pregnant because she engaged herself in prostitution. The matter angered him and he ordered, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!” As Tamar was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.” Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her again. Tamar gave birth to twin boys who were named Perez (Pharez) and Zerah.

Message:

These verses gave me a better view of women’s inherent intelligence and men’s weakness in flesh, which all led to the deception of Judah and the birth of Pharez from whom Christ descended (Wesley, n.d., Matt. 1:16 and Luke 3:23). Judah intended to deceive Tamar by letting her go back to her parents and live with them as a widow, lest his youngest son will also die, just like what happened to his two sons who had been husbands to Tamar. As the woman learned that Judah was taking advantage of the situation, she through flesh avenged. Hence, deception begot deception.

Application:

I will keep in mind never to deceive or attempt to deceive anybody.

Prayer:

Dear God, I thank you for giving me enlightenment on deception. Thank you Lord for providing me the ability to perceive notions concerning the matter as it enables me to avoid and commit such. Lord if I had done or had planned of doing it, forgive me. Father, guide me today and set restraint before me where matters of deception are concerned. Make me model honesty to my children, students and fellow workers. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 22, 2016

Genesis 39: 1-12 (summarized)

Joseph was taken to Egypt by Potiphar, the captain of the guard who bought him from the Ishmaelites. He let Joseph live in his house and because the young man was blessed by God he succeeded in his every undertaking. So, Joseph became Potiphar’s attendant. He was appointed to take charge of all that his master owned except for the food he ate and his wife. Joseph reached manhood and attained fascination. Hence, he was noticed by Potiphar’s wife and was invited to sleep with her. She said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

Message:

These verses made me realize that no temptation can overcome one whose faith in God is practiced and steadfast. Also, I am reminded that temptation naturally comes despite one’s demonstration of godliness and that sometimes it is brought by someone whom we highly regard. The woman who tempted Joseph was Potiphar’s wife, whom if offended might cause his termination from the service. However, as Joseph was a real believer and truly practiced God’s instructions he overcame the temptress. Matthew Henry preached:

“The almighty grace of God enabled Joseph to overcome this assault of the enemy. He urges what he owed both to God and his master. We are bound in honour, as well as justice and gratitude, not in any thing to wrong those who place trust in us, how secretly soever it may be done. He would not offend his God. Three arguments Joseph urges upon himself. 1. He considers who he was that was tempted. One in covenant with God, who professed religion and relation to him. 2. What the sin was to which he was tempted. Others might look upon it as a small matter; but Joseph did not so think of it. Call sin by its own name, and never lessen it. Let sins of this nature always be looked upon as great wickedness, as exceedingly sinful. 3. Against whom he was tempted to sin, against God. Sin is against God, against his nature and his dominion, against his love and his design. Those that love God, for this reason hate sin. The grace of God enabled Joseph to overcome the temptation, by avoiding the temper. He would not stay to parley with the temptation, but fled from it, as escaping for his life. If we mean not to do iniquity, let us flee as a bird from the snare, and as a roe from the hunter.”

Application:

I will stand firm against temptation and will uphold and reflect God’s instructions.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for boosting my belief that overcoming temptation and avoidance of sin are possible so long as I uphold Your instructions Lord, so long as I remain steadfast about my faith in You my God. Yes, Lord no master on Earth is greater than You and it’s your Divine Providence that will deliver me from all instances that may cause me to sin. Lord draw me closer to you and just like Joseph, bless me Father that I may inculcate into my students the value of trust in themselves and above all, in You so that the temptation of cheating and defying the school policies will be avoided. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

January 23, 2016

Genesis 39: 13-23

The cloak left by Joseph was used by the temptress to take advantage of the situation. She called on the servants and told them “Look, this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” Then she kept the cloak beside her until her husband came home. And as Potiphar her husband got home she told the same story. She said, “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” When Potiphar heard the story,  he burned with anger. Hence, Joseph was imprisoned. While Joseph was in prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. 

Message:

As I read these verses, I am reminded of those people who suffered a punishment without doing a crime and of those who experienced otherwise because of wickedness. Potiphar's wife’s scandalous act put Joseph to prison instead of herself merely because she was in the status which gave her the advantage over the servant. However, as Joseph was naturally good and favored by God, he earned the warden’s trust, thus making him in-charge of all the affairs in prison. So the message of these verses can be “People can be fooled but not God and that He rewards those who have a good conscience.”

Application:

I will make the word of God my conscience and I will never use my position to take advantage of situations especially those that will cause difficulty to innocent and honest individuals.

Prayer:

Dear God, the Master of all masters, I thank you for letting me read these verses and for making me see the value of having a good conscience. Lord forgive me if there had been times that I did the opposite. Father, I want to be like Joseph who remained true and enduring despite all the challenges. Bless me Lord and bestow upon me the spiritual strength of Joseph. Let me withhold the desire to grab the opportunities offered by people whose intention opposes Yours Lord. This I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

January 24, 2016

Genesis 40: 1-23 (summarized)

Joseph was joined in by the Pharaoh’s two officials – the cupbearer and the baker. These men were imprisoned because they offended their master. Potiphar had them in the custody of Joseph and the young man attended them. Then, came a day that the men were found bewildered by Joseph. He asked them of their bewilderment and they responded that they dreamt on the same night and that they could not find anyone who would interpret their dreams. Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” Joseph then interpreted the dream and said, “The three branches are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” Joseph explained, “The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.” Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials:  He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

Message:

“God knows and sees all and that He alone has the might and the right to reproach others with their guilt.” This I concluded after reading the verses which provided me insights on reconciliation, God’s might and humility. Potiphar who is the captain of the guard designated Joseph to be in charge of the two officials – the cupbearer and the chief baker – as they were in prison. Apparently, Joseph had regained his master’s trust. Meanwhile, the sinners dreamt and this caused them anxiety, something which was brought by God for them to be troubled. Wesley said that God has means of causing distress among “sinners that are hardy enough under outward trouble”. Yes, we as sinners can always appear blameless before our fellows but we can never keep our guilt from God. Hence, He finds means to lay burden upon us and wound our spirit. This act is a manifestation of God’s justice and incomparable might. Humility, on the other hand, was demonstrated by Joseph as he represented himself before the cupbearer.  He asked the cupbearer to do him favor, that is to mention his desire to get out of prison to the Pharaoh. Here, Joseph justified himself without discrediting those who have caused his sufferings.

Application:

I will practice justifying myself without discrediting those who have spoken ill of me and those who have caused me trouble.

Prayer:

Dear God, the most powerful of all, I thank you for making me think again of humility, for reminding me that You are the judge of all, that what I am not capable of seeing and doing can be seen and done by YOU. Lord, yes I’m guilty of the act – speaking negatively of others as I vindicate myself and I ask forgiveness for that Lord. Father, I present myself before You as a sinner who earnestly plead for your control and direction. Bless me Father and free me from such ungodly behavior. Bestow upon me the humility of Joseph that I may be able to avoid the desire to see others suffer from guilt. Lord, remind me always that I myself need to experience such, for I had caused others trouble as well. Father, make me inculcate this idea into my children and students. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.