Month: January 2017

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GENESIS 41:17-42:17 | MATTHEW 13:24-46 | PSALM 18:1-15 | PROVERBS 4:1-6

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A Hebrew slave becomes the highest-ranking official in the land of Egypt.  In the ancient world of Egypt, what could be more startling than that!  The incredible story of Joseph continues with the Pharaoh heeding Joseph’s interpretation of his strange dreams which soon come to pass. 

The seven years of abundance are followed by seven lean years, but thanks to Joseph’s wise counsel and oversight, the people are well-prepared to withstand the famine.  Joseph goes on to marry and have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim– both names chosen with much thought.

And just when Joseph thought he had put his horrific past behind him by forgetting (and perhaps even forgiving) the atrocities committed by his brothers in selling him into slavery and telling his father that he was dead, his past begins to make an appearance in the present. 

The famine in the land reaches north to Canaan as well, and Joseph’s ten brothers are sent by their father Jacob to the prosperous land of Egypt to buy grain and supplies. 

And in a striking twist of fate, unbeknownst to them, they come face-to-face with their brother, Joseph.  Amazing how things work out like that!  God is always in control despite how things might appear.

Turning next to Matthew, we continue with the account of Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus continues to teach in parables, and there is the parable of the weeds, the mustard seed, the yeast, the hidden treasure and the pearl. 

The Kingdom of God is likened to that hidden treasure and the fine pearl.  When you know you’ve got something so very valuable, you don’t think twice in giving up everything else in order to hold on to that treasure.

David’s psalm for the day is yet another passionate one.  He says with utter confidence:

² The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

Click Here For Today’s Reading

GENESIS 39:1-41:16 | MATTHEW 12:46-13:23 | PSALM 17:1-15 | PROVERBS 3:33-35

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The fascinating story of Joseph begins.  After being sold off by his brothers to traveling Ishmaelites, who in turn most likely sell him to the Egyptians, Joseph finds a job with a senior official in the Pharoah’s service, a man named Potiphar.  What perseverance and resilience for this young man to put his bitterness aside and make something of himself.

And what’s even more amazing is that when God is on your side, not only are you blessed in all that you do, but everyone else associated with you is also blessed.  Funny how it works like that. 

The account says: ⁵ From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

But bad things happen to good people, and it isn’t long before Joseph is falsely accused and thrown into prison.  Yet even then, God’s favor on him does not cease. 

The account says: But while Joseph was there in the prison, ²¹ the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 

Soon Joseph begins to interpret dreams, crazy dreams, that the inmates have.

What follows is the story of the correct interpretation of the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker.  But despite the favor that Joseph asks of the cupbearer to help him get out of prison, the cupbearer forgets!

The text says:  ²³ The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.  How can some people be like that?  Is that the height of ingratitude or what?

And yet, two years later, he does remember!  And when Joseph is brought before Pharoah to interpret the Pharoah’s dreams, Joseph says,  ¹⁶ “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”   We’ll have to wait and see what that answer is…

In the meantime, Matthew continues with his account of Jesus’ preachings and teachings.  During the course of his travels, Jesus enlightens the people about who his mother and brothers are. 

Jesus says:  ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Jesus continues to speaks to the people in parables– stories that have a deeper meaning and moral.  And when his disciples ask him why it is that he speaks in such parables, Jesus tells them that the people would otherwise listen even less, not to mention perhaps understand even less. 

Jesus says:  “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”  Could it be that we are also like this?

Jesus goes on to explain the parable of the sower.  The Word of God is the seed that is sown in a variety of landscapes:  rocky ground, thorny ground, and in good soil. May it be that our heart is akin to the good soil.

David’s Psalm for the day is an intimate one.  He cries out to God like he does many times before:

⁶ I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
   give ear to me and hear my prayer.
⁷ Show the wonder of your great love,
   you who save by your right hand
   those who take refuge in you from their foes.
⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye;
   hide me in the shadow of your wings
⁹ from the wicked who assail me,
   from my mortal enemies who surround me.

May it be that we also have the same confidence in approaching God in prayer.

Finally, some food for thought, courtesy of Solomon, wise king of Israel:

³³ The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
   but he blesses the home of the righteous.

³⁴ He mocks proud mockers
   but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
   but fools get only shame.

May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word.  Amen.