For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+41&version=NIV
Genesis 40 left Joseph unfairly in prison, but having risen to some status within the prison. After interpreting dreams for the cupbearer and the baker, which came true according to Joseph's interpretation, and resulted in the cupbearer's freedom, Joseph asked that him to remember Joseph.
The last verse of the last chapter reads "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him."
Genesis 41 parallels chapter 40, only the interpretation of dreams involves the Pharoah and results in Joseph rising to national status, setting things up for the impact this will have on Joseph's family.
Verses 44 and 55 are astonishing! And God is behind it all (v. 32).
Reflections, etc.
Prayers,
Matt
7.29.2010
7.26.2010
GENESIS 40
For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2040&version=NIV
Joseph is in prison unfairly, but the refrain of his life continues ('and the Lord was with him'). So, Joseph lived, did his best, trusted and waited and stayed faithful, all which can be difficult even in good circumstances.
The motiff of dreams continues, which has played and will continue to play an important role.
Most of all, God is actively there in the cell with Joseph, and over the course of his life, this will make what seems despairing and hopeless becomes a divine process of salvation.
Joseph is in prison unfairly, but the refrain of his life continues ('and the Lord was with him'). So, Joseph lived, did his best, trusted and waited and stayed faithful, all which can be difficult even in good circumstances.
The motiff of dreams continues, which has played and will continue to play an important role.
Most of all, God is actively there in the cell with Joseph, and over the course of his life, this will make what seems despairing and hopeless becomes a divine process of salvation.
7.21.2010
GENESIS 39
For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2039&version=NIV
It may have felt like chapter 38 interrupted the flow of Joseph's story, but it was part of Jacob's family experience, so Moses included it here.
Now we pick up directly with what's happening with Joseph. Something has happened with the heart and faith of Joseph during or after the events that started with being sold by his brothers. This chapter, all the way through chapter 50. The repeated refrain is 'and the Lord was with Joseph.' A couple of years ago, I did a sermon series on Joseph and what comes through powerfully is that God was with Joseph even and especially when things didn't seem they were going well at all! God was at work, we learn at the end of Genesis, so that even what other people intended for harm God used for good - both for Joseph and his family and in fact all of Egypt.
Thoughts, questions, dialogue...
Prayers,
Matt
It may have felt like chapter 38 interrupted the flow of Joseph's story, but it was part of Jacob's family experience, so Moses included it here.
Now we pick up directly with what's happening with Joseph. Something has happened with the heart and faith of Joseph during or after the events that started with being sold by his brothers. This chapter, all the way through chapter 50. The repeated refrain is 'and the Lord was with Joseph.' A couple of years ago, I did a sermon series on Joseph and what comes through powerfully is that God was with Joseph even and especially when things didn't seem they were going well at all! God was at work, we learn at the end of Genesis, so that even what other people intended for harm God used for good - both for Joseph and his family and in fact all of Egypt.
Thoughts, questions, dialogue...
Prayers,
Matt
7.15.2010
GENESIS 38
We need more than a day to absorb chapter 38, so for Friday, read on...click here for NIV http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+38&version=NIV
Rough chapter, bit of a surprise ending with Judah's declaration about Tamar's 'right-ness.'
Judah, because of his anxiety, withholds his youngest son from marrying Tamar who, as law required, should have the right to be married to him.
This is righteousness with a twist.
Rough chapter, bit of a surprise ending with Judah's declaration about Tamar's 'right-ness.'
Judah, because of his anxiety, withholds his youngest son from marrying Tamar who, as law required, should have the right to be married to him.
This is righteousness with a twist.
7.10.2010
GENESIS 36 and 37 (esp. 37)
For Genesis 36, click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+36&version=NIV
For Monday, read through chapter 36 which is Esau's family line sprinkled with some interesting comments about his life.
Also read Chapter 37 - click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037&version=NIV
Chapter 37 gets us into what is one of the most involved and interesting story lines of Genesis and all of the Old Testament. The story is about Jacob and his family, though the emphasis leans toward Joseph. It is a pheneomenal read in and of itself, but even moreso, it is God's Holy Word to us - speaking into us how we tend to be, how God is at work, what faith is and can look like at its best and worst, family dynamics that sometimes erode love and others that grow love. This is biblical narrative and theology at their best.
Read on!
For Monday, read through chapter 36 which is Esau's family line sprinkled with some interesting comments about his life.
Also read Chapter 37 - click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037&version=NIV
Chapter 37 gets us into what is one of the most involved and interesting story lines of Genesis and all of the Old Testament. The story is about Jacob and his family, though the emphasis leans toward Joseph. It is a pheneomenal read in and of itself, but even moreso, it is God's Holy Word to us - speaking into us how we tend to be, how God is at work, what faith is and can look like at its best and worst, family dynamics that sometimes erode love and others that grow love. This is biblical narrative and theology at their best.
Read on!
7.06.2010
GENESIS 35
For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+35&version=NIV
Jacob's return to Bethel involves the purifying his family's faith (getting rid of foreign gods among them). We haven't heard too much about this so far, but apparently, there was still a multitude of gods/faith within the overall family of Abraham. But, in light of God's answer to Jacob's prayer when he was having trouble (self-made trouble) with his brother, Jacob is led to a place in which he/family can begin to let go of other 'gods.'
These leads us to God's statement in v. 11 "I am God almighty."
Jacob's wife Rachel goes into very difficult labor and, after delivering Benhamin, dies.
Then, more junk - Reuben sleeps with Jacob's concubine [no commentary by Moses here] Bilhah.
The chapter closes with Jacob and Esau seeing each other only to bury their father Isaac.
We see in this chapter God is still active, keeping His promises, present in a protective way, and very patient with this family who sometimes is faithful and sometimes is faithless.
Thoughts, questions, etc.
Prayers,
Matt
Jacob's return to Bethel involves the purifying his family's faith (getting rid of foreign gods among them). We haven't heard too much about this so far, but apparently, there was still a multitude of gods/faith within the overall family of Abraham. But, in light of God's answer to Jacob's prayer when he was having trouble (self-made trouble) with his brother, Jacob is led to a place in which he/family can begin to let go of other 'gods.'
These leads us to God's statement in v. 11 "I am God almighty."
Jacob's wife Rachel goes into very difficult labor and, after delivering Benhamin, dies.
Then, more junk - Reuben sleeps with Jacob's concubine [no commentary by Moses here] Bilhah.
The chapter closes with Jacob and Esau seeing each other only to bury their father Isaac.
We see in this chapter God is still active, keeping His promises, present in a protective way, and very patient with this family who sometimes is faithful and sometimes is faithless.
Thoughts, questions, etc.
Prayers,
Matt
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