Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Tuesday 15 March 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 42: 1-24 (part 1)
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 42:22 "And Reuben answered them saying, "Did I not speak to you, saying, "Do not sin against the boy; and you would not listen?  Therefore behold, his blood id now required of us."

The wide spread famine that we saw at the ending of Chapter 41, would again set in motion the domestic drama for Jacob's sons.  Because of the worldwide famine, and desperate to feed his household, Jacob sends his 10 oldest sons down to Egypt to buy grain, but keeps Benjamin at home with him.  He was afraid that Benjamin might be harmed on the long journey.

When the tired, and hungry brothers, were brought before the well dressed Egyptian official, wearing the Pharaoh's signet and the gold chain of office, they did not recognize the arrogant young boy, they had nearly murdered.  But Joseph instantly recognized them, and he initiated a series of tests and ordeals. 

Joseph remembered his dreams, and he released his feelings.  He accused them of something he knew that they did not do, he accused them of spying.  Joseph set out to learn whether his brothers has changed for the better, or would they betray each other when under pressure?

I would imagine that at the mention of his younger brother Benjamin, Joseph would have had a hard time containing his emotions.  With the words, "one is no more", it must have been unbearable for Joseph, knowing that his brothers thought he was dead, yet he was right before there eyes. 
   
After accusing them of spying for the second time (the brothers must have been overcome with fear for there life's now) Joseph demands that Benjamin, the youngest son of his father Jacob, be brought to him, to prove that they are telling the truth, and that they are not spies.  He then has them thrown into prison for three days.

After three days in prison, they are brought before Joseph again.  In verse 18, Joseph gives a clue to his brothers about who he is, when he said, "I fear the one God".  Joseph tells them to bring there youngest brother to him, and to make sure they return with him, he is going to put in prison one of the brothers until they came back with Benjamin.

His brothers now talk in there language, not knowing that the person they stood in front of was there brother and he understood what they were saying.  The brothers talk among themselves saying, that this is happening because of what they did to Joseph.  Reuben (the only one who tried to save Joseph on that day (Genesis 37:22) tells his brothers in verse 22, "Did I not speak to you saying, "Do not sin against the boy; and you not listen?  Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us."

At last Joseph, went hearing Reuben say this, could not control his emotions any longer, so he went away from their presence and wept.  As we conclude part 1 of this Chapter we see that when Joseph returned to his brothers he talked with them again, and since Reuben was the firstborn, and had been Joseph's principle defender those many years ago, Joseph took Simeon, the next oldest as his hostage. 

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "What would you do with a chance for revenge?"  Joseph remembered his dreams about his brothers bowing down to him (Genesis 37:6-9).  Those dreams were coming true!  As a young boy Joseph was boastful about his dreams.  As a man, he no longer showed off his superior status.  He did not feel the need to say, "I told you so."  It was not time yet to reveal his identity, so he kept quite.  Sometimes it is best for us to remain quite, even when we would like to have the last word.

Today's Hymn: "Healer"

You hold my every moment, You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire, and heal my disease
I trust in You, I trust in You
I believe You're my healer, I believe You are all I need
I believe that You are my portion, I believe You're more
Than enough for me, Jesus You're all I need
Nothing is impossible for You, Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You, You hold my world in Your hands

Heavenly Father, As we go about serving you, we ask Lord that you will make us humble in our dealings with others.  Thank you for your Grace that allows us to come boldly before you because of what Your Son Jesus Christ did for us upon the cross of Calvary.  Indeed Lord NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE for YOU.
                                                                                                      Amen

"GRACE finds you wherever you are and goes out of its way to save you.  Then GRACE carries you into heaven"
                                          Catherine Martin (from her book "A Woman's Walk In Grace")

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today and always remember that when you have a spiritual failure in your life that yells, "I Can't",  God whispers to you, "BUT I CAN".

Yours in Christ,
Cindi



  

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