Bible Scripture and Hymn for Friday 11 March 2011

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

Todays' Blog Title: "Pharaoh's Dream" (part 2)
Today's Blog Scripture: Genesis 41:17-36
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 41:33 "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt."

In part 1, we saw that Pharaoh had two dreams, and that no one in Egypt could tell him the meaning of the dreams.  The chief butler, then remembers how Joseph had correctly interrupted his, and the chief bakers dreams while he was in prison.  The chief butler tells Pharaoh about Joseph, and Pharaoh has him brought out of prison, to stand in front of him in the Egyptian court. 

Two years have gone by, since the chief butler had been restored to his position and in that time he had forgotten about Joseph.  When no one can help the Pharaoh with the meaning of his dreams, Pharaoh's butler now remembers Joseph, and tells Pharaoh about him.  Pharaoh sends for Joseph in prison, and after he is cleaned up, he is standing face to face with Pharaoh.  Pharaoh says to Joseph, "I have heard that you can understand a dream, and to interpret it."  Joseph then stresses to Pharaoh, that his power to interpret dreams comes from the Lord when he says, "It is not in me, God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."(Genesis 40:16)

Please note that every time Joseph's situation  improved in Egypt, the Scriptures note that God was working behind the scenes.  Pharaoh then proceeds to tell Joseph his dreams.  After listening to what Pharaoh had dreamed about, Joseph instantly was able to reveal  that the dreams had predicted seven years of abundance in Egypt, that would be followed by  seven years of great famine.  He then tells Pharaoh that because of having two dreams of the same meaning,  that "the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." (Genesis 40:32)  

I love reading this story about the boldness and faithfulness of Joseph to stand before Pharaoh, and to tell him what the True, and Living Almighty God, has predicted in these dreams.  He then goes on to tell Pharaoh that he should choose a wise and discreet individual to set up a nationwide system in order to stockpile reserve grain during the 7 years of plenty, "that the land may not perish during the famine." (Genesis 41:33-36)

Wow!!!!!  The power of God speaking through Joseph was awesome.  Here was Joseph, a Jewish slave, standing calmly before Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, and telling him the meaning of his dreams and what he should do about the meaning of the dreams.  On Monday (God Willing) we will conclude Chapter 41 with "Joseph's Rise to Power".

It is my prayer, that those of you who are reading these Blogs, that God is blessing your life's with this, the Book of Genesis which is the first book of God's Holy Word and begins with the words, "In the beginning God.....".  I am so excited that God is using this Blog to get his message of His Love and Mercy out internationally via the Internet.  What a Loving, Caring, and Gracious Living God that we as Christian's serve, and that He is the same as He was in the days of Joseph, as He is with us today, and as He will be tomorrow and forever.

Closing Question and Comment: "Whom has God used to give you guidance?"  The person whom has helped me the most in my new found Spiritual Growth, has been Catherine Martin.  I have just finished a 17 week course with her teachings from her book, "A Woman's Walk In Grace".  Learning about God's Grace was a an eye opening experience for me.  Our most important opportunities may come when we least expect them.  Joseph in our story today, was brought hastily from prison and pushed before Pharaoh.  Did he have time to prepare for meeting Pharaoh?  The answer is yes and no.  He had no warning that he would be standing suddenly before the ruler of Egypt, yet Joseph was ready for almost anything, because of his relationship with Our Almighty God.  It was not Joseph's knowledge of dreams that helped him to interpret their meaning, but it was his knowledge of God.  We as Christians, need to be ready for our opportunities, by getting to know God better, by studying and reading His Word.  Then we will be ready for anything, that may come our way.

Lord, You are good, and Your mercy endureth forever
Lord, You are good, and Your mercy endureth forever
People from every nation and tongue, from generation to generation
We worship You, Hallelujah hallelujah, we worship you hallelujah hallelujah
We worship You for who You are, and You are good
You are good all the time, all the time You are good

Heavenly Father, What a Wonderful, Loving and Almighty God we serve.  There is nothing impossible for you.  May our relationship with you, be as strong as that of Joseph.  May others see Christ in us, who lives in us, and is us.
                                                                                                    Amen

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 defeat that yells, "I Can't, listen to God whisper to you, "BUT I CAN".

Your in Christ,
Cindi
   

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Thursday 10 March 2011

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

Today's Blog Title: "Pharaoh's Dream" (part 1)
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Genesis 41:1-16
Today's Key Verse: Genesis: 41:16 "So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

This Chapter, is the turning point in the life of Joseph.  Today, is part 1 of 3 parts of Chapter 41.  Today, will begin the rise of Joseph from prison, to being a very important individual in Egypt.  We will see over the next three days, how God who is always in total control, brought about the circumstances that would bring Joseph into power, so that he could meet the needs of the Egyptian nation as they prepare for a famine, and because of that famine it would rejoin Joseph with his family.

As Chapter 41 unfolds, we see that Pharaoh has a strange dream about the Nile, which was a big part of the Egyptian life.  Pharaoh was so troubled by the dream, that he called in his magicians and the wise men of Egypt.  He tells them his dream, but we see that the magicians and the wise men could not tell Pharaoh the meaning of his dream.

As Pharaoh is having the men thrown into prison, the chief butler now remembers about Joseph, how he correctly interpreted his, and the chief bakers dream while in prison.  I find it amazing that Joseph had asked the chief butler to remember him when he got out of prison, and mention his case to to Pharaoh, but with all the excitement of his being put back into his old position, he forgot, but now a light comes on in his mind, and he tells Pharaoh about Joseph.  Once again we see the power of God in total control, and doing things according to His time plan, just as He is doing even today.  "Praise God"

After being told about Joseph by the chief butler, Pharaoh IMMEDIATELY  sends orders that Joseph be brought to him out of prison.  I would assume that Joseph hasn't shaved for awhile, so we are told that he shaved and changed his cloths.  After cleaning himself up, Joseph appeared in front of Pharaoh. 

Pharaoh then tells Joseph, that he has heard that he can interpret dreams. Pharaoh was desperate, and he wanted a correct interpretation of his dream.  Remember in prison when the baker and butler had their dreams, that Joseph made a bold statement by saying, "Don't interpretations belong to God?", now he tells Pharaoh, "It is not in me; GOD will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." 

Joseph like he did in prison tells Pharaoh that it is God who will interpret his dream.  It is interesting to note that Joseph at the close of verse 17 says, "God will give an answer of peace."  Could it be, that Joseph with that response, already knew the answer to his dream and that it would contain good news for him?"

Closing Question and Comment: "Is your faith in Almighty God that of what Joseph had?" Wow!!!!  What faith to be standing in a pagan court, in front of Pharaoh, and praise  the power of the Almighty Living God.  God will act for us, whether we are at work or witnessing for him in front of others.  I want my Faith to to be like that of Joseph.  When we prove ourselves in small things we prepare ourselves for greater things to come.

As morning dawns and evening fades, You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart, and glorify Your name
Your name is a strong and mighty tower, Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name let the nations sing it louder, 'cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name
Jesus in Your name we pray, come and fill our hearts today
lord give us strength to live for You, and glorify Your name

Heavenly Father,  May we as Christians today have the faith of what Joseph has as he stood before Pharaoh.  May we be bold as Peter in telling others that You are, "The Christ, the Son of the Living God". 
                                                                                                  Amen

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 defeat in your life that yells out, "I Can't" God whispers to you, "BUT I CAN"

Yours in Christ
Cindi     

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Wednesday 9 March 2011

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

Today's Blog Title: "The Prisoners' Dreams"
Today's Blog Scripture: Genesis 40:1-23
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 40:8 "And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.  So Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God?  Tell them to me please."

As this Chapter opens, we read that that the chief butler and baker had offended Pharaoh somehow, and he was angry at them, and had casted them into prison.  In verse 3, the reference to the word "house"would indicate that there was two types of holding areas in the prison.  One area was for the common criminals, and the other was sort of like a house arrest type area.

Joseph was in the house arrest area of the prison, and served the high officials who were under house arrest awaiting there hearing.  Both the butler and the baker had a dream, and there dreams were different, and needed someone to tell them what they meant.  Joesph comes into where they were and he sees that they are sad.  Joseph then says, "Why do you look so sad today?"  They then say to him, "We each had a dream, and there is no one to tell us what it means."

What a bold statement  from Joseph, when he tells them that "interpretations belong to God".  He not only announced his faith, but then he acts upon it.  You may remember that in Genesis 37, he had dreams that he had interpreted to his family, which was one of the reasons they hated and despised him.

The chief butler tells Joseph his dream and he is told that within 3 days, he would be reinstated to his former position.  Joseph then tells tells the butler to please remember him before Pharaoh, so that his case might be reviewed, and that he might be released from this false imprisonment.  The chief baker, when hearing these good words from Joseph about the butler, then tells Joseph has dream.  The words spoken to him about his dream, is not what anyone would want to hear because he was told that within three days, Pharaoh was going to hang him and the birds of the air were going to eat his flesh.  It would seem that whatever the chief baker had done was serious enough that he was not even given a proper burial.

You will note in this scripture that every event was going to be on the 3rd day.  From the releasing of the chief butler and the hanging of the chief baker to the birthday of Pharaoh.  In the New Testament after the death of Jesus upon the cross for our sins the 3rd day would have a most important meaning for Christians because it was on the 3rd day that He arose from the dead conquering death and sin.   

Three days have gone by, we see that the chief butler was indeed restored to his position, and the chief baker was hung.   As this Chapter closes, the chief butler after being restored to his position and going about his busy life serving Pharaoh, forgot about Joseph and he stayed in prison, but God was still with him, even as he continues to be with us today, in ALL our situations.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "When have you helped someone even though you had your own problems?"  God was with Joseph in prison as well as He was with him in Potiphar's house.  In each setting Joseph clearly set to work with a will to be helpful.  The conviction that God is with us in every situation frees us to keep on doing our best, however great our setbacks may be.  Our faithfulness to God like that of Joseph, which  prepares us for sudden advancement.  If we cannot be faithful in small things, we cannot expect great things to follow.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You, I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You, I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up, shining in the light of Your Glory
Pour out Your Power and Love, As we sing Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy I want to see You.

Heavenly Father, How we praise You and thank you for your continued presence in our life's.  May you indeed Lord open eyes of our hearts that we may see the Light of Your Glory and that our lives might forever shine for You who gave us Your all.
                                                                                                           Amen

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 defeat in your life and you tell, "I Can"t", listen to God's whisper when he says, "BUT I CAN".

Yours in Christ,
Cindi      

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Tuesday 8 March 2011

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

Today is my birthday and I thank God that He has most graciously given me another year of life upon this, His planet.  But on July 11th I will celebrate a more important birthday.  On that day it will mark my Spiritual Rebirth as a child of the King.  As the song goes "Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before." 

Today's Blog Title: "Joseph a Slave in Egypt"
Today's Blog Title:  Genesis 39:1-23
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 39:9  "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife.  How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?'

This Chapter opens with a repeat of Genesis 37:36 to resume the story of Joseph that had stopped with the story of Judah and Tamar in Chapter 38.  From Chapters 39 through through the rest of Genesis we will read how God provided for,  protected and used Joseph for His glory and purpose. 

The key words in this Chapter will we "The Lord was with Joseph".  God protected, cared for and blessed Joseph.  Joseph was a slave but he occupied a very high place as a slave, by living and working in his master's house.  Potiphar saw that Joseph was successful because the "Lord was with him".  The righteous living of Joseph may have had an effect on Potiphar's spiritual condition.  Do we as Christians today live our lives in a way that others see Christ in us?

In Matthew 25:21, Jesus said, "......Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things."  In serving Potiphar, Joseph exhibited this principle.  In Genesis 12:2,3 you may recall that God commanded Abraham and his descendants to be a blessing to everyone, and now, we see Joseph in a foreign land because of the anger of his brothers, bringing blessings to an Egyptian household.  The true blessing was that Potiphar knew it came from GOD.  "Wow"

The Bible seldom mentions a persons physical traits, but here in verse 6 we are told that Joseph, "was handsome in form and appearance".  Potiphar's wife then begins to flirt with Joseph.  We see that Joseph showed the highest standard of godly behavior.  The empowering presence of God in the life of Joseph, helped him to resist temptation.   Joseph not only stood up for his ethical beliefs, but he showed this woman who probably believed in may god's, about the righteousness of the only True and Living God.

The wife of Potiphar while no one was around, tried to get Joseph to lie with her and when he refused, she grabbed at his clothes and wound up holding his garment as Joseph fled.  Her charge of attempted rape was a serious then as it is today.  The anger of Potiphar in verse 19 is understandable and expected.  We now see that instead of killing Joseph, Potiphar sends him to prison (which he is in charge of).  Could it be that Joseph had so impressed Potiphar, that he could not fully believe the story of his wife, so he just sent him to prison?  It doesn't say, but I wonder what his wife thought about the fact that her husband didn't kill Joseph for this "supposed attempted rape by a slave" and just sent him to prison.  So now Joseph is in prison for something that he had refused to do.

Here even in prison, we see that our Loving and Caring God was with Joseph, and He faithfully kept His promises, by staying with Joseph.  As this Chapter closes we read that because of God's blessings, everything that he did prospered.

Today's Closing Question and Comment: "How do you feel about getting in trouble for doing right?"  The contrast between Judah (39:16-17) and Joseph is powerful.  Both were tempted sexually.  Judah sought illicit sex, while Joseph refused the repeated efforts of Potiphar's wife to seduce him.  Joseph reminds us, that we can never say that our sex drive made us sin.  Sexual sin is not just between two consenting adults, it is a disobedience to God.  The choice is ours, to play the part of Judah or Joseph.  As for me, I want to be like Joseph and continue to receive God's blessings in my life.

Who am I that You are mindful of me, that You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me, how You love me it's exciting
I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God, He calls me friend
God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend.

Heavenly Father, How thankful we are, that we have help from You in times of great temptation in our life's.  Help us Lord, to to remember that our foe Satan, is a roaring lion, who is out to devour us because of our faith in you.  Thank you Lord, for the promise that when we are in Your hands, NOTHING can pluck us from You.
                                                                                                    Amen

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 defeat that yells, "I Can't", God whispers to you, "BUT I CAN".

Yours in Christ
Cindi

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Monday 7 March 2011

"Greetings Everyone n the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

Today's Blog Title: "Judah and Tamar"
Today's Blog Scripture: Genesis 38:1-30
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 38:18: "Then he said, "What pledge shall I give you?"  So she said, "Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand."  Then he gave them to her and went into her and she conceived by him.

You may remember on Friday that we read how the brothers of Joseph, due to there hatred and envy for him, were doing to kill him when they saw him coming.  Reuben stepped in and told them, why don't we just put in this empty well (where he planned to come later and get him out).  Then as Reuben was away from his brothers,  they saw a caravan of Ishmaelite traders and decided to make a profit of of Joseph, and sold him to them.  At the close of Chapter 37, we read that Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, and captain of the guard.

In between the selling of Joseph into slavery in Egypt at the end of Chapter of 37 and picking up the story of Joseph in Chapter 39 we read the story of Judah and Tamar in Chapter 38. 

This story underlines the story of Judah's relationship with Tamar, the childless widow of his firstborn.  This story provides a stunning contrast between the morals of Judah and Joseph. 

Judah's story further illustrates the continuing falling apart of Jacob's family. First we read how Simeon and Levi had taken revenge on Shechem (Chapter 34).  Second we read how Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, had abused Bilhad his fathers wife (35:22) and third how the brothers had sold Joseph into slavery.

Now we see that Judah would marry a Canaanite woman and then solicited a Canaanite prostitute who just so happens to be his daughter- in- law.    It was becoming clear that Jacob's family, the family of promise, would become like the people of Canaan if this process continued.

Abraham and Isaac, both did not want there sons marrying the women of Canaan, because of there worshipping of false god's.  Yet we now see, that Judah leaves and marries a Canaanite woman.  She quickly bares Judah three sons.  Judah then found Tamar, another Canaanite woman to marry his firstborn son Er.  Tamar which means, "Palm", which would indicate an enduring beauty, would become a heroine in the Bible.

Er was a wicked man in the sight of the Lord and the Lord killed him.  In those times, if a man died without leaving a son to maintain the family line, and the name of the deceased, a brother or a near relative would marry the man's widow to carry on the man's family.  With that in mind Judah tells Onan his second born to go and marry his brothers wife, and raise an heir for his deceased brother.  But because of his own selfishness and wicked attitude toward his deceased brother, Onan would not allow Tamar to conceive because he emitted on the ground.  Because of this, God punished him just as He had Er, and killed him.  

Judah then tells Tamar to stay a widow until this third son Shelah, was old enough and then he would marry her.  The time for mourning was long past, and Tamar continued to wear widow's clothing, showing her desire to marry the surviving brother of her husband.  She then beings to realize that this was not going to happen, so she takes matters into her own hands by wearing a veil to avoid Judah's detection, and posed as a prostitute.  This act was driven by a sense of injustice.  Judah had broken his promise to marry her to Sheah, and she had done nothing to deserve becoming a forgotten widow, because her husbands death were not her fault.

We now see that Judah sees Tamar sitting in an open space with a veil, which was the sign of a "Harlot" (whom he doesn't recognize)and wants to come into her.  She asks him what he would give to her, and he replied I will give you a young goat.  Judah's promise to give her a goat would normally have been  sufficient, but Tamar insisted on a pledge.  She tells Judah that she wants his signet seal which in those times was like a credit card of our time, and his staff which also would have been marked in some manner.   Judah then went into her and she conceived.  Judah then leaves, and she takes off the veil and then puts on the clothes of a mourning widow.

After about 3 months Judah was told that Tamar had played a harlot and was with child.  Judah upon hearing this wanted to burn her.  Tamar then shows Judah his signet and his staff and says to him, "By the man to whom these belong I am with child."  She then says, "Please determine whose these are, the signet and cord and the staff."  Judah one of the heirs of the everlasting covenant with the Living God, was put to shame by a Canaanite woman, but to his credit, Judah confessed his sin and says, "She been more righteous than I."

Tamar had twins from Judah. As the hand of the first born came out and so that there would be no mistake in identifying the first born, the midwife would tie a scarlet thread around its hand.  But now we see in verse 29 that the other baby burst forth after his brothers hand had been withdrawn.  Despite the brother's hand Perez was the first born and the second was named Zerah.  Perez would become the one in the lineage of David and ultimately of Jesus.

Closing Question and comment: Is it better to suffer innocently than as a consequence of wrong and foolish choices?" 

Genesis 38, showed Judah seperated from the family, married to a Canaanite, failing to keep his promise to Tamar, hired a prostitute and showed himself unforgiving and harsh.  We see that Tamar becomes a member of the family of promise, even though she was a Canaanite. Matthew mentions Tamar, a woman, in the lineage of the Messiah (Matthew 1:3).  She had become a heroine of the faith, despite her origins and the nature of her actions.

Beautiful, beautiful, Jesus is beautiful; And Jesus makes beautiful things of my life.
Carefully touching me, causing my eyes to see;
Jesus makes beautiful things of my life.

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

Yours in Christ
Cindi



    

Weekend Blog Verses for Saturday 5 March and Sunday 6 March 2011

"Greeting Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"

I will be away from my PC for this weekend, so I am sending out the weekends Blog Bible Verses for Saturday 5 March, and Sunday 6 March today, Friday March 4th 2011.

Bible Verse for Saturday 5 March: Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

The word gospel in verse 16 means "Good News".  The Christian gospels content is about Jesus. It's significance reveals God's gift of righteousness.  Its outcome is that it  brings salvation and the invitation is to all who believe. 

In verse 17, faith to faith would mean that faith is at the beginning of the salvation process, and it is the goal as well.  When we as Christians express faith in Christ we are saved from the penalty of sin and God declares us righteous.  As we live by faith, The Almighty God continues to save us from the power of sin, so that we can live righteously.

Blog Verse for Sunday 6 March: 1 John 4: 18-19: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him because He first loved us."

Love and fear are not compatible.  When we as Christians experience God's love for us, our attitude and mind set toward Him is transformed.  We stand in awe of Him, but the awe is without terror or fear of punishment.  The more we live in love, which means expressing as well as receiving love, the more confident we as Christians will become in our daily relationship with the Lord.

Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door
Words are easily spoken, but prayer without faith
Is like a boat without an oar
Have faith when you speak to the Master
That's all He asks of you, for prayer is the key to heaven
But faith unlocks the door

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that You would send Your only Son Jesus Christ to die our death upon the cross of Calvary.  We are awestruck by Your Unending Love, Mercy and Grace for those that trust and believe in You.  Strenghten our faith each day Lord as we live our life's for You.    
                                                                                                    Amen


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

Yours in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture and Hymn for Friday 4 March 2011

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

Today's Blog Title: "Joseph Sold by his Brothers"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:12-36
Today's Key Verse: Genesis 37: 36 "Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard."

This Chapter opens up with the brothers of Joseph moving the sheep from Shechem to another area, perhaps to find  better pastures for the sheep.  You will note here, that Shechem continues to play a role in Genesis.  Abram build his first altar there.  Jacob tells Joseph to go to his brothers, to see how things were with them and the flock in Shechem.  Joseph who was his father's favorite son, and probably had always stayed home while the brothers tended the sheep, was I would imagine excited to be able to go on this task that his father had requested of him.

Joseph went he arrived at Shechem, was wandering around looking for his brothers, when a "certain man",  found  him wandering in the field, and asked, "Who are you looking for?"  When Joseph tells him that he is looking for his brothers, he is told that he had heard that they had moved the sheep to the pastures in Dotham.

His brothers, because of Joseph's tunic of many colors, recognize Joseph from a distance.  They then because of there envy and hatred for him, and perhaps also they feared that his dreams might actually come true, decide that by killing him, it would prevent his dreams from coming true.

Reuben, who was the firstborn son and principle heir and who had the most to lose if Joseph's dreams were to come true, steps in to spare Joseph's life.  He tells his brothers that instead of killing and shedding his blood that they could put him in the empty well.  

Joseph then arrives, and his brothers stripped him of his tunic of many colors, and they put him in the empty well.  Now as they were eating they saw an Ishmaelite caravan heading to Egypt, and now the brothers who wanted to kill Joseph, decide that why kill him and have his blood on our hands, when we can sell him an make a profit.  So they sold there brother for twenty shekels of silver.  The brothers considered Joseph as good as dead; because they figured that he would never return from Egyptian slavery.

 Reuben had left his brothers prior to them selling Joseph and it would seem he was unaware of it. He then comes back into the story and finds that Joseph was not in the well.  He then torn his clothes and says, "The lad is no more, and I, where shall I go."  The tearing of clothes was an expression of profound grief.  Reuben's grief was a deep down feeling for his younger brother, and also the fact that he being the oldest would be blamed.

The brothers then kill a goat and dip Joseph's coat of many colors in the blood, and took it to there father and they ask him a question knowing fully well the answer, "We have found this.  Is this your sons tunic or not?"   When Jacob sees the tunic with the blood  all over he it, he torn his clothes just as Reuben had done to express his sorrow.  

It would appear here in verse 35, that Joseph's fate only made Jacob love Joseph more, and withdrew him from the rest of the family.  The brothers DID NOT gain their fathers favor by getting rid of Joseph.

As the Chapter ends, we see in verse 36, that the Joseph is now sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, who was an important official in the Egyptian royal court.

It is interesting to note that in this Chapter it would appear that Joseph was silent during this whole process.  Joseph's silence prefigures the silence of Christ before His judges on his crucifixion day.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily pours on us all His benefits.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily pours on us His benefits.
He that is our God, is the God our salvation.
Unto God the Lord, belongs the glory.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily pours on us His benefits.

Heavenly Father, How we praise and glorify Your Name which is above Every Name.  We are thankful of Your benefits and how You protect and take care of those that belong to You. May the Holy Spirit guide us and teach us in our daily life's.
                                                                                                Amen

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

Yours in Christ
Cindi