Please read Genesis 45:16-26, Genesis 46, and Genesis 47:1-27.  Come on back and let’s talk about a highlight or two!

Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt, and this is good news for everyone, not only Joseph. The Word says that Pharaoh and all his workers considered this good news as well.  This shows us again that Joseph had gained such favor with Pharaoh, and possibly even become friends.  Pharaoh and Joseph must have become closer on a personal level as well, he clearly knew his history and his desires when it came to his family from Canaan. Don’t we feel glad when our friends receive glad news?

When the brothers start the journey to collect their father Jacob and bring him back, Joseph gives them this advice:

“Take it easy on the journey; try to get along with each other” Genesis 45:24 MSG

Isn’t that nice advice for us today? Take it easy on the journey, and try to get along!

Please read Genesis 42, Genesis 43, Genesis 44, Genesis 45:1-15, and then come on back.  I’ll share what I am thinking – would love to hear what you are thinking too!

Of all the wonderful things God does, restoration is one of my favorites! Can you imagine the moment, the joy of the reunion between Joseph and his brothers?

“Come closer to me,” Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. “I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don’t feel badly, don’t blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years—neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn’t you who sent me here but God” (Genesis 45:4-8 MSG).

It is remarkable that Joseph was able to come to a place where he praised God for working through his trials rather than blaming his brothers for causing them.  God really does cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28)!

Please read Genesis 40, Genesis 35:28-29, and Genesis 41, and then let’s visit!  Here’s what I’m thinking about today:

What a whirlwind Joseph’s life is!  We haven’t mentioned where he came from, but let’s hit the highlights now: a favored son, a baby brother, entrapped, sold, a slave, a prisoner, now second in command over Egypt…. At every opportunity to take offense at his circumstances, Joseph kept his sight on the Lord’s faithfulness.  At every opportunity to promote or defend himself, Joseph kept his sight on the Lord’s faithfulness.  Remember when he was brought in to interpret Pharaoh’s dream?  Pharaoh thought it would be Joseph who interpreted the dream.  Joseph could have easily taken credit, manipulated the situation to try and gain favor – but he knew the Lord’s faithfulness and he answered, “Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh’s mind at ease” (Genesis 41:16).

Joseph did not have to say anything on his own behalf – the Lord was on his side: “Pharaoh said to his officials, ‘Isn’t this the man we need? Are we going to find anyone else who has God’s spirit in him like this?’ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “You’re the man for us. God has given you the inside story—no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom.” (Genesis 41:38-40).  

God doesn’t work on our timelines, and He never forgets. Though it can be hard to let God be your only defense, He can be trusted!

Please read Genesis 37, Genesis 38, 1 Chronicles 2:3-6, 1 Chronicles 2:8 and Genesis 39.  You know, it’s not my goal to make a comment on every thing that happens each day – if something stands out to me, I’m sharing it.  I’m just hitting a few “highlights”.  Make your own notes (comment here if you like – I’d love to have a dialogue with you!), and let the Word settle in your own heart.  Here’s what stands out to me today:

I think it’s interesting that [what I consider] to be the beginning of Joseph’s story starts with these words: “This is the story of Jacob. The story continues with Joseph….” (Genesis 37:2 MSG). It’s continuing Jacob’s story because we are talking about Jacob’s family.  Family is important to God!

Genesis 39:23 tells us that “because God was with him; whatever he did God made sure it worked out for the best”.  Joseph doesn’t defend himself (“the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” like we’ll learn in Exodus 14:14 later on). Hard sometimes to let the Lord be your defense – but He can be trusted!

Please read Genesis 36:1-19, 1 Chronicles 1:35-37, Genesis 36:20-30, 1 Chronicles 1:38-42, Genesis 36:31-43, 1 Chronicles 1:43-54, 1 Chronicles 2:1-2 (whew!).  When you’re ready, come on back – maybe make a comment of your own here!  This is what I’m thinking this morning:

Even though the descendants and begats can seem tedious, it’s interesting and important when we see them come back and are able to remember.  For example, we’ll see the Amalekties again (1 Chronicles 1:36).  Make a note – they descended from Esau. We also  see the 12 tribes (Jacob’s sons, 1 Chronicles 2:1-2), and we’ll have them with us for a long time. God is faithful!

Please read Genesis 32, Genesis 33, Genesis 34, and Genesis 35:1-27.  Once you’ve finished, head on back – want to know what stood out to me this morning?

Gen 35:14-15 tells us that Jacob made an offering and left a memorial at Bethel because God had spoken to him there.  Jacob “dedicated the place where God had spoken with him”. Every time the Lord speaks to us, it’s so precious!

Father, please don’t let me take Your voice in my life for granted!  Your presence and Your voice are something to be cherished and remembered and sought after.

Please read Genesis 30:25-43, and Genesis 31.  When you’re done, head on back!  I hope you are finding that these readings are only taking 10-15 minutes each day.  Hang in there, you are making great progress! 🙂 Here’s what I am thinking about today:

So many things going on – difficulties between Leah and Rachel, difficulties between Laban and Jacob.  Knowing how important Jacob is, it’s interesting to see him from his beginning, a young man married and raising his family.  Joseph is born – put a bookmark by his name!  AfterJacob flees from Laban and Laban catches up, they come to peace.  I think maybe a strained peace, what do you think?  Laban can’t really condemn Jacob and he is unwilling to admit his own wrongdoing, so I think he just makes peace and enters a covenant with Jacob (I think) for the sake of his daughters.  At least it’s something!

God can bring true peace, if we let Him guard our hearts. Ask the Lord to bring peace to your relationships – and recognize that we have a part in keeping peace as well!

Please read Genesis 28:6-22, Genesis 29, Genesis 30:1-24, and come on back!  Here’s what stands out to me today:

What an awesome responsibility we have to pray over our children. It stood out to me in Jacob’s dream when God told him He would bring him back and stay with him until all the promises were fulfilled.  I am struck by Jacob’s response to the dream in Genesis 28:16 – “God is in this place – truly.  And I didn’t even know it!”  This won’t be the last time we read about someone not recognizing the Lord.  I pray that I’ll always be able to sense when He is near!

God is all about restoration and returning, and He is always faithful. We have to be faithful too if we are to see His promises come to pass in our lives (and sometimes it takes what seems to us like a long time!).

Good morning, friend! 🙂 Please read Genesis 25:27-34, Genesis 26, Genesis 27, and Genesis 28:1-5, and come on back.  Here’s what I am thinking about this morning:

The history of Jacob and Esau, and how Esau relinquished his birthright is a familiar and sad one.

At the beginning of chapter 26, we are told there was a severe famine, so Isaac moved to Gerar. His intention must have been to continue on to Egypt (I’m guessing because God tells him not to go in Genesis 26:2).  Even in a place where he was a stranger (lonely perhaps), God tells him to stay there and he would be blessed there.  So, in obedience to the Lord, Isaac stayed.  In keeping with His promise to Abraham, God blessed and prospered Isaac there.

Even in times of loneliness or fill-in-your-own blank-here, there is a blessing in following the Lord.  We can’t act based on emotions, we must act on obedience. God is so faithful, every single time!

Please read Genesis 25:1-4, 1 Chronicles 1:32-33, Genesis 25:5-6, Genesis 25:12-18, 1 Chronicles 1:28-31, 1 Chronicles 1:34, Genesis 25:19-26, Genesis 25:7-11, and come on back!  Share your comments below if you like – I’d love to hear what you are thinking too! 

Abraham’s family did expand through Isaac as God promised, and He blessed Ishmael as well.  The genealogies are important, fight the urge to “skim” over them! 🙂 Even though Isaac and Ishmael’s history was atypical at best, they were still brothers. It doesn’t seem like there is animosity between the two of them – they come together at the end of Abraham’s life to  bury him next to Sarah.  The Message translation reads, “he died happy at a ripe old age, full of years” (Genesis 25:8). What a nice way to end a life, happy. The Lord kept His promises to Abraham!

Now on to the next generation – Jacob and Esau!  See you tomorrow!