Joseph: the legacy of Israel

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

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Genesis 47:27-48:22

In his parting days, Jacob seeks a promise from Joseph that he would not be buried in Egypt. He knows that their stay in Egypt was God’s will, but only his temporary will. Later he blessed Joseph’s two sons, giving the greater blessing to Ephraim, and he also bequeaths a mountain slope in the promised land to Joseph’s tribes. Jacob was able to see beyond his own death to the lasting spiritual legacy he would leave.

LORD, grant it for us to leave a spiritual legacy among our children and others we influence.

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A comment:

Good morning Jeff:

I have a question for you. I am enjoying your daily devotionals through Genesis. Let me ask this question: We generally see Joseph as a very righteous person, a type of Christ in many ways. But what do you think about the fact that as the drought went on for years, as we see in this chapter 47, he eventually took all the money and lands of all the people and eventually took the people as slaves of Pharaoh? Do you see anything wrong with this action, making the people into slaves, which of course would later be the case for his descendants? I look forward to your thoughts.

Thanks.

Russell

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In hindsight, we can look back and see that some of the things Joseph did might have opened the door to problems for Israel later on, but the Bible is clear that Joseph never intended those consequences.  We cannot be responsible for unintended consequences.  In retrospect, even the slavery of Israel turned out for God’s glory, because God used his deliverance of his people for his glory.  I think that is the perspective Moses wanted the Israelites to get from Genesis.

Jeff

2/22/2012

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Joseph: humility and integrity

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

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Genesis 47:13-26.

The story of Joseph is more than how he saved his family from drought and brought them to Egypt. He shows humility and absence of greed when he continues to serve Pharaoh even when he holds the fate of all Egypt in his hands. He procures lasting obedience and allegiance and gratitude for his master. A person of integrity does not look for ways to best advantage himself. He uses his leadership skills to best promote his leaders.

LORD, make us persons of humility and integrity.

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Joseph: grace and integrity

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

CoatOfManyColors_smGenesis 46:1-47:12.    Joseph’s integrity was such that – in spite of the fact that Egyptians despised shepherds – Pharaoh gave Jacob and his family the best of the land.  Also, Pharaoh ordered that Joseph appoint someone in his family to oversee his own livestock.  All of this favor was the result of God’s grace and Joseph’s demonstration of personal integrity.  In the church today we need to be humbled by a constant awareness of how unworthy we are of the blessings we receive.  At the saame time, we need to strive to live worthy of the name we profess.  Joseph did that.

LORD, we surrender to your grace and seek to demonstrate your faithfulness.

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Joseph: sent on a mission

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

CoatOfManyColors_smGenesis 45.  Joseph’s revelation of himself before his brothers could definitely have gone another way.  He could have used the opportunity to inflict terror and vengeance upon them.  Instead, he shows godly consideration.  He removes all the bystanders so that they do not overhear anything about the way he came to be in Egypt.  This was not out of embarrassment, but a means to protect his brothers from the consequences of their sin.

Joseph looks back on his experience and regards it as the means that God used to send him on a mission – a mission that would mean survival and continued prosperity for his father and family. 

LORD, help us to see your mission in the calamities and trials we face.  And if we do not see the mission, help us to trust that there is one.

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Joseph: a test for his brothers

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

CoatOfManyColors_smGenesis 44.  Joseph’s cruel test of his brothers reveals their heart.  They feel the guilt over what they had done to him, and they feel concern for their father – whom they have also wronged.  Time had not erased the voice of God in their consciences.

When we approach those who have lived in sin a long time, we might feel that sharing the gospel with them is inappropriate – that there is no use.  We need to realize that the Holy Spirit who prompts us to speak of Christ to others can also speak to their consciences thorough our words. 

LORD, help us to trust that your Holy Spirit knows what he is doing, and speak to the lost of their need of Salvation.

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Joseph: a feast for his brothers

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

CoatOfManyColors_smGenesis 43.   The brothers returned to Egypt with Benjamin, not knowing whether they would live or die – since the money they had given the governor before had been secretly put back into their bags.  Zaphenath-paneah had ordered that they go to a feast at his home.  Simeon is returned to them.  Joseph comes and questions them, and has to leave their presence because it is hard for him to control his emotions.  He must maintain the secret long enough to test his brothers once more.  his servant knows that it is his God and the God of his father who is behind these events.

LORD, when we face life’s challenging moments, may we do so with the confidence that you are in sovereign control of both today’s events and tomorrow’s destiny.

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Joseph: “there comes a reckoning”

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

CoatOfManyColors_smGenesis 42.   Joseph’s ten brothers go to Egypt to buy food during the famine and encounter governor Zaphenath-paneah.  He appears to mistrust them, and takes Simeon as prisoner.  He insists that they return to Canaan and fetch their youngest brother, Benjamin – to prove that they are not spies.  The other brothers know that this is happening because of what they had done to Joseph.  The recognize not only their guilt, but God’s hand in this consequence that has come upon them.  Joseph seeks to fulfill his dream (9). He is being used to bring his entire family to Egypt, according to God’s plan.

LORD, help us to lead others to recognize their guilt – and then to see your grace, and promise of rescue.

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Joseph: sons of prosperity

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

joseph-coatGenesis 41:37-57.   After so many years of slavery and poverty – Joseph finally gets to be free.  The true test of his character begins.  He talked about God a lot while he was down in the pit.  What does he say about God now that he is vice-Pharaoh?  We get a clue from what he names his two sons.  Manasseh means “making to forget” and witnesses to the Egyptians that the LORD is able to bring us out of bondage, and make us forget its pain and humiliation.  Ephraim means “making fruitful” and witnesses to the Egyptians that the LORD rewards faithfulness with fruitfulness.

Are you in the pit or in prosperity?  Regardless, you can testify of the goodness of the LORD.

LORD,  help us to testify of your greatness and goodness wherever we are.

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Joseph: out of the pit

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

joseph-coatGenesis 41:1-36.   Joseph had been retrieved from a pit and sold to slave traders.  That is how he wound up in Egypt.  He was  wrongfully accused by his master’s wife, and thrown into another “pit” – a prison.  Years later, he is brought out of the pit just in time to rescue the land from starvation  — and will be used to bring his entire family to Egypt.  Joseph responded appropriately to this rescue by giving honor to God and assisting in the rescue of others.  How have you responded to your rescue?

LORD, may our lives overflow with gratitude and joy over our rescue from the pit.  May we focus our energy on rescuing others.

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Joseph: the prisoners’ dreams

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

joseph-coatGenesis 40.  Day after day, Joseph did his duty, attending to the other prisoners in “the pit” (15).  He waited for some clue that God was not through with him – that he still had a destiny.  That clue came one day when he noticed that two prisoners were upset about dreams that the had.  Joseph remembered that he, himself had dreams – and they put him here.  So Joseph supposed that those dreams were his ticket out.  They would be, but it would take a while – two years – before he could book passage.

LORD, as we look for clues to our destiny, help us to not be discouraged at how long it might take for us to accomplish your plan.

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