Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Sunday January 13, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis. Please read Genesis 37-39. In today's lesson we will read and learn about Joseph and his dreams; Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers; the lies of Potiphar's wife and Joseph imprisoned bacause of them.
Joseph remained faithful to God no matter what he had been through, he even had compassion in forgiving his brothers for the cruel way that they treated him. Joseph was the only one of Jacob's 12 sons who expressed interest in spiritual things. Joseph was deeply troubled about his older brothers' evil conduct while away from home. At 17 years of age, when Joseph was feeding the flock with his brothers he reported to his father the evil things they were doing. The fact that Joseph was the son of his old age, and possibly because of Joseph's concern for his brothers' spiritual well-being, influenced Jacob to love him more than all his brethren. "These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." (Genesis 37:2-4).
Some people discourage exposing wrongdoing, and others say they do not want to become involved. But Joseph possessed spiritual integrity and was willing to face abuse from his brothers for exposing their evil ways. Their hatred increased when Joseph shared his prophetic dreams with them. "And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me." (37:5-9).
Their hatred and jealousy over Joseph caused them to plot and evil scheme to get rid of him. So while his brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem, they plotted to kill him and say that some evil beast attacked him. Some time later, Jacob, concerned about his sons' welfare, sent Joseph to see if everything was all right with them. After a long search, Joseph found his brothers near the village of Dothan. When they him they were ready to slay him, but they could not do it, so they sold him into slavery to the Ishmeelite's for some silver. "And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
19And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt." (37:11-14,19-28).
Joseph then was sold in the slave market in Egypt to Potiphar, the captain of the royal guard. "And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand." (39:1-4)
Then Potiphar's wife casted her eyes upon Joseph and day after day his tried to get him to commit adultery with her. "And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her." (39:7-10).
This angered her so she had him arrested, "And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison." (39:17-21). God used the experiences of Joseph to prepare him to be the preserver of God's people and, thus, the lineage of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. This once again confirms that all things work together for good to them that love God.
When we remain faithful to Christ and allow Him to be Lord and Master of our lives, God will wonderfully bless us too. When we experience disappointments, financial loss, death of a loved one (and we all will), it's not easy to say "Rejoice in the Lord." But we discover that it was a part of fulfilling God's best for our lives. As we begin to understand this principle, we will desire to be obedient to God.
In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through Joseph who was rejected by his own brothers and sold for 20 pieces of silver, imprisoned and eventually became their saviour and wolrd ruler. Jesus came to His own people and they rejected Him as well. He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, imprisoned, crucified, and became our Savior and soon will return to rule the world.
Today's Psalm: (34:19)
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for blessing me with another day and thank you for the many blessings you have given me. I may not realize, but even struggles in my life are blessings as these transform me into the person that you created me to be. Walk with me, guide me and be with me in all I do. It is only with your presence am I able to overcome any situation. You are my Lord and Saviour and I know that you will not forsake me nor give me more than I can handle. Pour the power of Your spirit and grace upon me Lord so that I may be at peace and powerful to withstand any affliction that I endure. In Jesus' name, I pray......Amen.
Have a wonderful day/night and remember, the Lord is with you and will carry you through.
God Bless you,
Christina
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