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Joseph and Jacob Reunited; Final Blessings

Genesis 45-50 and Psalm 12

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and completely forgives them all. It’s interesting that Joseph presents his family to Pharaoh and “Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased” (Genesis 45:16). Joseph’s service to Egypt was one with such integrity and honor that all those in power, the royal dynasty if you will, are pleased to see him overjoyed with the reunion of his family. Truly remarkable.

Jacob (Israel) finally gets to see his lost son, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive” (Genesis 46:30). Joseph arranges a meeting with Pharaoh, with a bit of prompting. It’s an interesting conversation. Jacob is certainly respectful of Pharaoh, his position and prestige, but the sense I get from the narrative is not one of pauper vs king. Jacob is introduced and “after Jacob bless Pharaoh…” the conversation begins.

Pharaoh didn’t “need” Jacob’s blessing, yet he receives one at the beginning of the conversation and one at the end as Jacob departs.

After 17 years, Jacob is prepared to die, so he gathers his sons to give them his blessing (Genesis 49). So the twelve tribes of Israel are blessed and the stage is set for the coming years.

One of the most famous verses comes after all of the drama of this story is played out. Though it’s difficult to appreciate the magnitude of the power, here is the simple text from a humble servant of God:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

For some reason my mind saw one of the closing sequences in The Lord of the Rings, the conversation between Frodo and Sam. Perhaps this was Tolkien’s attempt to portray the incredible journey that Joseph was required to take in order to save his people. Through battles, deception, greed, anger, lust, etc., Frodo survives and accomplishes his mission. Much the same for Joseph and his family endures. I rather like the comparison, but then again, I rather like the LOTR.

The big takeaway for me: humble obedience. Both Jacob and Joseph show incredible strength and humility at the same time. These are characteristics I pray I can learn from, traits I pray for. May all the honor and glory be directed at the God who watches over all and may we never forget how he loves us and desires to see his family reunited.

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The Famine

Genesis 42-44 and Psalm 11

Joseph’s dream becomes a reality some 20 years in the making:

So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. Genesis 42:6

To disguise himself, Joseph uses an interpreter to employ his scheme to hold his brothers and teach them a lesson. Deep inside it seems Joseph’s longing for his family never faded. Twenty years of living through incredible highs and lows, yet still he has a heart for those who despised him. Amazing.

Reuben’s told you so response is humorous, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen!” (42:22). There is much debate at the camp when the brothers return (less Simeon). Jacob doesn’t want to lose Benjamin, even though Reuben assures him of safety. Judah adds his name to the list of those who will ensure Benjamin’s safety and Jacob relents and sends them all on their way with twice the silver and other gifts.

Joseph prepare a banquet to receive his brothers, but the story is not over yet. They enjoy the food and are released the next day with provisions and a surprise: a silver cup is hidden in Benjamin’s sack. The penalty is set: Benjamin is to become a slave, but Judah’s plea breaks Joseph’s heart (next chapter).

One of the greatest stories in the Old Testament, replayed in many ways. There is much to learn from the entire story, but what lesson should I take from this today? Judah’s sincere commitment to his father gets my attention. Judah was the one who devised the plan to sell Joseph (Genesis 37:26) and it was his plea to Jacob to take Benjamin to Egypt as required. In reading the narrative, it may be true that Judah has the most to lose from amongst the brothers. Though he’s not the oldest, he left them and built his own family (Genesis 38). Yet he is willing to become Pharaoh’s slave for the sake of his brother, perhaps for the sake of his brothers. Perhaps there is deep regret for his original plan to sell Joseph. Now he is put to the test and he does not disappoint. We don’t hear his prayers of confession, nor his admission of guilt in the first offense. It’s hard to say if Judah (and his brothers) ever mentioned the fact that they conspired against Joseph–perhaps that is the point.

Christ forgives our sins. He doesn’t lay them on the table and require that we recant them one by one, he simply forgives them all. We are released from the past.

Let go of the guilt and lay it all before Jesus. He completely forgives all.

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Joseph the Interpreter

Genesis 40-41 and Acts 7:9-10

Stephen’s speech, just before his stoning (with Saul as a witness), succinctly summarizes how God provided for our ancestors in the darkest of hours. My present uncomfortable circumstance pales in comparison, but I know that God will provide for me and my family and so I pray that I will learn even more today than yesterday, that I will grow in faith and obedience as I read about Joseph’s rise from prison to leader.

Genesis 40 begins with: “Some time later…” This reminds me of Hebrews 12:10-12 — no one really appreciates being disciplined during the act, but “later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness.” I’m not sure Joseph was thinking all of this was about discipline or producing anything positive. He interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and baker, but apparently receives no recognition. Chapter 41 starts with “when two full years had passed…” Both of these chapters implore us to be patient, to walk with integrity on the path before us, even when it’s challenging or confusing.

Finally the cupbearer remembers Joseph and he is retrieved from the dungeon and brought to Pharaoh to interpret the dream. I love Joseph’s response:

“I cannot do it, Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16

Not only does God inspire Joseph to interpret the dream, but he lays out a detailed plan for how to respond to the years of plenty and the years of famine. Pharaoh was impressed, “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.” And so it came to pass as Joseph prophesied.

What did Joseph do during his time in the dungeon? Somehow, he appeared before Pharaoh on a moment’s notice and skyrocketed to fame. Or did he? Day after day in the dungeon, there was no sign for relief. Whatever the routine, there was no margin for release, much less blessing and promotion. So how did Joseph spend this time? I like to think that he rise to fame was consistent with his daily preparation. In my imagination, Joseph was tending to other prisoners, praying for God’s provision and thanking God each day for another opportunity to serve. He knows he’s done nothing to deserve the punishment inflicted, yet he can’t deny its existence.

The choice is before him: focus on the dire circumstance, whine and complain, tell and retell the story of how horrible your family is, how they sold you, blah, blah, or choose to see the day as an opportunity. I think Joseph was thankful every time he awoke. These are just my thoughts, but based on Pharaoh’s immediate acceptance of Joseph, I think they aren’t far from accurate.

Lord help me to practice my faith daily, hour by hour, minute by minute. When the time comes, let my integrity be worthy of your honor. Discipline me Lord so that “later on…” I will be your effective ambassador.

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Joseph

Genesis 37-39 and Psalm 10

Psalm 10 is incredibly timely as our presidential election cycle builds to a crescendo.

The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.Psalm 10:16-18

Today we begin the story of Joseph, one of the most compelling characters in the Old Testament. Joseph is the Jacob’s first son with Rachel, the wife he desired most and work for 20 years to earn. It’s a bit difficult to imagine the culture of those days, so many children through multiple wives and concubines, honestly hard to get my mind around. Takes some time to switch gears mentally.

Within the clan, Joseph is despised by his brothers because Jacob treats him differently, “they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Joseph had a dream, one where he prospered over his brothers, a dream he choose to tell them about, “they hated him all the more.” Joseph appears to be taunting his brothers while feigning innocence (since he was only 17). He even includes Joseph and Rachel as characters bowing to him:

“What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

One fateful day, Joseph was sent to check on his brothers as they tended the flocks. When he finally found his brothers, “they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.” But Reuben spoke into this plot and convinced them to simply “throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness.” They toss Joseph in the empty cistern, then sit down to enjoy dinner (my embellishment). Judah has an idea, “let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hand on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” So Joseph was sold and taken to Egypt. Apparently, Reuben was not part of this conspiracy because when he went back to the well, Joseph was not there, and he said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”

They took Joseph’s special robe, dipped it in blood from a slaughtered goat, and told Jacob that “Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Understandably, Jacob is heart-broken, distraught with grief.

Judah and Tamar — Side Story

Meanwhile, Judah moves out and starts a family with the daughter of a Canaanite. They had three sons, Er, Onan and Shelah. Er and Onan are wicked, “so the Lord put [them] to death.” Er’s wife was Tamar. Judah wanted to protect both Shelah and Tamar, so he told Tamar to live as a widow in his household why Shelah grows up. Tamar has a plot of her own and gets pregnant by Judah when she disguised herself as a prostitute. Strange story indeed. Ultimately, she has twins: Perez and Zerah. Perez, as in Matthew 1:3, in the lineage of Jesus. End of side story.

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master” (Genesis 39:2). Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything, so all prospered because of God’s blessing on Joseph. Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph and kept asking him to “Come to bed with me!” but Joseph refused. “And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” Eventually, she gets aggressive, but Joseph runs away, leaving his cloak in her hands. She makes up a story that suggests he was “making sport” of her and he gets thrown in prison. Joseph, once again, flourishes in prison, “he was made responsible for all that was done there.”

It’s hard to imagine that Joseph kept a positive spirit during all of this turmoil. I really wonder how his diaries read during those days, yet God continues to bless him and prepares him for the next phase.

What is my struggle today? Could it be that God is preparing me for a blessing? Or perhaps my actions will bless another Joseph? I don’t think the point of this story is to be faithful and get blessed, I think the point is simply to be faithful. Trust that God has a plan beyond what we can see. That’s hard to do in the midst of troubles–that’s why it’s called faith.

Lord, teach us to be faithful, always trusting in your ways above ours.

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Safe Return Home

Genesis 35-36

“God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.”

Reaching the end of their days on earth, Rachel dies delivering Benjamin, the 12th tribe of Israel. Jacob died at 180 years, full years to say the least!

The bulk of these chapters include names and references to relatives as the family of Jacob and Esau grew and populated the land. While the reading isn’t exciting, the references play tribute to our ancestors and serve to tie the pieces together. Esau is not forgotten, even though Jacob received his birthright and Isaac’s blessing.

I noticed one particular caveat assigned to “Anah who discovered the hot springs in the desert while he was grazing donkeys of his father Zibeon” (Genesis 36:24). Seems interesting…so I’ll look for hot springs later. He was one of the Hitites, not in the family of Esau like everyone else in the chapter, so I had to do some research.

This genealogy is given partly because it contains that of Aholibamah, but chiefly because the Horites were in time fused with the descendants of Esau, and together formed the Edomites (see Link).

In our culture, the concept of tribes and clans is all but lost; not so in the Middle East (as my wife can attest). These details are significant and form important links to wealth and rites. I honestly don’t understand all of these intricacies, but I hope to learn a bit more each pass through these stories.

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Jacob Wrestles With God

Genesis 32-34 and Psalm 9

“So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” More than a dream, the one who wrestled with Jacob “touched the socket of Jacob’s hip…and he was limping because of his hip.” Something happened to be sure, but the important point is Jacob is blessed by God and his name is now: Israel.

Jacob is seriously afraid of Esau, constantly uses, “my lord” when addressing him. Seriously sucking up to the brother he deceived. Esau, however, is content with his station in life, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” Eventually, Esau takes what Jacob offers and they part company amicably. The whole affair seems to be characterized by Jacob cowering to Esau and Esau simply going about his business. Interesting.

Dinah, Jacob’s daughter with Leah was raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor (from whom Jacob recently purchased the property they possessed). Jacob is furious. Hamor does think it’s an issue and suggests that Jacob should intermarry with them, “live in it, trade in it, and acquire property in it.” They are seriously upset, but devise a plan by agreeing with Hamor and Shechem if they will all be circumcised. “All the men who went out of the city gate agreed…and every male in the city was circumcised.” The stage is set. “Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi…attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male.”

What do we do with this story? What lesson do we draw from these words? At the very least we must understand that Simeon and Levi acted without God’s approval and inflicted punishment that was far greater than the unacceptable treatment of Dinah. In my imagination, I can see Jacob watching his sons brew over the affair, knowing they were extremely angry and perhaps even sensing that they were devising a plan to kill the men of Hamor–yet he did not know the extent of their plan. Since God certainly blesses Jacob, this seems to be the proper interpretation. Their reputation is now cast among the neighboring nations. Rumors will spread. “You have brought trouble on  me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land.” So they would have to leave.

How many times do we act in anger? How many times do I react in anger? Do I not believe that God has a plan, that he wants only the best for me? Yet, I demand revenge and take it on my terms when I insist. Lord help me to learn these lessons and lean on you fully.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name,
O Most High.

Thank you, Lord, for speaking clearly to me this morning. May I remember this moment and teach others the same.

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Jacob’s Dream and Double-cross; Jacob Flees

Genesis 27-31 and Psalm 8
Also read: John 1:50-51, Galatians 6:7

Rebekah hears Isaac’s plan to bless Esau, so she crafts a deception to allow Jacob to receive “the blessing” from Isaac. Of course, Jacob could have said no, but not only was Rebekah a strong leader, he wanted the reward offered by her scheme. The stage is set and Jacob plays his part well, lies to his father and receives the blessing. Esau finds out and is outraged as you would expect. This seems to be a typical Esau reaction, lots of words and anger, but later we’ll learn that he doesn’t act on the threats to kill his brother–he’s just piping mad! Who could blame him? Jacob stole his birthright over some lentil soup, now his father’s blessing.

The Stairway to Heaven

Jacob has a dream about a stairway from earth to heaven where angels are going up and down, a portal in our sci-fi imagination. God is standing above the stairway and declares that Jacob will receive all of the land before him and his descendants will fill the earth–basically Abraham’s blessing repeated. Jacob wakes up excited! He makes a vow to honor God.

Jacob continues on his journey to find a suitable spouse in Laban’s family. Jacob finds Rachel and is immediately in love with her, but Laban has his own plans in mind. Back when Isaac sent his servant to this land and found Rebekah, Laban wanted to delay the departure, but was thwarted by Rebekah. This time Laban will exact his will on Jacob by making him stay until he has fully taken what he wants from the exchange. For seven years Jacob works to receive Rachel’s hand in marriage only to be switched by Laban (my guess is Jacob had a lot of wine and didn’t notice who he was making love to that night–seriously?). He wakes up to discover the switch!

Another seven years for Rachel. Meanwhile, Leah gives birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah (re: tribes). Rachel is barren, so she offers a servant as a proxy: Dan and Naphtali were born from Billah. Leah stopped having children, so her servant Zilpah was offered and she gave birth to Asher. Leah becomes pregnant again and has Issachar and Zebulun. Finally, Rachel has a son and names him Joseph. Thus the 12 tribes of Israel are born. Rachel and Leah worked hard for the privilege of having Jacob’s children. Through it all, we can see why Rachel favored Joseph over the others, but what a mess!

Jacob prospers and asks Laban to be released, but again Laban begs him to stay. Jacob has a plan to be released from Laban. His cunning scheme adds to the drama of this narrative and Jacob departs with better livestock. “So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob” (Genesis 30:42b).

Jacob is on the run again! Laban catches up to Jacob after three days, but God has told Laban in a dream not to say anything good or bad. In the dash, Rachel stole Laban’s gods. Laban searches but doesn’t find them (Rachel is hiding them in her saddle bags). Ultimately Laban concedes and agrees to let Jacob go with a blessing–after 20 years!

The famous Mizpah:

May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. Genesis 31:49

This is the agreement between Laban and Jacob as he finally is blessed to leave. An incredible story of deception and yet God still honors his commitment to Jacob.

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Esau Sells His Birthright

Genesis 25-26, Psalm 7

Malachi 1:2-5, Romans 9:6-16, Hebrews 12:16-17

Twins were born, probably not all that common, but not completely unheard of I’m sure. Hairy Esau was born first, but Jacob came out “with his hand grasping Esau’s heal” (Genesis 25:26). As a father of four daughters, I can identify with how very different siblings can be. In this case, Esau is the wild hunting man–perfect match for the SEC. Jacob hangs out around the tents, I can picture him reading books in the library, thinking of ways to build the family business while Esau is out hunting.

The narrative in Genesis 25:29-34 provide a glimpse into the relationship between the brothers. Esau comes in from a hunt a little too hungry and commands Jacob to give him some stew. Jacob sees an opportunity and says, “First sell me your birthright…Swear to me first.” The text simply says, “So Esau despised his birthright,” but I’m sure there was more happening in this scene, probably some words that didn’t get printed in the narrative. Psalm 7:15 includes:

“Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made”

This was no casual soup-to-birthright swap, this was Esau’s character epitomized by this particular event. God loved Jacob (Israel) and hated Esau (Edom) (see Malachi 1:2, Romans 9:13).

Genesis 26 reveals Isaac’s faithfulness to God and the rewards that are proffered to him as a result. Interestingly, in 26:7-11 we see the, “she is my sister” trick work for Isaac as it did for Abraham. I’m not sure what to think about this as it simply slips by in the Scriptures as a means to an end. Isaac and Abimelek reach an amicable arrangement and ultimately Isaac makes a very public treaty with Abimelek’s commander, “Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they went away peacefully” (Genesis 26:31).

Isaac becomes wealthy and prosperous without bloodshed or aggressive behavior. That alone is a valuable lesson to gain from these chapters. As I skim over the text that talks about Isaac I get the sense that he was magnificently obedient to God. When confronted over water rights issues, he dug another well. “He moved from there and dug another well, an no one quarreled over it” (Genesis 26:22). In our modern, often pushy society, we see many examples where the aggressive business-person is greatly successful, but that’s only because they are the ones that attract attention. When we read books like Good to Great, we learn that success doesn’t require arrogance. Just like Isaac, we can receive blessings through obedience.

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Isaac Gets Life

Genesis 22-24 and Hebrews 11:17-19, John 3:16, Romans 8:32

“Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”>Genesis 22:7

This is an amazing, familiar story that I’ve heard preached and taught several times. Isaac was born to Abraham as promised, now Abraham is put to an ultimate test.

One thing that caught my attention this morning was Isaac’s question, “where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Apparently, Isaac was familiar with the system of sacrifice; that is, Abraham raised him in such a way that Isaac knew the process well: you willingly sacrifice the best you have for the Lord.

“and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Genesis 22:18

Surely Abraham knew God would bless him during his time on earth, but he had to know these words were set for some distant future–he would not fully realize the blessing. Lord, help me to be willing to sacrifice my best without reservation. Help me to understand that I might not see the future you have planned through some action I take today, but let me be true to your will.

Abraham dispatched a servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own people, very intentionally not from Canaan. The servant set off with a prayer that God would reveal the right woman to him when he got there. At the well, Rebekah showed incredible kindness to Abraham’s servant, so he concluded this was a providential meeting.  Rebekah’s father, Bethuel agreed that she would become Isaac’s wife. Somehow Laban is in the decision chain here and as they were getting ready to leave, he and Rebekah’s mother ask the servant to let her stay for 10 days or so before leaving. The servant suggests the decision will be Rebekah’s to make. Her willingness to go immediately continues the story of obedience. (Laban’s story continues later.)

May we all learn from these stories of great sacrifice and faith.

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Destruction and Birth

Genesis 19-21 and Psalm 6

Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed. Whether an enormous earthquake (the consensus of the references I found) or some unknown catastrophic event, the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah were ultimately punished. Lot, his wife and two daughters flee at the bidding of the angels disguised as men “grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them” (Genesis 19:16).

“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” Genesis 19:26

Given the result, it seems fair to conclude that Lot’s wife didn’t just glance over her shoulder; rather, she was consumed by her desire for that which was left behind. When Jesus was teaching his disciples about the end times, he referenced this narrative: Luke 17:28-29, 17:32.

“Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it” Luke 17:32-33a

Once again we see the need to understand the Old Testament better to appreciate the references from the New Testament. It’s important to see what has happened to appreciate what will happen. Lord, increase my understanding!

Lot’s two daughters were apparently raised in such depravity that they conspired to get their father drunk and have sex with him in order to have children. Thus we have the beginning of the Moabites and the Ammonites from which battles will ensue in the coming generations.

Abraham and Abimelek — “She’s my sister” a second time. Abraham uses the same ploy a second time (and Sarah added ‘He is my brother.’ Abimelek has a dream that reveals the deception and has a meeting with Abraham where he explains the riddle,

Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, ‘He is my brother.'”Genesis 20:12-13

There is truth and there is the whole truth. Interesting. Abimelek gives Abraham lots of stuff and Abraham prays for him. Thus Abraham is again rewarded for this deception.

The Birth of Issac

Just as the angel said, Sarah became pregnant at the age of 90 (Abraham became the father of Issac at 100). Somehow they still have a sense of humor about the entire affair:

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. Genesis 21:6

Sarah must be filled with joy as she realizes that God allowed her to have a son, so much so that everyone will laugh with her. It’s a wonderful image. But once again, Sarah is extremely unhappy with Hagar and Ishmael, so Abraham sends them out. God provides for Hagar in the desert of Paran. They are now out of Sarah’s way!

God is the Lord of promises kept. As humans, we tend to make a mess of everything, but God works with us anyway! Praise God for his patience, his providence, his protection and relentless pursuit of his people.

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