SCRIPTURE: Genesis 43:1-34 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This story illustrates God’s grace in a wonderful way. Expecting judgment, they are received with amazing generosity. They cannot believe what is happening, and they marvel at how much he knows them (even their birth order). Joseph seems to be testing them, humbling them. But he loves them, and longs to be…
Sep 28 — Genesis 42:18-38
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 42:18-38 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The brothers recognize that what they did to Joseph was wrong, but all these years it didn’t bother them because things went OK for them. Now they finally admit their sin publicly. Joseph seems to be toying with them, yet his heart is still sensitive towards them. Reuben has always had a…
Sep 27 — Genesis 42:1-17
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 42:1-17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Is this the old Joseph coming back, his wounded pride seeking revenge for what his brothers did to him? Was he trying to teach them a lesson, give them a little fear to help them see how bad they had been to him? This is not a “be like Joseph” passage (moralism)….
Sep 26 — Genesis 41:41-57
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 41:41-57 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Joseph’s life has been a roller-coaster. Now God’s favour is leading him to greater impact and blessing. The lesson here is not “trust God and He will make you prosper” but “trust God and He will fulfill His purpose for you”. We prefer the “prosper” message. We receive the blessings, and even…
Sep 25 — Genesis 41:25-40
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 41:25-40 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: God does not reveal Himself to Pharoah through the dream, He reveals His purpose. Joseph reveals God through his interpretation. Although Pharoah does not understand (he thinks Joseph has the spirit of the gods), he listens. Joseph makes the most of this opportunity to direct honour to God, and God uses this…
Sep 24 — Genesis 41:1-24
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 41:1-24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Just like Daniel, God is at work behind the scenes beyond His people, among the Babylonians and the Egyptians. Through dreams, and a host of other means, God is communicating (think of the wise men and the star). But the ultimate meaning of these messages is not understood, and the peoples of…
Sep 23 — Genesis 40:1-23
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 40:1-23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Joseph continues to honour God, even though he was forcibly taken from his homeland, and falsely jailed for a crime he did not commit. He has not despaired of God’s hand, and affirms that He is still in charge, the only one that can interpret dreams. His appeal to the cup-bearer to…
Sep 22 — Genesis 39:1-23
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 39:1-23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Joseph had been a spoiled child, which led to his brother’s hatred and betrayal. Yet by the time he arrives in Egypt (a long journey by caravan), something has happened to his heart, softened by fear, grief, and perhaps repentance. Humbled before God, he does not wallow in despair but he lives…
Sep 21 — Genesis 38:1-30
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 38:1-30 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Here we see in dramatic fashion how God works in this sinful world – not affirming the sin, but working through the sin – to accomplish His purpose. Moralistic preaching takes Bible characters and says “be like them” or “don’t be like them”, but often the very best characters live shady lives….
Sep 20 — Genesis 37:12-36
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 37:12-36 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “How the mighty have fallen!” “Pride goes before the fall”. Joseph is learning humility through hardship. Even though what his brothers did was wrong, God uses this situation to (a) accomplish His ultimate purpose of rescuing His people, and (b) to build deep, humble faith in Joseph, so that he can be…