February 10 (Shevat 16) ~ Genesis 37

DOWN IN THE PITS

S - Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36

Verse 1, the opening verses of this chapter reminds me that we are strangers on this earth! "And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger ..." This world is not our home! This is the place we lodge and sojorn, but we long (or should long) for our real home, our eternal home.

Joseph dreamed dreams and was shown favoritism by his father and his brothers hated him for it. Notice verse 31 "And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood ..." Not only did they show contempt for Joseph, but also their father by killing one of their father's own baby goats to continue in their lies and deception.

O - Observations:

God gave Joseph a dream that his brothers would bow down to him. How much do you think Joseph believed that dream as he was thrown into a pit while his brothers sat near him eating while Joseph was crying out for help (Genesis 42:21), but we know from the whole story of Joseph that what his brothers meant for evil that God was in control and meant for good (Genesis 50:20, 45:5; Acts 7:9) with a few "pit" stops along the way (couldn't resist that one!). From the pit, to slavery, to Potiphar's house, to jail and then FINALLY to the most impressive appointment overseeing all of Egypt. His brothers eventually did bow down to him and the dream God gave him came to pass (Isaiah 14:24, 55:11).

A - Application for me today:

This is all very temporal. So what's the point? I think for me at this time the temporalness teaches me that this is the "rehearsal", if you will, to a different life, a heavenly life. In Debi Pearls book "Created to be his Help Meet (http://www.createdtobehishelpmeet.org/) she talks about having a "heavenly marriage". To me this is what this life, this world, is for ... not necessarily heavenly marriages per se, but to learn how to have heavenly relationships and to be molded and purified in to the likeness of Christ. As we talked earlier this week or in the latter part of last week that takes time (II Peter 3:1-11 and Romans 5:1-5).

Sometimes to mold us and purify us or get us where God wants us it takes tough times like what Joseph experienced, times of being down in the pit and feeling like a slave. We can feel very alone sometimes, even separated from our families. We might feel or actually be imprisioned. What hope can we find in times like these? Here are two verses you can cling to as you wait for God's vision to be accomplished in your life ...

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.


P - Prayer in response:

Thank you, God, that you are in control of EVERY situation in my life. You can use it for good if we love you (Romans 8:28). I know you are with me. You can give me strength for whereever I am in my life. You will help me and uphold me with your mighty right hand, Yeshua the Messiah. Conform me to your image. Pour yourself into me. Be with me that I might not be overwhelmed or burned by the rivers and fires in my life.

Thank you for loving me enough to send your Only Begotten Son to die for me. He was treated as Joseph, thrown away by His brothers and sold for mere pieces of silver, but all for the plan of SAVING His people from their sins. The plan of Jesus was like Joseph, just on a much bigger and grander and more eternal scale. Blessed is the Name of our Saviour and we pray all these things in HIS Mighty Name.

B'shem Yeshua HaMashiach
In the Name of Jesus our Messiah
Amen & Amen.

Love Dare

Today we continue to build on I Corinthians 13 ~ Love is patient, love is kind ... put these two into practice today.

Day 2: Love is kind.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. —Ephesians 4:32

TODAY’S DARE
In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse (or whomever you are daring to love) again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.