PROVISIONS - Scripture: Genesis 42:1-38
O - Observations: (By commentator Matthew Henry)
1) Jacob sends ten sons to buy corn. (1-6) Shall others get food for their souls, and shall we starve while it is to be had?
2) Joseph's treatment of his brethren. (7-20) Joseph was hard upon his brethren, not from a spirit of revenge, but to bring them to repentance. It was a very encouraging word he said to them, "I fear God". With those that fear God, we may expect fair dealing.
3) Their remorse, Simeon detained. (21-24) The office of conscience is to bring to mind things long since said and done. When the guilt of this sin of Joseph's brethren was fresh, they made light of it, and sat down to eat bread; but now, long afterward, their consciences accused them of it.
4) The rest return with corn and their money. (25-28) Thus Christ, like Joseph, gives out supplies without money and without price.
5) Jacob refuses to send Benjamin to Egypt. (29-38) Jacob gives up Joseph for gone, and Simeon and Benjamin as in danger; and concludes, All these things are against me. It proved otherwise, that all these things were for him, were working together for his good, and the good of his family.
A - Application for me today:
There is provision in Christ; but we must come to him, and seek it from him. We often think that to be against us, which is really for us. We are afflicted in body, estate, name, and in our relations; and think all these things are against us, whereas they are really working for us a weight of glory.
Thus does the Lord Jesus conceal himself and his favour (like Joseph to his brothers), thus he rebukes and chastens those for whom he has purposes of love. By sharp corrections and humbling convictions he will break the stoutness and mar the pride of the heart, and bring to true repentance.
Yet before sinners fully know him, or taste that he is gracious, he consults their good, and sustains their souls, to wait for him.
May we do thus:
- never yielding to discouragement,
- determining to seek no other refuge, and
- humbling ourselves more and more under his mighty hand.
In due time he will answer our petitions, and do for us more than we can expect.
P - Prayer in response:
Thank you that you are the provision we need ~ our focus ~ our Deliverer! May I not look to my circumstances or to things that might discourage, but seek refuge in you and humble myself in your mighty arms knowing that in your good time you will answer in a way that is for my good, even if not for my best!
Amen & Amen
THE LOVE DARE CHALLENGE
Day 6: Love is not irritable (I should have read this BEFORE I started my day!)
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. —Proverbs 16:32
TODAY’S DARE
Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage (and with your kids) in loving ways instead of with irritation (like when your kids can't find their Sabbath shoes!). Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.
Happy Valentine's Day
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