LORD of my DreamsRight click to open a new window and listen to the worship song Saturate Me.
S - Scripture: Genesis 45:1-28
"Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God ..." v.8a
O - Observations:
Another way we might read that verse above is, "It is not you who detered me, kept me from my family, sent me to be imprisioned, seemingly delayed the answers to my dreams ..." God's providence and timing was in control of everything that happened to Joseph and everything that happens to us.
Joseph's answer to Judah's intercession that we read about yesterday comes very simply, "I am Joseph". These were the words of comfort he had been waiting to give them. He sends away all of his servants and reveals himself as the brother they thought for dead and in doing so Joseph weeps so loudly that all could hear, divine compassion. In verse 3 he says "I am Joseph", but his brothers were בהל bahal, disturbed, nervous, in trepidation, perhaps they moved through a whole host of feelings and emotions in that moment, from shock to perhaps "O No! What is he going to do to us now?" But Joseph doesn't stop there, he moves on in verse 4 to clarify "I am Joseph, your brother" and he goes on in the following verses to comfort them and to show them he is not angry with them and bids them to "come near". Thus when Christ manifests himself to his people he encourages them to draw near to him with a true heart.* What men intended for evil, God meant for good, even in His own death! May the brothers of our LORD Yeshua recognize Him and be comforted in knowing He is ALIVE!
Joseph wanted them to understand that whatever they designed God meant it for good, and had brought much good out of it therefore "God sent me before you". Joseph reckoned that his advancement was not so much designed to save a whole kingdom of Egyptians as to preserve a small family of Israelites: for the Lord’s portion is his people. The psalmist praises God for this (Ps. 105:17): He sent a man before them, even Joseph. Even those that had wickedly sold Joseph into Egypt yet themselves reaped the benefit of the good God brought out of it; as those that put Christ to death were many of them saved by his death. They must not be proud of it, because it was God’s doing and not theirs. They designed, by selling him into Egypt, to defeat his dreams, but God thereby designed to accomplish his dreams.*
Next he promises to provide for them, "I will nourish thee" v.11 and after the tokens of true reconciliation follow the instances of a sweet communion.*
Now Joseph, having forgiven them all, lays this obligation upon them, not to upbraid one another. This charge our Lord Jesus has given to us, that we love one another, that we live in peace, that whatever occurs, or whatever former occurrences are remembered, we fall not out.*
Then, finally, the last point of observation and perhaps the greatest is this, Jacob had easily believed his sons formerly when they told him, Joseph is dead; but he can hardly believe them now that they tell him, Joseph is alive!* The news is great that Joseph is alive, but how much greater news we have that (Luke 24:23) Jesus, Yehoshua, our Saviour is alive! He is alive!
Right click to open a new window and to play Jesus Is Alive
A - Application for me today:
God sees his work from the beginning to the end, but we do not, Eccl. 3:11. How admirable are the projects of providence!*
Leave my dreams up to God to accomplish and to always remember that there are better things reserved for us in that blessed land whither our "Joseph" has gone to prepare a place, we are on a way that leads to Canaan, where we hope to be for ever in perfect peace.*
P - Prayer in response:
LORD of my dreams, I leave my dreams in your hand to accomplish them according to your providence. You know the end from the beginning and I trust in You. When things seem like they should not be going a certain way or I feel imprisoned by something or a delay in my prayers I will remember that Your way is always the better way, a way unto salvation. I trust in You.
In the saving and provident name of Yeshua,
Amen & Amen.
* Passages marked like this are from Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 45.
The Love Dare Challenge
In light of today's study of Joseph as you intercede for your loved one, perhaps s/he is not in relationship with the One you intercede to or whatever the issues you have to take to the LORD today regarding your loved one and / or your marriage ... trust God and His providence ... and continue to pray and intercede. I know not every situation is ideal and we can raise alot of "buts" for the circumstances we are facing. I don't have the answer, but I know the One who does. As far as is possible intercede and leave it in His provident hands.
Day 16: Love intercedes
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. —3 John 2
TODAY’S DARE
Begin praying today for your spouse’s heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse’s life and in your marriage.
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