Genesis 40:23
"Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."
Do you know something about somebody that would help them? Are you in a position to assist another person? Don't forget them like this cupbearer did - extend a hand of friendship and it's likely you will find a helping hand reaching back to you when you need it most.
The Truth
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
Monday, June 15, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
God Is With Us
Genesis 39:2
“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”
Man may strip us of outward distinctions and ornaments; but wisdom and grace cannot be taken from us. Man may separate us from friends, relatives, and country; but he cannot take from us the presence of the Lord. Man may shut us from outward blessings, rob us of liberty, and even confine us in dungeons; but he cannot shut us out from communion with God, from the throne of grace, or take from us the blessings of salvation.
Joseph was blessed, wonderfully blessed, even in the house where he was a slave. God's presence with us, makes all we do prosperous. Good men are the blessings of the place where they live; good servants may be so, though mean and lightly esteemed. The prosperity of the wicked is, one way or other, for the sake of the godly. Here was a wicked family blessed for the sake of one good servant in it.
The Truth
“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”
Man may strip us of outward distinctions and ornaments; but wisdom and grace cannot be taken from us. Man may separate us from friends, relatives, and country; but he cannot take from us the presence of the Lord. Man may shut us from outward blessings, rob us of liberty, and even confine us in dungeons; but he cannot shut us out from communion with God, from the throne of grace, or take from us the blessings of salvation.
Joseph was blessed, wonderfully blessed, even in the house where he was a slave. God's presence with us, makes all we do prosperous. Good men are the blessings of the place where they live; good servants may be so, though mean and lightly esteemed. The prosperity of the wicked is, one way or other, for the sake of the godly. Here was a wicked family blessed for the sake of one good servant in it.
The Truth
“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Monday, June 8, 2015
A Forgotten Vow
Genesis 35:1
“And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar to God, that appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”
Here Jacob is commanded to worship at Bethel in fulfillment of his vow he made thirty years previous to return to Bethel (Genesis 28:22). Jacob had said in the day of his distress, “If I come again in peace, this stone shall be God’s house”. God had performed his part, and gave Jacob more than he then desired, namely, “bread to eat, and raiment to put on”.
But it seems, Jacob had not forgotten his vow, or had at least deferred the performance of it. But as many as God loves, he will remind of neglected duties, one way or other, by conscience or by providences. When we have vowed a vow to God, it is best not to defer the payment of it; yet better late than never.
The Truth
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)
“And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar to God, that appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”
Here Jacob is commanded to worship at Bethel in fulfillment of his vow he made thirty years previous to return to Bethel (Genesis 28:22). Jacob had said in the day of his distress, “If I come again in peace, this stone shall be God’s house”. God had performed his part, and gave Jacob more than he then desired, namely, “bread to eat, and raiment to put on”.
But it seems, Jacob had not forgotten his vow, or had at least deferred the performance of it. But as many as God loves, he will remind of neglected duties, one way or other, by conscience or by providences. When we have vowed a vow to God, it is best not to defer the payment of it; yet better late than never.
The Truth
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Curiosity Brought Trouble
Genesis 34:1-2
"Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force.”
Here Dinah did something that was dangerous in those days, just as it is dangerous in today's "modern" world. It would have seemed like a harmless act to her, for she merely "went out to visit the daughters of the land”, maybe to make some friends but, a young women, alone, unescorted, in a unfamiliar city, not a smart idea. It's unclear whether or not her parents knew that she was gone but in the rest of the chapter we see the outcome of her visit.
What had been done to Dinah was terrible in any culture of any time, but the response of Simeon and Levi (sons of Jacob) was simply awful. And nowhere in all this was any real concern expressed for Dinah, their sister. All that had been done in the name of revenge was done for themselves.
The Truth
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
"Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force.”
Here Dinah did something that was dangerous in those days, just as it is dangerous in today's "modern" world. It would have seemed like a harmless act to her, for she merely "went out to visit the daughters of the land”, maybe to make some friends but, a young women, alone, unescorted, in a unfamiliar city, not a smart idea. It's unclear whether or not her parents knew that she was gone but in the rest of the chapter we see the outcome of her visit.
What had been done to Dinah was terrible in any culture of any time, but the response of Simeon and Levi (sons of Jacob) was simply awful. And nowhere in all this was any real concern expressed for Dinah, their sister. All that had been done in the name of revenge was done for themselves.
The Truth
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
Saturday, June 6, 2015
The Restoration of Brothers
Genesis 33:4
“Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept."
Here he was! After all those decades, Jacob's past, in the form of his brother, Esau, had finally caught up with him! He had done what he could and after a night of prayer in which he had "wrestled" with the Lord (or the Lord's angel) in regard to this very moment, he now went to meet his brother.
Jacob now went toward Esau, walking at the front of his family and limping badly because, his hip had been recently dislocated by the Lord or His angel, during his night of prayer at the end of Chapter 32. Then, here in our text, something improbable happens that God intends for us all. The two brothers, who had become mortal enemies, now were to be reconciled to one another. Reconciliation is rare but wonderful and it is even greater than forgiveness. It takes just one to forgive, but BOTH must forgive to reconcile and this was a moment that God had intended for them since the time they parted three decades before.
The image of this broken and contrite Jacob was enough to touch Esau's heart and so he "embraced" his brother, hugged him around the neck and they kissed. The two openly wept because of renewed love for one another and because of the past they should have had but was lost to them.
Sometimes family can be stubborn, cold, unforgiving and even hold a grudge for decades. But it is a beautiful thing when the LORD restores that relationship. The walls come down, forgiveness flows and all is restored.
My prayer for all is the restoration of any broken relationship in your life today, as soon as possible. For life will pass by and moments are lost, that can never be regained.
Restore us LORD, amen.
The Truth
“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.” (Job 14:1-3)
“Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept."
Here he was! After all those decades, Jacob's past, in the form of his brother, Esau, had finally caught up with him! He had done what he could and after a night of prayer in which he had "wrestled" with the Lord (or the Lord's angel) in regard to this very moment, he now went to meet his brother.
Jacob now went toward Esau, walking at the front of his family and limping badly because, his hip had been recently dislocated by the Lord or His angel, during his night of prayer at the end of Chapter 32. Then, here in our text, something improbable happens that God intends for us all. The two brothers, who had become mortal enemies, now were to be reconciled to one another. Reconciliation is rare but wonderful and it is even greater than forgiveness. It takes just one to forgive, but BOTH must forgive to reconcile and this was a moment that God had intended for them since the time they parted three decades before.
The image of this broken and contrite Jacob was enough to touch Esau's heart and so he "embraced" his brother, hugged him around the neck and they kissed. The two openly wept because of renewed love for one another and because of the past they should have had but was lost to them.
Sometimes family can be stubborn, cold, unforgiving and even hold a grudge for decades. But it is a beautiful thing when the LORD restores that relationship. The walls come down, forgiveness flows and all is restored.
My prayer for all is the restoration of any broken relationship in your life today, as soon as possible. For life will pass by and moments are lost, that can never be regained.
Restore us LORD, amen.
The Truth
“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.” (Job 14:1-3)
Friday, June 5, 2015
God - Bless Me!
Genesis 32:26
“But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'”
Jacob had "wrestled with a man until daybreak." This "man" was called an "angel" in Hosea 12:4 and called "God" by Jacob. This Wrestler saw that Jacob was not going to stop and unlike his brother, Esau, WANTED the blessing.
It was "daybreak" and God had other plans for Jacob on this day. He went so far as to dislocate Jacob's femur (the bone in his thigh) from his hip socket (v.24-25). Then, at last, Jacob KNEW that he wanted God and the blessing of God, more than anything in this world. So, he would not let go until he was blessed.
You have to admire Jacob’s tenacity. He wanted his brother’s birthright (Chapter 25) and took it, He wanted his father’s blessing and took that (Chapter 27), but now he wanted the blessing of the Lord. He sought God, found Him, and received the blessing of a new name, "Israel”.
The application here is to hold on to your faith. Never let go no mater what you may wrestle with in life. Seek the Lord and His blessing above all things.
The Truth
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” (Psalm 105:4)
“But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'”
Jacob had "wrestled with a man until daybreak." This "man" was called an "angel" in Hosea 12:4 and called "God" by Jacob. This Wrestler saw that Jacob was not going to stop and unlike his brother, Esau, WANTED the blessing.
It was "daybreak" and God had other plans for Jacob on this day. He went so far as to dislocate Jacob's femur (the bone in his thigh) from his hip socket (v.24-25). Then, at last, Jacob KNEW that he wanted God and the blessing of God, more than anything in this world. So, he would not let go until he was blessed.
You have to admire Jacob’s tenacity. He wanted his brother’s birthright (Chapter 25) and took it, He wanted his father’s blessing and took that (Chapter 27), but now he wanted the blessing of the Lord. He sought God, found Him, and received the blessing of a new name, "Israel”.
The application here is to hold on to your faith. Never let go no mater what you may wrestle with in life. Seek the Lord and His blessing above all things.
The Truth
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” (Psalm 105:4)
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Stolen gods"
Genesis 31:30
“Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”
It appears that Laban was, in some way or another, guilty of idolatry in the use of these images; looking upon them as types, or representations of God. Foolish to call these images his gods which could be stolen!
Enemies may steal our possessions, our goods, but not our God.
The Truth
“For I know that the Lord is great, And our Lord is above all gods.” (Psalm 135:5)
“Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”
It appears that Laban was, in some way or another, guilty of idolatry in the use of these images; looking upon them as types, or representations of God. Foolish to call these images his gods which could be stolen!
Enemies may steal our possessions, our goods, but not our God.
The Truth
“For I know that the Lord is great, And our Lord is above all gods.” (Psalm 135:5)
Monday, June 1, 2015
God Remembered Rachel
Genesis 30:22
"Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.”
Rachel desperately wanted children by her husband, Jacob, and in Verses 14-16 we saw her revert to the superstitious usage of "mandrakes" in order to obtain them. The attempt failed and since that time she had done something infinitely better - she began to pray once more, asking God for sons.
Children are indeed a gift from God and Rachel was beginning to understand that superstition, human trickery, clever ideas; none of it was as valuable as prayer. And so, at last "she conceived and bore a son."
He was to be the famous "Joseph," which meant "adding" or "may He add." This son would become the favorite of his father, become a slave in a foreign land and finally, amazingly, the Governor of Egypt.
Therefore, be patient, wait on the Lord, let your request be made known to Him, allow Him the time to work in your life - and something infinitely better will come about.
The Truth
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
"Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.”
Rachel desperately wanted children by her husband, Jacob, and in Verses 14-16 we saw her revert to the superstitious usage of "mandrakes" in order to obtain them. The attempt failed and since that time she had done something infinitely better - she began to pray once more, asking God for sons.
Children are indeed a gift from God and Rachel was beginning to understand that superstition, human trickery, clever ideas; none of it was as valuable as prayer. And so, at last "she conceived and bore a son."
He was to be the famous "Joseph," which meant "adding" or "may He add." This son would become the favorite of his father, become a slave in a foreign land and finally, amazingly, the Governor of Egypt.
Therefore, be patient, wait on the Lord, let your request be made known to Him, allow Him the time to work in your life - and something infinitely better will come about.
The Truth
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
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