Bible Reading Reflection from Genesis 41-50

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝔾𝔼ℕ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝕊 𝟜𝟙:𝟜𝟝

"Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt."

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were very determined to marry their own people. Later, Moses instructed them to avoid intermarriage.

Here, Joseph married a daughter of a priest of a false god! Hmm!

There are some exceptions in the Bible like that for some things, also like Balaam's donkey talking, etc. However, exceptions are not the rule.

 

𝔾𝔼ℕ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝕊 𝟜𝟚:𝟚𝟙

"Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us."

Their sin haunted them! Sin always haunts us especially in the days of our adversity. That's one of the many reasons why we should live a godly life.

When something bad happens to us, it's natural to think or question if it has anything to do with the sins committed before.

It could be, or maybe not, but it robs away our joy, peace, and even hinders us from earnest and fervent prayers because it fills us with guilt, shame, and fear!

Mortify sin!

 

𝔾𝔼ℕ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝕊 𝟜𝟛:𝟚𝟟

"Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, "Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"

Joseph indeed loved his father. Do we love and care and have concern for our father as Joseph did? Furthermore, Joseph must have learned about his father’s condition more accurately from Simeon the prisoner! BTW, Of course, he knew they still had a good gene to live long! [His ancestors lived long]. Love cares to know!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟜:𝟛𝟛

"Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers."

Judah offered to be a slave to free his brothers.

No wonder, why Jesus was a descendant of Judah!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟝:𝟠

"Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt."

Almost every time Joseph opened his mouth, he mentioned God, even when he was testing his brothers. This guy is full of the doctrine of God, theologically called Theology Proper: Study of the doctrine of God.

The Sovereignty of God is his breath of life. RC Sproul should have named his son Joseph. 😂

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟞:𝟛𝟘

"Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.’"

Jacob was so satisfied to see his choicest son alive to the point he is ready to die. Well, God restored that peace he had lost for a long, long time. Jacob the deceitful guy was graciously blessed by God in an amazing way he had not even dreamt of before!

 

𝔾𝔼ℕ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝕊 𝟜𝟟:𝟚𝟜

"At the harvest you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own for seed of the field and for your food and for those of your households and as food for your little ones."

No Indian will like Joseph. Indians love freebies.

Even when there was a natural disaster, Joseph didn't give out for free.

Even when they were starving, they were made to sell their lands, houses, and themselves. Hmmm! Freebies???

And Joseph's wisdom and generosity are shown in allowing them to retain 80 percent of their work, but to pay 20 percent to Pharaoh.

Indians struggle to pay taxes and tithes.

Joseph is not our man. We would want to lynch him! 😬

 

𝔾𝔼ℕ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝕊 𝟜𝟠:𝟝

"Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are."

Let's test your Bible Knowledge:

Q1. How many tribes of Israel were there?

Q2. How many Apostles were there?

Answers: 13 tribes of Israel and 13 Apostles.

Who were they?

And so, Jacob's word became reality to the extent that Joseph’s children are mightier than the rest. And the kingdom Israel is often called the Ephraim!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟡:𝟛𝟛

"When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people."

What a way to die! Fully in control (or at least is conscious of). Said everything he wanted — words of blessing.

No pain, no complaints, no sickness, no threats, no regrets, no unfulfilled desires, no surprises, no fear.

 

𝔾𝔼ℕ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝕊 𝟝𝟘:𝟙

"Then Joseph fell on his father's face, and wept over him and kissed him."

Do I love my father as Joseph did? It's not a reflection but a conviction I have been having for some time.

I see how ungrateful and unloving are children towards their parents!

BTW, this is the third time I've read through the book of Genesis in the last 7 months!