Short Reflection from Genesis 34-50

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRU-F) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

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. When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force."

What an unfortunate incident! But it happened under the watchful eyes of God.

Whatever happens in our life, trouble, shame, sorrows, pain, and disappointment are under the watchful eyes of God. It may not anything to do with our sins, weaknesses, or faults. Jacob was the chosen one of God, but still, it happened.

And we Christians must rejoice for a verse like Rom. 8:28 that everything happens for our own good by our great God. If you aren't Christian, that's not true, btw! That verse is only for Christians!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟝:𝟙𝟘-𝟙𝟙

"God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.’ Thus He called him Israel. God also said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you.’"

This commandment often came when God started a new or renewed program. Indeed, godly people must reign and ungodly people must be reduced, not necessarily by killing them but by influencing them to be good by the numerous godly people!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟞:𝟞-𝟟

"Then Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all his household, and his livestock and all his cattle and all his goods which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land away from his brother Jacob. For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock."

Esau wasn't what Jacob imagined him to be. Esau was good to Jacob. And Jacob feared God. But there came a generation from both who hated one another!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟟:𝟚𝟡

"Now Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; so he tore his garments."

The eldest must learn to take care of the younger like Reuben!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟠:𝟚𝟜

"Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, ‘Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.’ Then Judah said, ‘Bring her out and let her be burned!’"

What a sad and sinful story but God was (and is) sovereign over sin and all circumstances of life. He turned this story into the ancestry of Jesus Christ.

God can work wonders, even with our sins if we would repent unto Him!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟡:𝟡

"There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?"

Joseph lived his life before God. He fears God, loves God, enjoys God, and trusts God.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟘:𝟚𝟛

"Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."

Remember this episode when people forget to repay your kindness!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟙:𝟡

"Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, 'I would make mention today of my own offenses.'"

God is sovereign over even irresponsible and indifferent people. He made this chief cupbearer remember at the right time. And in the purpose of God to exalt Joseph.

Remember this when people forgot your kindness that God will repay you.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟚:𝟚𝟚

“Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood."”

Sin will haunt us, especially in our tough times. So, we need to guard against sin.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟛:𝟛𝟜

"He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him."

The story of the patriarch is a story of favoritism. Its consequence is heavy: jealousy, broken family, separation, and even being sold into slavery. Joseph was the same. He treated Benjamin, his real brother better than he treated the rest of his brothers. Maybe to test whether his brothers would be jealous of Benjamin or not!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟜:𝟙𝟠

"Then Judah approached him, and said, ‘Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord's ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh.’"

Something to admire about Judah! 👍

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟝:𝟚𝟘

"Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."

They did the worst to him, but he gave the best to them. Not tit for tat, but it's overcoming evil with good! 👍😇

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟞:𝟜

"I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes."

God supported Jacob's plan to go to Egypt. But he sought to confirm God's blessings.

Our life is full of uncertainties. God requires us to be faithful, courageous, wise, and hardworking. He will not tell in our ears what to do and what not. He has given His words, godly elderly people, experience, etc., for our decision-making process.

This episode is interestingly good because God was with him. Abraham’s plan to get a son through Hagar wasn't God's plan to get Isaac. No matter what, the decision to make for anything is in our hands.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟟:𝟚𝟝

"So they said, 'You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's slaves.'"

Joseph was not only the saviour of Israel but of the Gentiles (Egyptians, their bitter oppressor). Greater than Joseph is Jesus, the saviour of all people! 😇

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟠:𝟙𝟙

"Israel said to Joseph, 'I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.'"

God was good to Jacob, and also to Joseph! He is the same God. God may require us to lose hope, plan, and desire, but He knows how to end our lives in a better script as well!

 

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."

Nice way to die: prepared and ready!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟝𝟘:𝟚𝟙

"’So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."

Kindness! That's the word! 👍