Genesis Week 26 - Prison

Genesis Week 30 - Grace

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Heb 11:1) At the end of his life, we come to the place where Jacob's faith is commended and recorded in the New Testament. Without reservation he blesses Joseph's younger son ahead of the firstborn and worships God. He makes arrangements for his body to be 'buried with my fathers' in the cave Abraham purchased in the land of Canaan. After Jacob's death Joseph reaassures his brothers of his complete forgiveness and reminds them of God's promises, presence, and protection. These men did not live perfect lives but nothing was beyond God's redemptive power. So many times God overruled and intervened on their behalf, giving grace upon grace!  Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 48-50

Genesis Week 29 - Restored

The long tense back and forth with these brothers finally comes to a good and satisfying end! Twice now Joseph has wept privately, but this time he weeps publically and declares to his brothers; "I am Joseph!" He invites them to move in closely and they embrace one another through tears. And then they talk! When Joseph was a teenager living at home his brothers hated him so much they couldn't even speak to him. (37:4) But now that they have been forgiven and reconciled, a new relationship is forming. There are five years of famine still to come, but this family will spend it together, protected and provided for through God's providential 'working all things for their good.' Joseph shows us what God can do with a life in the midst of hard circumstances and evil schemes.  Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 45-47

Genesis Week 28 - Brothers

Through a series of tasks Joseph's brothers reveal who they are now, thirteen years later, and how far he can trust them. In order for true reconciliation in this family there must be sincere forgiveness on one side and repentance demonstrated by humble confession of sin and change in behaviour on the other side. All of which takes time as trust is built and wounds are healed. Judah's charactor seems to have come a long way since his sin with Tamar. He takes personal responsibility for his youngest brother, Jacob's new favored son, Benjamin. Before, Judah encouraged his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt and let Jacob believe he was dead. Now, Judah offers himself in Egypt as a slave in place of his brother, so Benjamin can return home to his father who treasures him. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 43-44

Genesis Week 27 - Palace

After being forgotten in prison for two years, Joseph finds himself standing before Pharoah, an extremely powerful man thought to be descended from the gods. And yet when Joseph stands before him he does not seek to advance his own interests or take any glory for himself. Instead he gives all glory to the true God and gives council for the help of others. God gives Joseph wisdom with a plan to preserve life during a great famine and gives wisdom for bringing about true reconciliation with his brothers. Joseph begins the reconciliation process with a series of tests that will reveal how his brothers have or have not changed. Joseph himself has experienced his relationship with God develop over time thru trying circumstances and will need God's help with this new trial of great power and seeing his brothers again. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 41-42

Genesis Week 26 - Prison

God's presence with Joseph in Egypt is having an impact on his conduct and charactor. He resists multiple advances from a powerful woman and suffers greatly for it. Somehow away from his family Joseph is able to break some unhealthy patterns of deciet and develop a true relationship with his God. In this pagan land of Egypt we are told repeatedly that God is with him there. At the same time Joseph is a slave and is imprisoned even though he is innocent of wrongdoing. How is it possible that God can be with a person yet allow him to suffer so much? And in the face of injustice how does one remain steadfast and not lose heart or lose faith? Endurance comes from the presence and comfort of Almighty God, the strength He supplies and His Grace all sufficient.  Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 39-40