Warming Up to God
What are some tangible ways that God has blessed you recently? Thank him for each gift. Rejoice that every day is full of his blessings.
- House! We own a home!!! God knew the timing and made everything work out so that we would be where he wanted us, when he wanted us there. Thank you for your providence! Everyday IS full of blessing!
Discovering the Word
How does Joseph's sudden opportunity come about (41:8-14)?
- Joseph was an afterthought in the mind of the cup bearer, and only when his gift (dream telling) was needed, was he remembered. The cup bearer then told Pharaoh about Joseph.
- Immediately, Joseph was brought out and cleaned and presented to Pharaoh.
How do Joseph's interpretation and proposal demonstrate discernment and wisdom (41:15-36)?
- FIRST, he gives all credit to God.
- He continually tells Pharaoh, what God wills and what God has revealed to him.
- Pharaoh perceives him to be wise for his words and confidence.
- Joseph's solution is practical and logical.
Describe Joseph's new position and the responsibilities Pharaoh gives him (41:37-49).
- Joseph is second in command in Egypt. Only Pharaoh has more clout than he. He is in charge of everything in Egypt. He is bathed in jewels and is given all the privileges of the most wealthy person.
Twenty years have elapsed since Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. He is now about thirty-seven (see 37:2; 41:46). Trace the events which lead Joseph's brothers into his presence and fulfill his earlier dreams (42:1-9).
- Joseph was sold into slavery.
- He was sold to Potiphar.
- He was lusted over by Potiphar's wife and thus thrown into jail for something he did not do.
- He was given a high command in the jail.
- He interpreted dreams for Pharaoh's high ranking servants.
- He was forgotten for 2 years.
- He was brought out of jail.
- He was given the highest command in all Egypt.
Do you think the brothers are genuinely repentant at this point (42:21-22)? Explain.
- Yes. I think this because they have seen what it has done to their father. They are in great distress at the moment, anyway.
How does Reuben's response to his father's despair show his willingness to shoulder family responsibility (42:35-37)?
- He will go to great lengths to keep Benjamin safe. even sacrifice his own sons. Not sure how I would feel if I were his sons, though.
- Reuben sounds very confident, however.
Applying the Word
How have you seen God use a difficult assignment to prepare you for a later responsibility?
- My biggest assignment ever: children. But, I was much more prepared to have two after I had had 1 for a while. In fact, having a second was like a cakewalk in comparison.
How has adversity or pressure helped you become more mature in your responsibility for others?
- I understand how people work a bit better and I realize that some things are not worth getting upset over. I am able to "bounce back" a lot faster than I used to because I can take their feelings into account when they speak ill words to me. I also listen to people a lot more than I used to, at least I am making an effort to do so, instead of waiting for the moment when I can say my piece.
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to help you strive for excellence in all that you do to the glory of his name (1 Co 10:31).
- In all that I do, help me do it to the glory of your name. Whether I sit here and type to you, or I go and get ready for work, let it be to the glory of your name.
- Whether I stay home next year, or I go back to work, let it be to the glory of your name.
- Whether I keep the boys in daycare down in BP or find a place in Goddard, let it be to the glory of your name.
- Whether we send Emmett to preschool in BP or take him to Goddard, let it be to the glory of your name.
- However we go about helping Hudson sleep at night, let it be to the glory of your name. (ps. PLEASE help Hudson not wake up at 5 anymore. Help us find the reason that keeps waking up and help him stay asleep.
- Whether or not we buy more stuff for the house, let it be to the glory of your name.
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