Warming Up to God
After years of separation and trials, Jacob and Joseph are reunited. What relationships or areas of your life seem untouchable by God's grace? Pray for God to renew your hope—and to answer your "hopeless" requests.
- My siblings' salvation. They just keep carrying on in vanity and sin not ever showing interest in the truth. Renew my hope for them, save them into your kingdom.
Discovering the Word
What is Pharaoh's reaction to the news that Joseph's brothers have arrived (45:16-24)?
- PARTY! Bring everyone to Egypt and Pharaoh will give them the best of the land.
- They will also be given wagons and provisions to ease their journey to Egypt from Canaan.
Beersheba had been Isaac's center of worship. As God confirms this move to Egypt, what encouragement does he give Jacob for both the immediate and distant future (46:1-4)?
- God tells him that he will become a great nation in Egypt. God will also return him to the land he was promised.
- And Jacob will be reunited with Joseph.
How do verses 5-27 of chapter 46 underscore God's faithfulness to the promises he made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
- God provided a way to preserve not only the people, all of them, but also the livestock and goods.
How does Joseph's skill as a planner and administrator continue to show itself as he arranges for his father's family to settle in Goshen (46:28-34)?
- He sent a messenger ahead of them to get his father's family ready.
- Then he went on ahead to tell Pharaoh that his family had arrived.
- And he told his family exactly what to say to Pharaoh.
What does 47:13-27 reveal about God's purpose in bringing Joseph to Egypt?
- Well, it was to preserve the people, but also, it seems, to give Pharaoh TONS of power. He not only owns all the land now, but he also rents it out to the people for 1 fifth of the profit.
How does Jacob's last request of Joseph show his faith in God's promise regarding his descendants and their own land (47:28-30)?
- Jacob asks Joseph to take his bones back to his homeland when they return to it. Though, I wonder why they did not simply return to it after the famine was done...Perhaps Jacob was to weak for the journey. But then, why didn't they go after Jacob had died? Comfortable, I suppose.
Applying the Word
Has God ever allowed you to see how seemingly unrelated events fit into the tapestry of his will? Explain.
- Well, I have thought about how Brian has come across his totally awesome job. He doesn't have any college training for his current position. He started dabbling in website development 7 years ago on his own, trying to find something anything else he could do besides teaching (which is what his degree is actually in). He started his own business and 4 years ago he just barely made enough money to quit his teaching job. We struggled through the next few years as he made the bare minimum with his business. I struggled with being the "bread winner" since I have a teacher's salary (which is not exactly sustainable for a family to grow with) and he continually struggled with self worth. I would try not to judge him but to encourage and support him. It got to the point where I would not openly say things in judgement of him, but I certainly thought them. Then about a year ago, Brian applied for his current position. He had been applying for jobs to find something, anything to help pay off our debt. (He even worked for a catering company for a short time.) And when he got his job it was like an instant weight had been lifted from both of our shoulders. We have both discussed how if he had not spent all that time learning on his own, he would not have been accepted for his totally awesome job. I don't know how long God will have him stay with this company, but I would not be upset if it were forever!
What important promise or prayer request are you patiently waiting for God to fulfill?
- The salvation of my siblings.
Responding in Prayer
Thank God for his loving control over the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Praise him for ordering your steps according to his benevolent will.
