Read Exodus 5-8

Exodus 6:6-8 “Therefore, say to the Israelites, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’”

GOD is getting very personal. The LORD has chosen Moses out of the desert and Moses’ brother Aaron from among the people to deliver a message to his enslaved nation: “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” The LORD God Almighty will give Israel a new life with him in a land he has chosen and prepared for them. He is the Father who has built a new home and invites his children to enjoy it. He vows with his affirmation, “I am the LORD.” By grace he acted to save. By faith, God’s people would need to respond.
    What astonishing love this is! Yes, in his own good time and right way, God delivered this redemptive message to his people in Egypt. They weren’t prepared for this. Israel had the mindset of a people enslaved with all aspects of life determined by Pharaoh and his officials. God spoke and demonstrated to Abraham’s descendants I AM is the Promise Maker and the Promise Keeper.
    Then God acted. Israel saw his power in the plagues. Since that day in one way or another -  through the law, prophets, Jesus, the epistles and the church – the LORD has given the same message to mankind. Jesus said it this way in John 14:2 “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” 
    El Shaddai has spoken his vow to the nations, and he has personally engaged in his vow through the Son and the Spirit. With his truth,  he changes our mindset from sin’s slavery to the Savior’s freedom. God’s arm has literally stretched from heaven to earth throughout the ages to demonstrate he is LORD.
    Always be mindful of this wonderful, miraculous message the Bible tells you. God’s freedom purpose is constant. His will is to be your God. To that purpose, the LORD teaches you to have a mind that loves him, so you will know his love, your salvation and your freedom. The Holy Spirit gives you the knowledge to resist sin’s slavery and keep his Word close to you. In Christ Jesus, you can faithfully know God’s mighty act was to stretch out his arms on a cross, so you will be his own forever.
     Yes, the Holy God personally engages with you to open heaven’s riches for you.
 
 

Read Genesis 45:16-47:28
 
Genesis 47:6-7 “Choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.” …11-12 Then Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 And Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with food for their dependents.
 
WHEN Joseph was born, his mother Rachel said, “God has removed my disgrace.” and “May the LORD add yet another son to my family.” (Genesis 30:23-24). Rachel expressed joy in God’s gift to her as well as hope and trust in God’s future. This is another form of blessing. Remember, to bless is to add to another life. Rachel added to her newborn son’s life with words of renewal and hope. These two meanings of Joseph’s name would bear fruit in Joseph’s obedient and upright life in Egypt. God added the gifts of administration, prophecy, discernment and grace to Joseph’s life. Joseph responded to use these gifts to add forgiveness, land, security and food to his family. Because Joseph obeyed God, the gracious LORD removed Joseph’s and his brothers’ disgrace. Peace, reconciliation and provision now blessed their lives. Joseph’s brothers’ criticism and blame against Joseph is done. In turn, Joseph has only forgiveness and blessing for his brothers. We must pay attention to the words we speak to our children. Bless them, and they will bless you and others. In Israel’s family is now the hope of a family reunited, renewed and reinforced with God’s blessings to become a nation.
   Consider how different than most of the Genesis account to this point. Consider that Cain rebelled against his brother. Ham sinned against his father. Lot preferred Sodom. Esau married Ishmael’s descendants. Jacob deceived his brother. Laban lied to Jacob. Joseph’s brothers killed a village and sold their brother into slavery. The pain and suffering from sin is uncountable.
   But now we can begin to see God’s promise taking form. Let’s look to this light that has shined briefly into the darkness. God anointed Joseph to live a redeemed and redeeming life. Joseph’s suffering, grace and love illustrate Jesus’ suffering, grace and love. God’s provision for this family is a sign of the Promised Land, the LORD’s garden of perfection that he has prepared for Israel to enjoy one day. It is a picture, too, of God’s provision in the place he has prepared for all who believe forevermore.
   How good it is to know God has blessed us with the Son who came in love to add salvation to our lives. Amen.
 
 

Read Genesis 42:6-45:15
 
Genesis 42:20-21 “But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do. 21 They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”
 
ABOUT 20 years had passed since Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, but their guilt had not. A moment of hateful passion had clung to each brother’s heart and mind. The memory slowly and persistently increased their guilt and their grief.
   How many times had they awakened in the night distressed over their evil deed? How often had they grieved for their father who had mourned so deeply? Did they repeatedly ask themselves, “Should I confess?” But no one spoke. And the sin carved at their hearts, binding them day-by-day.
   Are you holding something in your heart that cuts at your soul? Speak to God about it. Confess to the one you’ve wronged. Allow God’s grace to heal the wound. Your heart has more room for love and joy when it is whole in God’s forgiveness. Psalms 27:7 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
 
“Father, Forgive Them.”
 
Genesis 43:30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.
 
JOSEPH wept with joy when his full brother Benjamin was brought to him. But even more, we can believe Joseph grieved the lost years he was separated from his family and his father, for lost time impossible now to experience.
   Families seem to break down too easily, don’t they? A moment’s outburst can cause years of anger. Disagreements can become agents of division. Submission, humility and forgiveness take a back seat to pride and self-satisfaction.
   Joseph’s forgiveness may be the strongest evidence God’s power was upon him. With one word, he could have sold his brothers as slaves or imprisoned them as he had been. But Joseph used his power to forgive.
   This is God’s Love Story, demonstrated in one man’s actions. Love cannot fully be where unforgiveness holds tightly to our hearts. A Christ-like life demands forgiveness. That’s why Jesus so forcefully teaches in Matthew 6:14-15 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” And that is why Jesus spoke God’s love on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) With one word, the LORD can easily imprison us in torment, declaring us, “Guilty.” Instead, Jesus came in humility with love to be the way of forgiveness, so you will be with him forevermore.
   What regrets do you carry each day, even through the years? Do you need to ask forgiveness or admit you were wrong about something? Do you need to forgive, to open your arms and welcome someone back to you?  

 

Read Genesis 39-42:5
 
Genesis 40:6-7 When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. 7 “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them.
 
THE overall theme of Josephs’ tragic and then triumphant story echoes the Bible’s theme of redemption. God has chosen Joseph to save his family from sin and death, so the nation Israel will have a place to grow. We see the Spirit powerfully upon Joseph when he absolutely refuses to denies Potiphar’s wife’s temptations with, “How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” (Genesis 39:9b) We all can use such words to deliver us from the Evil One.
   Once more, we read how God used opposition to advance his purpose. As Joseph is in a miserable prison, falsely accused, he could have responded to God with a victim mentality: “Why me? It’s so unfair!” He might have ruled with an angry spirit to brutalize and demean others.
   But HE IS had given Joseph a tender compassion. Joseph asked the good question, a question rooted in God’s grace and authority on his life. “Why do you look so worried today?” seems so simple, doesn’t it? Yet the good question will have lasting implications. God’s good power is within you. Be willing to activate it even with “little” things he brings before you.
   The question then became the key to Joseph’s and Israel’s future. Joseph’s compassion led to the interpretation of the baker’s and the cupbearer’s dreams. This eventually gave Joseph a reputation that would send him to Pharaoh. Interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph became Egypt’s second highest authority. Do you see how each good thing you do in God’s power can cause lasting blessings for many?
   The Holy Spirit had stirred in Joseph the power to reject temptation, to administer wisely, to be compassionate and to interpret dreams. The faithful Joseph used his gifts to glorify God and to protect God’s people.
   In the same way, God offers his grace in your life. If someone would ask you, “Why do you look so worried today?” would you answer with a trust that God has come to you? Would you believe the Holy Spirit wants to hear your need, so you can know his help?
   In turn, what would happen if you asked the “good question”. When you see someone with a sad face, stop what you are doing. Trust God. With a sincere heart, go ahead and ask, “Why do you look so worried?” Be willing to look into the person’s face, so they know you really want to hear their response. Who knows? Your question may change a life – even yours.
 
Look and See: Are you aware of those around you?
 
 

Read Genesis 39-42:5
 
Genesis 40:6-7 When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset. 7 “Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them.
 
THE overall theme of Josephs’ tragic and then triumphant story echoes the Bible’s theme of redemption. God has chosen Joseph to save his family from sin and death, so the nation Israel will have a place to grow. We see the Spirit powerfully upon Joseph when he absolutely refuses to denies Potiphar’s wife’s temptations with, “How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” (Genesis 39:9b) We all can use such words to deliver us from the Evil One.
   Once more, we read how God used opposition to advance his purpose. As Joseph is in a miserable prison, falsely accused, he could have responded to God with a victim mentality: “Why me? It’s so unfair!” He might have ruled with an angry spirit to brutalize and demean others.
   But HE IS had given Joseph a tender compassion. Joseph asked the good question, a question rooted in God’s grace and authority on his life. “Why do you look so worried today?” seems so simple, doesn’t it? Yet the good question will have lasting implications. God’s good power is within you. Be willing to activate it even with “little” things he brings before you.
   The question then became the key to Joseph’s and Israel’s future. Joseph’s compassion led to the interpretation of the baker’s and the cupbearer’s dreams. This eventually gave Joseph a reputation that would send him to Pharaoh. Interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph became Egypt’s second highest authority. Do you see how each good thing you do in God’s power can cause lasting blessings for many?
   The Holy Spirit had stirred in Joseph the power to reject temptation, to administer wisely, to be compassionate and to interpret dreams. The faithful Joseph used his gifts to glorify God and to protect God’s people.
   In the same way, God offers his grace in your life. If someone would ask you, “Why do you look so worried today?” would you answer with a trust that God has come to you? Would you believe the Holy Spirit wants to hear your need, so you can know his help?
   In turn, what would happen if you asked the “good question”. When you see someone with a sad face, stop what you are doing. Trust God. With a sincere heart, go ahead and ask, “Why do you look so worried?” Be willing to look into the person’s face, so they know you really want to hear their response. Who knows? Your question may change a life – even yours.
 
Look and See: Are you aware of those around you?
 
 

Read Genesis 34-35
 
Genesis 34:13 But since Shechem had defiled their sister, Dinah, Jacob’s sons responded deceitfully to Shechem and his father, Hamor.   
 
THIS is one of three very depraved stories about Jacob’s – Israel’s – sons who are the patriarchs of God’s chosen people. God’s Love Story does not look very loving here as his chosen men deceive, kill and pillage. In these and other hard stories, though, HE IS repeatedly reveals the depth of his patient love. Without such love, the Holy LORD could not continually witness his chosen people deeply sin as he awaits his preordained time to establish a sinless world. Yes, God’s love is very, very amazing: Psalms 86:13 for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Israel’s sons needed rescuing form the depths of sin’s deadly curse.
   The story begins when Israel settles in Shechem. Shechem is also the name of the prince of this land. Seeing Dinah, Israel’s one daughter, Shechem violates her. His uncontrolled lust ignites a fearsome retribution.
   Dinah’s brothers Levi’s and Simeon’s response indicates they are as their father was. Simeon and Levi respond deceitfully. They pretend reconciliation when they plan annihilation.
   Deceit is also on Shechem’s mind. He plots with his people to accept the brothers’ demands; yet he urges, “If we do this, all their livestock and possessions will eventually be ours. Come, let’s agree to their terms and let them settle here among us.” (Genesis 34:23) He wanted Dinah, and he wanted everything else. We must be careful of leaders who pretend their aim is the common good when their true goal is personal gain and power.
   Thus, the entire population under Hamor and Shechem become deceit’s and lust’s victims. This is the devil’s way. He is a Deceiver. He is a Liar. He tempts us with attractive possessions, using our desires for what we don’t have to destroy us. Shechem, the one truly guilty man, destroys all the others through the brothers’ murderous assault on all the men in Shechem.
   The sin became worse. Israel’s other sons take the dead men’s wives and children captive. These innocents become outcasts at the mercy of those around them. Crime upon crime assaults God’s will. One generation after another the LORD must work to deliver his people from the Evil One’s deceit.
   Later, we’ll read how Simeon’s and Levi’s future generations, too, would be judged because of the brothers’ sins here. But then God’s grace will come. From the Levites will come Moses and Aaron to begin the line of prophets and priests in Israel’s history. God judges in his justice. God redeems in his mercy.
 
What Do You Think? Wouldn’t it be enjoy what we have and savor God’s rich love?