GENESIS 43: Devotion

When the grain ran out, Israel (Jacob) sent Joseph's brothers back to Egypt with Benjamin. Joseph invited them to his house and gave them a feast.

"We are seeing God require a patriarch to risk everything in order to gain the promise. The covenant promise of God is at stake. Was there doubt mixed with Israel's faith? I am sure there was. Just like there is with ours. Was there an unbelieving fear mixed with Israel's faith. I am sure there was, just like there is so often is in ours. But ultimately this whole section beseeks his absolute trust in God. He is risking everything. Everything, as he sends his sons to Egypt. And we see a definition of faith even in his actions. He places his whole trust in God. Everything is in God's hands now."

(Ligon Duncan)

"In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind."

(Job 12:10)

GENESIS 42: Devotion

Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to buy grain but didn't they recognize him. Joseph kept Simeon in prison and sent the rest to fetch Benjamin.

"When Joseph’s brothers plotted murder against him and sold him into slavery they did it with the specific intention to defeat his dreams (Genesis 37:19-20). Instead, by sending Joseph to Egypt, they provided the way the dreams would be fulfilled. 

The great and glorious truth of God’s providence is He can and does use the evil actions of man towards us to further His good plan. This never excuses man’s evil, but it means God’s wisdom and goodness are greater than man’s evil."

(David Guzik)

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise You"

(Psalm 76:10)

GENESIS 41: Devotion

Pharaoh had a dream and called for Joseph to interpret it. The dream predicted seven years of feast followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt.

"It is doubtful that God can use a man greatly, until He has hurt him deeply."

(A.W. Tozer)

For Joseph it came in the pain of mistreatment.

GENESIS 40: Devotion

Pharaoh put his cupbearer and baker in prison. Joseph interpreted their dreams. The cupbearer was restored but the baker was hanged. Joseph was not remembered to Pharaoh by the cupbearer. 

God is strengthening Joseph's faith by teaching him not to judge his purposes by his senses, but to trust Him for His grace, and to believe in the goodness of His providence.

(Ligon Duncan) 

"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace. Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face."

(William Cowper)

GENESIS 39: Devotion

Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his house. His wife tried to seduce Joseph, but Joseph repelled her and said, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" She lied to Potiphar about Joseph and he sent him to prison.

This is C.H. Spurgeon on how obedience is much easier when we know who God is. Because Joseph knew and loved God, the thought of sinning against Him was unpleasant.

“When I regarded God as a tyrant, I thought sin a trifle; but when I knew him to be my father, then I mourned that I could ever have kicked against him. When I thought that God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against one who loved me so, and sought my good.” 

GENESIS 38: Devotion

Judah's sons Er and Onan died, leaving Tamar a widow. Judah sent her away but she put on a veil and acts as a Harlot. He sleeps with her and she has twins.

"It seems a wonder that of all Jacob's sons, our Lord should spring out of Judah, Hebrews 7:14. But God will show that His choice is of grace and not of merit, and that Christ came into the world to save sinners, even the chief. Also, that the worthiness of Christ is of Himself, and not from His ancestors. How little reason had the Jews, who were so called from this Judah, to boast as they did."

(Matthew Henry)

GENESIS 37: Devotion

Jacob favors Joseph. Joseph tells his family of dreams he had in which he was exalted, this angers his brothers. His brothers plot to kill Joseph, but sell him into slavery. They tell Jacob he was killed by a wild beast. 

"The promise of God, which had exalted Joseph to honor, almost plunges him into the grave. We, also, who have received the gratuitous adoption of God amidst many sorrows, experience the same thing. For, from the time that Christ gathers us into his flock, God permits us to be cast down in various ways, so that we seem nearer hell than heaven."

(John Calvin)