Category: Daily Word

Let’s read the Bible!

Daily Word

Genesis 46

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 46 – And they’re off to Egypt! 

Jacob packs up the family and sets out for Egypt, stopping first in Beersheba to offer sacrifices to the Lord.  During the night the Lord spoke to him, confirming “I am God, the God of your father.  Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation.  I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again.  You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.” :1-4  What a sweet assurance from the LORD!

Beloved, acting in God’s will is so important.  Pray over your decisions; seek the Lord in all you do. 

The bible gives a record of all the son’s traveling with Jacob, and it is 66… plus Joseph and his two sons who are already there, and Jacob himself, bringing the total to 70. 

When they got close, Jacob sent Judah ahead to meet Joseph and get directions.  Joseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father.  Their reunion is just beautiful, full of hugs and tears, Jacob says he can now die in peace… Jacob has essentially been in grief since he sent Joseph to check on his brothers and he never returned, in 37:14.

Goshen is in Egypt on the border of the Promised Land.  Joseph instructs his family to greet Pharaoh saying they are his servants and shepherds, :34.  This is strategic because the Egyptians despise shepherds and would not want them near, thus guarding the integrity of the Hebrew lifestyle.

Beloved, take peace in the fact that God is in control, and God is good. No matter how things may look on earth, we have a Heavenly Father who goes before us.

Daily Word

Genesis 45

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 45 – Redemptive purpose changes everything! 

“But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place.  It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives…” :5a.  Beloved, imagine the freedom of taking every wrong done to you and seeing it through the lens of God’s redemptive purpose!  Joseph did not pretend the bad things didn’t happen, but he chose to trust God throughout it! 

He is so happy to see his brothers.  He tells them there will be five more years of famine, and invites them to go get their father and move everyone to Egypt because he has prepared for this, :9-11.  Joseph was weeping with joy, as he hugged and kissed Benjamin and all of his brothers, :14-15. 

News reached the palace of Pharaoh and God’s Word says, “Pharaoh and his officials were all delighted to hear this,” :16b  This says such beautiful things about Joseph’s relationships with Pharaoh and the officials of Egypt.  Clearly, no one resented Joseph, a hebrew, a slave and a foreigner, for his position over Egypt.  I heard it said once, “There is no prejudice in excellence.”  Joseph was excellent in every situation and it is a contagious excellence that lifts up all who are around him. 

Pharaoh and Joseph supply his brothers well for the move and when the brothers get home to Jacob he is stunned and cannot believe it.  They repeated everything Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, Jacob believed and was elated :26-28. 

Beloved, we can apply this lesson to our testimony about Jesus.  We can tell people about Jesus, and they can see His hand of blessing over our lives.  We can live with hope, joy and excellence because of our Savior and His redemptive purpose over us.

Daily Word

Genesis 44

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 44 – Changed hearts, changed lives.

Joseph puts his brothers to the test once more. He instructs his house manager to fill each man’s bag with grain, and the money they came with, and place his silver cup in the youngest man’s bag. After they left, the manager was to chase after them with accusations of stealing from Joseph.

Judah offered that the man with the cup would die and the rest of them would be slaves, :9. The manager countered that only the man with the cup would be his slave; the rest were to go free, :10. But when the cup was found in Benjamin’s belongings, all the brothers returned to Joseph.

As the matter was being discussed, God’s Word says, “Then Judah stepped forward,” :18 What a changed life Judah displays. If you recall in Chapter 37, it was Judah who proposed selling Joseph to the slave traders. Then in Chapter 38, Judah was the one who wronged Tamar by banishing her to her father’s house and not arranging that she marry his son, Shelah. And it was Judah who fathered twins through Tamar… but now, Judah is offering his own life in protection of his father and baby brother. Judah explains that his fathers life is bound up in Benjamin, :30, and he does so with love not jealousy. Judah is a changed man.

Beloved, who you were does not determine who you are. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1 With Jesus, you are set free from your old self and given new life. Delight in it and make the very most of it! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Daily Word

Genesis 43

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 43 – Family reunions are strange.  But this one must be the strangest.  It is like murder mystery theater as the son’s of Jacob try to figure out what to do. 

The food has run out and they must return to Egypt.  Jacob is still reluctant to release Benjamin.  Simeon is still being held in Egypt.  Jacob packed them up with gifts of balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin and more, as well as double the money.  He said a short prayer and concluded with, “But if I must lose my children, so be it.” :14, Isn’t that warm and fuzzy?  (I’m sorry, sometimes I think sarcasm is my love language.)

When they arrive in front of Joseph, he summons his people to prepare a midday feast.  Verse :18 tells us the brothers were terrified.  They spoke to the house manager, and explained the mystery of the money.  The manager’s response in :23 is just beautiful. 

The brothers presented the gifts when Joseph arrived.  Joseph examines Benjamin, pronounces a blessing over him, then excuses himself to a private room as he is so overcome by emotion, :30. 

The meal is served in a rather strange fashion.  Joseph has his own table, the brothers have their own table, and the Egyptians have their own table because they despise Hebrews and will not eat with them. 

Joseph arranged the brothers according to their age – which surprised them – and he served Benjamin five times as much.  They feasted and drank freely, and that is the cliffhanger our chapter ends on. 

Beloved, we are looking behind the scenes at God’s providence.  As you go about your day, will you be on the look-out for his providence over your circumstances, and express gratitude at every glimpse? 

Daily Word

Genesis 42

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 42 – When dreams come true –

It all came to pass just as the dream indicated.  Joseph was prudent to do what he suggested and now has abundant grain to keep the whole world fed during the famine.  People everywhere were starving, including Jacob and his family.  Imagine Joseph, or Zaphenhath-paneah as he was known in Egypt, receiving people far and wide, bringing him all their possessions for grain, all day, every day.  Then one day in the routine of it all, 10 brothers approach, his very own brothers. 

Picture Joseph, remember the first thing Pharaoh did was have him change his clothes (41:14).  Joseph must have looked very Egyptian in attire and mannerisms, even having an interpreter while he spoke in the local dialect.  :23  He recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  Joseph accused them of being spies.  He imprisoned them for three days.  Then he comes up with this crazy requirement that they are to bring the youngest brother back.  I think he was buying time while he processed his emotions. 

I think it must have been fun to mess with his brothers in this way too.  That’s what I think, but the bible only gives us the details, so that is only my own conclusion.  What do you think as you take in this unusual turn of events? 

Meanwhile, what is exposed in Jacob is most tragic.  His grief still lingers for Joseph, and we see it here in his protection of Benjamin in :38.  If only he could have Joseph’s faith that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them (wisdom from Romans 8:28).  Yet, Beloved, he will soon enough!

Daily Word

Genesis 41

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 41 – One call can change everything.  One moment can stop time and your life will forever be measured as before and after. 

It is roughly the 13th year after Joseph’s life went from before, living as the happy younger brother in his fathers house… to after, after being thrown in a well, after slavery, after false accusations, after imprisonment.  And today we find Joseph getting another call. 

Pharaoh has a dream he just can’t let go of.  He shares it with all of the magicians and wise men of Egypt, and none can interpret the dream.  Now, remember the cup-bearer, he would have been close by as Pharaoh was sharing his dream with his advisors.  Starting in :9 he speaks up, telling Pharaoh about this young Hebrew man he met in prison.  Verse :14 tells us, “Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought up from the prison.  After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh.” 

Beloved, you have had a call, your life is before Salvation and after.  And you will get another, when you are all cleaned up, clothed in Jesus, standing before God in heaven. 

But, back to Joseph.  When Pharaoh tells Joseph why he summoned him, Joseph responds just as he did before, “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied, “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.” :16 I CAN’T, BUT GOD CAN. Hold onto that, Beloved. 

The dream is clarified and Joseph advises placing an intelligent, wise man in charge of the entire land of Egypt, and to collect and store 1/5th of all the crops in the abundant years.  Pharaoh consults his advisors, :38, and they all agree that Joseph is the man for the job.  On the spot, Joseph is elevated from prisoner to the highest ranking official in all of Egypt, just under Pharaoh himself. 

Beloved, live ready.  One never knows when the call will come that changes everything.

Daily Word

Genesis 40

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 40 – Joseph and dreams – If you recall, all of Joseph’s troubles began when he shared his dreams with his brothers (Genesis 37).  One would think he would doubt the dream interpretation, considering the way that one is playing out.  Indeed, from a dream about the sun moon and eleven stars bowing down to him to the reality of abandonment, slavery, and imprisonment one would think Joseph would doubt a lot of things.  But there is zero evidence of that anywhere in his life. 

Our chapter begins with Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer and chief baker joining Joseph in prison.  Scripture says, “When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset.” :6 Beloved, do you see his heart?  Joseph reflects a heart of compassion and tenderness, not bitter self-absorption. 

He asks why they look so worried, and they say it is because they both had dreams that no one could interpret.  Without hesitation, Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?  Please tell them to me.” :8  Joseph does not say that he can interpret, but that it belongs to God… that is the kind of relationship he has with the Father… It gives us a peek at just HOW Joseph could endure a life of trials without despair because he walked so closely with the LORD. 

Beloved, when ugly emotions rear their head in your heart, turn to Jesus.  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all our anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7 

Joseph gives the interpretations and they play out in three days exactly as he described.  All he asked for in return was that he be remembered (:14) but our chapter closes with, “Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.” :23  Yet another betrayal, still, all we see is a steadfast life.  God is preparing Joseph for great things and his faith does not waiver. 

Beloved, trust the Lord with all your heart.  When things get hard, remember Joseph, and may his blessed hope be yours too.

Daily Word

Genesis 39

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 39 – Back to Joseph. 

He is now a house slave to an Egyptian official named Potiphar.  “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man… His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” :2-3  Joseph is put in charge of all that his master had and his master prospered because of God’s favor over Joseph. 

In verse :6 we learn something else about Joseph, “Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.”  Suddenly, Mrs. Potiphar is interested in Joseph.  She makes some advances, which he refuses, until the day comes where she won’t take no for an answer.  Joseph fled, leaving a frustrated and angry Mrs. Potiphar still holding his coat.  She spins the story and says Joseph attacked her.  When Master Potiphar came home and heard her tale, he was angry and sent Joseph to the prison where the kings prisoners were kept.  I would be so discouraged, but there is no hint of that in Joseph. 

Even in prison, the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. :21 

Beloved, consider what Colossians 3:23 says:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though working for the Lord, not for human masters,”.  And think about Romans 8:31, “What shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Joseph’s circumstances should be cause for despair, but he walks so closely with the LORD, there’s simply no room for it.  Next time you get down, hang on to Joseph’s faith and trust your Heavenly Father with the outcome.

Daily Word

Genesis 38

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 38 – The bible is real and true. People are messy yet the LORD accomplishes His purpose through us.

Meet Tamar, she is one of only 4 women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus, in the New Testament (Matthew 1:3).  She is given in marriage to Judah’s son,  Er, but he was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the LORD killed him.  :6-7.  Wicked Er was not going to corrupt the lineage of Jesus.  

It was tradition, if a man died before providing a son to his wife, that the brother would then fill his shoes.   The son would not be his though;  the baby would be considered the son of the dead brother. Judah sends in his second son, Onan.  He was also wicked in the eyes of the LORD,  and the LORD killed him.  :10. 

Judah has one son left, Shelah.  He is a bit young to be marrying and fathering his dead brother’s children, plus Tamar’s track record is of some concern. So Judah sends Tamar home to her fathers house.   He says he will send Shelah when he is old enough, but doesn’t. 

Tamar does something that seems crazy, taking off her widows garb, dressing like a shrine prostitute and getting Judah to be with her. She secures the act with his personal items.

… Hang in there,  my feminist friends, this is the anchient world. As things play out, I think you’ll see Tamar is quite the brave and bold fighter within the realm of her time and options.

Enjoy the read.  Beloved, be blessed by this chapter.   The Lord worked through Judah and Tamar despite some overwhelming obstacles and poor choices. He will come alongside you too, working all things for your good and His glory. 💖

Daily Word

Genesis 37

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 37 – Beloved, you are seen; you are precious and useful to God; the biggest challenges of your life are molding and shaping you for divine purposes.  You are loved.  May you learn and relearn all this and more from Joseph. 

We begin when Joseph is 17 and like most of us at that age, he wants to fit in.  He is the 11th son to his father, Jacob, and first born to his mother, Rachel. He is his father’s favorite, and his brothers hated him for that.  :1-4

He has a dream one night, and tells his brothers about it.  In the dream, they bow down to him.  You can imagine how well this goes over. 

One day, Joseph is coming out to where the brothers are working and they conspire to kill him. Then changed their mind to throw him down an empty well because they did not want his blood on their hands.  Then they rethink that plan and sell him into slavery to a passing caravan.  :18-28  They bring back false evidence to make their father believe he has been eaten by wild animals… in other words, his situation is humanly hopeless.  No one is going to come looking for him.  But notice how God’s hand of protection was over him.  The Lord did not allow his brothers to kill him.  The Lord did not allow him to be harmed by the slave traders and the Lord planted Joseph in the service to Potiphar, the captain of the guard for Pharaoh.  There’s much more to his story, but for today, Beloved, whatever you’ve faced in life, especially the hard parts, will you pray to see it through God’s lense?🌈🧥💤💖☝️🙏😍