Journal Through the Bible: Week 11 Tuesday

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Genesis 44:14-45:28


Does God make any promises in this passage?

God does not speak, but Joseph tells his brothers in 45:5-8 that God had sent him into Egypt before them to preserve life. This is the means that God used to fulfill the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and even Jacob (who was still living) to protect and multiply this family. It is also the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy given to Abraham that his descendants would be slaves in Egypt.

Are there any references to Jesus?

Joseph is the type of Christ:

• He fed them with the Bread of Life
• He settles them into the best land (Goshen)
• He is the second in command to the ruler and is submissive to him
• He meets their needs out of the ruler's treasury, as commanded by that ruler
• He provided them their daily bread even as they made the journey
• He gives commands to the brethren not to argue among themselves

Judah is the type of Christ:

• when he is the guarantor of Benjamin's safety to Jacob
• when he intercedes on Benjamin's behalf with Joseph and offers to take the penalty so that Benjamin can be restored to their father 

 

Are there any references to eternity future?

None that I identified.

Does God issue any commands?

• Through Joseph God commanded His people to "come."
• Through Joseph God commanded His people not to argue and fight among themselves as they make their journey.

These commands were given to Jacob's sons, but they are appropriate for all God's chosen today.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 11 Monday

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Genesis 43:1-44:13

Joseph's brothers return to Egypt the second time. In order to buy food they were required to take Benjamin, who was not a young child like pictures often portray, with them ostensibly to prove to the governor that they were not spies. As the youngest, Benjamin was considered "the lad" by his elder brothers but he was at least in his late twenties when he left Jacob's side and traveled to Egypt with the nine brothers that had been allowed to return to Canaan after their first trip. Simeon was then brought out of his imprisonment and joined them.

Why did Joseph want to see Benjamin in person? And why did he scheme to make it so that Benjamin must return to Egypt, possibly even stay in Egypt? Most likely Joseph wondered if the other ten brothers were mistreating Benjamin like they had him many years before and if that was the case Joseph was going to rescue him!

Does God make any promises in this passage?

God does not speak in this passage.

Are there any references to Jesus?

Judah is a type of Christ in this passage when he offers his life as the security for Benjamin's safety.

Are there any references to eternity or End Time events?

None that I identified.

Does God issue any commands?

God does not speak.

Sunday Psalm: To Be Judged By God (Like Joseph)

Psalm 26

A Psalm of David.

1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Psalms 26:1-12 (KJV)

TAKE TIME: Reading Assignment March 18-23

Introduction: This week we will complete the book of Genesis!

There is a famine in the region. Joseph not only prophesied it but he also prepared for it. His brothers have already been to Egypt once to buy food but once it has been eaten they must return to buy more. But they are afraid of the governor of the land, the man who spoke roughly to them and took their brother Simeon captive, so they delay their return as long as possible. When they do make the journey, they will be surprised to find that the governor is their own brother, Joseph, that they sold into slavery over 20 years earlier.

After the family is reconciled, Jacob will move his extended family into Egypt in order to be near his beloved, Joseph. Like Joseph, the whole family will eventually find itself enslaved there just as God had told Abraham would happen during one of their discussions almost 200 years earlier.


Reading Assignment:

• Monday - Genesis 43:1-44:13
• Tuesday - Genesis 44:14-45:28
• Wednesday - Genesis 46:1-47:10
• Thursday - Genesis 47:11-48:22
• Friday - Genesis chapter 49
• Saturday - Genesis chapter 50

Memory Verse

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  Genesis 50:20


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - This week take time each day to praise God for His holiness! 
• Confession - God already knows about each sin but confess any as they come to your mind and ask Him to help you not sin that way again.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for sending His Son, the one the evil world killed in order to save many!
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Many people are separated from their families either because they are serving in the military or because they have committed crimes and have been imprisoned. Ask someone you trust for the name and address of an active duty military personnel or incarcerated prisoner and write them a letter. Whether the separation is caused by service or sin, loneliness and homesickness are the same and having contact even through a letter can be much appreciated.