relationships (Exodus 1:1-27) Respect and Obedience

(Exodus 1:1-27)  Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the persons who came from the loins of Jacob were seventy in number, but Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.

8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. 10 Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.” 11 So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel. 13 The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously; 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.

15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was named Puah; 16 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.” 20 So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. 21 Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

As Christians, we are aliens on this planet until we are brought home to glory.  So our life here on earth is only temporary.  Our purpose is to love God and others and point them to a life with the Lord which leads to heaven.  Therefore, this chapter is about our relationship with God as well as one's relationships with whichever government is in place.  

We are to respect whoever is in power, but God should come first.  Our faith should not be placed in our president or prime minister or king... but in the Lord Jesus who is the King of kings.  So if a government wants us to do anything that goes against God and His word, we need to have faith that God will reward us for our obedience to Him.  We do not have to be afraid!  Even if it means death.  

(Philippians 1:21-26) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.

relationships (Genesis 50:15-26) Don't Hold Grudges

(Genesis 50:15-26)  When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

22 Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. 23 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” 26 So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION: 

Interesting that the brothers were worried over all those years that Joseph might still be holding a grudge.  Yet the first time Joseph spoke to them about this, he said that he wasn't holding any grudge against them.  If we don't forgive people, we will become angry, fearful and bitter.  And if that is the case, our focus on God will be clouded.  I guess if we ourselves don't forgive others, we would expect that all other people do the very same thing.  As well, if we ourselves struggle to forgive, it might make it more difficult for us to believe that God is forgiving!

As Christians, one thing we need to remember and practice is the love and forgiveness of God.  God's love is unconditional.  And once God forgives us of our sins in that moment of becoming a Christian, He chooses to remember them no more.  In other words, He will not hold any of those things against us.  We have eternal life and eternal security in our salvation because of God's grace.  

Our forgiveness may help the other person as well as the reconciliation process, but it most certainly helps us to remain free of grudge-lists and helps our focus remain on God.  And in the same way, when we do sin, being quick to confess and apologize will always bring us back closer with God and others.

relationships (Genesis 50:1-14) Earning Respect

(Genesis 50:1-14)  Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him and kissed him. 2 Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

4 When the days of mourning for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your sight, please speak to Pharaoh, saying, 5 ‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am about to die; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’” 6 Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.”

7 So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father’s household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen. 9 There also went up with him both chariots and horsemen; and it was a very great company. 10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he observed seven days mourning for his father. 11 Now when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning for the Egyptians.” Therefore it was named Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

12 Thus his sons did for him as he had charged them; 13 for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field for a burial site from Ephron the Hittite. 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers, and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Note how all the people mourned the loss of Jacob!  He might not have worked, but he would have contributed to the community at large in some way, and touched the lives of those around him.  And note that Joseph, who was second only to Pharaoh, did the responsible thing and asked for permission to take "time off".  Even though Joseph and Jacob had gained a great reputation in Egypt and were loved and highly revered, they didn't assume privileges or a high position.  

Especially at work, people can forget that they are being paid to do a job.  It's not like we are doing the owners or managers any favors by showing up and doing our jobs as we should.  It is expected.  And respect is something one earns.  But more than doing things so that we will be respected, and/or get paid, we should live in such a way that people can appreciate us and see the reflection of God.  What an easy and practical way to live out the gospel message!  

relationships (Genesis 49:1-33) Building a Life of Purpose

(Genesis 49:1-33) Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come.

2   “Gather together and hear, O sons of Jacob;
     And listen to Israel your father.

3  “Reuben, you are my firstborn;
     My might and the beginning of my strength,
     Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.
4   “Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence,
     Because you went up to your father’s bed;
     Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.

5   “Simeon and Levi are brothers;
     Their swords are implements of violence.
6   “Let my soul not enter into their council;
     Let not my glory be united with their assembly;
     Because in their anger they slew men,
     And in their self-will they lamed oxen.
7   “Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
     And their wrath, for it is cruel.
     I will disperse them in Jacob,
     And scatter them in Israel.

8  “Judah, your brothers shall praise you;
     Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
     Your father’s sons shall bow down to you.
9   “Judah is a lion’s whelp;
     From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
     He couches, he lies down as a lion,
     And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?
10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
     Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
     Until Shiloh comes,
     And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
11 “He ties his foal to the vine,
     And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine;
     He washes his garments in wine,
     And his robes in the blood of grapes.
12 “His eyes are dull from wine,
     And his teeth white from milk.

13 “Zebulun will dwell at the seashore;
     And he shall be a haven for ships,
     And his flank shall be toward Sidon.

14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,
     Lying down between the sheepfolds.
15 “When he saw that a resting place was good  
     And that the land was pleasant,
     He bowed his shoulder to bear burdens,
     And became a slave at forced labor.

16 “Dan shall judge his people,
     As one of the tribes of Israel.
17 “Dan shall be a serpent in the way,
     A horned snake in the path,
     That bites the horse’s heels,
     So that his rider falls backward.
18 “For Your salvation I wait, O Lord.

19 “As for Gad, raiders shall raid him,
     But he will raid at their heels.

20 “As for Asher, his food shall be rich,
     And he will yield royal dainties.

21 “Naphtali is a doe let loose,
     He gives beautiful words.

22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough,
     A fruitful bough by a spring;
     Its branches run over a wall.
23 “The archers bitterly attacked him,
     And shot at him and harassed him;
24 But his bow remained firm,
     And his arms were agile,

     From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob 
     (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
25 From the God of your father who helps you,
     And by the Almighty who blesses you 
     With blessings of heaven above,
     Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
     Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
26 “The blessings of your father 
     Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors 

     Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills;
     May they be on the head of Joseph,
     And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
     In the morning he devours the prey,
     And in the evening he divides the spoil.”

28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him. 29 Then he charged them and said to them, “I am about to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite for a burial site. 31 There they buried Abraham and his wife Sarah, there they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there I buried Leah— 32 the field and the cave that is in it, purchased from the sons of Heth.” 33 When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

As parents we do need to speak the truth to our children - but always with God's love, gentleness, patience and guidance.  So here Jacob prophecies over each of the sons.  With Rueben, he had to know that his one sinful action created a consequence that could not be undone, and it impacted his life in a very big way.  And while the words to Simeon and Levi sound harsh, the tribe of Levi were redeemed when they stood up against the mob who wanted to make the golden calf.  Later on, while God still didn't give them their own land, He made the Levites the priests of Israel.  

If we as parents see our children going down the wrong path, they need to be warned about the dangers involved and the possible dangers that can lie ahead; but then they also need to be told how to get (back) onto the right path.  In this way, they will be equipped with information that can help them if they choose to change.  It is never too late to go to the Lord who will help us build a life of fulfillment!  In Him, our lives will be filled with purpose, love and joy.  In Him we are made complete.

From the tribe of Judah would come kings, as well as the King of kings - Jesus - the Lord born in flesh, to be 100% man while still being 100% God, in order to accomplish His work on the cross.  In this way, all nations could be blessed, as anyone can go to the Lord for His salvation.  Jesus will come again at the end of the Tribulation to have victory at the battle of Armageddon.  He will then do away with evil and bring justice to the earth and establish the Millennial kingdom.  

Just as with Jacob and Joseph, who were believers and walked with God, when we have a personal relationship with the Lord, we will be blessed.  This does not mean financially!  It could mean financially, but the Bible does not preach a prosperity gospel.  The message of good news is that we can be children of God.  Our treasures are in heaven.  But even more precious, we have God as our heavenly Father - our Shepherd who helps us!  Our "stone" - our Cornerstone - Jesus - lays a firm and solid foundation on which we can build upon!  All in His strength and wisdom, to His glory!

relationships (Genesis 47:1-48:22) Blessing One Another

(Genesis 47:1-31)  Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen.” 2 He took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” So they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers.” 4 They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.” 5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. 6 The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”

7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many years have you lived?” 9 So Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.” 10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence. 11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered. 12 Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to their little ones.

13 Now there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. 14 Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain which they bought, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. 15 When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food, for why should we die in your presence? For our money is gone.” 16 Then Joseph said, “Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone.” 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys; and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year. 18 When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent, and the cattle are my lord’s. There is nothing left for my lord except our bodies and our lands. 19 Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh. So give us seed, that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate.”

20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. Thus the land became Pharaoh’s. 21 As for the people, he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt’s border to the other. 22 Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had an allotment from Pharaoh, and they lived off the allotment which Pharaoh gave them. Therefore, they did not sell their land. 23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have today bought you and your land for Pharaoh; now, here is seed for you, and you may sow the land. 24 At the harvest you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own for seed of the field and for your food and for those of your households and as food for your little ones.” 25 So they said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.” 26 Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt valid to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth; only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh’s.

27 Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous. 28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.

29 When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place now your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness. Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.” 31 He said, “Swear to me.” So he swore to him.  Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.

(Genesis 48:1-22)  Now it came about after these things that Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is sick.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him. 2 When it was told to Jacob, “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed. 3 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and He said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.’ 5 Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. 6 But your offspring that have been born after them shall be yours; they shall be called by the names of their brothers in their inheritance. 7 Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” 9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were so dim from age that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.” 12 Then Joseph took them from his knees, and bowed with his face to the ground. 13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him. 14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 He blessed Joseph, and said,

“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
16 The angel who has redeemed me from all evil,
Bless the lads;
And may my name live on in them,
And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” 20 He blessed them that day, saying,

“By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying,
‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!’”

Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers. 22 I give you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In many cultures, authority, elders and parents are highly honored and revered.  And in return, they treat others better.  As for parents, they in turn bless their children.  I think a lot of our culture/s have lost sight of that, but we can certainly foster this in our own home.  As parents teach their children to respect others, this doesn't mean that they should trust someone to the degree that they put themselves into danger.  One can be wise and still respectful.

The most critical thing parents are to do - is lead by example.  And right at the top of the list is that our children see our love for the Lord.  This would include going to church, having devotions, praying, serving, giving, showing love for others... which includes respecting others!  Which includes respecting our own children!

Teach children (and others) to love a life of discipline in God's wisdom.  While one needs to experience consequences for defiant behavior/s, discipline is mostly about learning a healthy lifestyle.  We are to equip our children so they can thrive on their own.  And as we do this, pour into them with love, appreciation, interest and encouragement, so even though they become independent, they will grow up enjoying healthy relationships and being part of "community".   

Even though I'm 62 years old, I'm still learning how to "bless".  I realize that it means to purposefully encourage and continually remind our children and grandchildren just how much I cherish them.  As well, I need to continually ask God for His wisdom, guidance and opportunity in doing this, as well as reminding them how much God cherishes them.  By sharing how God has been there for me, they can know that God will be there for them!  And I can see how, while I pray, I can be asking God to bless them in their walk with Him, for their present as well as their future.  All these are ways we can bless our children and others.