Musings on the Tough Life Questions

Day 30,  January 30 Gen. 47:28 – (chap)48     Jacob’s last wish / Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim Gen. 49 – 50:14     Jacob blesses his sons / Jacob’s death and funeral Gen. 50:15-26       Joseph reassures his brothers / Joseph’s death Gen. 47:28-Gen. 48 47:28-31 Jacob put Joseph’s hand under his thigh (remember Abraham and his servant doing this also?) and made Joseph’s swear that he will not be buried in Egypt 48:1-8 Jacob elevated Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to be his sons, and placed them as part of the blessings of Abraham, to be included in the inheritance of the land. They became one of the twelve tribes of Israel with the same status as those who came out of Jacob’s loins.  In this way Joseph received a double portion. Note also one of the things Jacob reminded Joseph was that the land would be an everlasting blessing.  This English word “everlasting” can be a bit misleading at times. OK, at ALL times. In the...

Day 29,  January 29 Gen. 45:1-20  Joseph reveals himself to his brothers / Pharaoh’s invitation Gen. 45:21 – 46:27   The second return / Jacob and his family move to Egypt Gen. 46:28 – 47:12   Joseph and Jacob are reunited / Jacob meets with Pharaoh Gen. 47:13-27       Joseph and the famine Gen. 45:1-20 45:1-8 Could you imagine the emotional release occurring here? If Joseph was a different man (ok like me), emotion would be held in check until I gave them a good “come to Jesus” lecture.  But sometimes as a man, a good cry to release all the inner hurt, can help with the reconciliation and inner healing. What if estranged brothers, siblings, did this? It is one thing to see a woman cry, but a man? That should happen more often.  As I write this (Jan 20), Biden was inaugurated.  A man who was about to be President weeps publicly , just as Christ weeped publicly for Jerusalem.  More men of God should be like this. It is interesting ...

Day 28,  January 28 Gen. 42:1-24  Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt / Joseph tests his brothers Gen. 42:25-43       Joseph’s brothers return to Canaan / The second journey Gen. 44       Joseph’s silver cup / Judah intercedes for Benjamin Gen. 42:1-24  42:1-3 When Judah said to his sons “Why do you look at one another” all I can hear in Trini is “Wha happen? Why allyuh sitting here scratching yourself? Look get up and get us some food eh” 42:4-14 10 of his sons went to Egypt to secure food, while Benjamin stayed behind, because rightfully, Jacon doesn’t want any harm to come to him. Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him.  He accused them of being spies.  Why do you think Joseph did this? Do you think Joseph had anxiety, experience post trauma upon seeing his brothers? 42:15-24  Joseph kept them in prison for three days.  The brothers were in their own pit and they began to surmise that the blood of Joseph w...

  Day 27,  January 27 Gen. 40       The cupbearer and the baker / Joseph interprets two dreams Gen. 41:1-40  Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams Gen. 41:41-57       Joseph is put in charge of Egypt / Joseph’s sons Gen. 40 40:1-7 Joseph at the age of 28 years old is proving to be a master at organizational behavior, psychology and networking.  He noticed that both the butler and baker were sad the morning after their respective dreams.  Honestly, if I was thrown into the pit due to no fault of my own, thrown into jail because of a woman, I would be very distrusting of people.  I would want to have nothing to do with people.  I would be clinical in executing my job.  I’m in charge of this joint, well under the warden, and I really don't have to cater to why you are sad. This actually speaks to the heart of Joseph, always willing to be used by God to help others.  40:9-22 Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams o...

Day 26,  January 26 Gen. 37       Joseph’s two dreams / Joseph is sold into slavery Gen. 38-39:10       Judah and Tamar / Joseph and Potiphar’s wife Gen. 39:11-23       Joseph is falsely imprisoned Gen. 37 37:1-2 Joseph was working out in the field with his brothers -- Dan and Naphtali (from Bilhah) and Gad and Asher (from Zilpah) -- and being the good boy that he was, he felt obliged to tattle on them. We have no idea what they did, but considering what comes next in the story, it doesn’t sound like they lived very righteous lives. 37: 3-4 Joseph’s tunic and robe of many colors was said to be the same robe Adam wore, then worn by Cain, Nimrod stole it, Noah, Shem, Esau and Jacob.   It was made from the skin of a serpent and hence reflected many colors. It was made for the ruler (and priest) of the earth, or the heir of the earth.  Now you know why his brothers hated him 37: 5-8 Dream 1, Sheaves bow.  Combined with t...