We wrapped our Summer in the Psalms series a couple weeks ago, but what an amazing series. Then Al Hassler shared last Sunday, “Questions of A Skeptic”. That gave us a lot to think about, not just in our personal walk with the Lord, but even how others may be thinking about God. This week, Pastor Adam is starting a new series that will be following the journey of Joseph and all the ups and downs, twists and turns. Let’s take a quick look at Joseph to get a better idea of all that we will be breaking down in the coming weeks. When you think of Joseph from the Old Testament, what comes to mind? Do you think “coat of many colors”, “Governor of Egypt”, “husband to not one, but two wives?”
Let’s go back to before Joseph was born and get a better idea of the “beginning” of his story. There was a man named Isaac (this is Abraham’s son) who had a wife named Rebekah. She cannot have children, so Isaac prays, and God gives them twins. Jacob and Esau. Turns out that Isaac had a favorite son, Esau. He was a rugged outdoorsman, and so was Isaac. Jacob is not outdoorsy and prefers to hang out with his mom. We read about how Jacob was a schemer, and he cheated Esau out of both his birthright and his blessing. (Gen 25:29-34 and Gen 27:1-36). Esau did not like that and vowed to hunt down Jacob so Jacob ran for his life. (Gen 27:41) He ends up living with an uncle far away, and he ends up falling in love. With his cousin, Rachel. He made a deal to work for seven years for Rachel’s father (his uncle), and then he can marry Rachel. Turns out that Jacob is not the only schemer; so is his uncle, and surprise! He doesn’t marry Rachel, he marries Leah, Rachel’s sister! So Jacob and his uncle strike a deal that he can work seven more years, and he’ll get to marry Rachel. (Gen 29:15-30) Jacob is married to two women, who are sisters, surely this is all sunshine and roses. Not exactly! Especially when Leah begins having children, and Rachel does not.(Gen 29:31) Rachel is desperate and offers her servant to Jacob, and her servant, Bilhah has two sons. Well, Leah cannot be outdone, so her servant Zilpah has two sons by Jacob. (Gen 30:1-25)
In the end, Jacob has 12 sons and 1 daughter by 4 different women. One of those twelve sons is Joseph, and he was born to Rachel (she had another son later on). Such dysfunction and pain. Joseph’s brothers were very bitter because Jacob loved Joseph more than them, and the sibling rivalry ran deep. Then Joseph had a couple of dreams that his family would bow down to him, and that did not help matters at all. (Gen 37:2-11a) However, this story is just the beginning of the amazing journey Joseph had. Let’s take this week to look a bit deeper into Scripture and at some of the points Pastor Adam made. Prayerfully, we will all walk away feeling encouraged that God can really take broken things and make something beautiful.
MONDAY:
Take some time today to simply read through the story of Joseph to get more familiar with his life and story.
Reflection/Action:
Read Genesis 37:1-36
In reading and reflecting about Joseph and his brothers, what are your thoughts about this story? Do you feel you can relate to Joseph in some way or maybe you identify with the brothers? Take some time to reflect and pray.
TUESDAY:
It’s interesting that after Jacob hears Joseph’s dreams and “scolded” him a bit (Gen 37:10), we read in Genesis 37:11b, but his father kept the matter in mind. Jacob was a schemer, yet he knew that God does show up and moves in ways that we wouldn’t expect.
Reflection/Action:
In reading about all of this dysfunction, do you feel hope for your own mess? Have you already seen God show up and move? Or are you waiting and trusting that He will? Or are you skeptical that God could ever change anything? Take some time to pray and either thank God if you have seen Him move or pray and ask Him to fill your heart with hope that He is at work and sees and knows!
WEDNESDAY:
Sometimes, we may wonder how the Old Testament applies to our lives today. It’s so important to note in God’s redemptive history-these messy stories are opportunities for transformation and they point to God and all He does for His glory and our good. The God of the Old Testament and the New Testament is the same God we serve TODAY!!
Reflection/Action:
Read both Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8. God does not change! What hope and encouragement we find in these two verses. God is with you, and NOTHING is impossible for Him! (Luke 1:37).
THURSDAY:
Pastor Adam mentioned three things to keep in mind as we look at the journey of Joseph and consider our own lives. First, Trust your past to the mercy of God (these three points are attributed to Augustine). When we look at the life of Joseph and his family history and what he is currently facing-so much dysfunction! BUT God!!! From the 12 sons of Jacob came the 12 tribes of Israel. Despite their past, God’s mercy reigned. He brings blessing from mess.
Reflection/Action:
“Our past ultimately cannot determine who we will become.” Do you trust God’s mercy that that statement could be true? As Pastor Adam said, “Don’t let your past determine your future - Let Jesus do that!
FRIDAY:
The second point Pastor Adam made was this: Trust your present to the love of God. Despite everything happening in this story, we will eventually see a beautiful picture of God’s love and redemption. You could feel like Joseph’s brothers did - overlooked or neglected. God will not give up on you, and His love never runs out.
Reflection/Action:
Take time to reflect on this statement, “Trust your present to the love of God,” and now reflect on this statement, “God will not give up on you, and His love never runs out!” Write these down and post them in a place you will see often; let these words sink deep into your mind and heart! Read Psalm 91:4 (NLT) “He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
SATURDAY:
Lastly, Trust your future to the providence of God. What is providence? It is defined as God’s protective care in the present and His timely preparation for future eventualities (things we cannot see today). No matter what hurts, broken dreams, etc. you are facing, God will give you what you need when you need it. You can count on Him!
Reflection/Action:
Read a key verse in Joseph’s story (We’ll be looking at this a little later on in the series); Genesis 50:20 (NIV) “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God is at work for the good of everyone who loves Him. “May we trust our past to His mercy, present to His love, future to His providence. Take whatever dysfunction, brokenness, or mess and place it ALL in God’s hands. Trust Him to move.