Daily Bible Portion (Saturday)
Daily Bible Portion – 7 of 7
"AND HE LIVED"
(Weekly Reading>>Genesis 47:28 to 50:26, 1 Kings 2:1-12, Hebrews 11:21-22)
After Joseph buried his father, the whole company returned to Egypt, back to the land of Goshen, as the prophetic time of their return had not yet arrived. A full four hundred years must complete before the prophetic return could be fulfilled (Genesis 15:13; Galatians 3:16-18).
Joseph and His Brothers
(Genesis 50:15-21)
With the covering of their father Jacob no longer there, the fear of Joseph became more prominent among his brothers once again. This started them talking behind his back. Gossip and slander (called lashon hara in Hebrew) is a very grievous act. This character could only take place if Joseph’s brothers had not repented earlier for their actions against him in his youth. This behavior revealed that they had carried bitterness, unforgiveness and guilt against Joseph for almost forty years. Furthermore, the brothers decided to handle it by sending a letter to Joseph instead of meeting with him in person. In this letter they stated, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brother’s the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” Reading this, Joseph wept.
Joseph’s brothers had not recognized that he had forgiven them a long time ago. It was they who had not forgiven him. Joseph literally saved their lives. In all that he had done for his family Joseph could not have provided so abundantly all the food, the protection and the best of the land of Egypt if he had unforgiveness toward them. An unforgiving heart is a selfish heart and does not reach out or give to others time and time again the way Joseph had. He had freely blessed them unconditionally all these years, so to see this behavior still going on in his brother’s hearts grieved Joseph deeply.
Only after sending the letter did the brothers have courage to come face to face with Joseph. To further confirm the inclination and guilt of their hearts, they threw themselves at his feet saying, “We are your slaves!” Thus Joseph’s earlier dream was fulfilled again (Genesis 37:5-9).
Sadly the sons of Israel continued to walk in this way even after leaving Egypt in Moses’ time, as we get glimpses of this same attitude throughout Scripture. Today this mindset is alive in the hearts of the brothers toward Joseph as seen in the giving away of his land. Metaphorically speaking, Joseph has been in the wilderness a long time, and now, towards the end of his exile, he is learning to lean on his staff, the Torah. Ephraim is learning Yahweh’s ways and this will bring him home. Not all Israel is Israel according to Romans 9:6. Those who love their brothers and care for them are the true sons of Joseph. Judah may not recognize Joseph today, we pray when they do, Joseph will have the grain/bread that gives life and will lead his brother home.
Joseph said to his brothers,
This is prophetic language for our day.
Joseph’s Death
(Genesis 50:22-26)
In Egypt, Joseph lived to see the third generation of Ephraim’s children. He also saw Manasseh’s son who came to him for a blessing. At this time, Joseph shared with his brothers, “Yahweh will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Genesis 15:13-14). With this, Joseph made them swear to take his bones with them when they left Egypt. At one hundred and ten, Joseph died. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt waiting to be brought home at the appointed time.
continues tomorrow...
"AND HE LIVED"
(Weekly Reading>>Genesis 47:28 to 50:26, 1 Kings 2:1-12, Hebrews 11:21-22)
After Joseph buried his father, the whole company returned to Egypt, back to the land of Goshen, as the prophetic time of their return had not yet arrived. A full four hundred years must complete before the prophetic return could be fulfilled (Genesis 15:13; Galatians 3:16-18).
Joseph and His Brothers
(Genesis 50:15-21)
With the covering of their father Jacob no longer there, the fear of Joseph became more prominent among his brothers once again. This started them talking behind his back. Gossip and slander (called lashon hara in Hebrew) is a very grievous act. This character could only take place if Joseph’s brothers had not repented earlier for their actions against him in his youth. This behavior revealed that they had carried bitterness, unforgiveness and guilt against Joseph for almost forty years. Furthermore, the brothers decided to handle it by sending a letter to Joseph instead of meeting with him in person. In this letter they stated, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brother’s the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” Reading this, Joseph wept.
Joseph’s brothers had not recognized that he had forgiven them a long time ago. It was they who had not forgiven him. Joseph literally saved their lives. In all that he had done for his family Joseph could not have provided so abundantly all the food, the protection and the best of the land of Egypt if he had unforgiveness toward them. An unforgiving heart is a selfish heart and does not reach out or give to others time and time again the way Joseph had. He had freely blessed them unconditionally all these years, so to see this behavior still going on in his brother’s hearts grieved Joseph deeply.
Only after sending the letter did the brothers have courage to come face to face with Joseph. To further confirm the inclination and guilt of their hearts, they threw themselves at his feet saying, “We are your slaves!” Thus Joseph’s earlier dream was fulfilled again (Genesis 37:5-9).
Sadly the sons of Israel continued to walk in this way even after leaving Egypt in Moses’ time, as we get glimpses of this same attitude throughout Scripture. Today this mindset is alive in the hearts of the brothers toward Joseph as seen in the giving away of his land. Metaphorically speaking, Joseph has been in the wilderness a long time, and now, towards the end of his exile, he is learning to lean on his staff, the Torah. Ephraim is learning Yahweh’s ways and this will bring him home. Not all Israel is Israel according to Romans 9:6. Those who love their brothers and care for them are the true sons of Joseph. Judah may not recognize Joseph today, we pray when they do, Joseph will have the grain/bread that gives life and will lead his brother home.
Joseph said to his brothers,
“Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of Yahweh [judging you or delivering you]? You intended to harm me, but Yahweh intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children” (Genesis 50:19-21).
This is prophetic language for our day.
Jeremiah 31:9 “They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.”
Joseph’s Death
(Genesis 50:22-26)
In Egypt, Joseph lived to see the third generation of Ephraim’s children. He also saw Manasseh’s son who came to him for a blessing. At this time, Joseph shared with his brothers, “Yahweh will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Genesis 15:13-14). With this, Joseph made them swear to take his bones with them when they left Egypt. At one hundred and ten, Joseph died. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt waiting to be brought home at the appointed time.
Hebrews 11:21-22 “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.”
continues tomorrow...