https://esv.literalword.com/?q=genesis+41
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 17 December 2024:
Genesis 41:16 — “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Despite desiring the favor of Pharaoh, Joseph did not hesitate to give God the glory instead of lifting up himself.
Genesis 41:28-40 – Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.
God intends for nations and for people to store reserves for contingencies, to save for the rainy days of life. According to the Federal Reserve, in the second quarter of 2024, the average American spent 11.5% of their income on debt payments. The average American household spends around 10% of their income on fast food, around 5% of their monthly income on cable and streaming television services combined, which includes both traditional cable TV and streaming subscriptions. Also, the average American spends roughly 2-3% of their income on vices like tobacco and alcohol combined. However, according to a Bankrate report, 27% of adults in the United States have no emergency savings, while only 28% have savings to cover 6 months or more of regular expenses. What if Christians gave 10% of their income to the church and saved 20% for contingencies? For one, they would likely have to change their spending habits, becoming less materialistic and less burdened with things. They would also likely grow in love, joy, and peace through the experience of giving to others and the security of knowing they could handle an unexpected financial burden. Also, they would have a greater positive impact on the lives of those around them, all to God’s glory.
Genesis 41:38 — So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
As discussed previously, Joseph was valuable solely because of his relationship with God. Do unbelievers clearly see with amazement the Spirit of God within you?
Genesis 41:41-54 – And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
God can completely change your circumstances in an instant. Joseph went from prison to becoming the most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharoah. While feeling persecuted, sold out, condemned, abandoned, despised, and forgotten by others, particularly by people close to you, it can be hard to remember God is working in your life to do more than you could possibly imagine. Though He likely won’t put you in charge of a Nation, the eternal reward which awaits you far exceeds any riches or honor you could experience in this life. Trust and obey!
Genesis 41:51 — Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.”
Joseph demonstrated amazing faith but not perfect faith, and we can learn from both what he did well and failed to do well. Joseph sought to honor God, but he also suffered from bitterness and worldliness. The fact that he named his son Manasseh suggests that Joseph really hadn’t forgotten. Also, don’t lose sight of the fact that Joseph married and had children with the daughter of a pagan priest. Bitterness and worldliness are the fruit of self-centeredness, and they always produce destructiveness. We must be very vigilant to humbly consider our true motives behind our actions and never think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Unfortunately, we will see later how Joseph’s mixed motives end up contributing to hundreds of years of incredible suffering for others. Stay tuned…..
- Proverbs 4:23 — Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
- Romans 12:3 — For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
- Proverbs 21:2 — Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
- Philippians 2:3 — Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
- Matthew 6:1 — Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 — The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
- Genesis 4:7 — If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
- Colossians 3:17, 23 — And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men….
- 1 Timothy 1:5 — The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Genesis 41:56 — The greatest sermon never preached about Joseph’s great failure — “When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.”
Joseph sold back to the people what was rightfully theirs. He abused his gift from God to take advantage of others. In fact, you will see that he uses the storehouse grain to sell all the people into slavery which will cause great hatred between the Egyptians and the Jews, eventually resulting in enslavement of the Jews. This is also a Biblical warning about the abuse of government power. We will dive more into this later.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 17 December 2024: Today, search your heart and consider the truth of your motives. Throughout the day, ask yourself, “Why am I really doing what I am doing?” Are your attitudes, actions, and activities motivated by selfless, sacrificial, and joyful love for God and others, or are you driven by self-centered fear, anxiety, pride, envy, guilt, shame, greed, lust, etc. Be honest with yourself and with God. Pray that God will help you see within yourself the sinfulness to which you are blind. Repent, and pray for God’s help to grow in Christlike love and faithfulness.
- Psalm 139:23 — Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 