January 19th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Genesis 39:1-41:16 ~ Matthew 12:46-13:23
Psalm 17:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:33-35

Old Testament - Today in Genesis chapter 37 we read about Joseph in Potiphar's house.  Verse 5 stood out to me in this chapter - "From the day Joseph was put in charge, the LORD began to bless Potiphar for Joseph's sake. All his household affairs began to run smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished."  I found it fascinating that God was blessing Potiphar for Joseph's sake.  It reminded me of God blessing Laban for Jacob's sake earlier in Genesis.  And I wonder - does God today continue to bless others around those who love God?  For the sake of those who love God?  I will admit that there are definitely times in my work life, where I feel like some very positive things are happening that are beyond me.  Things I am not "controlling" on my own - it's something more.  I do try to pray about my work life and pray that God will bless my business dealings - mostly to keep me honest & moral in my business dealings.  And that God will allow me to love and serve others during the day.  And big crazy good things continue happen - something happened just today that was unbelievable to me.  It did not happen because of my own wits or power.  Below is an image from a modern day production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" of Potiphar and Joseph -

Verses 8 & 9 also stood out to me in today's readings, demonstrating Joseph's strong moral integrity when being approached by Potiphar's wife - "But Joseph refused. "Look," he told her, "my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do! He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.""  I admire this so much.  Joseph was gaining more and more favor with Potiphar and more and more "power" so to speak.  And here we see a situation where Joseph could have abused his favor and power.  But he did not.  He stood strong with his moral convictions.  And I wonder about this in our lives.  As we maybe gain more and more favor in our work or personal or ministry lives, do we also maybe gain more and more "power" so to speak?  And when this happens, do the temptations maybe even somehow seem to get bigger and bigger and our opportunity to abuse our favor or power get easier and easier?  And in light of all this, will we stand strong by our moral convictions?  Will we realize, like Joseph, that our favor or power only comes from God - and it can be taken away in an instant if we sin against God?  If we give in to the temptation that pursues us...  Fantastic commentary on Genesis chapter 39 entitled "From the Penthouse to the Prison" is at bible.org at this link.  And commentary on Genesis chapter 40 entitled "How to get out of the pits" is at bible.org at this link.   Below is an oil on canvas painting by Rembrandt from 1655 titled "Joseph Accused by Potiphar's wife" -

In Genesis chapter 41 we read about Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph is called from prison to interpret them.  The cup-bearer finally remembered Joseph 2 years later!  :)  Verse 16 is powerful for us to consider as Pharaoh calls for Joseph to interpret his dreams - ""It is beyond my power to do this," Joseph replied. "But God will tell you what it means and will set you at ease.""  What I like about this reply from Joseph is that he is giving props to God for his "gift" of being able to interpret dreams.  And really, it is God interpreting the dreams, and letting Joseph know what to say.  I wonder about this in our lives today.  Do we have some unique gifts in our lives?  Things that we are really good at?  And do we give props to God for these gifts in our life?  Or do we claim them as gifts we developed on our own?  Do we believe that God is truly the Gift-Giver of all our skills and talents and wisdom in our life?  Below is an image of Joseph before Pharaoh interpreting his dreams -

New Testament - Matthew 12 verses 48 through 50 are powerful - "Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!""   I read an interesting commentary that said that these words from Jesus were stating that spiritual bonds are as strong as physical bonds.  And that in this teaching Jesus was paving the way for a new community of believers - the church.  Very cool....   Are you a brother and sister and mother of Jesus?

Matthew chapter 13 verses 11 & 12 are amazing for us to consider - "Then he (Jesus) explained to them, "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them."  There is so much truth in these last 2 sentences.  This is why personally I feel so blessed to be reading the One Year Bible each and every day - currently in year 4 - and God-willing, for all of my years to come.  I personally absolutely need the grace and wisdom that comes from being in God's Word each day - and truly, more and more understanding and knowledge of God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit does come my way I believe each day - even if (and especially if!) I am reading the Bible again for the 4th time.  The repetition is not repetitive, but really allows for insights to soak in.  I can't quite say that I feel like I have an abundance of knowledge... :)  But - I know that I am on that road by reading the Bible each day and I so look forward to gaining more and more knowledge of God's story as I go.  And - to grow deeper into relationship with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  So - the knowledge itself is great, but the relationship and peace and grace that comes from the Trinity - even better.  I pray that you too see the value in reading the Bible each day and being open to Jesus' teachings so that more understanding will come your way?

Verse 22 in this chapter is convicting for me, as I have experienced this in my life in the past....  "The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced." .... and I still struggle with the "cares of this life" crowding out the Good News in my life today!  I think this might be a life long struggle.  How are you doing on this verse?  Where is God's seed of the Good News being sown in your life?  In the good soil of your heart?

Psalms - In Psalm 17 David appeals to God as Judge when he is being attacked by foes.  Verse 7 is a great prayer and comfort! "Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies." Do you seek refuge with God from whatever might attacking you?   Do you believe that God will show you his unfailing love in wonderful ways?  Have you been saved by God's strength?  Have you sought refuge with God from your "enemies"?

Proverbs - Proverbs 3:33 is a great reminder to be upright, 3:34 is a great reminder to be humble and 3:35 a great reminder to be wise!  How are you doing on being upright, humble, and wise these days?  (I think this owl below has got two out of three of these attributes... I'm not so sure about humble though... :)

Comments from you & Question of the Day - Based on my comments above related to our readings in Genesis about God blessing Potiphar for Joseph's sake - I wonder - does God intervene and bless our work lives?  I think he does.  I'd love to get your opinions on this - do you pray about your work life regularly?  Do you think God blesses your work life?  And like Joseph, does God maybe bless those around you, even if they aren't necessarily in relationship with God?   And maybe does he do this for your sake?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Andrew B]

I am appreciating the contacts with others who are following the OYB. I have posted a list of OYBB Bloggers in my trackback above.

Greetings,
Andrew B

[Ramona]

Genesis 39-41:16

I’m not sure if my brain is functioning so early this morning, and maybe I’m hallucinating, but again I’m seeing something in the text that I have certainly read but never seen before, which ties into the admonishment in the Book of Isaiah Jesus refers to in today’s New Testament reading:
He said, "Go and tell these people: 'Listen continually, but don't understand! Look continually, but don't perceive!' Make the hearts of these people calloused; make their ears deaf and their eyes blind! Otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, their hearts might understand and they might repent and be healed."
(Isaiah 6:9-10 NET.)

Joseph’s story is a picture of the world of the believer and the traps and temptations that God’s people faced before Messiah and after Messiah. This story also points to the coming salvation of God’s people, Israel and spiritual Israel, the church, and toward the Hope of the world, Jesus Christ (I think what I just said is redundant). One of these illustrations is the suffering servant, for doing right (righteous) and dealing in truth, Joseph is taunted by sin and then sin’s lies has him imprisoned. Jesus came to deal with our sin and paid the price by hanging on a tree, going down into the prison of death, the grave, he conquered it and sin, then rose from the grave. Joseph rose up from his death in the prison.

The number seven, seven cows, seven heads of wheat, represents the fullness of time, when the time was right Jacob showed up to interpret the dream and that interpretation, born of God, would deliver the people from the death of lack of bread. One of Jesus’ name is the Bread of Life.

But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law,
(Galatians 4:4 AMP)

Everything in this narrative relates to Jesus Christ, everything. As we read though the Old Testament, we will see types and shadows of the things to come (for those who are new to reading through the Bible that are alluded to in these couple of chapters. We will read about the sacrifice system (cows) God places in the Temple, we will read about the fruit of the Vine (New Wine-in the New Testament) and the “grain” offering that is given allusion to with Pharaoh’s cup bearer (wine) and his baker (his bread contains yeast, which represents the world’s sin).

All of this stuff may have been written about in commentaries, but I’ve said this before and I’ll probably repeat it often, “Revelation is not revelation until it is revelation to you.”

I am so excited that I can hardly sit still long enough to finish typing this out so again,

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Micah Girl]

Joseph is my biggest hero, at least this week!

It's all about God for Joseph, no matter the circumstances. And every task he is given is like a sacred calling from God--there is no complaining, no whining, no wondering why God is unfair, or wishing that his talents were being better utilized. It's not just a matter of Joseph's deep gladness meeting the world's deep hunger. He's just faithful. Period. (And do you think that David could have been faithful in that situation, with Potiphar's wife throwing herself at him??)

[Andrew B]

I echo Mike's comment about Matthew 13:22 - and the ongoing 'struggle with the "cares of this life" crowding out the Good News in my life today.'

How DO we break through and live in the fullness of being reborn? Why do we not quite make it to soaring like eagles and having regular walking-on-the-water parties?

[John]

RE: mike's ?:
I did not mention this in my testimony, but the day after I accepted Christ as my Savior - I was called into the office and given a 50% increase in salary. More importantly, when I personally acknowledged that I worked for Jesus and not my company - my day became more efficient. What used to take me 8-9 hours now takes 6-7 hours. So yes,I believed God has blessed me in the workplace.

Lastly, I do pray about work. Maybe not as one might think. I pray for harmony in the office, for the opportunity to witness, for the opportunity to minister, for the salvation of co-workers, For The holy Spirit to dispence grace and strength to the Christians in the office so they reflect Christ-like Qualities. I try to pray in the will of God. I was very fortunate early on in walk with Christ to listen to tapes from Moody Church in Chicago regarding how to pray in the Will of God.*

* "Seeking the Heart of God:How to pray so that God will answer".

[John]

Matt 13:22 and Andrew B.'s ?:

"How DO we break through and live in the fullness of being reborn?"

When I finally committed to a church, I decided to employ something most business schools advocate. Find someone you think is doing things correctly, talk to them, ask how they got to where they are, emulate them.

I looked around at the elders, talked to pastors, and observed characteristics of the elders.

What I learned from them is also in the New Testament, but I can't find it right now:

1) Stay in fellowship with God.
2) Worship
3) Pray
4) Give
5) Stay in the Word
6) Fast
7) Minister to others

TWO THINGS:
- If #1 is not taken care of almost daily, the other six will suffer as will the fullness of your relationship to God.
- Do all the above JOYFULLY. If you go thru the motions, it will hamper the fullness of your relationship to God.

My hardest thing used to be to lend books, CD's, money to Christians. My experiance has been that as a group - Chrisitans - are the absolute worst at returning things. For a month or so, it really bothered me, and I prayed a LOT about my ill feelings to my brothers and sisters in Christ. One day I came upon the solution. Now I just give the stuff away. "JOYFULLY". It may sound more expensive, but truthfully - I have not noticed much of an effect on my bank account or savings. I just tell the people that when they have finished with the resource to pass it along to someone else. Then it is between them and God what they do with the book, CD, money. It is not about me anymore.

[Kisor]

Hi there,

I'm a HUGE fan of 'Joseph - Dreamcoat' but shows are so hard to find. I saw pictures on your site of a play you once put on and was just wondering if there was anyway at all I could see it or even just the entire "Potiphar scene/song". Either by buying a copy, renting/borrowing a copy, or even somehow online via email or YouTube or something. And, again if the entire show is too much to load or copy, just posting the "Potiphar" sequence would be great too, as it's one of my favorate songs of the show.

Thanks so much for your time and I really hope to hear from you.

Best wishes.

Kisor