Search This Blog

Thursday, January 15, 2015

January 16 "Betrayed & Bartering for the Branded" Genesis 46-47

Joseph, his hair blowing in the wind,
riding on the 2nd Chariot in the Country, a Prince,
to meet his never-forgotten elderly father.
Embraced in a moment, a history of heartache.
Jacob:  betrayed by Laban, threatened by his own brother
Joseph:  betrayed by all his brothers, forgotten in jail.
They both lived hard lives of affliction.
They both knew they didn't deserve what God did for them.
And Joseph plotted to do good to his brothers and father.
The infamous brothers were shepherd servants---disgrace to a king.
Yet.  Joseph consulted the king on their behalf to work a beautiful deal.
Jacob thought he didn't deserve all this.
The brothers really didn't deserve it.
But God leads the "branded with infamy" (JC) and they become a mighty nation.

Near death,
Israel worshipped his God,
leaning on his staff.    Genesis 47:31

DEAR GOD, PLEASE CHANGE US IN ONE OF THESE 10,000 MOMENTS, I mean, you did for these brothers of Joseph who schemed out of raging jealousy.  You shone Your Light in the darkest of nights for Joseph and his whole family.  Joseph could have made them pay dearly for their betrayal.  He lifted his finger to honor the lowly, scheming, trembling siblings who loathed him once too much.  Oh God, may we learn from this Light shining in Darkness.  Shine your Light in our lives, in our families that we may forgive and forget and move on.  For Your Glory!

PHOTO:  Farmland, the Hill Country.  It's what farmers do.  And it was not respected in the palace.  Yet Joseph, unembarrassed, fought with his words for the cattle and the crops and goods and the lives of siblings who had put him under.  Change us in some little way today to be like this!

4 comments:

  1. Oh I pray that before I die I will see the adult children not wear their feelings on their sleeves and love and forgive one another and get past all of the fleshly hurts that keep happening. I so desire for them to forgive and forget and move on, one more than the other.
    God was more than gracious to me yesterday. I went to the eye specialist and the surgery will be by lazer and I do not have to be put to sleep thus taking away my fear of my heart going back into Afib because of me being put to sleep. The surgery is scheduled for January the 26th, Not sure of exact time. Can not be fixed a 100 percent by man, but we all know that God can do as He pleases, I am so thankful again that the surgery has been perfected and eight to ten years ago I would have just had to live with the distortion and double vision at times and it would only get worse not improve. When he said I would not be put to sleep to do the surgery,..I said Thank you Jesus out loud. Didn't really mean to say it out loud but I do give Him the credit for me not having to be put to sleep. My opthmalgist had led me to believe it was surgery with being put to sleep. Guess he didn't know. Anyway....one hurdle jumped and now to wait for the surgery and to "see" how much it corrects and how quickly. Can take weeks for me to see a difference. Bless you for your prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh! Mary Lou, I just breathed a huge SIGH. I so understand. I am so happy for you. Will be praying on the 26th and before. Thank you so much for sharing. This is so big and we are so grateful to God for His visit on you! I had a dental disaster not too long ago and lost a little control of my left eyelid through the procedure. They had to stop the dental surgery cause of my reaction to the oral anesthesia. I chew very slowly on one side of my mouth. I don't know who to go to next cause I don't want to be put to sleep to have this minor surgery done---filling 3 cavities. There is something about someone messing with my eyes that so alarms me. I need to make peace with God over this! Love you, girl!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IF I told you of all the things that are listed that could go wrong because of this surgery you would more than understand, Believe you do understand. My right lid is drooping far more than it ever has and I believe that is the lids way of trying to shield my eye from the bright light. Holding on to Him.....He opened the door so quickly for me to see my 'Doctor and then the specialist...believing He is in control and not me or the Doctor. I am three years older than you and have had only minor surgeries till my heart ablation and now this with my eye. How I love to read....Then will be looking at having to have cataract surgery much sooner cause this surgery will speed up the growth of cataract, Understand that is now just minor...laser surgery is awesome...so non invasive. Oh the curse of sin that causes our bodies to fall apart. Not how He intended.

      Delete
  3. PS - The brothers---who haven't really changed deeply----are treated so well by Joseph and his dad. May we learn to love and let go.

    ReplyDelete