32 - "Juxtaposition Yet The Working of Providence" Genesis 36-38; Matthew 21:1-22

Favoritism. Abraham and Isaac, his one and only son. Isaac and Esau. Rebekah and Jacob. Now, Jacob and Joseph. And Joseph's brothers hated him for the special treatment, the special dreams. But in the midst of the rift, it is Joseph who is arrogant and boastful. They were all broken people, just like me. Gen 37:24 - Joseph is thrown into a pit of no water while his brothers sit down to drink freely and eat unabashedly. That juxtaposition is simply striking; the foreshadowing is simply breathtaking. Gen 37:19. The brothers throw him into a pit and concoct a story about animals devouring Joseph and say: "we shall see what will become of his dreams." And we do. His dreams came true. Joseph will come to power and save the very lives of his brothers who meant to harm him forever. Their betrayal became the means for their survival. May it never be. God never intended for us to pick sides, to pick apart. Yet, always, the Providential Hand rules over. In my own life, I've played too many favorite games with people but it's over. And God's Providence is utmost our very life and protection. We trust.

More dreams...

Matthew 21:9 - "Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!"  And when He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is This?" The point is that a king would come riding upon a horse when he was bent on war; 

but he came riding upon an ass for he was coming in peace. 
This action of Jesus is a sign that He was not the warrior figure men dreamed of, 
but the Prince of Peace. No one saw it that way at that time, not even the disciples...
They were looking for the Messiah of their own dreams and their own wishful thinking.  William Barclay

Do I look this day for the Messiah of my own dreams, my own wishful thinking?  
Or do I embrace The Deliverer Who Has Come to Save Me and Set Me Free?

PHOTO:  We bowed our heads in thanks for our brothers and sisters with us that day and those who could not be with us.  Providence is watching over us all.