Reading for today
Old Testament: Genesis 49, 50, Exodus 1
New Testament: Matthew 17
Thoughts from today’s reading
Genesis 49:28. Here we see that Jacob blessed his sons before his death. It should be noted that he made no mention of the wrong they had done to Joseph as it was clear that what they did was turned around for the good of the whole family.
Exodus 1:8-12. It was for two reasons that the Egyptians rose against the Israelites.
1. They did not know enough about them, that is, they didn’t know Joseph saved Egypt and brought the Israelites in.
2. They were very scared of the Israelites due to their numbers and might.
These same reasons still hold true anywhere racial bias exists.
Exodus 1:15, 22. We see here Pharaoh trying to convince the Hebrew midwives to kill the Israelite male children, but when they did not carry out his command, he turned to the Egyptians and commanded them to kill the children.
The enemy will always try to plant a traitor within, and if that does not work then he sends his hordes to attack from the outside.
Matthew 17:24-27. Jesus did not argue with the demand to pay the taxes, neither did He try to justify why He shouldn’t.
Even though we are not of the world, we are in it and will have to observe it’s laws and customs. We should have this confidence though that God will provide for us supernaturally even for the demands that we feel we should be exempted from.
Prayers
1. Lord you said a matter that is repeated separates friends, but love covers an offence. Help us to walk in your love and bless those who have done wrong to us or to others.
2. Father we know it is the plan of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy, but you came that we may live. Give us wisdom and might to contract every attack of the enemy against us from any side he may choose to come.
3. Lord help us to be law abiding citizens within the boundaries you expect, and let our confidence remain strong in you that you will provide for our needs to meet any demand imposed upon us to fulfil such duties.
“When the period of mourning was over, Joseph approached Pharaoh’s advisers and said, “Please do me this favor and speak to Pharaoh on my behalf.”
Genesis 50:4 NLT
Isn’t it interesting that even though Joseph was second to Pharaoh, he did things properly by approaching Pharaoh’s advisers when he wanted to speak to Pharaoh. Some of us would have exalted ourselves over the advisers after all are we not 2nd to Pharaoh? We need to always respect protocol or the order of things wherever we find ourselves
“But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?”
Genesis 50:19 NLT
We can never put ourselves in the place of God to repay evil for evil. Vengeance belongs to God alone. Our job is to forgive and pray for our offenders. Sometimes, many times easier said than done but the Holy Spirit is there to help us through it.