Burunche’s Blog

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  We are back on that hillside with folks from all the surrounding villages who have come out to listen to Jesus teach. And this next statement is getting a lot of approval from the crowd.

At this time, the Romans are ruling Israel and the Jews profoundly resent them. Roman soldiers stride down the narrow street knocking people out of their way, plucking small items from shop stalls while the intimidated shop owners can only watch, and generally making themselves as obnoxious as possible. There are a few good Romans, notably the centurion who builds a synagogue for Capernaum, but injustice abounds. The rich take advantage of the poor, and then there are tax collectors extorting exorbitant sums from their victims. Jesus’ listeners are anxious to know what he thinks about all this. What kind of person is Jesus describing?

Most of Jesus’ audience are well acquainted with hunger and thirst. In an economy dependent on farming, food shortages are frequent. If rainfall fails, water conservation becomes a real challenge. Now Jesus is teaching that God will bless those who are so passionate about righteousness that they want it as badly as those who are starving or dying of thirst. Mild irritation with unfortunate circumstances will not be sufficient; such people must desire righteousness and holiness so badly that life without it is completely intolerable.  

Mattew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” David Guzik explains, “When this beatitude addresses those who will show mercy, it speaks to those who have already received mercy. It is mercy to be emptied of your pride and brought to poverty of spirit. It is mercy to be brought to mourning over your spiritual condition. It is mercy to receive the grace of meekness and to become gentle. It is mercy to be made hungry and thirsty after righteousness. Therefore, this one who is expected to show mercy is one who has already received it.

· The merciful one will show it to those who are weaker and poorer.

· The merciful one will always look for those who weep and mourn.

· The merciful one will be forgiving to others, and always looking to restore broken relationships.

· The merciful one will be merciful to the character of other people, and choose to think the best of them whenever possible.

· The merciful one will not expect too much from others.

· The merciful one will be compassionate to those who are outwardly sinful.

· The merciful one will have a care for the souls of all men.

One of the fundamental laws of the Kingdom of God is that the measure you give out is the measure you will receive. What goes around comes around. The more we experience God’s grace and forgiveness, the more likely we should be to grant grace and forgiveness to others. But does this always happen? Jesus told a story about a man who owed an unbelievably enormous debt to a ruler and the ruler forgave him. Then this same man went out and dunned another man who owed him a relatively tiny amount of money. Enraged, the ruler threw the first man and his family into debtor’s prison. The moral of the story is simple: we are all debtors to God, and if God forgives us, then we must also freely forgive others.

Jesus is encouraging his hearers to be merciful both to themselves and to all those around them. In some respects, this idea is counter-intuitive; however, traditionally, the rabbis have taught that there is good speech and bad speech. (For a fascinating look at traditional Jewish teachings that Jesus incorporated into his messages, check out the book Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change Your Life by Lois Tverberg.) When we use bad speech against anyone, we are violating the code of mercy. Likewise, when we hurt anyone or take vengeance, we are also violating God’s code of mercy.

If some of these concepts seem revolutionary, it’s because they run against human nature. Our natural tendency is to “look out for number one,” namely, ourselves. Jesus is announcing that if we are true citizens in the kingdom of God, we must put others first.

It’s quite likely that Jesus originally said far more than either Matthew or Luke has recorded. There may well have been questions from the crowd with arguments ensuing. But both Matthew and Luke want to keep the main thing the main thing; they want to focus on the meat of Jesus’ teachings.

May God help us to realize how much mercy He has shown to us so that we will also be just as merciful to others!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, Your mercy is overwhelming, beyond our words or comprehension. Help us to be merciful to all those around us. Help us to really long for Your righteousness. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Today is a day to honor fathers, not to judge them!

Perhaps your father worked so hard he rarely had time for you-love him anyway! He was providing for you and the rest of the family.

Perhaps your father seemed to be emotionally distant-love him anyway! You don’t know how your father was raised; perhaps nobody ever modeled good fathering for him.

Perhaps you feel your father favored other children but not you-love him anyway! For all you know, those other children think you were your dad’s favorite!

Perhaps your family was torn apart by divorce-love your father anyway! There are always two sides to a story, and you might not know all the facts.

Perhaps your father has had to spend a great deal of time away from the family because he has been in the military or on assignment for some other reason-love him anyway!

Perhaps events have taken place causing you to doubt your father’s love-love him anyway!

Perhaps your dad has died or has disappeared, leaving your mom to pick up the pieces-wish her a Happy Father’s Day! Once she recovers from the shock, she’ll probably be thrilled. Nothing is much harder than being female and trying to be both mother and father for kids.

There is a saying in the American South that “Everybody is trying to swallow something he/she can’t get down.” In other words, those around us are always struggling with problems that we don’t know about. Even if you don’t feel like it, send your dad a Father’s Day message! Who knows? This might be the start of healing for you and your family. Give love and mercy, not judgment. And oh, by the way, Happy Father’s Day to you too, whoever you are!  

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

Jesus is up there on the top of a large hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee while thousands of villagers are seated on the hillside below him. The cup shape of the valley gives excellent acoustics, so everyone can hear clearly. But Jesus is declaring another shocking teaching: people who are mourning are blessed because they will be comforted. At this time, due to a high infant death rate, the average lifespan is approximately 33 years, although if you survive beyond the age of ten, you might live into your fifties or even longer. But disease, accidents, and catastrophes such as windstorms and earthquakes also take a toll. Grieving is such a normal part of daily life that there are professional mourners who will weep and wail when hired to do so. Widows who lose their only sons are particularly vulnerable because that son should be their protection and their guarantee that they will not be removed from a family dwelling or from an inherited piece of land.

Knowing all these things, Jesus’ audience must be scratching their heads in bemusement. Where is this comfort going to come from? Jesus has a radical answer: that comfort will come from God. For many of these listening, they believe in God but feel that He is too far away to impact their lives. True, these people observe the feasts and make sacrifices, but most of them feel they are simply going through the motions. Now Jesus is claiming that God really cares and that God will comfort them. But Jesus has more than comfort for earthly losses in mind.

Here the language in the ancient Greek implies deep sorrow that penetrates one’s soul. Such sorrow can only come when we confront our sinful natures and then regard God in His holiness and perfection. If we honestly examine ourselves, we realize we fall very short of God’s holiness. Jesus’ audience are realists; they know they are sinners. Most of these people are poor enough that observing all the religious rules and regulations is a total impossibility. These people know they are sinners, but what can they do about it? Contemplating sin produces grief because we know that sin makes an insurmountable barrier between us and God. But here Jesus is promising that God is going to do what we cannot, that God is going to destroy those barriers, forgive us our sins, and comfort us. God wants to come into our lives and transform us. Nobody has ever taught anything like this in the synagogue! 

If these people think this idea is radical, Jesus’ next statement is even more shocking. Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” At this point, land in Israel is supposed to be inherited by tribal traditions; however, it’s likely that the rich are buying up land while the poor are becoming poorer. Anybody foolish enough to behave meekly is likely to be ripped off and left with nothing. What does Jesus mean by the term “meek?”

 David Guzik in his Enduring Word Commentary offers the following information:

“It is impossible to translate this ancient Greek word praus (meek) with just one English word. It has the idea of the proper balance between anger and indifference, of a powerful personality properly controlled, and of humility.

i. In the vocabulary of the ancient Greek language, the meek person was not passive or easily pushed around. The main idea behind the word “meek” was strength under control, like a strong stallion that was trained to do the job instead of running wild.

ii. “In general the Greeks considered meekness a vice because they failed to distinguish it from servility. To be meek towards others implies freedom from malice and a vengeful spirit.” (Carson)

iii. “The meek, who can be angry, but restrain their wrath in obedience to the will of God, and will not be angry unless they can be angry and not sin, nor will be easily provoked by others.” (Poole)

iv. “The men who suffer wrong without bitterness or desire for revenge.” (Bruce)

To be meek means to show willingness to submit and work under proper authority. It also shows a willingness to disregard one’s own “rights” and privileges. It is one thing for me to admit my own spiritual bankruptcy, but what if someone else does it for me? Do I react meekly? This blessed one is meek:

· They are meek before God, in that they submit to His will and conform to His Word.

· They are meek before men, in that they are strong – yet also humble, gentle, patient, and longsuffering.”

The Sermon on the Mount is the first record of Jesus’ teachings; however, it’s possible that Jesus is announcing his teaching agenda and that the rest of his three-year ministry serves to reinforce the lessons he is teaching on this hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is introducing the principles of the Kingdom of God. From this hillside, Jesus is going down to the seaside where he will begin calling his disciples.

One of the many miracles of Jesus’ ministry is the way the disciples respond when he calls them. It’s quite possible that some of these future disciples are part of the crowd on that hillside, listening and wondering if Jesus can be right about the Kingdom of God.

Cultures may change but human nature doesn’t. Our needs are the same as those in that crowd on the hillside. We too have a sin problem and realize that we cannot do enough to save ourselves. What the crowd on that hillside doesn’t know is that their Savior is speaking to them, and that Jesus is the One who will shed his life for the sins of the world. Only the blood of a sinless man will wipe out our sins and only when we accept what Jesus has done for us and believe in him will we be able to claim that redemption.

We too struggle with the concept of meekness. To quote a line from the musical Camelot, “It’s not the earth the meek inherit, it’s the dirt!” Only when we realize that Jesus is not advising all of us to become doormats can we begin to accept his concept of meekness. Jesus himself will demonstrate holy meekness throughout his life. As a carpenter and stone mason, Jesus is no wimp; he is physically tough with wiry muscles. Even though Jesus is the Son of God, he refuses to throw his spiritual weight around. Jesus will emphatically demonstrate that he is humble, gentle, patient, and long-suffering. As long as we insist on our own way and try to be our own amateur providences, we block blessings, but when we follow Jesus’ example, we too will be blessed.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, teach us Your messages from these verses. Help us to trust You and to strive for Your meekness. Thank You for comforting us and for blessing us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

We’ve studied peace and how to get it or lose it in Genesis. Now we’re jumping several hundred years forward. For the last 30 years, Jesus has been growing up in the little village of Nazareth, working with his dad making things from wood and stone. (One term in Greek is technikon, and we learned during a trip to Israel that it’s likely both Joseph and Jesus worked in stone as much as they did in wood because Israel has unlimited amounts of stone but fewer trees.) Now John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, has baptized him in the Jordan River, anointing him for ministry, and Jesus is moving out of the carpenter shop and into the final ministry phase of his life.

As a small-town guy, Jesus knows all about his audience. At this point, most of Israel is rural, so the people coming to hear Jesus teach are small town merchants, farmers, housewives, tax collectors, Roman soldiers, and itinerant peddlers moving from town to town. Much of Jesus’ teaching takes place on or near the Sea of Galilee, so fishermen are a big part of his audience and eventually make up a large part of his disciples. There’s a reason for that. Like farmers, fishermen must be perpetually hopeful or they will never survive a bad night with few fish. Fishermen must be tough and strong, able to withstand hardship and willing to patiently continue to work toward a goal, even when things appear hopeless. And fishermen must be realists willing to face changes in the weather and their effect on fish and people.

For thirty years, Jesus has been growing up in Nazareth, playing with other boys, picking wildflowers on the hills for his mother, and attending synagogue with his father. While working with Joseph, Jesus has learned the secrets of creating furniture and other simple wooden items and shaping stone. The Romans are building a new town about 4 miles from Nazareth, and it’s possible that both Joseph and Jesus have helped work on that town. Jesus has watched the local farmers as they sow crops and tend them; perhaps he has even helped with the harvests. And Jesus has also spent time in the synagogue watching the teachers, listening to them, and absorbing everything that takes place there. Jesus knows the lifestyles of the poor and meek from the inside out.

In the beginning, Jesus is simply trying to teach his disciples; however, the word gets out, and people begin flocking to hear him. True, there are teachers in the synagogues, but those men always behave as if they think they’re better than everybody else. Sometimes those reading the scriptures do it in such a sing song fashion that it’s obvious they are only going through the motions. Centuries later, a young French philosopher and mathematician, Blaise Pascal, will say that everyone has a God-sized hole in their hearts. These people, including the Roman soldiers, have God-sized holes in their hearts, and nobody has yet succeeded in filling those holes. Besides, there’s really nothing going on in town today, so why not come out and listen to Jesus? 

MATTHEW 5:1-12 The Sermon on the Mount Part 1- The Beatitudes (Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 6:20-23)

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Many of us may have heard of the Beatitudes; some of us may even have memorized them at some point. But we miss a lot if we fail to realize how revolutionary this teaching actually is. Generally speaking, most people likely believe that wealth is an indication of God’s favor while poverty means that God is rejecting you. And what does it mean to be “poor in spirit?” When Matthew and Luke are recording these teachings, they go for the main points without including the illustrations that Jesus is likely throwing in. Jesus is undoubtedly a gifted mimic and might be striding back and forth in front of his audience in an uncanny imitation of the wealthy local men parading into the synagogue.

Proverbs 3:7 tells us, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.” Later on, Proverbs 3:34 says, “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.” Jesus’ audience certainly knows these verses quite well. Jesus may even quote these teachings in passing. But this is the first time that these folks have heard such teaching. Most of the teaching in the synagogue consists of reading scriptures, reciting formalized prayers, and watching the rich members of the congregation lord it over everybody else.

Face it, all of us are debtors before God. It is God who has given us life and the intellect and talents we possess. It is God who continues to sustain us. While we must feed and clothe ourselves, God is the One who maintains our health. If we are honest with ourselves, all of us should be poor in spirit rather than being proud. As long as we believe we are sufficient unto ourselves, we have our hands closed spiritually; however, we can only receive things from God if our spiritual hands are empty and open. This is part of the reason that Jesus later told his disciples that it was easier for a camel to pass through the narrow gate in Jerusalem referred to as the “needle’s eye” than to enter the kingdom of heaven. Wealth and social position can blind us to our true spiritual poverty. May God help us to remain humble and willing to receive everything God wants to give us!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remain humble and receptive, no matter what happens. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 50:1-26  Mourning and Burial for Jacob

“Then Joseph fell upon his father’s face, wept over him, and kissed him. And Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So they embalmed him, taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please tell Pharaoh that 5my father made me swear an oath when he said, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father, and then return.”

Pharaoh replied, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.”

Then Joseph went to bury his father, and all the servants of Pharaoh accompanied him—the elders of Pharaoh’s household and all the elders of the land of Egypt— along with all of Joseph’s household, and his brothers, and his father’s household. Only their children and flocks and herds were left in Goshen.

Chariots and horsemen alike went up with him, and it was an exceedingly large procession. When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days.

When the Canaanites of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn ceremony of mourning by the Egyptians.” Thus the place across the Jordan is called Abel-mizraim. (“mourning of the Egyptians”)

So Jacob’s sons did as he had charged them. They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.

After Joseph had buried his father, he returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone with him to bury his father.

Joseph Comforts His Brothers

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.”

So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.”

When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”

But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

The Death of Joseph

Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110. He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees. (placed on his knees at birth)

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt.”

Jacob dies at the age of 147, and all of Egypt mourns with Joseph. Afte being dragged off to Egypt as a teen-age slave, Joseph has now become the savior of Egypt, revered, respected, and even loved. When Joseph’s father dies, the Egyptians give him the same honor they would give to one of their own nobles with forty days for embalming and seventy days of mourning in Egypt. Then when Joseph and his brothers are bringing Jacob’s body back to Canaan, the Egyptians send a high-level delegation to accompany the body and to witness the burial in the cave at Machpelah. “Then Joseph went to bury his father, and all the servants of Pharaoh accompanied him—the elders of Pharaoh’s household and all the elders of the land of Egypt— along with all of Joseph’s household, and his brothers, and his father’s household. Only their children and flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Chariots and horsemen alike went up with him, and it was an exceedingly large procession. When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days.”

Viewed from the vantage of millenia, we might not appreciate the singular honor Pharaoh and his give to Joseph and his family. At this time, the Egyptians are one of the leading nations in the world scientifically, artistically, and militarily. The Egyptians have a very high opinion of themselves and a relatively low opinion of those from other nations; however, Joseph has so distinguished himself that the Egyptians treat him as one of their own nobles. Pharoah can’t leave Egypt but all his elders and the elders of the land make the long trip to Canaan and back, all to honor Joseph. The man who has named his son Manasseh because he is a “stranger in a strange land,” has found a second home in Egypt.

Once Jacob’s funeral is over, Joseph’s brothers become very worried. What if Joseph has been waiting all these years just to take vengeance once his father is out of the way? If Joseph had never suffered through years of slavery and imprisonment, his brothers’ fears might be justified. But Joseph has learned to forgive and to move on. Joseph has also learned how precious family can be and he wants to build family relationships, not destroy them. “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.“

Joseph’s story is one with a series of satisfying and happy endings. God transforms the bratty little brother who begins by tattling on his older brothers into a leader who delivers not only his own family but the entire nation of Egypt as well as untold other surrounding nations when famine strikes the Middle East. After years of separation, Joseph is reunited with his family and painful relationships are healed. Jacob the patriarch witnesses the salvation of his family and is reunited with Joseph, even enjoying being a grandfather to Joseph’s children. Joseph himself lives to the age of 110 and enjoys his grandchildren. But Joseph always remembers that this stay in Egypt is temporary and causes his family to swear to carry his bones back to Canaan.

My husband and I have spent years as “strangers in a strange land.” We have served the people of our small town through our work at the hospital. My husband has helped found the Local Council of Churches and also regularly ministers to uniformed service personnel. Our lives are woven together with those of our friends and neighbors. We have already told family and friends that if we die in our little village, our friends should bury us here and honor us by spending the money they would uses for an elaborate funeral to educate young people. Our greatest joys come from celebrating the accomplishments of those around us.

We can testify that when you serve people, they will respond and you will have peace. Yes, there will be challenges and struggles and frustrations. But the same God who brought Joseph through all his problems can also bring you through as well.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust that when You call us to leave our own cultures and families, You will supply friends and families wherever You send us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.   

Genesis 49:1-33  Jacob Blesses His Sons

“Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come: Come together and listen, O sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.

Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.

Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. May I never enter their council;

may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk. (Judah sounds like the Hebrew for praise.)

Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.

Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.

Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. He will be a snake by the road,

a viper in the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward. I await Your salvation, O LORD. (Dan means he has judged or he has vindicated.)

Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels. (Gad sounds like the Hebrew for raid and also for band of raiders.)

Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.

Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. The archers attacked him with bitterness, and aimed in hostility. Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered

by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above,

with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb. The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains (or of my ancestors) and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”

These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

The Death of Jacob

Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.” When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and he was gathered to his people.”

Jacob is dying, and as is customary, he is pronouncing prophetic blessings over his sons. Obviously, Jacob has no illusions about the nature of his sons, as evidenced by the comments on Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. But notice the prophecy in verse 10 about Shiloh. These words embody one of the earliest prophecies about the coming Messiah, who will come from the tribe of Judah. “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.”

In Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, there are magnificent stained-glass windows created by Marc Chagall depicting the prophecies of Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33. For a good look at these windows, you can go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoirjEu4P60

 Reuben forced Bilhah, his father’s concubine, to have sex with him, hence the comments about lack of self-control. When Dinah, Jacob’s daughter was raped by the son of a local ruler from Shechem, Simeon and Levi were the ones who organized the destruction of Shechem. The tribe of Levi will wind up being dispersed because this tribe will handle the worship of Elohim and its members will be scattered throughout Israel to serve in temples.

The tribe of Simeon never amounts to very much once the Israelites return to Canaan. “Although the tribe did receive some land, it eventually ended up conflating with the Tribe of Judah. The Tribe of Simeon thus became one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel since, after the Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE, there is no evidence of what happened to the tribe and it probably assimilated into other cultures.” https://study.com/academy/lesson/tribe-of-simeon-history-symbol-facts.html#:~:text=Although%20the%20tribe%20did%20receive,probably%20assimilated%20into%20other%20cultures.

Eventually the tribe of Benjamin will produce many outstanding warriors, including King Saul. The blessings over Joseph are obvious and stem from his success in Egypt. But some of the other blessings are clearly prophetic and only future generations will see their fulfillment.

 Jacob prophesies over his sons and then dies, after having given specific instructions about the site of his burial. After a tumultuous life of 147 years, Jacob the supplanter and deceiver, has become Israel, the man who has struggled with God and prevailed. God has allowed Jacob to be reunited with Joseph and hopefully to have peace in the family before he dies.

As a surgeon, I have witnessed many different circumstances surrounding death. Among the saddest are those who die suddenly from accidents or heart attacks, leaving their loved ones no time to adjust to the idea of their dying and frequently leaving large amounts of family conflicts unresolved. More chronic diseases such as cancer are tragic; however, families have time to adjust to the idea that their beloved is dying. Frequently, family members of those killed in accidents are simply in shock, lost for words. When I was a surgical intern, I was on duty at an ER over a major holiday weekend. A pickup truck with several teen-agers was proceeding legally when a drunk driver crossed the center line, plowing into the pickup and killing its occupants. As the ER doctor, I was forced to call the father of the driver to inform him of his son’s death. This poor man kept repeating, “Lady, you must be kidding!” Sadly, I was not.

When my father was dying, I was in Ghana; however, two different sets of friends called on Dad on my behalf. One lady doctor had visited us in Saboba and was a farmer’s daughter from Iowa, so Dad and she got along beautifully. Another friend was a close personal friend from childhood and a leading member of our tight-knit community. Two days before Dad died, he called his pastor and outlined the program for his funeral, ensuring that each of the grandchildren would have a part of some kind. Dad chose the hymns to be sung and the scriptures to be read. It was a very moving service.

My advice after a lifetime spent in medicine: make peace with your family members as quickly as possible and as thoroughly as possible! You can say “I’m sorry” to a tombstone, but it’s much better to heal relationships while the person is still alive. And if you are an older person with lots of belongings, follow my grandmother’s example. Grandma moved into town from the farm when she was 90, but she still had a lot of her little knickknacks. The last two years of Grandma’s life, when we visited, she would urge us to select something to take home with us. That way, people got what they wanted and Grandma didn’t have the burden of trying to divide up her things.

These days, one of the most common phrases I find myself using is “Bless you!” I bless people who have helped me in the theater(OR). I bless people who help me in stores. I bless people when I pray for them. Blessings are always appreciated and never wasted. The Bible advises us not to allow the sun to go down on our anger, in other words, settle all disputes by the close of the day. When Corrie Ten Boom was traveling with younger ladies as companions, she always insisted that they keep short accounts with each other, that they settle any small differences before they became larger ones. Corrie Ten Boom had survived German concentration camps after her family was arrested for hiding Jews in their home. Corrie had seen what could happen when people harbored grudges, and she wanted no part of it.

Keep very short accounts with your family and friends! 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” No matter how badly someone has hurt us, it is nothing compared to the pain we may suffer if we refuse to reconcile with them while they are alive.

I am re-reading a series of novels by Tony Hillerman about Navajo police officers. The Navajos are very concerned with maintaining hozho. Hozho is said to be the most important word in the Navajo language and is loosely translated as peace, balance, beauty, and harmony. To be “in Hozho” is to be at one with and a part of the world around you. (https://bluffutah.org/what-is-hozo-2/#:~:text=Hozho%20is%20said%20to%20be,of%20the%20world%20around%20you.) The Jewish word for peace is “Shalom,” implying something very similar to hozho. Today, I urge you to strive for Shalom, strive for hozho!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to settle family matters quickly so that we will live in peace and harmony. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 48:1-21 Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

“Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed.

Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me and told me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you; I will make you a multitude of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’

And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. Any children born to you after them shall be yours, and they shall be called by the names of their brothers in the territory they inherit.

Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).

When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”

Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.”

So Jacob said, “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.”

Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

“I never expected to see your face again,” Israel said to Joseph, “but now God has let me see your children as well.”

Then Joseph removed his sons from his father’s knees and bowed facedown.

And Joseph took both of them—with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand—and brought them close to him. But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said:

“May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”

When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. “Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers. And to you, as one who is above your brothers, I give the ridge of land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.” (Shechem)

Few things are more important than a father’s favor and few things are more painful than a father who withholds favor and affection. After long years of separation from Jacob, Joseph gets to enjoy seventeen years with him before Jacob dies. Presumably, Joseph’s other brothers also enjoy more of their father’s favor now that Jacob has been reunited with Joseph and is no longer obsessing over that loss. Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, claiming them as his own and promising that they will inherit along with Joseph’s other brothers. Finally, Jacob pronounces special prophecies over Ephraim and Manasseh, proclaiming that while Manasseh’s offspring will be great, Ephraim will become “a multitude of nations.” And Jacob promises that in the future, the Israelites will bless themselves by saying “May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.” 

These days, fatherhood is under attack. Fractured marriages generally lead to children living with their mothers but without a father’s love, care, and teaching. Many fathers have grown up without fathers to serve as examples and are unsure how to behave. Some proponents of the feminist movement have attempted to push the idea that fathers are unnecessary except as sperm donors; however, that is not true. God has instituted family units for many good reasons. All children need the male perspective as part of their rearing. If fathers are doing it right, they protect, guide, instruct, and teach. Our hospital General Manager consistently quotes his father’s traditional wisdom as part of the foundation for the manner in which he handles himself. Women who grow up with strong loving fathers value themselves and are not easily swayed by flattery or deception from men. Such women are less likely to wind up in abusive situations.  

I am a female surgeon functioning in a traditionally male specialty, but I have the greatest respect for good effective fathers. Many of my fellow female surgeons have come from families with strong father figures, but I have not. While my father was able to be effective in public, sadly, he spent much of his private life struggling with depression and only received proper treatment long after I was out of the house. When people speak of fathers as protectors, I have trouble relating because my clearest memories of my father are of a man whose emotional state was so fragile that my mother repeatedly warned us “not to worry your father.” My world might be falling apart; however, I couldn’t share my struggles because it might cause my father concern. It was my mother who held the family together and also interpreted my father for me. “Your father thinks….” It has taken much of my adult life for me to realize Mom was trying to provide what Dad could not, namely, approval and encouragement.

While depression can rob children of proper fathering, so can obsessions with work, gambling, alcohol, etc. Even worse, some fathers are emotionally, sexually, or physically abusive. Joseph’s story graphically illustrates the results of a father with tunnel vision who lavishes all his love on the sons of one wife while neglecting ten other sons. God uses a bad situation to move Jacob’s family to Egypt; however, had Jacob been a better father, God could have undoubtedly worked that out some other way.    

What can you do if you have grown up without a strong father figure? Ask God to reveal Himself as your Father. Also ask God to send you men who can model good fathering for you. God longs for all of us to be emotionally healthy, and He has unlimited means of bringing that to pass. If your earthly father has not blessed you, ask your Heavenly Father for His blessing.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us long for a father’s love, approbation, and encouragement. We need a father’s protection. You have proclaimed in Your Word that You are a father to the fatherless. Please come into our lives and provide the fathering we all need. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 47:1-31

Jacob Settles in Goshen

“So Joseph went and told Pharaoh: “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.”

And he chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.

“What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers.

“Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.”

Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to you, the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They may dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any talented men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.”

Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

“How many years have you lived?” Pharaoh asked.

“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”

Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from his presence.

So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.

Joseph’s Leadership during the Famine

Yet there was no food throughout that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace. When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!”

“Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, the animals of their flocks and herds, and their donkeys. Throughout that year he provided them with food in exchange for all their livestock.

When that year was over, they came to him the second year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord that our money is gone and all our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food. Then we, along with our land, will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude from one end of Egypt to the other. However, he did not acquire the priests’ portion of the land, for it had been given to them by Pharaoh. They ate the rations that Pharaoh supplied; so they did not sell their land.

Then Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have acquired you and your land for Pharaoh this day, here is seed for you to sow in the land. At harvest time, you are to give a fifth of it to Pharaoh, and four-fifths will be yours as seed for the field and food for yourselves and your households and children.”

“You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.” So Joseph established a law that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh, and it is in effect in the land of Egypt to this day. Only the priests’ land does not belong to Pharaoh.

The Israelites Prosper in Goshen

Thus the Israelites settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and became fruitful and increased greatly in number. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.

When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.”

Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.”

“Swear to me,” Jacob said.

So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.”

By the time Joseph’s family reaches Egypt, the famine has been on for two years with five years left to go. Because of the cost of food, the Egyptians have sold all their livestock to Pharoah, plus making themselves Pharaoh’s slaves. But while one-fifth of the seed is to go to Pharaoh, the Egyptians are to keep four-fifths of it to feed themselves and plant in the coming year. While these measures might seem draconian, Joseph is helping sustain an entire nation. If Joseph reduces the price of food for Egyptians, those from other nations may complain. Also notice that although the Egyptians sell all their animals to Pharaoh, Joseph’s family keeps their animals while occupying Goshen, and the family multiplies, forming the nucleus for a new nation.

Jacob lives for twelve years after the end of the famine, dying at the age of 147. When Jacob is dying, he makes Joseph put his hand in the same place the angel touched while wrestling with Jacob so many years ago. Joseph swears that he will bury Jacob in Canaan and not in Egypt. Jacob bows his head in worship and dies.

Joseph has fulfilled his God-given task of saving the Egyptians and his family. Why does God move Jacob and his family to Egypt for four hundred years? Weather patterns in Canaan may be unfavorable for their herds. In addition, there is the statement God made to Abraham so many years ago that “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Looking back on Abraham’s story, we realize that Abraham had close friends who were Amorites and evidently faithful men. God is protecting the Israelites from the influence of the Canaanite religions, although the Egyptian religion has many failings as well.

Many times, we ask God for things and expect instant answers, even though our timing may be totally wrong. God is the One who knows the end from the beginning and He is the One who knows when things need to happen. Had Joseph never suffered in prison or learned how to run an upper-class Egyptian household or a prison, he would not have matured as an administrator. Joseph’s sufferings in prison honed him and perfected him for the job God had for him. Joseph’s brothers needed to live without him to witness their father’s grief and to realize that eliminating Joseph would not solve their family relationship problems.

C.H. Spurgeon said in one of his sermons that when it was time for the Jews to leave Egypt, God would not keep them there a single second longer. God’s timing is always perfect; we are the ones who are impatient.

After years of grieving over Joseph, Jacob has the satisfaction of being reunited with him for seventeen years before dying, and Joseph is the one who closes Jacob’s eyes at his death. Joseph has probably been longing for this opportunity as well. In December 2011, my father was slowly succumbing to heart failure from an old cardiac injury. I longed for the chance to be with my father when he died; yet, I was the only doctor for our hospital and Christmas was approaching. At Christmas and New Year’s all the doctors from small district hospitals in our area leave their posts to return home. Our facility is one of the few that remains ready to perform emergency operations. I couldn’t possibly leave Ghana at that point. From noon to 12:30 pm on December 16^th I had the most severe chest pain I had ever felt, and then it suddenly left me. Later that afternoon, I received word that my father had died at 6:30 AM, the same time at which the chest pain disappeared. I firmly believe that God allowed me to share in the pain of my dad’s last heart attack as a way of being with him.

Are you frustrated and fidgety, feeling that your life is going nowhere fast and opportunities are passing you by? Ask God to show you what He wants you to learn from your present situation. Certainly, Joseph would never have chosen to be a prisoner for more than a decade or to be falsely accused; yet, the suffering he underwent made him the leader he eventually became. During God’s interview with Moses at the burning bush, God asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” Moses was carrying his shepherd’s staff. Using that staff, Moses did miracles, bringing plagues on Egypt and eventually leading the Israelites through the Red Sea. Moses used that staff to bring water from rocks and to bring victory to the Israelites over the Amalekites. But the staff was only an ordinary piece of wood. Perhaps there is something in your situation that God wants to use, but you have ignored it because you thought it was too minor to be of any use. Ask God.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us feel frustrated, assuming that we should be further along in our careers or somewhere else. Open our eyes to see the resources You have built into our current situations. Help us to stop disdaining little things and to appreciate them instead. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 46:1-34 Jacob’s Journey to Egypt

“So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said.

“Here I am,” replied Jacob.

“I am God, ” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

Then Jacob departed from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives. They also took their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt.

Those Who Went to Egypt (Exodus 1:1-7)
Jacob took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring…All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons. And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.

Jacob Arrives in Egypt
Now Jacob had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When Jacob’s family arrived in the land of Goshen, Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me. The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’
When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

When Jacob left his parents, fleeing from Esau, he traveled alone without even a donkey. Now Jacob has arrived in Egypt with a family of seventy people. Even though Jacob/Israel has not been the greatest father, God still blesses him by speaking to him and assuring him that God is going to make his family into a great nation, that Joseph will close his eyes when he dies, and that his descendants will eventually return to Canaan.

When Jacob and his family arrive in Egypt, Joseph gives them a royal welcome and advises them to inform Pharaoh that they are shepherds and herdsmen. Although the Egyptians certainly eat meat, they disdain those who care for livestock. Joseph’s canny advice ensures that his family will locate in an area with rich grazing and that they will remain separate from the Egyptians, maintaining their identity. Joseph has spent long enough in Egypt that he is less than thrilled about the Egyptian religion with its obsessions about death.

Even though Joseph’s brothers have mistreated him badly in the past, Joseph realizes that God has used all those events to fit him for his current position. Now Joseph does his very best for his family, locating them in a choice spot. Truly, Joseph has matured into an able leader.

Joseph’s story can serve as an example for all of us. Face it, most of us have to deal with difficult people, whether relatives, acquaintances, or colleagues at work. Throughout Joseph’s struggles, he continues to learn as much as possible, refusing to descend into bitterness. Were Joseph to succumb to self-pity, his story might have ended far differently. But Joseph forgives and moves forward.

One of the most important life lessons we can learn is to become un-offendable. As long as we respond to irritations by being offended, we are handing someone our heads on a platter, giving Satan control over our emotions. The key to Joseph’s success lies in his refusal to descend into bitterness or dreams of retaliation. May we learn this lesson early, well, and permanently!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to focus so much on You that we refuse to take offense, no matter how strong the temptation. We ask this in the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 45:1-28  Joseph Reveals His Identity

“Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!”

So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him.

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?”

But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so.

“I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Joseph Sends for His Father

“Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’

Behold! You and my brother Benjamin can see that I, Joseph, am the one speaking with you. Tell my father about all my splendor in Egypt and everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”

Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced. Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.

Pharaoh Invites Jacob to Egypt

When the news reached Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do as follows: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan. Then bring your father and your families and return to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat from the fat of the land.’ You are also directed to tell them: ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your young children and your wives, and bring your father and come back. But pay no regard to your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”

So the sons of Israel did as they were told. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. He gave new garments to each of them, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. And he sent to his father the following: ten donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provisions for his father’s journey.

Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!”

The Revival of Jacob

So the brothers went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. “Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!”

But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them. However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived.

“Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.”

There are many wonderful stories in the Bible, but few are more moving than the soul-satisfying story of Joseph’s reunion with his family. Suddenly, the obnoxious younger brother turns out to be the family hero. A grieving old man finds a sunrise of hope. Rather than slowly starving to death in Canaan, Joseph’s family can now look forward to abundant supplies because Joseph is the second most powerful man in all Egypt. As herders and shepherds, Joseph’s brothers have grieved the coming death of their animals from starvation; now their animals will also be saved. Joseph’s family is riding south on Egyptian wagons, bringing their flocks and herds with them but leaving their worn-out tents behind because Pharaoh is promising to abundantly supply everything they need.

One sad commentary on the dysfunctional family dynamics is Joseph’s warning to his brothers, “Do not quarrel on the way!”  Joseph has observed his brothers during two visits and realizes that they still are jealous of one another and easily get into disputes. This family may be entering a new land, but they’re bringing their old relationship problems with them.

Remembering Joseph’s tribulations in prison, how many of us would be able to go through such an experience and then forgive those responsible for wrongly imprisoning us? How many of us are currently having friction with neighbors, colleagues, or family members and longing for escape? Part of the miracle of Joseph’s story is that God enables Joseph to forgive his father for favoring him and his brothers for selling him to slave traders. Joseph forgives Potiphar’s family. Bitterness and self-pity have no hold on Joseph; he’s too busy learning how to run an upper-class Egyptian household and then an Egyptian white-collar prison.

Why does God give Joseph those dreams when he’s a teen-ager? Without those dreams, Joseph might have given in and given up; those dreams have helped encourage Joseph through all these long years. There was nothing wrong with the dreams, but Joseph had no discretion and spoke about them when he should have remained quiet. Most of us would have made similar mistakes. It takes time to learn that messages from God are not to be broadcast indiscriminately.

 God uses Joseph’s mistakes as a mouthy brat to irritate the brothers so that they fake his death and sell him into slavery. If the brothers hadn’t faked Joseph’s death, Jacob might have tried to send to Egypt to get Joseph back. Had Joseph returned to Canaan, his family would have eventually starved to death, and huge numbers of Egyptians would also have starved. One of the amazing things about God is that when we think He is focusing on us alone, meanwhile, He is impacting lives of people whom we will never meet.

These days, we hear a lot about the butterfly effect. What is the butterfly effect in simple terms?

The idea that something small, like getting coffee, can have much larger effects, such as altering your career is called the butterfly effect. The butterfly effect rests on the notion that the world is deeply interconnected, such that one small occurrence can influence a much larger complex system. https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/economics/the-butterfly-effect The story of Joseph is a perfect illustration of the butterfly effect. God starts with a tattle tale spoiled brat, incites his brothers to sell him into slavery, forces him to suffer while learning hands-on administration, and then, at the right time, promotes this man whom He has groomed into a position of power to deliver people from many countries plus his own family from starvation. Only God knows how many other people have been saved through Joseph’s efforts.

Many of us toil in obscure positions, little realizing the effect we may be having on those around us. Years ago, my mother went into the local lumber yard in our small town. That morning, Mom was suffering from one of her many sinus headaches and mentioned it to the manager, Barney Johson. Barney looked at Mom and said, “Well, I think most of the world’s work is done by people who don’t feel good.” That remark has stuck with me for nearly seventy years. I have had fibromyalgia for the last twenty-one years, and some mornings every bit of my body signs in on the pain roll call. My solution is to keep working, but sometimes when I am tempted to do less, I remember Barney Johnson, and I keep going.

Today, take heart! You have no idea how many people are watching you and taking courage from your example of faithfulness and excellence. Advertising experts tell us that people are 5 times as likely to complain about a bad experience as they are to compliment on a good one. Be assured that your efforts are part of the butterfly effect and that God is applauding them.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for using our efforts and multiplying them so that many people may be helped. Help us always to realize that when we are working for You, You will reward us in ways we cannot imagine. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.