JAIL TIME

Joseph’s stuck in jail. We don’t know how many years he was in jail, but we know it was more than two.

God was with Joseph as He had been at Potiphar’s house. The warden of the prison, seeing that Joseph is responsible and trustworthy, puts him in charge of everything including the other prisoners.

Because of his position in the jail, Joseph gets to know two prisoners who used to work directly for Pharoah. And then it starts to get interesting… Continue reading “JOSEPH – WEDNESDAY – WK 4”

THAT DARN COAT

Genesis 39:1-23

When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Continue reading “JOSEPH – TUESDAY – WK 4”

THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT

Genesis 37:2-11

2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.

3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. Continue reading “JOSEPH – MONDAY – WK 4”

THE WRESTLER

Genesis 32:13-32

Jacob stayed where he was for the night. Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau:

14 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 15 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. 16 He divided these animals into herds and assigned each to different servants. Then he told his servants, “Go ahead of me with the animals, but keep some distance between the herds.” Continue reading “JACOB – FRIDAY – WEEK 3”

HOMEWARD BOUND

Jacob stays in Laban’s household for 20 years.  And Laban proves to be even more of a deceiver and manipulator than Jacob.  Not just with tricking Jacob into marrying Leah, but he uses Jacob to make himself wealthy.  Jacob has been given a taste of his own medicine.  He is able to see how greatly he hurt his brother Esau with his deception.  Maybe this is a lesson that Jacob needed to learn before he would be able to return home… Continue reading “JACOB – THURSDAY – WK 3”

MORE FAMILY FEUD

Genesis 29:13-30

As soon as Laban heard that his nephew Jacob had arrived, he ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him and brought him home. When Jacob had told him his story, 14 Laban exclaimed, “You really are my own flesh and blood!”

After Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month, 15 Laban said to him, “You shouldn’t work for me without pay just because we are relatives. Tell me how much your wages should be.” Continue reading “JACOB – WEDNESDAY – WK 3”

THE ORIGINAL STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

The negative consequence of Jacob stealing the blessing was that he had to leave his family and run for his life.  So he flees to Paddan Aram, hoping to stay with his Uncle Laban, his mother’s brother.  As he’s on his journey, he is probably overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness and despair.  But then one night, he has a strange dream… Continue reading “JACOB – TUESDAY – WK 3”

PROPHECY, DECEPTION, AND A STOLEN BLESSING

Jacob is the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham.  Before he is even born, God prophesies that Jacob, rather than his twin brother Esau, will be the chosen son of the covenant.

Genesis 25:21-26

Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. Continue reading “JACOB – MONDAY – WK 3”

THE FAITH-FULL MAN

This last story is the most remarkable.  It is a story that you are probably very familiar with, but I want to encourage you to really enter into it as you read.  What thoughts raced through Abraham’s head as he heard God’s command? What was the journey up the mountain with his son like?

Try to put yourself in Abraham’s sandals, and imagine what he was going through as you read. Continue reading “ABRAHAM – FRIDAY – WK 2”

THE FAMILY MAN, PART TWO

In this story, Abraham is back in business trying to save his nephew Lot.  God has a conversation with Abraham that is incredibly lengthy and interesting.  You can get an idea of how God feels about Abraham from their conversation.

Genesis 18:16-33

Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way.

17 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. Continue reading “ABRAHAM – THURSDAY – WK 2”