As the book of Genesis begins to draw to a close, so too does the life of Jacob. Dear Jacob who, at the age of 130 upon meeting Pharaoh told him that his years on earth had been “few and difficult” and “not equal” to “the years of the pilgrimage” …
Our passage this morning exemplifies the proverb, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” As we’ve seen, in the case of those living in Egypt and surrounding regions, the reason for the desperation was that they were in the throes of a terrible famine. This famine was no surprise to Pharaoh …
Once Joseph’s family arrived in Egypt from Canaan and he was at last reunited with his father, having learned the Egyptian culture and practices after living in Egypt for over twenty years, Joseph then took some preparatory measures prior to his family being brought before Pharaoh. As stated in verses …
This morning’s passage is a reminder and example of the power of consolation. As defined by the dictionary, consolation is “the comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment.” The story of Joseph and his family is nothing if not the story of loss and disappointment, especially that which was experienced by Joseph and his beloved …
“Have you ever wondered,” asked my college roommate, “what is the purpose of tears?” She then went on to ponder why it is that, of all of God’s creation, only humans are capable of crying. I didn’t have an answer then; I don’t have an answer now. But it’s something …
Having persuaded their father to allow them to return to Egypt with Benjamin in order that they might purchase more food in the midst of the ongoing famine, Judah and his brothers found themselves riding an emotional roller coaster of events once they finally arrived. Per their father’s suggestion,[1] verse …
Having celebrated our precious Lord Jesus’ last days of earthly life beginning with the joyous Palm Sunday celebration—to his torturous death on the cross on Good Friday—to his irrepressible rising from death on Easter Sunday, this morning we return to our study of Joseph’s life. When last we saw Joseph, …
Easter Sunday confronts each and every person who has ever heard of Jesus of Nazareth with the statements and question he posed to Martha, his dear and beloved follower and friend. As recorded in verses 25–26 from the eleventh chapter of John, Jesus said to her “I am the resurrection …
Almost every semester for the past three or so years, I’ve been responsible for running an online Christian Ethics class for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Although I grade the same assignments each semester, it’s always interesting to see how students are applying the Scriptures to some genuinely challenging ethical issues. And …
After Egypt experienced seven years of fruitfulness beyond imagination according to what the LORD had shown Pharaoh, seven years of famine beyond imagination followed, again, according to what the LORD had shown Pharaoh by way of two dreams. Consequently, Pharaoh appointed Joseph who had with God’s help correctly interpreted these …
