When God Whispers

Blessings of the sons was a very important thing in the culture of Israel.  Why do you think he blessed Joseph’s sons in this way?   Can you think of families who treat the oldest or any grandchildren in a similar fashion?  I thought of royal families and how the oldest had significance and responsibility.  Are there families in normal society that treat the oldest differently still today?  Why or...

The children of Israel prospered because of the plan God had carried out through Joseph. Jacob, also called Israel in these verses, called on Joseph to carry out his wishes upon his death. He knew he could trust Joseph to be certain his father’s desires were honored. Why do you think Jacob trusted Joseph so much?  He hadn’t spent lots of time with him since they had been separated for years. Trust...

I find this so interesting. Joseph, not an Egyptian, sold into slavery, and imprisoned in Egypt for years because of an Egyptian who lied about him. But here he acted out of great concern for the Egyptians, basically saving their lives. Jospeh looked out for the welfare of the starving Egyptians. He was a sojourner with a heart of love for these people. Maybe Joseph was hoping they would come to k...

Isn’t our God good? Not only were the family members to be set apart from the Egyptians, but they were given the best land available. What a blessing! God continually blesses us, but we don’t always see it at the time.  How has God blessed you that you might not have realized it was God? Take time today to thank God for the numerous blessings you have and for the blessings to come. God is so good...

Again, we see Joseph blessed with wisdom. He knew exactly what his brothers should say to Pharoah when questioned about their occupation. The Egyptians had a great distaste for shepherds. This distaste for shepherds would allow the family of Jacob to live apart from the Egyptians. This separation would allow the family to maintain their religious beliefs and practices. They would not be immersed i...

Think about good things that can come from stress and trials in life.  Someone we love can come to know Jesus because they saw us go through a difficult time and we leaned into Jesus through it.  We can see someone that had strayed and drifted away from God, come back strong and fired up for Jesus.  There are so many good things that can come out of tough times.  That is where we can find joy. 

What a family reunion! Can you imagine the excitement that Jacob felt as he traveled this distance to see a son he had not seen in decades, a son he believed to be dead? Read the reassurance God had given Jacob. “Do not be afraid to go to Egypt. I will be with you.” This is probably in reference to Genesis 26:2 when God spoke to Isaac, The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt;...

It is interesting to note that Joseph’s parting words to his brothers were, “Do not quarrel on the way.” Joseph had offered his brothers tremendous grace. He did not bring up the past and hurl accusations at his brothers. Instead, he offered them grace and let them know that what they meant for harm was used for good by God. How important it is to extend grace. How difficult it is to extend grace...

Oh, the wisdom of this passage. Joseph knew that God had planned for this to unfold so that he could be used of God. I love how he reassures his brothers. Verse 5 says, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” I cannot begin to imagine the rejoicing that was going to occur! How is God using you and me today to co...

Jacob clearly had shown favoritism throughout his life. It seems the jealousy of the brothers is what drove the brothers to sell Joseph into slavery. Have you ever dealt with jealousy so severely that it caused you to act in a way that you felt shame later? How hard is it to love imperfect people? Aren’t we tasked with that daily? However, Judah was committed to his father and did not want to retu...

Again, deceit is used. Joseph set up this difficult situation. Is it possible that Joseph was trying to discover where his brothers’ hearts were? Were they sorrowful for all the wrong they had dealt Joseph in his younger years? Once confronted with the wrongdoing, “They tore their clothes, and every mans loaded his donkey; and they returned to the city.” If we could be even half as sorrowful for o...

I just can’t help but think of how very unkind these brothers had been to Joseph. I also marvel at the continued kindness Joseph showed them. It also amazes me that God had given the ability to Joseph to know who these men were. He was able to breathe a sigh of relief about Jacob and laid eyes on Benjamin. He was so overcome by great emotion. This just warmed my heart as well. How is this possible...

Why do you think the brothers were frightened when they each found their bundle of money in their sacks? Reuben was anxious to follow the orders given by Joseph.  What did he suggest as an offering to his father to allow Benjamin to go with him to Egypt?  What does this show you about Rueben?  How did Jacob respond to the request?  Sometimes the loss of a loved one, friend, home or job can leave u...

Have you ever come across a child who tries to pull up to the couch, coffee table or sometimes a dog, like my grandson likes to do, falls, and then just sits there and never tries again?  No, they want to walk bad enough to keep trying.  How bad do you want to honor God?  Is it a burning desire? Sometimes that desire is what keeps us moving forward and keep trying beyond quitting points.  Beyond t...

It appears that Reuben has carried the guilt for Joseph’s misfortune and feels the time of reckoning has come.  What emotions do you think Reuben and the brothers are experiencing?  Do you think Joseph’s tears are an expression of grief, sorrow, joy or gladness?  Do you find it interesting that he seems to seek no revenge?  Even though he binds and keeps Simeon imprisoned near him, he returned the...

How God blessed Joseph during times of difficulty and plenty! God has not changed.   He continues to show his faithfulness to us daily.  How has God blessed you in the past and how does He continue to bless you today?  During this dreadful heat wave in Texas, I’m reminded that simply finding a parking space close to my destination is not a coincidence, but a God Wink saying, “here you go!  I love...

In verse 33, Joseph advised Pharaoh, “therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.”  When Joseph advised Pharaoh to find a discerning and wise man to oversee the land, do you think his suggestion had any motive or was he simply sharing what God had shared with him?  Although we don’t know what Joseph had in mind, we can certainly see what God has plann...

Growth isn’t easy, but it is necessary.  If we aren’t growing, we are dying.  Maybe not physically, but if we aren’t using the brain, muscles, talents, that God has given us, we lose those talents. 

Joseph’s interpretation of the chief cupbearer and chief baker’s dreams were accurate.  He requested that he be remembered to Pharaoh to see if he could be freed.  The chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph when he resumed his position.  What disappointment Joseph must have endured.  Have you ever shown kindness to a relative, friend, or acquaintance only to be forgotten?  How did you feel?  Some...

What a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love.  Although imprisoned, Joseph was once again found to show leadership and God blessed him as he was put in charge of all prisoners.  Think of a time when life seemed difficult or even desperate to you.  Did you call out to God?  Did you remain faithful to God?  Praise God for his faithfulness in the situation and/or resolve and contin...

The beginning of the scriptures reveals Joseph’s master saw the Lord in him.  How can we be a witness and shine our light for others to see us as Christians? The master’s wife was persistent in pursuing Joseph.  He resisted yet was accused of sleeping with her because of her manipulation.  Can you recall an instance where you did the right thing, yet dealt with persecution?  Thank God for helping...

Judah judges Tamar and wants her killed when he hears of her pregnancy.  However, as he discovers the true series of events that have taken place he makes the comment, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.”  Do you think his words indicate a sense of shame and remorse?  Tamar was quite clever in asking for Judah’s staff, signet and cord to remain in her possessi...

This passage of scripture is filled with more lies, deceit, and disobedience.  Judah’s motives of sending his 2nd and 3rd born sons to Tamar after Er’s, Judah’s 1st born, death was to continue the bloodline as God desired.  Then Judah’s fear of losing another son, led to his disobedience of not sending additional sons and telling Tamar to return to her father’s house as a widow.  The passage becom...

Rueben shows remorse when he returns to find Joseph gone.  Scripture says he tore his clothes and asked where to go.  What do you think is going through Rueben’s mind? What we think as the smallest of sin is still sin.  God does not grade sin.  Here we see one lie lead to more.  Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation until everything unraveled?  Admitting our sin and asking for forgiv...

In these scriptures we see deception beyond belief.  Sin can grip humans and cause unbelievable evil.  Even though family dynamics can be interesting, what would possess Joseph’s brothers to go to such extremes as in these scriptures?  Have you dealt with manipulation, favoritism, jealousy or even inheritance issues within your family? If so, pray that God will release you so you can move forward...