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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Steve Maltz and are based on Genesis 37-50
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Luke 23:33-34
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message
came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Sunday November 9 - Remember, remember
This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Genesis 37:2
It is fitting today, Remembrance Sunday, to remember acts of bravery in times of past wars. God loves it when we remember; it is an imperative. We are urged to remember not only the story of Joseph, but of just about every other Bible story. He speaks of it in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home...” The Jews were a people with a long memory, particularly in Bible times, when the Scripture was not readily available in written form. Perhaps memorising it is a lost art for us today?
Genealogies are important to God. They cement individuals into a meandering bloodline – real people, with real relationships with those who preceded or followed them. Joseph was in two of these genealogies. One of them, in Matthew 1, kicks off with Joseph’s great-grandfather, Abraham and the other, in Luke 3, works backwards in time to Adam. Both cut through a swathe of Old Testament history and lead ultimately to Jesus the Messiah. Each family member mentioned had a role to play, some not as obvious as others. Now you and I may not be prominent names, yet God chooses us all individually for a purpose, and we should rejoice in this as an awesome responsibility. Joseph was one of the more prominent names, whom we will examine this week.
Father in heaven, thank you for choosing me. I will try not to let you down. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY