Reading: Genesis 45:1-11 Joseph has seen enough. His brothers have repented from their sins. They have genuine sorrow and are determined to do what is right. Now is the moment for truth, and what a dramatic moment it is. He orders all Egyptians out of the room, weeps aloud and reveals himself as their brother… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 45
Reading: Genesis 44:1-5 and 18-33 Joseph is not completely satisfied that the brothers have repented and that there is true love. So he tests them further. When the brothers go home he has his royal cup placed in Benjamin’s sack and has him seized. This brings a serious crisis for the brothers. They had promised… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 44
Reading: Genesis 43:1-14 and 24-31. Jacob sends his sons to Egypt, but does not want Benjamin to go. Judah convinces Jacob that Benjamin must accompany the brothers. Judah promises to be surety for Benjamin and bear the blame forever if something goes wrong (vs 9). How Judah has changed. Previously he too showed hatred to… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 43
Reading: Genesis 42:1-23 and 29. We saw previously that the church (Jacob’s family) is threatened. Enemies threaten them from the outside. Internally the church is filled with hatred, division and deception. The very existence of the church is in danger. Jacob does not act, therefore God must intervene. He remains faithful to His covenant promises.… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 42
Reading: Genesis 41:14-49 In Genesis 40 Joseph interprets the baker and butler’s dreams. Two years later Pharaoh has two dreams. Joseph tells Pharaoh and his court there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph also wisely adds: “let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man” to reserve enough food… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 41
Reading: Genesis 40 In the darkness of a prison various threads from different lives come together to form an amazing tapestry, revealing to our human eyes God’s wonderful providence. First God leads events so that Joseph, a man from a family in another country, is put into this Egyptian jail. Second, the palace butler and… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 40
Upstander. I like this word. Funny how it’s been around for a few years, and it takes a comment at the John Calvin Schools Conference to bring it into the spotlight. But it’s great to meet it, and even better to use it. Upstander: one who stands up for what is true. We know how… Continue reading Upstander
Reading: Genesis 39 This chapter describes the rise and fall of Joseph. By the Lord’s blessing Jacob is made overseer of Potiphar’s house. However, through sinful actions of Potiphar’s wife Joseph lands in jail. But there the same thing happens. Through the Lord’s mercy Joseph becomes the jail’s manager. Clearly, God has given impressive management… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 39
Reading: Genesis 38 Tamar is an ancestor Jesus Christ; her name appears His genealogy in Matthew 1. How does this heathen women get such honour? This is what happened: Judah departs from his brothers, visits a heathen family and marries one of the family’s girls named Shua. This triggers a very sinful and disgraceful chain… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 38
Reading: Genesis 37:1-10 and 23-28 The main thought in this chapter is that God sent Joseph to Egypt so that later he would save his family. In Genesis 36 Moses described the genealogy of Esau, in 37 he returns to the history of Israel. Jacob’s sons were jealous of their younger brother Joseph because… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 37
Reading: Genesis 36:1-8 Genesis 35:29 says that Esau and Jacob buried Isaac. It seems the brothers have peace. Esau decides to move to “a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob” (vs 6). This was guided by the secret providence of God. Esau did not want to serve the Lord. Furthermore God has… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 36
Reading: Genesis 35:1-15 God has chosen Jacob’s family to build his church. Jacob’s family does not only receive God’s blessings; his family must also obey God and struggle to be a holy family. In the previous chapter we learned that Jacob’s family have fallen from holiness. They live too close to the people of Shechem;… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 35
Reading: Genesis 34 In chapter 33 we saw that the church had settled in the Promised Land. But before long it was attacked, from inside and outside. First Dinah seeks out the company of unbelievers and is violated by a young man. This is followed by an invitation for intermarriage between Jacob’s sons and the… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 34
Reading: Genesis 33 Jacob has learned humility and dependence. He still has some fear for Esau who before had decided to kill Jacob. But Jacob knows he should make peace with his brother. In faith he goes to meet him. He is very humble to Esau and is reconciled with him. Why is Esau kind… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 33
Reading: Genesis 32:1-12 and 22-32 Jacob’s trip to Canaan is very dramatic. He meets angels, he fears Esau who is coming; Jacob prays fervently, wrestles with God and becomes lame. What is happening? Jacob is sinful. Instead of trusting the Lord, he always takes control of his own life, even using deception. Instead of… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 32
Reading: Genesis 31:1-3, 17-24. Jacob’s family (the church at that time) has grown. But it faces dangers. Jacob was in Padan Aran for over 14 years and is very wealthy. It is appealing to stay. But living in a heathen environment is dangerous; Laban’s family, including Rachel, serve idols (vs 30). Soon the church will… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 31
Reading: Genesis 29:15-30 and 30:17-24 In the story about Laban, Jacob, Lea and Rachel we can lose all confidence in people. There is deceit, fighting and jealousy, which eventually results in Jacob’s departure from Laban. It is a very sorry picture, especially because Jacob’s family is the church. How weak is their faith. Can the… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 29 and 30
Reading: Genesis 28:1-5 and 10-17 Esau threatens to kill Jacob; the future of the church, represented by Jacob, is in danger. So Jacob is sent away. He feels very uneasy. His deception is so sinful. Is his father’s blessing, received through deception, really for him? Should he first make peace with his father? Can he… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 28
Reading: Genesis 27:1-29 Here Moses describes events which do not seem very useful. In summary we learn that Isaac commands Esau, his first born son, to hunt a wild animal, provide a meal and receive the first-born blessing. However, Rebecca and Jacob deceive Isaac to bless Jacob instead. It even seems like child’s play for… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 27
Reading: Genesis 26:1-5 God blessed Isaac with the same covenant promises as Abraham. However Isaac had a very unsettled and troubled life. He suffered famine; had conflict with the Philistines about the wells, had to move from place to place. He was a stranger in the Promised Land. Esau married heathen wives which grieved Isaac… Continue reading Meditation: Genesis 26
