RTW January 14
Running From Sin
About this time, Judah left home and moved to Adullam, where he stayed with a man named Hirah.
Genesis 38:1
My Takeaways
Something Old
When we flee from sin we
- Make bad decisions based on sin stained emotions.
- Involve others who should have never been part of the plan for your life
- Leads to more sin that causes others to sin.
Something New
The boys sent a note to Jacob about Joseph. They didn’t even have the decency to tell him in person.
Something to do
Repent… just repent.
Something new for me was that Joseph worked FOR his half brothers. Also I wonder why Joseph wore his robe to go out looking for his brothers? I think Joseph had a little bit of cockiness that he was his dad‘s favorite which certainly didn’t help his relationship with his brothers.
What’s that out to me today was in chapter 39 with three times it said “the Lord was with Joseph“ and he succeeded in everything he did. And he showed him his faithful love. This is a new declaration that I will make every day “the Lord is with Mary so I succeed in everything I do”. I so need this today as I step out in a new business venture that is way out of my comfort zone and requires me to be super vulnerable. I’ve questioned and doubted this road-but I know the Lord is with me so I will succeed. What does success mean it will be easy? I don’t think so-although it can. But Joseph’s life was anything but easy-he was a slave after all! But he succeeded because the Lord was with him and He blessed him
Interesting that throughout this part of the story though – not once does it mention Joseph praying or acknowledging God in anyway. Just an observation
Great observation! I didn’t realize that. Thanks! Best wishes, very courageous to step out of your comfort zone with a new business adventure. There is possibly a little excitement involved in that as well, trying something new? ?
Mary, I also used to think that seemed a little cocky of Joseph for him to keep telling his brothers his dreams and wear the coat his father gave him, especially when they “couldn’t say a kind word to him.” (Gen 37:4) But today I felt I have been looking at it from their point of view and not Joseph’s. Joseph wasn’t a fool and knew his brothers were unkind when they spoke to him. But he had the courage to share his dreams and wear the coat his loving father provided for him because he was secure in his father’s love. He didn’t shrink from showing that he enjoyed the gifts that were given him in love. Today I feel convicted to be more like Joseph and not be ashamed to show I know my Father loves me and provides for me and has a purpose for me, even when others may not understand or mock me for my beliefs and public showing of faith. Anyway, sorry so long winded, seeing your post just made me see it differently, and it wasn’t even in my notes I took from today’s reading! Have a blessed day!
Melissa
Wow! Melissa, I LOVE this perspective. Thank you for sharing!
Very much appreciate your insight. I’ve had much the same reaction to this section each time I read it.
I found a few references to love (my word for 2019) in today’s reading.
Gen 37:3-4 – Israel’s love for Joseph was tainted by favoritism. It caused Joseph many trials with his brothers. I want to guard against this type of love.
Gen 39:21 – God showed His faithful love to Joseph when he was in prison. God’s love is constant and faithful. Love like him.
“But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.” (Gen 37:11) Th is made me think of the New Testament where Mary, the mother of Jesus, “kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” (Luke 2:19)
I too was struck by Gen. 37:11, where it says that the brothers were jealous but Jacob wondered what the dreams meant. The brothers were all caught up in feelings and pride (granted, Joseph was pretty obnoxious at times) but Jacob sees with spiritual eyes and maybe is wondering what is God up to.
By the way, the Proverbs 31 ministry has a wonderful podcast and Lysa TerKeurst spoke on forgiveness and Joseph in the July 9 episode: Six Practical Steps to Forgive.
Wonderful insights ladies
I was struck by the difference between Judah and Joseph in action and attitude(Wendy explained some of Judah) In Genesis 39:9 Joseph acknowledged that sleeping with Potiphar’s wife would be a great sin against God. Why does Joseph seem to know more about God than Judah? Oh and the jealousy yikes that is one serious slippery slope I have to guard against this, it is crouching at my door, especially in regard to my younger sister! Run to God at even the hint, that’s my plan. Have a beautiful day ladies and thanks for sharing!
I thought it was kind of interesting that there’s a parallel between Joseph and Jesus, in that Joseph was sold for silver by his own brothers, the people who should have been closest to Joseph and should have valued him. Much later, we know that Jesus was sold out by Judas for silver, when Judas, as a disciple who had spent 3 years following Jesus, should have valued Jesus and loved him. But God used both of these betrayals to save the children of Israel, and even the whole world.
Judah and Tamar’s oldest twin son-Perez became part of Jesus’ lineage (Matthew 1). How cool that Jesus would use such an interesting situation and a child of that union to be a part of his lineage.
Lesson: God can use you no matter what.
I find the story of Judah and Tamar very interesting. Tamar was obviously a woman who was very driven. She wasn’t able to get children from her husbands or get Judah to keep up his end of the deal, so she took matters into her own hand to get children by Judah. She becomes part of the lineage of Jesus through one of these sons. It always blows my mind how God can use the craziest situation for good!
Something Old
Genesis 37:1-17
This portion of Joseph’s story is always interesting for me. While I see that it may have seemed like boasting, Joseph’s words were truthful. And many commentators have lauded Jospeh for his transparency and honesty. It is often noted that he was “the same in private as in public.” When a person is that “open” they often do share truths that are uncomfortable, but they are trustworthy! My life has taken a route that has caused me to prefer honesty over diplomacy.
Something New
Genesis 37:10
“Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” I thought Rachel had died?
Something To Do
Seek the Lord’s guidance about what to share, with whom, and when. Be bold when He tells me to, but otherwise, keep quiet and “ponder in my heart” the truths He has revealed to me.
“The boys sent a note to Jacob about Joseph. They didn’t even have the decency to tell him in person.” (Wendy’s note)
Communication or the lack there of has pledged God’s kids as has been a good listener. Whether in church, activities with friends, eating a meal at a restaurant, being with family or wherever, I have observed that same behavior. The indecency of those texting on their phones, in all of the above situations, the isolation is alarming, I see it on the continence of those being ignored, are we any different than “the boys”.
An instance where a daughter and her husband had taken their elderly mother in a wheelchair to the same restaurant we were at, they sat their on their phones all through the meal ignoring her. The elderly mother had bearly eaten anything, the daughter looked up at her mother and said “by the way you are paying for dinner, I have your credit card”. By this time I was weeping uncontrollably, how can you do this to your parent or even to another human being. Is this the sin of abandonment, selfishness, neglect or just plain arrogance. So are we any different than “the boys”.