RTW January 16

22 Comments

1. – Something Old: Joseph was very clear to give God the glory for bringing him to Egypt and using him to save a whole nation.

   – Something New: The brothers didn’t go back to Egypt immediately to bring Benjamin. They waited until the grain ran out. Wonder what Simeon and Jospeh were thinking about in that delay.

   – Something To Do: Give God all the glory in all circumstances and be looking for how He is working and redeeming even the hardest of times. It may take many, many years, and more trials, but keep looking to Him and trusting He has a plan for good.

2. One of my Something News today was the same as Wendy’s. I had never thought before about what Simeon was going through while he was left in prison for a couple of years. Related to that, I wondered what Joseph thought when his brothers didn’t return right away and did he have any contact with. Simeon during that time?

   One of my fears when I was raising my children was that I might die, whether through sickness or an accident, before they were raised. I didn’t want them to grow up without a mother or my husband to have to raise them alone. When this fear would come, I would have to give it to God each time, trusting Him with my life and the lives of my family—trusting His plan for my life not my own.

   1. Ditto on both things!

3. In Genesis 41:46 we learn that Joseph was 30 when he was made overseer to the king of Egypt. Since he was 17 when he was sold into Egypt, that means he spent 13 years total in Potiphar’s house and prison. We know Joseph was in prison at least 2 years because chapter 40 tells us about the servants of the king whose dreams Joseph interpreted. The first verse of chapter 41 tells us that 2 years passed after that event before the king had the dreams that Joseph was called to interpret.So Joseph lived in Potiphar’s house 11 years or less and was in prison 2 or more years.There many details available about Joseph. For instance we know
   He was 17 when he was sold into Egypt.
   He was 30 when he was made overseer.
   He was 39 when his brothers first came to Egypt .(second year of the famine, or nine years after being made overseer)
   He was probably 41 or so when the brothers came a second time and Jacob comes to Egypt and He was 110 when he died. (Amazing Bible Timeline)

4. Good Morning Y’all! I’ve added a. new component to my journaling for 2019 “Read Through The Word”. After reading, listening and studying, I list a song that makes the lesson “sing”. Today’s song is “Fear is A Liar” by Zach Williams. Powerful lesson, powerful song. Give a listen and declare FEAR IS A LIAR!!! ????

   1. I love this song!!!! It is funny this is the song that popped into my head when I was listening to Wendy’s lesson today. I have been listening to this song a lot because I had a job interview this morning. I have been very fearful of how the job interview was going to be like and not being able to answer the questions and that I would fail and do a bad job. I think Satan was really trying to get me to be afraid and not trust in God.

      1. Natalie, I pray that your interview bring you an exciting new chapter!
         Have a wonderful day❤️

   2. I love this!! I created a RTW playlist for this year when songs come to mind from the readings. God speaks to me so distinctly through music! Thanks for sharing!

      1. Awesome! What a wonderful idea. I need to go back in my journal and create a playlist! So far when the Lord lays a song on my heart I Youtube it and list it in my journal. How cool to create an ongoing playlist. Thanks for the idea.
         Like you, and I suspect others in this class, (including Wendy) music is a powerful way to punctuate the daily teachings. I know God speaks to me through song. Maybe at the end of each month we could share our playlist????

5. Something new- Genesis 43:23- when the household manager told them “Relax.Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment.” How many times have I been uptight or stressed because I have not measured up to who I want to be. My Loving Father wants me to relax and not be afraid for He has provided the Treasure that paid my Redemption price. His precious love and provision is soo amazing’

6. Judah eventually returned to Canaan to be with his family because he was part of the crew that went to Egypt. I wonder if Joseph put his 10 brothers in prison for 3 days so they could experience what it felt like to be falsely accused.

   Gen 43:32 says that the Egyptians sat at a different table from Joseph because they despised Hebrews and refused to eat with them. I wonder how Joseph dealt with being different for all these years of being in authority in Egypt. He could have decided to lose his faith so he could blend in but he didn’t.

7. Thanks Wendy for today’s lesson! It came at exactly the right time that I needed to hear this message. I have been filled with lots of fear lately because of a job interview that I had this morning. Satan was trying to attack my mind to be afraid that I would do a bad job. Thanks everyone who prayed for me!!!! My job interview went great and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I hope I get this job and that I make a great impression and they will want to hire me 🙂 My something to do- is to trust in God always and not to be fearful. And when fear enters into my mind to let it go and give it all to God.

8. Something Old

   Genesis 42:1-4
   In reading Guzik’s commentary it was mentioned that “God can and does use need and lack in our life to get us to do things we normally would never do.” This is so amazing. How often do we refuse to move out of certain situations….only to have circumstances force us out of those places? It is to our betterment and blessing that He does this for us. And I thank Him…..though I confess I often grumble in the process.

   Something New

   lwart’s post. I never noticed before the re-insertion of Judah. When did he move back from Adullam? I tried to do a bit of digging on this, but my day’s demands cut my time short. Thanks lwart, for this note.

   Something To Do

   Ask God to help me to be more cooperative and less combative when situations appear to be negative and out of control. It may well be that what is transpiring is God meaning it for good…while someone else has meant it for evil.

9. After reading about Joseph today, I thought this poem was appropriate to share.
   The Hidden Hand
   Back of all that foes have plotted, Back of all that saints have planned, Back of schemes by men or demons Moves a higher, hidden Hand.

   Warp and woof are heaven’s making, All the pattern good and wise; Though on earth’s side oft’ perplexing, Clear and right to heavenly eyes.

   All earth’s agents act with freedom, Choosing whether love or hate, Faith in God or bold defiance; None are shackled slaves of fate.

   Yet the Hand that guides is hidden, Moving secret and unseen, Firmly guiding life’s great drama, Every act and shifting scene.

   Even human wrath, unknowing, Serves that all-controlling will. Man proposes; God disposes. All things His design fulfill.

   To that goal of all the ages All of history’s windings tend; And, despite all foes or factions, God proves victor in the end.

   Mysteries which hurt and baffle, Past our power to understand, In the end are turned to blessing By that sovereign Hidden Hand.

   “We see men planning and working with only their own more immediate and material interests in view, yet a power behind them is noiselessly and effectually, though possibly for generations unobserved, overruling their actions to the furtherance of higher, more widely extended and more permanent purposes.”

   -Reverend S.W. Foljambe 1876

10. Joel Osteen tells the story this way, and I love the perspective–about our reading a few days ago:
    When Jacob was coming back home and was afraid Esau would want revenge, a little boy stood in the background and watched his uncle (Esau) hug and forgive his father (Jacob) for all the deceitfulness. Later when the little boy (Joseph!) was faced with the opportunity for getting revenge on his brothers for their cruelness to him, he remembered his uncle’s example of forgiveness over revenge!
    Esau has something Jacob needed (passage) and Joseph has something his brothers needed (food) and both did not use their power for revenge.

    Side note–I was touched by how much Joseph was overcome with emotion. His waiting paid off.

11. I too Wendy have that same fear of when he goes is he coming back? My husband is a fire captain and he works 24 shifts, sometimes back to back 24,48,72’s. It’s not easy to be the only one home at night with 2 young children. That is a big fear of mine (his job), and being alone. I have to continually give it to the Lord and I’m struggling with it to be honest. But I trust God abd I know that no matter what happens He is good and even if my worst fears do come to pass He will take care of me and my children. I need Holy Spirit strength to stand on that.

12. My struggle is with what God allows in our lives that I know He hates. In my childhood I experienced abuse. I know I am where I am at with God because of what He allowed in my life. My relationship with Christ was established young and my faith in him procured because I learned He is faithful and loving at a young age. Yet I have to watch myself not fearing what is painful to experience/walk through in this life. Does that even make sense to others???? Without the painful abuse, I probably would not have run to Christ in my pain and fear, without the painful abuse I probably would not have worked on receiving my undergrad and masters in counseling, without the painful abuse I probably would not be where I am at with my marriage and family, without the pain I would not be sensitive and want to serve others. Like Paul, I know I can rejoice in the trial, yet to be honest I dread the physical/emotional/spiritual pain that must accompany this life. Thank you for your ministry!!!!

13. I have been single for 22+ years, God always provided a way out of no way after the divorce. I understand fear, it was a rough road to travel, at times wondering where my next meal was coming from, how I was going to pay my bills, fear was real. The verse I leaned on for many years and still do – Isaiah 54:5-8 New International Version (NIV)
    5 For your Maker is your husband, the Lord Almighty is his name, the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
    6 The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit,
    a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God.

    A nurse/psychologist, said something that has stuck for years, “do you know what fear is?”
    F – false
    E – evidence
    A – appearing
    R – real

    The enemy, like he spoke to Eve, will twist the “Word” making false evidence appear real.

14. As a young mother, i, too often worried what would happen to us if my husband would die. After he had gallbladder surgery he looked half dead, I was 23 and i was terrified. We just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary in October. But now he has COPD and severe heart disease and his health is declining and has been put on hospice. I am not worrying what is going to happen now, I am trusting God to do what He has always done.

15. Fear is not from God. Fear is from satan. I just endured a criminal trial that involved my youngest son. I had peace within my heart the day of the trial. I was able to stand strong. I was able to pray openly with others who did not have the peace I had. I know the peace that surrounded me was from God. Many prayer warriors joined me that day in the days prior to the trial praying for my son and the outcome of the trial. Praise God. Not Guilty.

16. I wonder if Jacob did know what was ahead. Remember what God told Abraham back in Genesis 15:12-16. I wonder if this was passed on by word of mouth to each generation?

    You got to love the story of Joseph.He has the perfect opportunity to get revenge, but he does not do so. Joseph’s dealings with his brothers brought them to repentance, and caused them to be reconciled as a family. Joseph shows nothing but love toward his brothers. Just like Christ himself. Joseph’s life foreshadows the coming of the Messiah. Don’t you love how Christ is all over scripture. Both Joseph and Jesus names start with J— :-), I’m trying to put smiles on your faces on that one. But seriously both were hated by their brothers, rejected as rulers over their brothers, conspired against and sold for silver, condemned though innocent, and raised from humiliation to glory by the power of God. Now that’s some good stuff!

    1. Sorry guys I posted on the wrong day. 🙁 I’ll do it right and repost the above for today’s lesson, Jan. 17.

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