RTW January 18
Would Have Never
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
Genesis 50:20
My Takeaways
Something Old
- If Joseph never went to Egypt, he would never have been sold to Potiphar.
- If Joseph was never sold to Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife would never have falsely accused him of rape.
- If Potiphar’s wife never falsely accused Joseph of rape, then Joseph would never have been put in prison.
- If Joseph was never put in prison, he would have never met the baker and butler of Pharaoh.
- If Joseph never met the baker and butler of Pharaoh, he would have never interpreted their dreams.
- If Joseph never interpreted their dreams, he would have never interpreted Pharaoh’s dream.
- If Joseph never interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, he would have never become prime minister, second in Egypt only to Pharaoh.
- If Joseph never became prime minister, he would have never wisely prepared for the terrible famine to come.
- If Joseph never wisely prepared for the terrible famine, then his family back in Canaan would have died in the famine.
- If Joseph’s family, back in Canaan died in the famine then the Messiah could not have come from a dead family.
-David Guzik
Genesis 50:20 was almost a prophetic word of Paul’s word in Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Something New
I wonder why the Egyptian’s mourned Jacob’s death. They really didn’t know him or even like Hebrews.
Something to Do
Repeat… God is working all things for my good, because I love Him and I’m walking in His will.
I’ve never really understood why Jacob takes Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as his own. You see them mentioned in the tribe listings throughout scripture. I looked it up and Guziks commentary gave the thought that they were like replacements for Rueben and Simeon who were disqualified from their place of blessing because of their sin in Gen 34:25 and Gen 35:22. I can see this reflected in what Jacob speaks to them in his blessing in Gen 49.
I noted today in Gen 50:24 that Joseph give some his brothers the promise that God would come to help them and take them out of Egypt and to the promised land. Challenged me to frequently rehearse Gods promises to myself when times seem hard or hopeless. Remember what’s He’s said and know he won’t go back on His Word. Joseph’s life is a testimony to this!
I did not see that promise from Joseph in 50:24, that is so cool God using Joseph to his last breath. He also repeats in in verse 25. Thanks for sharing and may the same be said if us!
All Things- What a perfect song for me to hear this morning as I wait to hear if my mom made it through the night. She’s been in hospice. I know I’ll see her again in heaven. God works all things for our good.
All Things – Amen! You will see her again! Praying for peace and comfort for you and your family.
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Thank you for the song All Things. It came at a perfect time as my brother passed at hospice with cancer just before Christmas. I sent the song to my family as well. Prayers for your mom and you and your family.
I think the Egyptians mourned Jacob’s death out of respect for Joseph.
I tell my kids all the time that some of the best things that ever happened to me started out really bad and/or scary. My first and arguably my biggest trial started just days after I was born so I have decades of real-life experiences to back that up.
And, boy am I thankful for each and every one!
There is nothing quite so thrilling than looking back at a situation that once caused such distress and seeing God’s fingerprints everywhere.
(And just so you know, in my head God’s fingerprints are heart-shaped.)
I have never heard this song before but I loved it. It fit in with my take today. God will work all things for my good. But am I missing any of this because I’m not focused or listening? Am I too busy?
God, help me stay focused to receive all my ‘things’ all of my blessings.
It’s interesting that even after all Joseph did for and gave to his brothers, they expect him to take revenge out on them after their father’s death ( Gen 50:15-17). They actually lie that their father Jacob charged them to tell Joseph to forgive brothers for their sin. These guys judge Joseph like they would have acted rather than the grace he showed. This must have grieved Joseph deeply. How often do I expect God to punish rather than give His amazing grace?
Thanks Wendy for the song All things!!!! I have never heard of it before and always love listening to music. That is so awesome how Genesis 50:20 is like a prophetic word of Romans 8:28. AMEN!!!!! God is working all things for my good even when I can’t see or don’t think it is good according to my definition of good. I walk by faith and not by sight.
My favorite moment from the reading today is when Joseph forgives his brothers after his father’s death. He had every right to be bitter towards them, but I love how he said he couldn’t judge them because he wasn’t God, and that God used that situation for good, to bless many others!
Something Old: Joseph’s brothers resorted to lying again after their father died. Why would they do this aster all God had done for them? Fear. It seems their guilt over what they had done to Joseph so many years ago was ever-present, and they did not learn from it or really change their ways.
Something To Do:
~Be careful how I live. Even though forgiven, the consequences of some sins can stay with you for a lifetime.
~Keep this in view especially in difficult times. Whatever God allows, He means for my good in the end.
~Reflect on my life so far. What would my legacy be if someone prayed a blessing over me right now? What do I need to keep on doing? What do I need to change?
I wonder why Joseph, who was the youngest, died first?
And I thought it interesting during my reading of Bible and comments that whenever the word “Joseph” was mentioned, my mind kept saying “Jesus” instead. Similarities!
Well girls we finished the book of Genesis today. The end of an era and the end of a great book. I still wonder why God chose Jacob to be Israel, the patriarch. And why Joseph was passed over, no tribe was named after him. Joseph the good son, doesn’t have Jesus in his genealogy, instead it’s Judah. Joseph won’t even be the one through whom the priesthood would be named, that honor went to Levi. It is so hard for me to make sense of it all. But instead of being discourage of what I don’t understand I am encouraged, because this much I do know. God takes the most unlikely and unpromising people like me to do great and wonderful things. God has a plan and his promises always hold true. So what has the patriarchs stories taught me? The importance of being in a saving relationship with the one who holds the scepter of Judah forevermore, Jesus Christ and the importance of living in obedience to Jesus today, tomorrow, and forevermore.
Each of the heroes in the Bible had a unique mission that no one else could fill. In every case they faced exceptional circumstances that brought out and often fitted their distinctive personalities. Like the characters of a play they slotted perfectly into the role that would enhance the development of the ‘plot’. They could not choose or change their situation for they were not the ‘Play writer’.
The story of Joseph is similar to Esther in that it was “for such a time as this”, and everything was in “real time” whereas we are reading the script of the plot and play written by God himself. God gave us the Holy scriptures (the script), His story, to read to get to know Him, His divine plan, develope a relationship with Him and His Son Jesus Christ. He has wired eternity in our hearts, given us a way to live eternally with Him in Heaven through a His Son. He has included us in His plans.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you , declares the Lord, plans to prosper you….plans to give you hope….
Very well said!