TODAY’S READING IN THE ONE-YEAR BIBLE: Genesis 39:1-41:16 ~ Matthew 12:46-13:23 ~ Psalm 17:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:33-35
Joseph is really in the news in today’s Old Testament reading.
Rookie Employee Promoted to CEO of Potiphar Enterprises. Third quarter profits rise (Business Weekly- Genesis 39:3-5). . Joseph Jacobson’s picture is soon on the front page of Forbes Magazine, for his business acumen and People Magazine for his good looks. Then suddenly, all papers run the story, “Stellar Business Exec Sentenced to Jail for Attempted Rape.” (Gen 39:23). “Scandal rocks the home of the captain of Pharaoh’s guard”.
The story of Joseph is an emotional roller-coaster of high leaps and low sweeps. How difficult it would be if Joseph lived in his feelings: “My father loves me! I’m up!”; “My brothers hate me! I’m down!”; “I’m successful with trusted assignments! I’m up!”; “My brothers throw me into the pit! I’m down!”; “I’m rescued from the pit! I’m up!”; “I’m sold into slavery; I’m down!”; “I’ve got an interesting job and a boss who recognizes my talent! I’m up!”; “The bosses wife is testing my limits”, “I’m down”. “I’m victorious over temptation and escape her attempts to seduce me! I’m up!” “I’m accused of a crime against my Master and jailed! I’m down!” “The chief jailor puts me in charge of all those held in prison and I even get to use my God-given gifts! I’m up!” “Pharaoh’s cup bearer who promised to remember me as the one who interpreted his dream correctly, forgets me! I’m down!” (Gen 40:23) “The chief cupbearer remembers to recommend me to Pharaoh two years later! I’m finally up! (Gen 41:14). And so it could continue.
But rather than focusing his attention on his circumstances, Joseph focused on God’s promise. Rather than focusing on himself, Joseph focused on serving God and others.
Notice that when Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph’s mind was set on how his behavior affected others, those whom he loved and served. He refused Potiphar’s wife saying that everything His Master owned was entrusted to His stewardship. He recognized that God had given him the opportunity to serve his Master, and in serving his Master he was serving God. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?
It reminds us of Colossians 3:22-24:
22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
I am sure that even during the long periods of silence that Joseph endured in which he could not hear God’s voice, he was alive to the promise of God’s abiding presence. Although it did not always feel like it emotionally, the fact was to be acknowledged:
Genesis 39:2 (NASB)
2 The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man.
This was true in the good days of him being productive and outdoors.
Then again we read in Gen 39:21
Genesis 39:21 (NASB)
21 But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.
It was true on the bad days also. The Lord was with him. He will not leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5). And Joseph was able to see the kindnesses extended to him even while he was in prison under false charges.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Matthew 12:46-13:23
Jesus’ mother and his half-brothers and sisters want to speak with him (Matt 12:46) You get the idea that they had not come to listen. Jesus’ answer points to the fact that there is another family with whom the bond will run much deeper- those with whom we are joined in a faith-union with Him to do the will of the Father in heaven. This is the church. How wonderful to know that we are family through our faith in Christ! (Gen 12:50)
Matthew 13 is the parable of all parables, the foundational parable of The Sower, the Seed and the Soils. It unveils the mystery of God’s work in bringing revelational knowledge of Christ and the miracle of regeneration.
May this reading inspire you to sow the seed of the gospel in faith knowing it has life transforming power! May you also to keep your heart tender towards the word of God, free from the response of familiarity that breeds contempt (the packed ground of the wayside hearer), free from the conditional response of the fair-weather follower (“I will listen, if it makes me feel better”-the shallow ground hearer), free from distractions, preoccupations, and worldly cares (the weedy ground hearer).
Best of all, the Lord is with us!
Pastor David
