Good morning,
This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.
Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.
H. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) Key verse: Gen 50:20 Key phrase: And the Lord was with Joseph
1. God allowed Joseph to dream and interpret dreams (Gen 37:5-11, 40:2-22, 41:1-40)
2. Joseph had impeccable character (Genesis 39:7-9, 12, 45:1-8, 50:19-20)
3. Obedience saved 2 nations
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
Character matters in all that we do.
Joseph’s life exemplified character. In every situation he experienced, he followed God and did righteously. Never wavered from doing right.
He was obedient to his father. When confronted by Potiphar’s wife, he ran, in prison he was patient, and when he sat in Pharaoh’s court, he was humble. He waited on God and God protected Joseph.
Now at the end of Jacob’s life, his brothers are concerned that Joseph would take his revenge. Not only does he not take revenge, he blesses them and tells them he would make sure they were fed and he would take care of them.
God used him to save two nations from ruin. God allowed him to prosper for eighty years.
When we are wronged, how do we react? Do we practice Bible principles such as love, patience, long suffering, turning the other cheek? Or are we prone to lash out, seek vengeance, pray for there hurt?
Joseph is a good example of what to do. Jesus is even a better example. After being beaten, humiliated, and scorned, he went willingly to the cross to shed his precious, holy, sinless, blood to pay the sin debt for all mankind. That is true love.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Choose to follow the examples of Joseph and Jesus when we are wronged.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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