Friday Devo
Scripture:
Genesis 50:18-21
18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 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. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 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. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Commentary:
50:18–21 Probably encouraged by news of Joseph’s reaction to their message, the brothers also came and fell down before him. Once again, their obeisance and words, Behold, we are your servants, fulfill Joseph’s dreams (37:5–10). Echoing what he had said previously (see 45:5–9), Joseph stresses that God transformed their evil into good and that as a result, many people have been kept alive. This principle that God ultimately overrules human sin for his glory and the ultimate good of mankind is important in Scripture. The crucifixion is the prime example of it (Acts 3:13–26; Rom. 8:28). Joseph’s gracious, forgiving attitude unites the family. Like the lives of Jacob and Esau, Joseph’s life was marred by deadly hatred between brothers. In both cases the story ends with the offended brother’s offering full forgiveness to those who had mistreated him (Gen. 33:4).
Questions:
- The last takeaway from Sunday was that God put Paul IN prison to get people OUT of prison. God used this unfortunate and difficult circumstance in Paul's life to lead people to Jesus. Much like Joseph, who in Genesis 50 could look back and see all the good God did in and through his life despite him getting the raw end of the deal over and over again. If you asked Joseph if all the pain was worth it, what do you think he'd say? If you asked Paul the same question, what would he say? Once you see the good that comes on the other side of YOUR suffering, what might YOU say?
- The ultimate example of bringing good from suffering is, of course, Jesus. There was a good reason for Jesus' unspeakable suffering. There was good reason for Paul's and Joseph's suffering. Don't you think God might have a good reason for yours? Do you trust in his plan?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would trust that there is good to be found in your suffering.
- That you would learn to trust God's plan in your life.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
No Comments