January 14
Genesis 41–42
Scripture Text: Genesis 41:1–42:38
Series: Read the Bible in a Year
Today's reading opens with Pharaoah's unsettling dreams. His magicians and couselors cannot interpret them for him. Finally, the chief cupbearer remembers the man in prison who had interpretted his own dream. Pharaoh has Joseph brought to him and Joseph explains that God will make the meaning of the dream known. Joseph explains the dream, that there will be a severe, long-lasting famine, and then offers advice to Pharaoh about how to handle the problem.
Joseph advised appointing a wise man to prepare for Egypt's future. Pharaoh appoints Joseph to the position, making him second in Egypt only to Pharaoh. Joseph stored up an abundance of grain during the seven years preceding the famine.
Jacob and his family are also affected by the famine, so he sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain. There, they must appear before Joseph, where they bowed to him, fulfilling Joseph's earlier dreams. Joseph recognizes them but they do not recognize him. Why?
He goes on to test their character.' After confessing there was another brother at home, he tells them that he must also appear before Joseph. Do you find it odd that Joseph makes no mention of the twelfth brother? Does the reaction of the brothers suggest that they have felt guilty about Joseph all these years?
He sends them back to Jacob with grain in their bags along with the money they paid for the grain. They report everything to their father, explaining not only the money but that Benjamin must return with them to Egypt if they expect to receive more grain. Jacob fears he will lose Benjamin along with Simeon who is bound as surety in Egypt, just as he had lost Joseph 22 years earlier. He blames all this misfortune on his sons. He is right to do so in regards to Joseph. Other than Benjamin, Jacob's sons were responsible for this loss.
Is this unexpected twist in the story God's way of bring the covenant family to repentance?
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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