FEBRUARY 2012 - GENESIS 39 TO EXODUS 19

1^st February Genesis 39

Joseph is a most attractive character – he keeps his integrity in situations where most others would have given over and gone with the flow. Potiphar, as captain of the guard, had the charge of the Pharaoh’s prison. He continues to use Joseph, even as he placates his wife. David said: I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17

2^nd February Genesis 40

Potiphar assigns Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer to Joseph’s care. While he is content to leave Joseph in prison, he is more than willing to utilise Joseph’s talents. Joseph spends the next two years in the prison. How would your faith stand up?

3^rd February Genesis 41:1-49

God’s timing is perfect. He has purposed that Joseph will not only save his family in the coming famine, he will save the entire nation of Egypt. No doubt, Joseph blessed the circumstances he once cursed, that left him in a stinking prison for years.

4^th February Genesis 41:50 to 42:38

In the seven years of plenty, Joseph has two sons with Asenath. Children are the blessing of the Lord. In these two, Joseph feels blessed as well as knows it. The brothers before their brother is a most instructive piece. Every eldest has felt like Reuben at some time I’m sure.

5^th February Genesis 43

The brothers feast with Joseph amidst plenty but with fear and trepidation. Consider why the Scripture devotes so much time to this incident!

6^th February Genesis 44

Judah has changed too, as well as Joseph. Judah willingly sacrifices himself for Joseph’s full brother Benjamin, where he once willingly sacrificed Joseph himself to slavery. Judah’s redemption is of moment in the sacred history. Your redemption is of moment too.

7^th February Genesis 45

God’s promise to Jacob: All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring, begins to be fulfilled with Joseph. Joseph saves millions from famine, including his own family. Joseph wept! Joseph is deservedly a much loved Biblical character, and one who mirrors his Master.

8^th February Genesis 46:1-47:26

God graciously appears to Jacob and confirms his going to Egypt. Joseph’s relationship with his brothers is amusing because it’s so like our sibling relationships. What do you find of blessing or encouragement in your own life from this passage?

9^th February Genesis 47:27 - 48:22

Manasseh and Ephraim are at least between 7 years of age and their early teens, when Jacob blesses them. Jacob acts as God’s prophet with his two grandsons. He makes no mistake when he blesses Ephraim, the second born with the first-born blessing. Have you ever prayed for God’s blessing for your grandchildren with them right there before you?

10^th February Genesis 49

Jacob’s blessing for his own sons contains much prophecy, as well as much character assessment. Jacob has no rosy-eyed view of his sons – see what he says about his later favourite – Benjamin. Judah’s blessing speaks most strongly of Christ.

11^th February Genesis 50

Genesis ends with two funerals – Jacob’s and Joseph’s. Joseph’s brothers’ behaviour is so typical of after-funeral family conferences. There can be much anger and resentment. We need to take Joseph as our example at such times.

12^th February Exodus 1:1 - 2:22

Much is sometimes made of the lies of the mid-wives to Pharaoh. Whatever we think of their actions, God commends these women for fearing Him and so saving lives. Moses birth and life up to 40 years of age are given briefly and succinctly.

13^th February Exodus 2:23 - 3:22

The next 40 years are also passed over in a few short verses. The refrain of the next few chapters is that God hears their cries, is concerned and acts. When God acts in salvation, He sends a saviour. The burning bush is the symbol of our Presbyterian Church.

14^th February Exodus 4

Moses does not want to be the saviour of Israel. He tries various excuses before he states categorically in verse 12: Please send someone else to do it! God does not let Moses off the hook, though He makes Aaron Moses’ spokesman. Righteousness is expected of a Saviour. Moses has deliberately neglected the covenant sign of circumcision for his own sons (this neglect is akin in seriousness to spitting on the cross today).

15^th February Exodus 5:1 - 6:12

At the start, every time Moses obeys God’s commands, everything gets worse! There is no great revival, only a long hard time of frustration, rejection by the Church, and overwhelming opposition from Pharaoh. God expects Moses to live by faith in His Word. He gives Moses a daunting commission in 6:11. If God were not God, faith would be folly!

16^th February Exodus 6:13 - 7:25

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? (Revelation 21:27) This question highlights the importance of genealogies in the Bible. It was very important that your name be written in the BOOK! Such books were kept in Jerusalem up to its destruction in 70AD. This is why no Jewish opponent in the First Century ever disputed Jesus’ position as Son of David. The Books were there in Jerusalem!

17^th February Exodus 8

Egypt rejects the government of God. God withdraws His government (in nature) over Egypt and the ten plagues fall upon Egypt. In the Biblical perspective, natural disasters come as a consequence and corollary of Adam’s rejection of God’s government over his life, of Adam’s original sin.

18^th February Exodus 9

The first five plagues fall upon Israel too. They have to share the boils, livestock dying, the flies, gnats and frogs, the water turning into blood. We too have to share in the disasters that fall upon our people, even as Jesus shared. Faith is no lucky charm, but a trust in the person and character of the Lord.

19^th February Exodus 10

The great paradox in Exodus is where it says Pharaoh hardened his heart (9:34), and I the Lord have hardened Pharaoh’s heart. (10:1) God is totally sovereign in all things. We are totally responsible for our actions/lives. In the dimensions of eternity, both statements are equally true, though mutually exclusive in the dimensions of our existence.

20^th February Exodus 11:1 - 12:20

The first-born are the heirs in their families. Egypt’s heirs all die, except amongst those who joined Israel and sprinkled the blood over their doorposts - the mixed multitude of Exodus 12:38 who went up out of Egypt with Israel. Rebellion against God has no long-term future!

21^st February Exodus 12:21-51

The exodus is one of the central events of Scripture. When Moses and Elijah come and talk with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration about His death, they literally call it an exodus (translated departure in the NIV)! (Luke 9:30) The exodus is salvation by grace through faith!

22^nd February Exodus 13:1 - 14:4

The consecration of the first-born mirrors the plague of the first-born of Egypt. The future of Israel is with God. The heirs were to be God’s sons, men of faith and courage and righteousness. They were redeemed with a lamb! The connection with Jesus is obvious – 1 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 7:14.

23^rd February Exodus 14:5-31

The Red Sea is the finale of God’s great acts of salvation for Israel. This salvation was by His grace. Israel followed Moses and were led out into the desert and trapped  - by the Sea, the desert and Pharaoh’s army. God Himself provided the means of salvation.

24^th February Exodus 15

This is one of the great songs of the Bible. It is the song of heaven together with the Song of the Lamb in Revelation 15:3. What do you find uplifting in this song?

25^th February Exodus 16

Grumbles and complaints were the stand-out characteristics of God’s people. They still are. When we look at ourselves so honestly, it humbles us. Our salvation too is only by grace through faith in God’s Word – Jesus.

26^th February Exodus 17

Water from the Rock is another of the great themes and metaphors of the Bible. Salvation comes from unexpected places. People did not expect the Water of Life either to be found in Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Rock on which we stand. Sing or say out loud one of the great hymns that uses the Water from the Rock theme.

27^th February Exodus 18

Moses can take advice from his father-in-law. This is a characteristic of good leadership – a teachable spirit. (2 Timothy 2:2) This chapter is one of the foundational chapters for understanding the eldership – their role and function within the people of God.

28^th February Exodus 19

The history of exodus is important in understanding the theology being taught through that history. God saves Israel by His grace through their faith in Moses - justification. The Red Sea comes before Mount Sinai. The Law, and especially the Ten Commandments, were given after Israel had been saved, not before. They have to do with how we should live as God’s people, with sanctification. The Ten Commandments were never intended as a means of justification or salvation! Pharisees always get it wrong.