Day 4: Genesis 40:12-Genesis 50:26 - 90 Day Challenge

We finished the book of Genesis!

And, we finally got to spend the whole time focused on just one story... Finishing up Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! 

(Actually it's more like Joseph's journey through Egypt, his rise to power, and the reunification of his family, but that's not quite as catchy)

Let's get into it!

  1. After being imprisoned with the cupbearer and the baker, Joseph correctly interprets one of his dreams. The cupbearer is restored to his position with the Pharaoh. When the Pharaoh needs two of his dreams interpreted, the cupbearer tells the Pharaoh how Joseph correctly interpreted two dreams while in prison.
  2. Joseph is released, and interprets the two dreams to mean that Egypt, and all of the world, will have a plentiful and abundant harvest for seven years, then an absolute famine for the next seven. 
  3. The pharaoh gives Joseph permission to rule over the country, control over where the crops are stored and how to prepare for the famine. He makes Joseph his second-in-command and gives him a wife. 
  4. After the years of abundant crops, the seven years of famine begin, and the people of Egypt, and all of the world, begin buying grains from Joseph, where they had stored it. Joseph's father, Jacob (a.k.a. Israel) hears that Egypt has food and sends his sons to buy some. He keeps Benjamin, the youngest and Rachel's second child, at home--because he still plays favorites. 
  5. When Joseph's brothers arrive, he recognizes them, but they don't recognize him. Joseph sends them home with a little bit of food each, but accuses them of being spies, and they must prove they are not spies by bringing their youngest brother back to Egypt. 
  6. When they return to Jacob's house, he is very hesitant to let them leave, but he eventually does. When they return, Joseph invites them to have dinner at his home. When they leave, he forces them to come back and then breaks down and tells them that he is their brother. He sends them home to bring their families and father back to Egypt, so he can provide them with food and homes.
  7. When Jacob is preparing to die, he blesses the two sons Joseph had, he blesses the rest of his sons, and then he blesses Joseph. Joseph and his brothers and the dignitaries of Egypt went the Canaan to bury Jacob--and all of Egypt mourned for seventy days. 
  8. Joseph's brothers then beg for his forgiveness, for selling him into slavery all those years ago. But Joseph says, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" in Genesis 50:20. Then Joseph and his brothers lived out the rest of their lives in Egypt, and Joseph died at the age of 110. 
Is that not the ultimate rags to riches story? Joseph's dream from yesterday came true. All of his brothers, his family, and a nation came to bow down to him. It's pretty unexpected considering he spent two years in prison. But he made it from the pit to a palace, where God gave him the power to save many lives. 


Just as Joseph made it through betrayal by his own family, prison, and servitude, you also can make it through anything. What seemed like a betrayal God used to allow one man to save a nation. What seems like a curse now may be a blessing down the road. I'm sure you all can think of some personal examples where this has been the case. 


My favorite verse from this reading was 100%, without a doubt, Genesis 50:20--"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." I think it's very useful to pay attention whenever you come across something in the Bible that says, "but God." Perhaps even highlight it! 

Why?

Because it means there's about to be a game changer (or, in this case, that there was a game changer).

And there it is! We've finished it! The Book of Beginnings has come to an end. 

Tomorrow, we will be reading Exodus 1:1-Exodus 15:18. 

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Jill Jafarace
Director of Youth Ministry
New Leaf UMC

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