December 31 - Genesis 45-50
The end of the book of Genesis is a study in God's sovereignty. It shows how God can bring good out of very bad situations, and how He can use people to do His will in difficult situations. I hope that God has spoken to you as we have read quickly through Genesis. What have you learned that will help you in 2006?
The first thing that struck me was the wisdom that God gave Joseph to overcome the famine. Immediately after interpreting Pharaoh's dream, God gave him the insight for storing up the grain during the good years, so pharaoh promoted him. It was evident that he was being led by God to handle the situation. Then, after the money was gone, he bought the livestock for grain. Then, he bought the land for grain. Then, he instituted share cropping to save the lives of all of the people. His wisdom came from God, and he used it for the benefit of many people. That is what God would have us do today. Ask Him for wisdom, and He will give it to you.
Then, we see his belief in God's sovereignty in his life. Joseph tells his brothers that they did not send him to Egypt, but God did. (45:8) That was new to his brothers who felt guilty for selling him to the merchants as a slave, but it was true. Then, in chapter 46 we see how God reassures Jacob that He will bless him and his family in Egypt. He will make them a great nation, and they would come out of Egypt and back to Canaan. Think about that. God made them a great nation while in a foreign land. He multiplied them when they were slaves. This is how God can work in bad situations to bring about His will. Then, finally in Genesis 50:20 we have the classic statement on God's sovereignty. They meant it for evil, but God worked it for good. We must remember that today. God can overrule any evil events in our lives, if we are trusting Him. He can work all things together for good for His children, who are walking with Him. I pray you will trust Him in this way in 2006.
The last thing today is the blessing Jacob gave to his sons and grandsons. Look at the truths presented in these words. They show that character matters. The sons who were men of faith and integrity would be blessed. The ones who were unrighteous would be brought down. There was nothing Jacob could say that could change that. It was a heart matter. How is your heart? Make sure you start off the new year with a clean heart that is set on the Lord. He will bless you, if that is the case.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 1-2 and Matthew 1. In 2006 we will read a portion from both the Old Testament and the New Testament each day. I hope you will go with us through God's Word in 2006.
The first thing that struck me was the wisdom that God gave Joseph to overcome the famine. Immediately after interpreting Pharaoh's dream, God gave him the insight for storing up the grain during the good years, so pharaoh promoted him. It was evident that he was being led by God to handle the situation. Then, after the money was gone, he bought the livestock for grain. Then, he bought the land for grain. Then, he instituted share cropping to save the lives of all of the people. His wisdom came from God, and he used it for the benefit of many people. That is what God would have us do today. Ask Him for wisdom, and He will give it to you.
Then, we see his belief in God's sovereignty in his life. Joseph tells his brothers that they did not send him to Egypt, but God did. (45:8) That was new to his brothers who felt guilty for selling him to the merchants as a slave, but it was true. Then, in chapter 46 we see how God reassures Jacob that He will bless him and his family in Egypt. He will make them a great nation, and they would come out of Egypt and back to Canaan. Think about that. God made them a great nation while in a foreign land. He multiplied them when they were slaves. This is how God can work in bad situations to bring about His will. Then, finally in Genesis 50:20 we have the classic statement on God's sovereignty. They meant it for evil, but God worked it for good. We must remember that today. God can overrule any evil events in our lives, if we are trusting Him. He can work all things together for good for His children, who are walking with Him. I pray you will trust Him in this way in 2006.
The last thing today is the blessing Jacob gave to his sons and grandsons. Look at the truths presented in these words. They show that character matters. The sons who were men of faith and integrity would be blessed. The ones who were unrighteous would be brought down. There was nothing Jacob could say that could change that. It was a heart matter. How is your heart? Make sure you start off the new year with a clean heart that is set on the Lord. He will bless you, if that is the case.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 1-2 and Matthew 1. In 2006 we will read a portion from both the Old Testament and the New Testament each day. I hope you will go with us through God's Word in 2006.