Tag: truths about God

BSF Genesis: Week 27, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions

6.
a.
my master has withheld nothing from me except you.  How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?  Not only did he flee the scene but he let go of his cloak

b.
Recognize it as a sin against God, not just men and not just myself.  Look for God’s strength and provision and blessing

7.
a.
While he was a servant, he was put in charge of everything in the household and in the field.  Recognized and relied on God being with him and showing him favor and kindness through his obedience

b.
By being with me and continuing to teach me to trust and rely in Him alone and not myself.  By reminding me to be humble and obedient and show that all the glory is His.

My Daily Journal:

There are some great lessons in temptation in today’s lesson with Joseph.  To start with, Joseph knew the rules and didn’t try to bend them or find loop holes.  His right and wrong were black and white, not scales of gray.  In this regard he recognized that to do wrong was not only against his earthly master but was a sin against God.  When we do wrong we tarnish our ability to reflect God’s righteousness.

Within this I also found it very interesting that Joseph had to part with his cloak to be obedient to God.  His brothers had already stripped him of his ornate coat, a gift from his father.  Now Potiphar’s wife strips him of the cloak given to him as a slave by his master.  Each of these trials seems to result in stripping coats from Joseph.  This brought to mind the process involved in refinishing furniture.  I wonder if God might have a new coat planned in Joseph’s future that, to wear, he needs to abandon his old uniform.

What do I need to let go of so God can bless me with something new?  How firm is my conviction to keeping my mirror clean to reflect God’s full glory instead of tarnishing it with sin?

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BSF Genesis: Week 27, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

3.
a.
Lord is present, Lord gives success, Lord is with people (like Joseph)

Shows kindness and grants favor

Be strong and courageous for God is with us wherever we may go.  Expects obedience

b.
Obedience, avoidance of sin, walking in the path of the righteous, meditating on the law (the scriptures) day and night

4.
He was trustworthy.  Potiphar was a leader of men and he saw Joseph’s trustworthiness and character.  These were not of his own, but a gift from God who continued to bless him and bless everything he did (to the benefit of Potiphar)

5.
a.
Faith in God and in His promises delivered through dreams and a walk with the Lord.  He had sustained Joseph through everything so far

b.
through prosperity

My Daily Journal:

Potiphar trusted Joseph because Joseph was trustworthy.  Joseph was worthy of trust (trustworthy) not because of his own background, status, heritage, power, position or wealth but because Joseph trusted God.  Joseph showed his obedience to God by trusting in Him.  God showed his love for Joseph and his power and mercy by blessing everything that Joseph oversaw.

So what does obedience and trust mean.  Our Joshua 1 and Psalm 1 references are great illustrations, and I love the way they paint the picture.  As parents we learned that it is important not only to teach your kids what not to do but to teach them what to do instead.  I remember teaching woodworking.  It was important to not only say, don’t put your hand there, but to also say, put your hands here and here instead.

These aren’t do’s and don’ts, but proper methods of teaching and learning.  Don’t be afraid, don’t be terrified, don’t be discouraged but instead be strong, be courageous, obey the laws, know that God is with you wherever you may go.  Do not walk in step with the wicked, do not stand in the way that sinners take, do not sit in the company of mockers, but instead delight in the law, meditate on it day and night, stand in the assembly of the righteous.