Joseph's Brothers Return to Egypt with Benjamin

Today's Reading:
• Genesis 42:18 - 43:34
• Proverbs 4:7 - 10

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Genesis 42:18 - 43:34

Joseph imprisoned Simeon and sent the rest of his brothers back to their home with instructions to bring back their youngest brother when they return.  Only then would Simeon be allowed to go free.  Joseph had the brothers' sacks filled with grain, and returned the payment for the grain on top of the bag. The brothers then went on their way.

The brothers returned home and told Jacob what had happened.  Jacob was devastated -- he had already lost Joseph, the son he loved so well, and now he had lost Simeon to prison.  And if the brothers had their way, Jacob would also lose Benjamin.  The thought was surely unbearable for Jacob and he stalled sending them off as long as possible.  The brothers remained until they were almost out of grain then once again begged Jacob to send Benjamin with them.  Jacob reluctantly agreed and the brothers returned to Egypt.  When they returned Joseph called for them to dine at his home.  There is where the story ends for today.

Proverbs 4:7 - 10

Wisdom and good judgement are two of the most important traits you can seek for yourself.  I have seen "Wisdom" referred to over and over again in Proverbs.  Referred to as a "she", she should be embraced and shared with others.  What makes a person wise, aside from life experience? 

Conclusion
I enjoy reading many different parts of the Bible each day.  It certainly helps me to not get bored or discouraged.  I don't have to "get through" all of the Old Testament to get to the accounts of Jesus.  But sometimes I wish that the stories weren't broken up so because I really want to read what happens next.  Yes, I know what happens next, and yes, I've read this far before in the Old Testament -- but I still want to see what happens next all over again.  Oh well, gives me something to look forward to!

The Head of John the Baptist on a Platter

Today's Reading:
• Matthew 13:47 - 14:12
• Psalm 18:16 - 36

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Matthew 13:47 - 14:12

The story today is quite a sad one -- it's the story of the death of John the Baptist.  Herod, the ruler of Galilee, had John locked up because John told Herod it was wrong of him to marry his brother's wife Herodias.  Herod married Herodias regardless and Herodias's daughter performed a dance for Herod that left him promising the daughter anything that she wished.  Before I go any further, what kind of dance was it, that Herod to promise that girl anything she wanted?  Regardless, Herod did make the promise, and Herodias urged her daughter to ask for John the Baptist's head on a platter.  Herod delivered. 

The pure hatred in acts like these just really baffle me.  I certainly wasn't overjoyed that our government had managed to kill Osama Bin Laden or Sadaam Housein.  I am extremely happy that those two individuals are no longer a threat in the world, but beyond that I don't call for blood and murder on anyone.  But to take the head of John the Baptist at a whim?  At least I know that it's not just the people of today's world that are messed up and deranged.  This type of behavior has been occurring since Adam and Eve were cast out of the gardens.  It's not so much "what is the world is coming to?" but rather, "what is fundamentally wrong with the world"?  It was a sad passage I read today. 

Psalm 18:16 - 36

I think Psalm 18 is my favorite Psalm so far.  The reading of this Psalm began the day before yesterday where I mentioned the magnificent imagery used to describe how the Lord came down to do battle for David.  The Psalm today continued, this time with the Lord rescuing David and pulling him out of deep water away from his enemies.  David then sang praise to Lord over and over again in so many ways.  It's the kind of extreme worship that I hope one day I can accomplish.  

Conclusion
I still feel a bit saddened after reading about death of John the Baptist, it's kind of put a gloom over my mood.  But I shall come back tomorrow,and read on.  Not all days can fill me with joy and love, there has to be some mourning too.  And we haven't even gotten to the death of Jesus yet.

New Way to View Everyday Bible Blog -- Bloapp

This quick post is to let you know that there is now a way to keep up on this blog (and many other of your favorite blogs) on the iPhone and the Android using the free Bloapp app.  Simply download the FREE app (links below) and scan the code below and you're done.  You can also add this blog to Bloapp by searching for "Everyday Bible Blog".  Enjoy!

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Joseph is Put in Charge of Storing Crops for Egypt

Today's Reading:
• Genesis 41:17 - 42:17
  
• Proverbs 4:1 - 6
  

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Genesis 41:17 - 42:17
The story of Joseph is continued.  The Pharaoh of Egypt told Joseph of his dreams and Joseph told the Pharaoh there will be seven years of overabundance followed by seven years of famine so severe that everyone will forget the previous years had been so good.  Joseph told the Pharaoh to collect 1/5 of all crops during the next seven years and store them.

The Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of this matter.  Not only did he put him in charge of this task, he gave him such high status that Joseph himself was second only to the Pharaoh.  We are told that the entire kingdom bowed before Joseph himself.  The will and grace of God is truly outstanding, isn't it?  Joseph was bleakly sold into slavery, betrayed by his brothers and put into prison for a crime he refused to commit.  But then Joseph is positioned to rule all of Egypt.

The story of Joseph is such an astounding story because it proves that just because we don't see God's will when bad things happen, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen for a reason, and we are never forgotten in God's eyes.  Not only are we not forgotten, but we are exalted by the Lord for keeping our faith in Him during our times of tribulation.

Joseph's brothers then come to Egypt to buy grain.  Immediately upon arriving in Egypt his brothers all bow down before him, just as Joseph said would happen in his dream years before.  The reading ends with Joseph talking of imprisoning all the brothers except one until they return with their youngest brother Benjamin.


Proverbs 4:1 - 6
These verses from Proverbs teach us to listen to our Father; His wisdom, learning and correction is there to keep us safe so that we will live.  Thank you Lord for allowing me the great gift of being your daughter, for passing along your wisdom to me, for keeping me safe.  Amen.

The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds

Today's Reading:
• Matthew 13:24 - 46
  
• Psalm 18:1 - 15
  

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Matthew 13:24 - 46
Jesus told the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds to the crowds.  In this parable, a farmer plants good seed but his enemy sneaks in the night and plants weeds all around the good seed.  These weeds are destructive and do harm to the good seeds, but the weeds cannot be uprooted because it would take the good crop with it.  When harvest time comes the good seed will be separated from the bad seed and thrown into the fire.  The good seed will be stored away.  Jesus then explains the parable.  He says the good seeds are planted by him, the bad seeds by the devil, and the harvesters are the angels.  The harvest is the end of the world.

Of course I know that this judgment is coming, but I felt power in that parable regardless.  This is actually the first I have heard of the angels doing the harvesting and sorting, instead of just the Lord himself.  So are there are multiple tiers to judgment day?  After you survive the harvesting by the angels, what comes next? I guess I'll just have to keep reading to learn more!

Psalm 18:1 - 15
This psalm is the beginning of an astounding account of how the Lord delivered David from his enemies.  David says the Lord himself came down in a cloud, flying on an angel's back, to defeat David's enemies.  Isn't that a glorious image to behold?  The Lord himself coming down to defeat your enemies.  It's so powerful that I wish I had artistic ability because it paints such a picture in my mind; a picture I would love to paint out so that I could also see it with my eyes.  It's a shame this psalm has been broken up into multiple pieces for reading.  I shall have to go back and read from the beginning for tomorrow's reading.

Conclusion
How much time has passed in my studies today?  If I had to guess, I'd say around 35-40 minutes.  But these are the most profound minutes of my day; minutes that will be with me forever instead of squandered time.  How is it that I can go so many days in between these studies sometimes?  I don't even understand why I do that to myself when these precious minutes change me life and my heart so drastically.