Genesis 41-42, Matthew 12:1-23 • Key Verses: Genesis 41:51-52

“Deal with it!” is a phrase often heard today. Sometimes it is accompanied with the encouragement to “get over it.” These phrases can be like a form of shock counseling. Hit over the head with a blunt piece of advice, a person realizes, hopefully, that it is time to “move on.”

When Manassch was born to Joseph and his wife, Joseph chose a name that meant “forget” because God had made Joseph to forget all his trouble (41:51). His brother’s name, Ephraim, meant “twice fruitful” to remind Joseph that God had made him fruitful in the land of his suffering (v. 52).

Joseph definitely grew up in a dysfunctional family. There was enough wrong done to him to last several generations. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused of attempted seduction, imprisoned and even forgotten by those he helped—more than enough to warrant a lifetime crippled by the past.

Yet the past did not dominate and control Joseph. Instead, he kept his focus on God. By Gods grace and with God’s help, he put the past behind him and rejoiced in the blessings of the present.

By God’s grace and with His help, so can you.

Perhaps there is pain in your past. Leave it there. Don’t let the past control your present. By God’s grace you can be the person He wants you to be, not one in bondage to previous experiences.

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in