STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S WORD

GENESIS 50:18-26 Joseph then said to his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Gen. 50:20). Joseph realized that even though his brothers had had evil in...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY FAILING TO ACCEPT FORGIVENESS

GENESIS 50:1-17 A lack of faith was demonstrated by Joseph’s brothers after the death of their father. Joseph had assured the brothers that all had been forgiven (Gen. 45:8). The brothers had seemed to accept Joseph’s statement, but after their father died, they began to wonder again if Joseph might...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY FEARING GOD

PSALM 34:9-22 The secret of Joseph's life was summed up in his own words when his brothers first came to Egypt. He told them, "This do, and live; for I fear God" (Gen. 42:18). The last three words of this statement were the key to his life—"I fear God." There...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY NEW HEIRS APPOINTED

GENESIS 48:1-5,14-22 After the famine was over, Joseph lived about 66 more years. Jacob lived only about 10 or 11 more years. Little is said about either of them during these years. However, there was one highly significant thing that occurred before Jacob's death. Jacob said that his grandsons, Ephraim...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY GOD’S PURPOSE FULFILLED

GENESIS 47:1-13, 27-31 God had promised Jacob that He would make a great nation of him in Egypt and that they would return to the land. Jacob's faith in God's promises was revealed in that he asked Joseph to bury him back in Canaan. His request must have had a...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY A FAMILY REUNION

GENESIS 46:1-7,28-34 When Jacob and his family arrived in Goshen, "Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while" (Gen. 46:29). Again Joseph demonstrated that...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY A FATHER HEARS GOOD NEWS

GENESIS 45:16-28 When the brothers reached home, they told their father, “Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 45:26). Jacob was so surprised by the news that it was impossible for him to believe it. The Scriptures say, “Jacob’s heart fainted, for...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY “NOT YOU … BUT GOD”

GENESIS 45:1-15 "Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph" (Gen. 45:3). Previously he had spoken to them through an interpreter, but now in their own language he said, "I am Joseph." When Joseph disclosed his identity, "his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence"...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY NO EXCUSES; MERCY SOUGHT

GENESIS 44:1-16 Perhaps you say this was cruel for Joseph to test his brothers. Maybe it seems cruel, but sometimes God has to do severe things to get people to see their sinfulness. Joseph’s brothers were being severely tested to see what their reaction would be toward Benjamin when it...

Continue reading

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY A BROTHER IS HONORED

GENESIS 43:19-34 Joseph was unable to restrain himself, and he "made haste; for his bowels [heart] did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there" (Gen. 43:30). What a moving account of the love of Joseph for Benjamin! Finally...

Continue reading