Family Feud
This week we are going to be looking at the story of Joseph. You will notice this week that the Bible gives a lot of time to Joseph. Therefore it will make sense to ask WHY? What is so important about this one man that he should get 14 chapters in Genesis devoted to the ups and downs of his life?
PRAY Lord, I really enjoy having this opportunity to be close to you. Please help me to understand what I read and what you want me to do in response.
READ Genesis 37 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2037;&version=49
REFLECT It does not take a genius to work out why this family had so many problems! As with most sibling rivalry, it is rarely the fault of just one person. When things go wrong we tend to remember the big row, but it usually takes some time for tensions to get to boiling point. Let us take a look at what cause things to heat up in Joseph's family.
Favouritism Joseph probably was a gifted child. But that was not an excuse for his father to show favouritism and rub it in with a conspicuous gift (37:3). In so doing, Jacob opened the door to a lot of bitterness. One of the most destructive things in a family is when 'love' becomes a tool for manipulation or control.
Arrogance Surely Joseph knew that no one like a tell tale! - especially older brothers (37:2). But he did not seem to care. He even uses his spiritual experiences to tease his brothers (37:5-9). God has given each one of us spiritual gifts. But to be used effectively, they must be combined with humility.
Jealousy What bothered the brothers most is that they wanted what Joseph had 0 their father's blessing (37:11). Imagine how different things might have been in Jacob had called a family meeting to say: "I love each one of you." Are there people in your family who need to know you love them?
APPLY What causes tension and conflict in your family? How could you express genuine love to the ones who need it most?
PRAY Father, I am so thankful that you love me. Help me to truly love those people around me, especially my family.
PRAY Lord, I really enjoy having this opportunity to be close to you. Please help me to understand what I read and what you want me to do in response.
READ Genesis 37 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2037;&version=49
REFLECT It does not take a genius to work out why this family had so many problems! As with most sibling rivalry, it is rarely the fault of just one person. When things go wrong we tend to remember the big row, but it usually takes some time for tensions to get to boiling point. Let us take a look at what cause things to heat up in Joseph's family.
Favouritism Joseph probably was a gifted child. But that was not an excuse for his father to show favouritism and rub it in with a conspicuous gift (37:3). In so doing, Jacob opened the door to a lot of bitterness. One of the most destructive things in a family is when 'love' becomes a tool for manipulation or control.
Arrogance Surely Joseph knew that no one like a tell tale! - especially older brothers (37:2). But he did not seem to care. He even uses his spiritual experiences to tease his brothers (37:5-9). God has given each one of us spiritual gifts. But to be used effectively, they must be combined with humility.
Jealousy What bothered the brothers most is that they wanted what Joseph had 0 their father's blessing (37:11). Imagine how different things might have been in Jacob had called a family meeting to say: "I love each one of you." Are there people in your family who need to know you love them?
APPLY What causes tension and conflict in your family? How could you express genuine love to the ones who need it most?
PRAY Father, I am so thankful that you love me. Help me to truly love those people around me, especially my family.
Labels: Daily Devotions
posted by Chris @ 13:04
1 Comments:
What do you think, please, of Obadiah Shoher's interpretation of the story? (here: samsonblinded.org/blog/genesis-37.htm ) He takes the text literally to prove that the brothers played a practical joke on Yosef rather than intended to murder him or sell him into slavery. His argument seems fairly strong to me, but I'd like to hear other opinions.
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