Joseph

  • Good News for Jacob

    Genesis 45:25–28

    It is not uncommon to hear people say that they wished they lived during biblical times. Many think that seeing the same mighty acts the saints of old saw would enable them to have stronger faith in the Lord. But ...Read More

  • Quarreling Forbidden

    Genesis 45:21–24

    Matthew Henry writes: “We are guilty, truly guilty, and, instead of quarrelling with one another, have a great deal of reason to quarrel with ourselves.” It does us no good to blame the others involved when we must own up ...Read More

  • Pharaoh’s Blessing

    Genesis 45:16-20

    In Galatians 6:10 Paul tells us to “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” If those who bless Abraham’s seed will be blessed (Gen. 12:1–3), then we can ...Read More

  • Talking and Weeping

    Genesis 45:9-15

    Joseph’s weeping in today’s passage shows how he longed once again to experience fellowship with those who wronged him. One of the marks of sanctification is that we long for broken relationships to be restored, and so we ...Read More

  • Hard Providence

    Genesis 45:4-8

    John Calvin’s comments on Genesis 45:8 are essential reading for anyone studying God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. There is much we can say about the Lord’s guiltless use of evil men to achieve His good plan ...Read More

  • Joseph Reveals Himself

    Genesis 45:1-3

    Forgiveness is not optional for the Christian. In fact, one of the assumptions of the Lord’s Prayer is that we must be forgiving people if we would dare to ask our Father in heaven to forgive us (Luke 11 ...Read More

  • Judah Gives Himself Up

    Genesis 44:30–34

    “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25). Even if we are not martyred for the faith, we are to give our lives over to Jesus ...Read More

  • Judah Steps Forward

    Genesis 44:18–29

    Some of us may have had parents who loved a brother or sister more than they loved us. Some may let this fester into bitterness, leading them to neglect their duty to honor their parents and love their siblings. Even ...Read More

  • Brotherly Confession

    Genesis 44:14–17

    Sometimes we can go through periods where nothing seems to go our way. This does not always mean the Lord is pointing out a need to repent an unconfessed sin as He did with Joseph’s brothers. Yet it is ...Read More

  • The Perfect Set-Up

    Genesis 44:3–13

    Jacob’s sons speak without thinking when they call for death upon the one who possesses Joseph’s cup. Such behavior is foolish, as seen in God’s command to be “slow to speak” in James 1:19 and other ...Read More

  • Lunch in Egypt

    Genesis 43:16–34

    One commentator has said that Jacob’s sons demonstrate qualities demanded of God’s people in Genesis 43. Two of these commendable traits are responsibility and gratitude. They are responsible in their vow to protect Benjamin (vv. 8–10). Israel ...Read More

  • Judah’s Selfless Pledge

    Genesis 43:1–10

    Judah’s actions show him to be far different from the man who rejected Tamar and sold Joseph into slavery (Gen. 37–38). Now he is a servant of the living God. Matthew Henry says Judah, to show his repentance ...Read More

  • Father and Sons

    Genesis 42:29–38

    Gentleness is one fruit of the Spirit’s work in us (Gal. 5:22–23). Joseph’s brothers are not perfect, but the way in which they approach their father suggests a new concern for Jacob’s feelings and their ...Read More

  • Consciences Stirred

    Genesis 42:18–28

    Scripture is clear that church discipline is not to be carried out with the aim of vengeance. Instead, restoration must be the aim, and a disciplined person is to be forgiven when he repents (2 Cor. 2:5–11). All ...Read More

  • Joseph’s Accusations

    Genesis 42:7–17

    Confronting someone in sin is always difficult. Perhaps you are a parent who must discipline a child. Maybe you are an elder tasked with confronting a church member engaged in unrepentant sin. Whatever the case, it is hard to speak ...Read More