Biblical Studies / Bible Figures

  • Joseph Feeds the Earth

    Genesis 47:13–22

    According to John Calvin and Matthew Henry, the famine and relief described in today’s passage remind us that we live and die at God’s mercy. It is easy to forget that we live, move, and have our being ...Read More

  • A Possession in Egypt

    Genesis 47:11–12

    Are you discouraged this day because you believe your remaining sin makes it impossible for the Lord to use you? Do the apparent victories of your foes encourage you to give up your service to God? Has a work you ...Read More

  • An Audience with Jacob

    Genesis 47:7–10

    Jacob’s age and the presence of God with him both count for the reasons why Pharaoh shows deference to him in today’s passage. Scripture exhorts us to hear older people because their many years of walking with the ...Read More

  • The King’s Good Graces

    Genesis 47:1–6

    In the United States and other Western countries where the church has long held sway, we see increasing attempts to silence the Gospel. Our task to be salt and light even in the political realm remains, but let us take ...Read More

  • Father and Son Reunited

    Genesis 46:28–30

    Think today about a relative or friend whom you have not seen for many years. Is the relationship in disrepair? Take time to contact that person and restore the relationship if possible. If there is unrepentant sin, take time to ...Read More

  • Seventy In Egypt

    Genesis 46:26–27

    John Chrysostom comments on today’s passage and its later, more consummate fulfillment when these seventy sons of Jacob became six hundred thousand in Egypt (Ex. 12:37). “Be amazed and overcome at God’s providence and the fact that ...Read More

  • The Promise Kept

    Genesis 46:8–25

    Today, we also wait for the promises of God to reach their fullness. And like Jacob we have evidence all around us that the Lord is keeping His word, though the proofs we can see are far greater. Around the ...Read More

  • The Move From Canaan

    Genesis 46:5–7

    Recently, one Christian leader rhetorically asked a conference audience: “When will we believe the power of God is where He says it is?” Basically, he was saying that though our efforts are important, our cleverness or respectability in the culture ...Read More

  • God Appears to Jacob

    Genesis 46:1–4

    Matthew Henry wrote: “Whatever low or dark valley we are called into at any time, we may be confident, if God goes down with us into it, that he will surely bring us up again. If he goes with us ...Read More

  • 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