Month: February 2025

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Genesis 47 Listen: (5:03), Read: Matthew 8 Listen: (4:09)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: Genesis 48 Listen: (3:43), Read: Matthew 9 Listen: (4:56)
Read: Genesis 49 Listen: (4:54), Read: Matthew 10 Listen: (5:07)

Scripture Focus: Genesis 47.20-25

20 So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, 21 and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. 22 However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land. 23 Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. 24 But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.” 25 “You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”

Reflection: Don’t Empower Villain Eras

By John Tillman

The problem of sorting the Bible into “heroes” and “villains” is forgetting that the same person who is heroic in one moment can be villainous in another.

Joseph is one of the most wholesome characters in the Bible. But he has villain moments. It’s debatable how prideful he was as a young man with his dreams. However, his actions in Genesis 47 read as if he had entered a villain era.

Joseph’s plan to get through the famine was for the state to collect twenty percent of harvests during the plentiful seven years. Then, Egypt would be saved from being “ruined by the famine” during the seven lean years. (Genesis 41.35-36) But when the famine hit, Joseph didn’t distribute the grain freely. Joseph took the people’s grain. They had to buy it back.

Selling the grain might not be unreasonable, but Joseph’s villain era started in the final years of the famine, when people grew desperate. The sixth year, they had no money so Joseph took their livestock. The final year, they had no money or livestock, so Joseph took their land and made them slaves.

It’s possible that Joseph didn’t have a choice. Maybe Pharaoh ordered this? Maybe there were terrible administrative costs? But scripture seems to imply it was Joseph’s decision. Pharaoh said, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” (Genesis 41.55)

Even if this was not Joseph’s villain era, it empowered a future villain era.

Joseph was complicit in using a crisis to consolidate power and wealth under Pharaoh. Egypt was already a monarchy, but after the famine it was a nation of slaves in which Pharaoh owned the land, livestock, and the lives of the citizens. The power and wealth Joseph gave Pharaoh, turned against future generations of Israelites. (Exodus 1.8-14)

Joseph was dealing with a real crisis. Many leaders today create fake crises in order to consolidate power for themselves. You may have the right or ability to grant leaders emergency power or approve their expansion of power, but what will happen when the crisis is over? What if the hero turns villainous? What will tomorrow’s leaders do with the power you give today’s leaders?

Whether national or local, political or pastoral, leaders who desire unaccountable power, loyalty without transparency, and removal of checks and balances are dangerous.

Be careful that you don’t unintentionally empower a future villain era.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

For your name’s sake, O Lord, forgive my sin, for it is great. — Psalm 25.10

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Playing the Game for Fickle Pharaohs

If they break rules to help us, they will break rules to harm us.

https://theparkforum.org/843-acres/playing-the-game-for-fickle-pharaohs

Read more: Divining the Truth by Actions

When reconciling with people, trust but verify. Watch for evidence of change. Don’t doubt their intentions, but divine the truth by their actions.

Divining the Truth by Actions

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Genesis 46 Listen: (4:47), Read: Matthew 7 Listen: (3:31)

Scripture Focus: Genesis 46.31-34

31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. 32 The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ 33 When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34 you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

Reflection: Playing the Game for Fickle Pharaohs

By John Tillman

During a red, white, and blue-striped halftime performance a character played by Samuel L. Jackson warned Kendrick Lamar to not be too loud or too ghetto, and to play the game right to please the powerful.

In Dr. Esau McCaulley’s memoir, How Far to the Promised Land, he reflects on his survival. He played by the rules, never did or sold drugs, and stayed out of trouble. Yet, on multiple occasions his life nearly ended due to the “game” he was living in. Many around him also played by the rules, yet still lost their lives to a rigged system.

As powerful as Joseph was, he recognized his family’s position in Egypt was politically precarious. They were foreigners, immigrating for shelter and aid during a crisis. Joseph warned that Egyptian culture considered them detestable.

As we listen to Joseph carefully coach his brothers on speaking before Pharaoh, we can sense the tension. Much depended on gaining Pharaoh’s approval. They needed to play the game.

But playing the game doesn’t guarantee good outcomes in a corrupt and fickle system. Joseph knew this better than most. He saw Pharaoh restore one imprisoned servant and impale another on a pole. Just because the king favored him or his family today, tomorrow could be a different story.

Joseph was correct. A generation later, a new king saw Israel’s children not as blessings but as enemies of the state. God sent Moses to declare, “Game over.”

We may be tempted to apply this solely to a specific political figure—to this year’s or last year’s “Pharaoh.” Resist the urge to limit this application to one man or party. There are multitudes of past, present, and future pharaohs wanting us to dance to their tunes and play their games.

The powerful tell us to play their game and they will take care of us. But if they break rules to help us, they will break rules to harm us. Even if they don’t harm us, what will we do when they harm others? Will we speak up for those they call “detestable,” “sub-humans,” and “animals”?

Early Christians were known for protecting the detestable from the powerful. Christians saved unwanted babies, the sick, the poor, the outcasts, the foreigners, and freed those enslaved.

Are we still willing to do so? I pray we are. When the time comes, may we stand before pharaohs and say, “Game over.”

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me. — Psalm 69.7

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Dream On

Joseph was not forgotten in prison. Jesus was not abandoned in the grave. Certainly we are not forgotten or abandoned when the ups of our lives turn to downs.

Dream On

Read The Bible With Us

It’s never too late to join our Bible reading plan. Immerse in the Bible with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.

https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Genesis 45 Listen: (4:10), Read: Matthew 6 Listen: (4:35)

Scripture Focus: Genesis 45:1-2, 4-5, 24

1 So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!

Reflection: Reconciliation in the Family of God

By Erin Newton

The events in Genesis 45, according to Sibley Towner, “are the stuff of shalom-making.” The stuff that makes happy endings. The stuff that we can use as an example.

And that is saying a lot, especially after all those chapters of misbehavior, scheming, abusing, and traumatizing done by the hands of God’s chosen family. Suddenly, the clouds break and the sun shines on the text with a story of peace, happiness, and wholeness.

What can we learn about reconciliation from Genesis 45?

1. Reconciliation is an emotional event. Joseph rattles the neighborhood with his weeping. I’m sure he cried and wept when thrown into the pit when his brothers tried to kill him. These are not the same sort of tears. These are the tears of joy—the impossible has become possible. Joseph was left for dead (or worse, wished dead!), and any hope of seeing his estranged family was zero. The tears at their reconciliation are tears for a renewed life together.

2. Reconciliation doesn’t ignore the pain caused by one another. Joseph’s brothers are nervous to answer his question about their dad. They were probably filled with shame for their actions and anxiety over whether he would retaliate in kind. Joseph encourages them to throw off self-loathing for their past behavior. He’s obviously reached a place in his heart to forgive them. (Mind you, it’s been decades since that fateful day.)

3. Reconciliation can end with blessings that outweigh the prior pain. Joseph recognizes the place of privilege he now has over the land as well as his brothers. He has the power to give them life, even when they dealt him death. Joseph’s reconciliation is enhanced by his own virtue of generosity.

4. Reconciliation avoids further conflict. Joseph yells after his brothers as they go home to fetch their dad, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” He seems to know the emotions would be tense. They’d likely want to argue over whose fault it really had been. Joseph’s attention is on the present peace.

Some of the worst conflicts happen between members of the same family. The family of God is not exempt.

How have we lamented over division with our fellow believers?

How have we addressed the real pain dealt to one another?

What power or privilege can we use today to help our brothers and sisters?

And are we willing to try and keep such peace?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Show us the light of your countenance, O God, and come to us. — Psalm 67.1

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Spiritual Twins

Forget the birthright-stew debacle. Remember when Esau showed unmerited forgiveness. He loved his brother…ran to him…hugged him…wept.

Spiritual Twins — Readers’ Choice

Read more: From Darkness to Light

Psalm 105 tells Israel’s story of moving from light to darkness to light. Joseph goes from favored son to slave and prisoner, then rises to the bright pinnacle of power.

From Darkness to Light

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Genesis 44 Listen: (4:38), Read: Matthew 5 Listen: (6:03)

Scripture Focus: Genesis 44.11-15

11 Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. 12 Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city. 14 Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. 15 Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?”

“The play’s the thing in which to catch the conscience of the king.” — Act 2, Scene 2 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Reflection: Divining the Truth by Actions

By John Tillman

Divination refers to spiritual practices from diverse religions and sects, that are believed to derive the truth, usually the future, through interaction with “the divine.”

When Joseph said he could find things out by divination, he was being clever.

Among the divination practices of the day were the interpretation of natural phenomena (such as the flight patterns of birds or weather), examining of animal entrails or tea leaves, and interpreting dreams.

Divination was used by Joseph’s family. Laban told Jacob that he used divination to discover God was blessing him because of Jacob. (Genesis 30.27) Joseph’s interpretation of dreams was a God-empowered form of divination. Later, God would ban the Israelites from pursuing knowledge through these methods. (Leviticus 19.26)

It’s possible that Joseph did use the silver cup for divination practices learned in Canaan or Egypt, but that is not what Joseph was talking about. Joseph wasn’t reading tea leaves or entrails at the bottom of a cup. Joseph used the planting of the cup to read what was at the bottom of his brothers’ hearts.

Like Hamlet, Joseph’s theatrics were a play in which to catch the conscience of his brothers. The way Joseph constructed this event suggests that he wanted to know certain things.

First, he wanted to know if his brother, Benjamin, had met a similar fate. He wanted “proof of life” that Benjamin was still living and well. But seeing Benjamin alive wasn’t enough. Joseph needed evidence of changed hearts. Would the brothers abandon Benjamin in hardship or betray him to save their own necks?

Joseph places before them a chance to save their lives by abandoning Benjamin to a false accusation. When Judah offers his own life in place of Benjamin, the test is passed and the play is over. The curtain comes down and tears of reconciliation flow. (Genesis 45.1)

Forgiveness can be one-sided. Joseph was able to forgive his brothers without ever seeing them and we can forgive anyone for anything. Reconciliation, however, often requires steps that reestablish trust.

Joseph’s situation was unique. If you weren’t sold into slavery for decades, don’t go around planting evidence and carrying out elaborate plots. But it is not unreasonable to expect reconciliation to be a structured process that is more robust based on the severity of the offense.

When reconciling with people, trust but verify. Watch for evidence of change. Don’t doubt their intentions, but divine the truth by their actions.

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

He said again to the crowds, “ When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it’s going to be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?” — Luke 12.54-56

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Dream On

Did Joseph wonder why a pagan cupbearer’s dream should come true, when his dream, given by the one true God, seemed denied?

Dream On

Read more: Truth in the Cistern

Joseph and Jeremiah share something else in common other than being held prisoner in a cistern—telling the truth put them there.

Truth in the Cistern

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Genesis 43 Listen: (5:02), Read: Matthew 4 Listen: (3:09)

Scripture Focus: Genesis 43.11-14; 19-23

11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. 14 And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

23 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them

Reflection: Treasure in Our Sacks

By John Tillman

The brothers tried to pay for the grain from Egypt. Their silver ended up back in their sacks. When headed back to Egypt for more, they feared a misunderstanding.

Before they left, Jacob helped prepare a special offering of local products and things not commonly available in Egypt. Ever the schemer and diplomat, Jacob hoped these offerings would smooth things over with the harsh-tongued man his sons feared. Little did Jacob know that he had made a gift basket for his own lost son. It is hard to imagine that Joseph did not feel pangs of homesickness when he saw these familiar gifts.

We, at times, come to God as if he is a harsh-tonged bureaucrat with whom we must curry favor. We pack up our purest silver. We throw in our unique, most personal niceties. We put our best foot forward. We come to God with the false belief that we must buy blessings from him and the false pride that we have the means with which to do it.

When we do this we are making several key miscalculations.

We underestimate our need. Our spiritual famine is as destructive as the one that struck Egypt. Like the cows and the corn, our good deeds are eaten up by the horrors of our sins.

We overestimate our offerings. All the resources of Egypt could not outlast the famine. All the resources we can muster will never finish the job of covering our sins.

We underestimate God’s love. Just as Jacob had no idea of the deep love that Joseph bore toward him and his family, we do not fully comprehend God’s love for us. We have misidentified him as a harsh and vengeful ruler.

We underestimate God’s generosity. Like Joseph, Jesus doesn’t accept our payments, he suffered and made our payment in full. Not only that, he will give us more than we asked for. Rather than just a few bites to survive on, he will see us planted and flourishing in the best part of the land.

Focusing on the cross and seeing what Christ gave up for us is the best way to keep the depths of God’s love in mind. May we remember that we have no righteousness to bring, but in mercy, God will give us righteousness, like treasure in our sacks.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. — Psalm 119.174

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Truth in the Cistern

Joseph and Jeremiah share something else in common other than being held prisoner in a cistern—telling the truth put them there.

Truth in the Cistern

Read more: The Undeserved Banquet of the Gospel

We, the undeserving, motley, scandalous louts that we are, find ourselves with our feet under Christ’s table. Christ invites all to the banquet.

The Undeserved Banquet of the Gospel