Genesis 42:18-38
Have you ever noticed how quick we are to blame God for things that don't go the way we plan? You know what I mean. We plan our vacation and the day we take off we get sick or the weather goes south or both. In the back of our mind, we're thinking What's up with this God? What did I do to deserve this? Well we see that same thing happening in Genesis 42 with Joseph's brothers. I had to smile when I got to verse 28, the part where the brother finds the money Joseph had put back in his bags. Did you catch the brothers' immediate words? "What is this that God has done to us?"
Newsflash--nothing that happens in our life is God's "fault." God's plans are not ours. He is the all knowing, all powerful, almighty God. And, yes, He may allow us to us to experience things we'd prefer not to or bring a difficult situation into our lives, but those things have a purpose even if we can't see or understand them at the time. (see Jeremiah 29:11).
So when something takes you off course this week, how are you going to respond? How can we work on drawing on God so that we're able to accept our circumstances whatever they may be? Tami W.
Joseph didn't blame God neither did he blame his brothers for what had happened, but rather showed love to his brothers. If God allows us to go through difficult situation, it is for the best and so it is wrong to blame God. And it is also wrong for us to blame anyone for our circumstance because whatever situation we are in is not primarily because of what anybody has done but because God allowed it. Joseph showed love to his wicked brothers, we should also show love to those who have hurt us.
Instead of saying,"Why, God?", perhaps we should say, "What do you want me to learn from this, God?"
Well, I'm not sure about the rest of you, but if I purchased something and found my sack full of money also, my first reaction would be "Woo-Hoo!" I surely wouldn't blame God! :) Seriously, I can certainly see why this made them scared. And I can relate to being scared; especially in these tough economic times. I ALWAYS worry about money! Even though God has ALWAYS provided. I live comfortably and can pay all my bills. And I know that many many people are not so fortunate right now. But, I guess I'm always waiting for the bottom to fall out....and that is not living the way God intended. I just have to remember that God wants us to enjoy our time here and to pass that joy on to others in the form of love. So I guess what I am trying to say is, I need to focus on loving others to overcome my own insecurities!
Over a very long period of time I was blessed to be with people that consistently looked to see how God would use changes in plans and that has helped me so much! I don't always remember but it's actually fun to think "Oh, this isn't going to work the way I thought. I wonder what God will do with this extra time or different place." Almost always when I have a block of time opened up there is some reason that my family really needed me right then. Many times when things weren't the way I'd hoped God had better plans. That is a huge encouragement to me!
Is there anyway we can receive the e-mails without the facilitators personal perspective on the reading ? I find myself trying not to read it and "color" the message each day . I have several commentaries , I was hoping to have the scripture reading to "check off" each day , and give God the opportunity to speak to me personally - it's so easy to let a few days go by . This is great because you have to delete it or it's a record that your not taking time to do it .
Thank you so much to all of you for your comments. I think we need to ask "what can I learm from the situation" but also "how is God using me in the situation." God used Joseph to save his family and he Israelite people from starvation.
I don't blame God for bad things that happen. Although I may not understand why bad things happen, I tell God I know he is omniscient and I don't have to understand his plan. For example, I don't understand why bad things happen to little children, but God knows all and it is not for me to understand.
Chad,
Thanks being part of P4. Unfortunately the email that goes out each day is done as a large group, so at this point we aren't able to customize and pull one element out. My blog is optional, though, so please do not feel you have to read it. Also, it is certainly not my intent to color anyone's scripture reading or elevate a thought or idea I got out of the reading. P4 is simply about getting each of us into God's Word and helping us think about and apply the passages to our lives each and every day.
Tami W.
The more I read God's Word is the more I find I can accept any adversity. His Word makes me look into my life closely, sometimes I did not like what I saw about myself but there were and are times that I realise that God has really blessed me and my family. Reading also BTTB Devotions and Bible Studies and of course Powered by 4 also help me very much to get closer to God and get to know Him better so that I do not feel that He has let me down but that He is talking to me and if I really want to know what He is saying I have to read His Word daily. So I can see what He is saying to me. Checking in on the blog is very inspirational to read what everybody comes away with from the Scripture reading and also sometimes someone may be hurting and this is a way of praying for each other and just sharing God's love.
Thank you for this study on Joseph. I wonder if this is the first time the brothers have really felt remorse for what they did to Joseph. How often did they feel shame about not telling the truth to their father. I hope I am wiser now, so blameing God never crosses my mind. I have learn from Jesus teaching of the disciples. He has so much love for us that is why we must suffer heartships. We are being prepared to be his disciples each day and should always except his way as just. We are to stay like children and learn from the lords teaching.As such, he is molding us daily like a potter molding clay. The clay is nothing, until the potter works his hand and makes somthing beatilful from a peice of clay. Our heavenly Father is working on us. Jeaus said in John 15 :5 I am the vine, ye are the branches.He that abideth in me,and I in him,the same bringeth forth much fruit:for without me ye can do nothing.
When things go astray and my "To Do" list goes out the window, I just say a prayer and let God handle it. It is funny how this has been my last two days at work, so I have truly had the chance to let God work it out for me. I think we need to Praise God when things take us off course because we are to do His work and we work for Him. We have to accept what we can't change and move on.
It is not what happens, but how we handle things that show Who's we are.
Tami, I really enjoy your commentary and in no way does it taint my view of the text that I read. I enjoy reading the comments from others before I respond. I didn't know what to expect when I joined P4, but I am glad that I did.
Joseph was Christ like in his dealing with his brothers. How hard that is for some of us. I think it is natural to want to blame and something that we as Christians need to pray about and think upon. Instead of blaming to love and care as Joseph and Christ both did.