Joseph 3: “When the Economy is in the Toilet”

“Bless you, prison, for having been in my life.”
—– – Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Here is the third instalment of my series on Joseph.  This message is based on the lengthy but intriguing reading of Genesis 40-41.

These are follow-up questions that will help you make more applications as well as take you in some directions that the message didn’t have the time or space to go.  (Some come from Paul Borthwick’s Bible study guide entitled Joseph: How God Builds Character.)

The same Hebrew word pit underlies the words cistern (Gen 37:21, 23) and dungeon (Gen 41:14).  What role does the “pit” play in the growth of Joseph’s character?  What kind of “pits” can you think of that God has pulled you out of?  What can we learn from this story for times when we find ourselves in what seems like a pit?

Joseph seems to genuinely care for the chief cupbearer and chief baker (Gen 40:6-7).  Had he been entirely focused on his own trouble, Joseph might not have noticed the pain these two men were experiencing.  Bill Crowder writes in Overcoming Life’s Challenges how “sensitivity to the needs of others can be deadened by preoccupation with personal disappointment” (p. 45).  When has your own pain made you blind to the pain of others?  How can you keep this from happening more often?

Joseph appears wise and discerning in this passage.  Do think that is simply a natural gift he has, or something that he has nurtured?  If the latter, how can you become a more discerning person?

How does a follower of Jesus strike a balance between living in the moment – in response to the events that God brings into our lives – and planning ahead with discernment?

History:
Joseph 1: “Only in Your Dreams”
Joseph 2: “Run, Joseph, Run!”

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin’!

(Thanks, Jenny, for showing me this!)

The story of Jesus’ crucifixion is one of betrayal, brutality, despair, and pain.  Yet we know even before His death that redemption was promised to be coming soon.  We know that the story does not end at the cross.  We know what many did not realize – that Sunday’s comin’…

Watching

In yesterday’s 9:30am service, we continued talking about Paul’s first letter to Timothy, specifically 1 Timothy 5:1-6:5.  The point came up (again) that what we believe impacts what we do.  That means that other people will be able to begin figuring out what’s truly important to us simply by watching us.

I think this is well (and humorously) described by Denise Dykstra in her “From Toddlers to Teens” column in the 9 Mar 2009 edition of Christian Courier entitled “We’re Being Watched” (p. 12).  I quoted the first three paragraphs of her article in my message.  Here they are (again) for your reading pleasure…

“Our kids have always been good sleepers.  Too good, I guess.  It came as a shock to us when child number five rolled around.  Damien is 3-years-old.  He can sleep through the night, he knows he should sleep through the night, but he doesn’t seem to be able to stop himself from taking a little peek at us at 3 or 4 in the morning.

“A few weeks ago, I heard Damien call for me – again – and I’d had enough.  I jumped out of bed and stormed into his room ready to give him a piece of my mind.  He knew I’d be mad.  He sat huddled on the far corner of his bed, clutching fistfuls of blankets around him, and before I could say anything he folded his little hands, held them out to me, and blurted: ‘Mom, I need to pray.’  Oh, he’s smart!  How could I get mad at that?  He may be only 3, but already he knows what’s important to me!

“We’ve all heard the saying Children learn what they live.  But have we really absorbed the concept?  Are we consciously aware that our actions teach our kids what we value – and that our kids are always watching?”
-

Joseph 2: “Run, Joseph, Run!”

“I can resist everything except temptation.”
—– – Oscar Wilde

Here is the second instalment of my series on Joseph.  This one is based on Genesis 39.

These are some follow-up questions to consider on your own, or around the dinner table for family devotions, or with a small group…

Imagine yourself in Joseph’s position.  Why/how might you try justifying saying yes to Mrs. Potiphar’s illicit invitations?

Joseph experiences temptation after becoming successful.  In his book Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness, Chuck Swindoll writes:  “The temptations that accompany prosperity are far greater (and far more subtle) than those that accompany adversity” (p. 26).  Do you agree or disagree with that statement?  Why?

The text repeats numerous times how God blesses Joseph and the people around Joseph.  Yet Joseph keeps meeting up with (what look like) tragic reversals.  In his book The Genesis Message, Harvey A. Smit asks:  “If God blesses a person, then that person will succeed.  Does it follow that, if a person succeeds, God must be blessing and approving of that person?” (p. 82).  Another way to ask the question is:  If a person is experiencing trials and setbacks, is God’s blessing absent from that person’s life?  Why or why not?

Maybe you cannot identify all that much with sexual temptation.  Thank God for that!  Regardless, ask yourself: What types of temptations are you susceptible to?  Bring these to God in prayer.  Investigate when these temptations are strongest and plan how you can avoid those occasions, situations or locations.  Look for a mature Christian who can help hold you accountable.

History:
Joseph 1: “Only in Your Dreams”
-

“I bind myself to Thee…”

I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this today to me forever by power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river, His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb, His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today…

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force,
the natural lusts that war within, the hostile men that mar my course;
or few or many, far or nigh, in every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility I bind to me these holy powers…

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Words: St. Patrick; versification by Cecil F. Alexander; public domain.
www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/t/stpatric.htm

Joseph: “Only in Your Dreams”

In my first instalment (available here) of a series on the life Joseph (Genesis 37-50), I refer to two expressions:

“You can choose your friends,
but you cannot choose your family.”

“All happy families resemble each other,
but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
—– –Leo Tolstoy

Acknowledging that this could be an uncomfortable and even painful conversation, thinking about these questions over lunch or supper with your family sometime may also be helpful and healthy.

What do you wish had been different in your family while you were growing up?

What do you wish were different in your home now?

How is/can love and acceptance flow(ing) through your home instead of favouritism?

How are/can you nurture(ing) contentment instead of jealousy, celebrating your and each other’s accomplishments?

How are/can you be(ing) active in your kids’ lives, investing quantity time with them?  What are some practical ways you can honour your parents?

Here are some additional discussion questions about the events of Genesis 37…

Imagine you’re one of Jacob’s children.  What are your feelings towards Joseph?  What are your feelings towards your father?

Why do you think Jacob hadn’t learned the dangers of favouritism from his own experiences with his father and brother?

Why do you think Jacob doesn’t realize the foolishness of sending Joseph to his brothers?

What do you think of Joseph by the end of Genesis 37?  Likeable?  A victim?  Lonely?  A brat?

I can’t go with you and stay where I am

(This one’s for A.E.)

Originally a song performed by Garth Brooks, I first heard “You Move Me” sung by Susan Ashton on her CD A Distant Call.  I appreciate its range of emotional honesty, from “frozen solid” fear to outright laughter.  For me those emotions sometimes come only moments apart.

Mostly the song reminds me of the courage I receive from family, friends, colleagues, and (above all) from God to step out on the path I’m called to walk.  Much of the time, I’d prefer not to budge, wishing to stay put.  That’s comfortable, that’s safe.  But you and I cannot stand still on a journey.  We’re invited forward one step at a time in trust, in hope.  And slowly, our steps become less halting, less hesitant steps.  This song suggests that they actually become like a dance.

As you go wherever and with whoever the journey takes you, go in the grace and peace of Jesus Christ your Saviour and Lord.  He loves you unconditionally and promises to be with you always.
-

This is how it seems to me
Life is only therapy
Real expensive
And no guarantee

So I lie here on the couch
With my heart hanging out
Frozen solid with fear
Like a rock in the ground

But you move me
You give me courage I didn’t
know I had
You move me on
I can’t go with you
And stay where I am
So you move me on

This is how love was to me
I could look and not see
Going through the emotions
Not knowin’ what they mean

And it scared me so much
That I just wouldn’t budge
I might have stayed there forever
If not for your touch

Oh but you move me
Out of myself and into the fire
You move me
Now I’m burning with love
And with hope and desire
How you move me

You go whistling in the dark
Making light of it
Making light of it
And I follow with my heart
Laughing all the way

Oh ‘cause you move me
You get me dancing and you
make me sing
You move me
Now I’m taking delight
In every little thing
How you move me
-

Related:
Blogger Eryn Mikel also meaningfully reflects on this song here.
-

A magician encounters a disciple of Jesus

“Why is it a surprise for someone to see a Christian and say that person is nice and compassionate?  Why doesn’t the world see us as kind, honest and sane instead of standoff-ish, pretentious and a little bit crazy?”

That paragraph in this post over at Think Christian grabbed me, to say nothing about the vlog posted there (and below) by magician Penn Jillette.
-