JOSEPH AND JESUS WEPT
Today’s Reading: Genesis 43-44
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Rows of pillars from the great Hypostyle Hall in the Karnak Temple complex just 2.5 km north of Luxor, Egypt.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo click HERE.
Key Verse: Genesis 43:30
Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.
Joseph is a type, or picture, of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both Joseph and Jesus were rejected by their brothers, sold for the price of a slave, considered to be dead, yet later declared alive. Both wept over people and circumstances, their hearts tender for others and their sin. Both were tested severly.
Joseph, I’m sure, faced the temptation to be angry and bitter against his brothers. Have you, like Joseph, been betrayed, treated cruelly, lied about and forsaken? Because of actions taken and lies told, have you lost the beautiful experience of God’s love? Or have you retained a soft, trusting heart? God honoured Joseph highly because of his magnificent attitude. He’ll do the same for you.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, I need Your grace constantly. May Your Holy Spirit fill me so that the Person of Jesus Christ will be seen through me. Like Joseph, may I be tender-hearted, forgiving any and all who have sought to do me harm. I pray this in the Name of the One who prayed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As children in Sunday School, we would be asked to quote a Bible verse by memory. I would often be the first to quote “Jesus wept,” the shortest verse in the Bible (John 11:35). We’d laugh, and even the teacher would manage a grimace. We, as immature children, did not understand the tears of Jesus. The only times we wept were out of self pity. As I grew older, I stopped crying for that reason. It was often reported to me that people would say, “Let’s turn on 100 Huntley Street and watch David cry.” So be it! I wear, as has been said, “my heart on my sleeve.” Sometimes I felt sheepish about my tears. I remember being encouraged when I read that the tough General Schwarzkopf, leader in the first Gulf War, said, “I never trust a man who can’t cry.” I felt better about my tears after that. I’m not ashamed to cry. Jesus and Joseph are my kind of men.
From my heart,
David
Let us always be aware of the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In this world it is easy to compartmentalize things we do in our life, however God doesn’t work that way. He wants us to look for opportunities to serve others, to be aware of our surroundings and to be an influence for good in our midst. By walking in the Holy Spirit, we will develop a sensitivity to others that we had not previously known and will thereby grow in Christ, which is our mission and our calling. The Lord still speaks to us today and asks us to follow Him, we need only to be sensitive to His voice.
True words, Scott.
Nice. Amen and Amen! Xo
Wow, David ! Wow !
Your life is a huge blessing–because of your love for His word..and Him !
Thanks for this precious devotional about Joseph. My life has been one constant experience of learning to love while being rejected, Even by family–many of them, to be quite honest. Please pray for our son who we’ve not seen in 25 years.
thanks,
grace
As the prodigal who came “to the end of himself” and returned home, I pray for your son Grace “to come to the end of himself” and turn home to his family. I pray this in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Thank you Jesus for answered prayer. Amen!
And Amen!
I’m wondering about the “divination” that Joseph used. I wonder if he held his staff over the cup for direction (similarly as to what is sometimes used to find water beneath the ground). You don’t hear that as a method these days. I think I saw a contractor using that way back in the early 50s! There is a well at the place where he was using that method though.
Doreen, I think that Joseph just said he used it for divination, but I don’t really he was into divination. His purpose was to make the brothers think that was how he knew that they had stolen his cup. True, that was a bit devious, but Joseph was never into divination.
I believe that witching or dousing for water is wrong. It is inviting the help of demons even though some do this unknowing what they are really doing. There was an owner of property that we were renting. He decided that he was going to have a well drilled on this property. He just decided he wanted the well in a certain place(no witching) and that well had the best soft water in the country.
Wow. I didn’t really think that -out (the divination). I’ve never heard of the other 2 terms.
Beautiful prayer today David! Amen!! I feel most right with God when I weep in His presence! Glorious day to all!
Such moving scripture and prayer, today! Touched my heart and brought me to tears. Oh, how I relate to Joseph and his siblings. How precious to have you face to face with us, reading the message, dear David. Filled with the Holy presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the purest blessing of the Holy Spirit, this balmy afternoon. Blessings dearest saints in the Lord. All for the love of Jesus! Amen!
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. Ps 139:14 AMP
Lord I Offer My Life To You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqBuxtPb0ww
Dear Brother David, you are such a treasure! !!! Your total love for the Lord and His concerns are such a blessed gift of God to His world. May He, Himself, strengthen you on every level, and continue to bless His world through you!
Amen!! 😀
Amen! Beautiful message and prayer David! And also songs Beverlee. What a burden to bear Grace and pray your son will make contact with his parents.
Just got back from visit with my sister…can appreciate Joseph’s joy when he set eyes on Benjamin!!!