Reading
SAA Notes
Jacob’s family begins to fracture with the death of Rachael and the rejection by Jacob of Levi, Simeon and Reuben in the position of his main heir. He pours out his grief in the very public favouritism he shows Joseph. The best of us grow weary and act unwisely or irresponsibly. Hatred stirs most in Judah’s heart – of whom great things are said later. We all need the work of the grace of God in every today.
SJA Notes
* Dear God, please open our hears to Your word to us today.
“And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, …”
Within three generations, our of Abraham’s other sons, tribes were selling humans – trafficking slaves (not just purchasing).
Ishmael and Midian were both sons of Abraham. Joseph’s grandfather was Isaac, brother to them.
These men knew of the Lord. Abraham’s life was one of faith in God the Almighty.
Yet we see in this path a rejection of God, living in unbelief (although we remember to that Moses’ father-in-law is a priest of God from Midian).
It if saith that differentiates these people, as it does with us today (faith as a gift from God, not of ourselves).
It is helpful to see the truth – None of the characters in this story have spotless behaviour. They are all of them marked and tarnished, burnt and bruised.
We who walk in faith are different though BECAUSE OF JESUS!
HE is the one who died to save His people throughout all of time.
HE is the one whose sacrifice paid the penalty, whose indestructible life power gives us life.
It is in Him and Him alone that we find our hope, that we can walk in faith.
* Dear Lord God,
Thank You for Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Thank You that in Him we can know You and walk in faith.
Please help us to love and serve You each day.
Please show us today what You want us to know from Your word.
Amen.