Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Today’s readings are Genesis 49-50 and Matthew 15:1-21.
Our final day in Genesis… congratulations if this is the first time you’ve read through the whole of Genesis! I’ve personally loved reading it again and seeing the way that God was at work through ordinary messy people in the ancient world to bring about his gracious plans. If there’s something you’ve been struck by, send me a message or tag @butfirstbible in a social media post, I’d love to see what God has been teaching you.
As we conclude Genesis, it’s worth noting that this is not the end of the story. Genesis is just – as the name suggests – the beginning of a bigger story. The bible isn’t just a bunch of unconnected events but one big story that begins with The Creation in Genesis and ends with The New Creation in the book of Revelation.
This means, the things we have learned at the end of Genesis aren’t to be forgotten, rather they actually set us up for the next part as the narrative unfolds in the book of Exodus.
Do you remember the promises that God made to Abraham all the way back in Genesis 12? He promised Abraham land, a great nation with many descendants and that they would be a blessing to the whole world.
Each of these promises will continue to come into focus as we leave Genesis and get ready for Exodus.
In Genesis 49-50, today’s reading, we see Jacob blessing his sons, Jacob dying, and then Joseph dying, but not before a really significant interaction that he has with his brothers.
Remember, Joseph has been sold into slavery, through a series of events he ends up rising to power in Egypt – effectively as the Prime Minister or second in charge to Pharaoh. And now that the famine has come, the nations, including the rest of his family have all come to Egypt to get access to the food that Joseph has stored. Joseph brothers and their families end up settling in Egypt.
The paragraph Genesis 50:15-21 is really significant in understanding God’s hand in these events.
[15] When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” [16] So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: [17] ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. [18] His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” [19] But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? [20] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. [21] So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (ESV)
On January 15 I already introduced the ideas of GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY and HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY. Verse 20 – which is worth underlining in your Bible – shows both of these ideas come together.
- Joseph’s brothers were wicked for selling him into slavery – HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY.
- But God meant it for good, it was always part of his plan to keep many people alive through the position that Joseph was put in – GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY.
These two threads of GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY and HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY continue throughout all of scripture. Perhaps the ultimate example of them coming together is the death of Jesus on the cross.
This is from the Apostle Peter’s sermon at Pentecost…
[22] “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—[23] this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. [24] God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (ESV)
- “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” – GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
- “killed by the hands of lawless men” – HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY.
Praise God for working out his plans and purposes in history!
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.