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Genesis 37:1-38:30; 1 Chronicles 2:3-6; 1 Chronicles 2:8; Genesis 39:1-23<\/strong><\/span> Today in Genesis chapter 37 we begin the incredible last portion of the book of Genesis where we read about Joseph!\u00a0 This portion of the story that starts in today\u2019s readings will carry us through the rest of the book of Genesis and will set the stage for the exodus from Egypt.\u00a0 Below is an image of \u201cJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat\u201d from a modern day play of the same name (which I\u2019ve heard is good \u2013 but I\u2019ve never seen it \u2013 can anyone offer any reviews in the Comments below?):<\/span><\/p>\n In chapter 37 today we read about Joseph\u2019s dreams and how these dreams make his brothers jealous.\u00a0 A couple of things came to mind to me today as reading through this.\u00a0 First is that it is clear that God does some communicating through dreams in the Old Testament.\u00a0 We\u2019ve already seen this in our previous readings \u2013 via a dream Abimelech had or a dream Laban had.\u00a0 And here we see some powerful prophetic dreams that Joseph has.\u00a0 My first question I had was whether Joseph should have shared these dreams with his family?\u00a0 And I asked this question because I wonder if sometimes we also maybe get an insight or what we believe to be a word from God \u2013 and if we should share these things with others?\u00a0 Or keep them between God and ourselves?\u00a0 I don\u2019t have an easy answer on this one\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0If you have some thoughts on this, please post up in the \u201cComments\u201d section below.\u00a0 The other thing that came to mind for me here is what role do dreams play for us today?\u00a0 Does God still communicate to people via dreams today?\u00a0 I know this might be going out on some fringe thoughts or theology here\u2026\u00a0 but, if anyone has some Christian perspective on dreams, I\u2019d appreciate it.\u00a0 I\u2019m just curious.\u00a0 I honestly have had some dreams in the past that have scared me in big ways\u2026 and honestly helped me set my life on a better course back when I had them.\u00a0 Below is a painting from the year 1853 by French painter Emile-Jean-Horace Vernet of Joseph\u2019s brothers in today\u2019s readings putting goat\u2019s blood on his coat:<\/span><\/p>\n Actually, while I am on this topic of dreams, let me share this.\u00a0 I did used to have nightmares periodically.\u00a0 However, when I started reading the One Year Bible each night before going to bed a few years ago the nightmares basically went away.\u00a0 Seriously.\u00a0 I honestly believe because of the Light & life-giving power of the Word of God that the nightmares went away.\u00a0 Just a little testimony here for you on the power of reading the Bible each day.\u00a0 It is spiritual food and nourishment and protection for you in ways that you may not consciously realize.\u00a0 For me, there has been maybe a time or two in recent years where a nightmare has still come to fruition \u2013 and I don\u2019t remember the details of the nightmares, but somehow I know that in the midst of my dream I called out the name of Jesus and the nightmare stopped immediately!\u00a0 I am not kidding.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how I got myself to call out Jesus\u2019 name in the nightmare, but I am so thankful that I did!\u00a0 Maybe this is something that prayer brings \u2013 or maybe this is something that happens when we really understand and believe in the all-powerful name of Jesus?\u00a0 If you suffer from nightmares, my two prescriptions are to 1. read the Bible before going to bed, 2. somehow someway say the name of Jesus in your nightmare.\u00a0 Pray about this before you go to bed.\u00a0 Maybe this will help you do this in your dream.\u00a0 I hope so!\u00a0 \u00a0Below is a painting from 1630 by Spanish painter Velasquez Diego of Joseph\u2019s brothers presenting his bloody coat to their father Jacob from today\u2019s readings:<\/span><\/p>\n Genesis chapter 38 brings us the story of Judah and Tamar.\u00a0 Keep in mind that Judah, Tamar, and Perez from this chapter are all part of the genealogy of King David and Jesus from Matthew chapter 1 verse 3: \u201cJudah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Verse 24 stood out to me in this chapter as sad irony: \u201cAbout three months later, word reached Judah that Tamar, his daughter-in-law, was pregnant as a result of prostitution. \u201cBring her out and burn her!\u201d Judah shouted.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This verse reminded me quite a bit of the teaching from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 7 verse 3: \u201c\u201cWhy do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother\u2019s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Is it possible that we too are sometimes like Judah?\u00a0 Condemning others for sins that we ourselves commit too?\u00a0 Even if we don\u2019t commit the same sin as someone else, should we instead leave the judging and condemning to God?\u00a0 Below is a painting from 1650 from the school of Rembrandt of Judah and Tamar from today\u2019s readings: <\/span><\/p>\n Today in Genesis chapter 39 we read about Joseph in Potiphar\u2019s house!\u00a0 Verse 5 stood out to me in this chapter: \u201cFrom the day Joseph was put in charge, the LORD began to bless Potiphar for Joseph\u2019s sake. All his household affairs began to run smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I found it fascinating that God was blessing Potiphar for Joseph\u2019s sake.\u00a0 It reminded me of God blessing Laban for Jacob\u2019s sake earlier in Genesis.\u00a0 And I wonder \u2013 does God today continue to bless others around those who love God?\u00a0 For the sake of those who love God?\u00a0 I will admit that there are definitely times in my work life, where I feel like some very positive things are happening that are beyond me.\u00a0 Things I am not \u201ccontrolling\u201d on my own \u2013 it\u2019s something more.\u00a0 I do try to pray about my work life and pray that God will bless my business dealings \u2013 mostly to keep me honest & moral in my business dealings.\u00a0 And that God will allow me to love and serve others during the day.\u00a0 And big crazy good things continue happen \u2013 something happened just today that was unbelievable to me.\u00a0 It did not happen because of my own wits or power.\u00a0 Below is an image from a modern day production of \u201cJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat\u201d of Joseph in Potiphar\u2019s house:<\/span><\/p>\n Verses 8 & 9 also stood out to me in today\u2019s readings, demonstrating Joseph\u2019s strong moral integrity when being approached by Potiphar\u2019s wife: \u201cBut Joseph refused. \u201cLook,\u201d he told her, \u201cmy master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do! He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I admire this so much.\u00a0 Joseph was gaining more and more favor with Potiphar and more and more \u201cpower\u201d so to speak.\u00a0 And here we see a situation where Joseph could have abused his favor and power.\u00a0 But he did not.\u00a0 He stood strong with his moral convictions.\u00a0 And I wonder about this in our lives.\u00a0 As we maybe gain more and more favor in our work or personal or ministry lives, do we also gain more and more \u201cpower\u201d so to speak?\u00a0 And when this happens, do the temptations maybe even somehow seem to get bigger and bigger and our opportunity to abuse our favor or power get easier and easier?\u00a0 And in light of all this, will we stand strong by our moral convictions?\u00a0 Will we realize, like Joseph, that our favor or power only comes from God \u2013 and it can be taken away in an instant if we sin against God?\u00a0 If we give in to the temptation that pursues us\u2026\u00a0 Below is an oil on canvas painting by Rembrandt from 1655 titled \u201cJoseph Accused by Potiphar\u2019s wife\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Genesis chapter 37 titled \u201cJacob, Joseph, Jealousy, and a Journey to Egypt\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>, commentary on chapter 38 titled \u201cThe Skeleton in Judah\u2019s Closet\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and commentary on Genesis chapter 39 titled \u201cFrom the Penthouse to the Prison\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Lincoln Brewster\u2019s song, \u201cEverlasting God:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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