TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 28:10-22
I am the Lord, the God of your father Abra-ham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. - Genesis 28:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
When author Charles Dickens visited Niagara Falls, he wrote, “I was in a manner stunned, and unable to comprehend the vastness of the scene. It was not until I came on Table Rock, and looked—Great Heaven, on what a fall of bright green water!—that it came upon me in its full might and majesty. Then, when I felt how near to my Creator I was standing, the first effect, and the enduring one—instant and lasting—of the tremendous spectacle, was Peace. . . . Niagara was at once stamped upon my heart, an Image of Beauty; to remain there, changeless and indelible, until its pulses cease to beat, forever.”

The awe Dickens felt at Niagara Falls is akin to the awe Jacob felt at Bethel—the sense that the finger of God had touched this place. And for Jacob this touch came at the most unexpected of moments. After the events we studied yesterday, Esau was in a murderous rage. Jacob had to run for his life, leaving behind not only his brother but also a father who was probably still displeased and a mother to whose apron strings he appeared firmly tied. As he bedded down in the wilderness that night, it probably didn't feel like he had the birthright and blessing of Isaac and the Lord.

But that night, Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven. We picture a ladder or modern stairway, but probably he saw something like steps up the side of a ziggurat. Angels were going up and down the stairs, signaling God's presence and His interaction with human affairs (cf. John 1:51). God spoke to Jacob in the dream, renewing the covenant and promising to be his God in a personal sense also.

God got Jacob's attention, and that night his heart started to change . . . a little. His vow still sounded a bit like a bargain (vv. 20-22). Nonetheless, he was awestruck by what he had seen and comforted by God's promise in the midst of desperate circumstances. He set up a stone of remembrance, anointed it with oil, and renamed the place Bethel, or “house of God.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Throughout the Old Testament we have examples of God's people setting up places of remembrance as a testimony of what God has done. Do you have a “stone of remembrance” for God's work in your life? In the crush of everyday pressures we can lose sight of how much God has done, and our faith can be refreshed from recalling specific acts of God's goodness. Your “stone” might be a spiritual journal, a particular artwork or display that you have as a visual reminder, or maybe a favorite hymn or musical CD that helps you remember God's faithfulness to you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 29:1-30
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? - Jeremiah 17:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
They both said “I do,” but only the groom had actual stars in his eyes.

When Russian astronaut Yuri Malenchenko got married in August, 2003, he was on board the International Space Station orbiting the earth, while his fiancée, Yekaterina Dmitriyeva, was at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. They had already set a wedding date; but when his tour of space duty was extended, they decided to go ahead and get married by video link. Texas law allows marriages even if both parties are not physically present. “We just decided that this was the ultimate cosmic soulful connection,” she said.

Today's reading describes another unusual wedding, or rather, weddings. Jacob had arrived at Laban's house and, lacking the ability to pay for a bride, struck a bargain to work seven years in exchange for the hand of his beloved, Rachel. He did what he had always done—relied on his cleverness to get what he wanted—but in Laban he met his devious match. On the wedding night, he slipped Rachel's sister Leah into the bed. The bride was veiled, it was dark, the groom may have had too much wine, and the trick worked.

Why did Laban dupe Jacob? Partially because it was the custom for older sisters to marry first, as he rationalized, but also for convenience (Leah was not attractive and had probably proven difficult to find a groom for) and additional labor (he suggested another seven years rather quickly). To keep Jacob happy, he allowed him to marry Rachel right away, which meant the absurdity of two seven-day wedding feasts back-to-back. The predictable results were mistrust between Jacob and Laban, Jacob and Leah, and Leah and Rachel, as well as an unequal marriage in which one wife was clearly more loved. God sympathized with Leah, despite the probability that she was complicit in her father's scheme, and blessed her with sons (v. 31).

Old ways are hard to change. The human heart is proud. Yet when Jacob saw a mirror of himself in Laban's words and actions, his self-confidence must have been shaken. It was all part of God's plan.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you have some extra time this week, we suggest you dig deeper into the Word on the topic of marriage and romance. Check out both narrative and expository passages, including difficult or controversial topics—be sure to look at what Paul says about singleness, for example, or why the Old Testament patriarchs were polygamous. What biblical truths and principles are especially relevant to you in your current situation? God's Word has much to say to each of us on this vital topic.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 31
May the Lord keep watch between you and me. - Genesis 31:49
TODAY IN THE WORD
You may have heard of the Mason-Dixon Line as the dividing line between the South and the North. What you may not know is that it was originally set up to settle a land dispute when America was still a British colony. Charles Mason, an astronomer, and Jeremiah Dixon, a surveyor, were charged with the task in 1763 of marking the exact boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland and between Maryland and Delaware. It took them five years.

The stones they placed at one-mile intervals were large blocks of limestone, shipped from Great Britain and weighing between 300 and 600 pounds each. Today these stones are being searched out, catalogued, and restored.

Jacob and Laban set up stone boundary markers for a similar purpose. The game they had played in trying to take advantage of one another had gone sour, and Jacob had again run away, this time with family and goods.

This most recent spat revolved around another bargain about livestock, and thanks to God (not Jacob's superstitious actions) Jacob had gotten the better of it. His wealth had increased. But Laban's sons responded with coldness and jealousy, accusing Jacob of stealing or at least draining their inheritance. So he checked his wives' loyalty, waited until sheep-shearing time, and ran for it. There's evidence that Jacob had changed a little—this time, he acknowledged that God was responsible for his success (despite Laban's cheating), and cited an encouraging dream and promise from the Lord (vv. 5-13).

God protected Jacob by warning Laban during the pursuit (v. 24). He obeyed, putting a good face on it and pretending that all he wanted was a fond family farewell. Jacob, though, knew the real score. Once again we see his changed heart: “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you” (v. 42). In the end, they negotiated a tense agreement not to harm one another, with a stone marker and God as witnesses between them.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jacob spent a great deal of his life trusting in his own strength and cunning, and in fact he was pretty good at it. But God was trying to teach him to walk in faith and rely on His strength and wisdom. How about you? Have you been trusting in your own strength? If you're smart, talented, or successful, this can be a powerful temptation. But Scripture says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 32
I will not let you go until you bless me. - Genesis 32:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
The apostle Paul chose not to boast about his spiritual experiences, no matter how wonderful. Instead, he “boasted” in his weaknesses. God had given him a “thorn in the flesh”—widely thought to be some type of physical affliction— and though he had prayed for relief three times, none had been given. Instead of becoming frustrated by the unanswered prayer, Paul recognized that God was at work keeping him from becoming proud: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” “Therefore,” Paul responded, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:1-10).

Paul learned this lesson by wrestling with God in prayer—Jacob learned it by actual wrestling! On his journey, he worried what Esau might do to settle old scores, and since patterns are hard to break, he relied on himself to solve the problem. He sent a “test message” to his brother, strategically divided his people and goods into two groups, and sent gifts ahead to appease Esau's anger (these might be an implied apology as well). The pattern may be familiar, but Jacob actually was not the same man as before. He prayed fervently for God to save him, acknowledging his unworthiness, giving God the glory for his protection and success, and claiming His promises (vv. 9-12).

That night, he wrestled alone with God, though he didn't realize it was God until the end. In this encounter, he learned he couldn't prevail by his own strength. His inability to triumph physically was a meta-phor for his inability to solve problems his own way. God left Jacob with a limp, one he would bear for the rest of his life as a reminder of his weakness. But He also left him with a blessing, not because Jacob bargained but because he pleaded for it (v. 26). In addition, the Lord gave the patriarch a new name, Israel, meaning “he struggles with God” (v. 28). In what sense had Jacob “overcome”? He had recognized God and responded in faith. That's why he named the place Peniel, meaning “face of God.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you have ever wrestled with God in prayer, you know from your experience how it changes you. You may not have a physical limp as a result, but God does use those times to transform our hearts and minds.

Just as Jacob and Paul spent intense times with God, we can bring our earnest requests and desires to the Lord. These times of prayer aren't just about getting what we want—Paul still had his “thorn”—but it is about pouring out our hearts to God and seeing how He shapes our lives and perspective.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 35:1-15
Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him. - Genesis 35:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
A young Franklin Graham was returning by private plane to school in Texas when the electrical system failed. He and the pilot were stranded above rural Mississippi without lights, radio, or any means of guidance. Suddenly the night sky lit up with a search-light leading them safely to an airport landing strip. They discovered later what had happened—a Christian who managed a county airport had been giving a friend an after-hours tour and “just happened” to turn on the lights to show what he would do to help a plane in trouble. God had miraculously arranged everything!

Similarly, an older and wiser Jacob admitted in today's reading that God had taken care of him throughout his life (v. 3). He came full circle back to Bethel. Then he had dreamed of a stairway to heaven and first heard God promise to be his God. Now God renewed the covenant and confirmed his new name of Israel. Jacob purified himself and his family, burying and renouncing idols and building an altar to worship God alone. The content of the cove-nant had not changed in all these years. The Lord promised to make Jacob's descendants into a great nation and to give them the land of Canaan. These promises had been given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as a young man. In addition, God had promised to bring Jacob “back to this land,” and now He had done it!

Jacob responded in much the same way as he had years ago. He set up a stone pillar to commemorate the occasion, consecrated it by anointing it with oil, and poured out a drink offering in worship to the Lord. A drink offering—this is the first one specifically mentioned in Scripture—signified complete, wholehearted commitment (v. 14; cf. Phil. 2:17). What a turnaround! After a life characterized by deceit, struggle, and selfishness, Jacob surrendered everything to God. His life story is evidence that God's choosing of us doesn't depend on our own worthiness, as well as the fact that He keeps His promises and has a sovereign plan both for individual lives and for all of history.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As you may have noticed, we've skipped some passages in Genesis in the interests of time and devotional efficiency. But we encourage you to read through this entire book in one sitting sometime soon. Fifty chapters may seem daunting, but it probably won't take you more than a few hours to read through the whole book and get the big picture. If you do it soon, you'll be well- prepared to get more out of the story of Joseph as we conclude our study this week.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 37
He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. - Psalm 105:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1998, a pair of Levi's jeans manufactured in the 1880s was found in Nevada and auctioned on eBay. Said to be the oldest pair still in existence, the jeans fetched a handsome price of $46,532, paid by the Levi Strauss company itself. “This is an important piece of our company's history,” said the chairman. “It's great that they will now be preserved in our archives.”

If there are archives in heaven, surely Joseph's coat of many colors will be among the clothing artifacts on display. The NIV translates the phrase as “richly ornamented robe,” and the NAS as “varicolored tunic,” but the meaning in the original Hebrew language is uncertain. What's certain is that the garment signaled Joseph's status as Jacob's favorite son, the firstborn to his beloved wife Rachel. He didn't help matters by reporting on his brothers to his father or by telling everyone about his dreams, in which he was exalted above them all. Presumably these dreams were from God, since they came true; but notice that Joseph didn't mention God, and even Jacob was a bit shocked at their content. Still, he “kept the matter in mind,” remembering his own dream at Bethel (v. 11).

Joseph's brothers, naturally, hated him. They saw him as a spy, felt belittled by his dreams, and resented the favoritism. Given an opportunity, they plotted to kill him, but thanks to Reuben they “merely” sold him into slavery. Ironically, they used his robe as a prop for their story that Joseph had been killed by wild animals. Their deception was successful, and Jacob mourned deeply for his lost son.

The stage is set for the final patriarchal narrative in the book of Genesis. We've journeyed through the accounts of Creation, the Flood, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and now we'll travel with Joseph to Egypt, the starting point for Israel's nationhood. From a human perspective, so far it looks like a story of jealousy and revenge, but as today's verse makes clear, God had a plan. He sent Joseph on ahead to prepare the way. Joseph may or may not have sensed it, but he was right in the center of God's purposes for his life.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To truly get a bird's-eye view of biblical history, take a little extra time today to read Psalm 105. This psalm is a wonderful example of remembering history and using that memory to praise the Lord.

If you wish, try reading it aloud to yourself or your family—though if you do so at the dinner table, we recommend you wait until after the meal! It would also be appropriate to create your own “Psalm 105” where you think through your own history and praise the Lord for the ways He has worked in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 39
How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? - Genesis 39:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Raul Corvalan, a taxi driver in Buenos Aires, earns less than $200 per month, but he has something money can't buy: honesty. One day a woman left more than $3,500 worth of antique jewelry in the back of his cab. He called the taxi company, got the woman's address, and returned the jewelry box in person. The Argentinian government was so impressed they awarded him and his family a paid vacation at a nearby beach resort. Corvalan said, “I did not expect anything in return because what I did should be expected from everyone.”

Like Raul Corvalan, Joseph was a model of integrity. In Egypt, he was purchased as a slave by Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard. God was with him and gave him success, and soon he was trusted so highly he was put in charge of all the household affairs. As a steward, he pursued excellence and integrity in his duties, and his work was blessed (as was Potiphar's house) by the Lord.

Joseph also showed integrity in the area of sexual purity. He resisted sexual advances from Potiphar's wife, not once but multiple times. He tried to reason with her, saying it would be a betrayal of his master, and more importantly, a sin against God (v. 9). He tried to avoid the appearance of evil, refusing even to be with her. And finally, when she tried to force him to come to bed with her, he broke loose and ran away. Spurned and angry, she gave up on sex and opted for revenge, using Joseph's cloak as evidence for her lie to her husband. This was the second time his cloak had told an untruth about him! Even if the other servants knew the truth, no one would have dared to contradict her. Potiphar may have been suspicious of the lie, though. Some laws allowed for the death penalty in rape cases, but instead of having his slave executed Potiphar merely sent Joseph to prison.

In prison, the pattern repeated. Joseph's faith and righteousness remained strong. God was with him, he did well, and soon he was trusted again with leadership and responsibility (vv. 21-23).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we did back on the 10th, today we recommend several verses to add to your “Scripture memory bank.” These are all on the theme of fighting against sexual temptation: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Ephesians 5:3; and 1 Thessa-lonians 4:3-5. You can choose which one to memorize, but it would be wonderful to choose all three and recite them to yourself often. Be like Joseph: “Flee from sexual immorality . . . not even a hint . . . honor God with your body.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 40-41
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. - Daniel 2:22
TODAY IN THE WORD
Convicted of murder in 1984, Darryl Hunt spent 18 years in a North Carolina prison. But recently DNA evidence led the police to another man, who confessed to the killing and testified that he acted alone. A judge voided the charges against Hunt, the governor issued a pardon, and the wronged man became eligible for financial compensation. “Finally, my innocence is recognized,” he said. “For so many years I have been trying to prove my innocence only to be told I was lying, and to finally have it official means a lot.”

Joseph must have had a similar feeling when the prison doors swung open for him. Unjustly accused and imprisoned, he was handed a golden opportunity to interpret dreams for Pharaoh's baker and cupbearer. As with Daniel, quoted in today's verse, God gave him the interpretations so that He would receive glory in a pagan land (40:. Both interpretations came true—one man was executed, the other pardoned. Surely the pardoned man would say a word in the king's ear and help Joseph regain his freedom? Surely that was God's plan? Once he regained his job, however, the cupbearer forgot all about Joseph, who languished in jail for two more years. From a human point of view, God's intervention and Joseph's faith had struck out.

But from God's point of view, He was saving Joseph for the main event—Pharaoh had a dream, and the pieces of the puzzle started to come together. The wise men of Egypt could not interpret it, and in the midst of this crisis the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph. Brought before the king, with everything to lose, Joseph boldly gave God the credit (41:16), correctly interpreted the dream as a warning of famine, and even made a policy recommendation about gathering and rationing food. Impressed, and discerning the “spirit of God” in this young man, Pharaoh appointed him a high court official, perhaps like a Prime Minister or Minister of Agriculture (v. 37-40).

Joseph was only thirty years old—it had been thirteen difficult years since his teenage dreams. In the blink of an eye, God's power had taken him from the bottom to the top!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Joseph's advice to Pharaoh exemplifies many principles of good stewardship. Part of good stewardship is preparing for your retirement years. Are you doing so now?

Though of course your ultimate faith is in God, not what you save, to meet your needs in retirement, there are many good biblical reasons to investigate your options. You might want to seek advice from Planned Giving personnel at Moody, or read a book by Larry Burkett or another Christian financial counselor.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 42-43
Preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. - Proverbs 3:21–22
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Great Library of Alexandria was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Established about 295 b.c., it collected the leading books of antiquity, including Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Buddhist texts, and the first translations of Scripture—an estimated 700,000 scrolls in all. Now Egypt is building on this great tradition with a new Bibliotheca Alexandrina near the site of the original. It has the same purposes, too—“a focal point for research, the advancement of knowledge, and the open exchange of ideas.”

The historical and cultural learning and achievements of Egypt are indeed impressive. But in the story of Joseph, God used a former slave from Canaan to make plans to save the country. Through faith and discernment, Joseph—once a slave and prisoner—jumped from a cell to a key position in Pharaoh's court. Through faith and discernment, Joseph saved many people from starvation during the years of famine, including his own family.

The severity of the famine forced Jacob to send his sons to Egypt, where they had heard there was grain. When they had their audience with the official in charge of food distribution, they failed to recognize Joseph—after all, he had grown into a man during the intervening years, was dressed in Egyptian clothing, and spoke Egyptian. Plus, the last time they saw him he was a slave in a Midianite caravan, so an Egyptian palace was the last place they expected to find him! Joseph recognized them, though, and decided to test them. By accusing them of spying on the first visit, and showing favoritism to Benjamin during the second, he aimed to find out how his family was doing and whether his brothers' hearts had changed at all.

Joseph discovered that his father still grieved his loss and that his brothers still felt guilt over their long-ago actions (42:21). Their guilt led them to make solemn pledges to Jacob about Benjamin's safety when they returned with him the second time. As for Jacob, he seemed resigned to his fate and made no mention of trusting the Lord. Little did they know that forgiveness and reunion were just around the corner!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Be generous today. Give someone an unexpected gift. Our example is Joseph, who put the silver back into his brothers' grain sacks. If this had been part of testing them (as putting the cup into Benjamin's sack will be), he would have accused them of stealing it, but he never mentioned it. Apparently he just wanted to be sure his family had enough money for the hard days ahead. In the same way, give your gift with no thought of reward or human praise.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 44-45
God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. - Genesis 45:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Darryl Williams was a black high school football player with a bright future before he was shot by white youths in a racially motivated act of violence. The bullet turned him into a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down. Williams, though, went on to finish high school and university and now holds a normal job. His assailants were arrested, convicted, and served their time in jail. Darryl has never met them. They have never apologized, but he chose to forgive them anyway. “Hate is a useless emotion that takes up too much energy,” he said. “If I were to retaliate in anger, what would make me different from them? Both my religion and my common sense tell me it's the thing to do.”

Joseph, too, chose to forgive his brothers' sin of selling him into slavery and telling their father he was dead. As a high official in Egypt, he could have had them executed or imprisoned. But he knew God had directed his every step, and this knowledge helped him overcome his natural feelings.

In today's reading we enjoy the climax of a suspenseful plot. Joseph planted a silver cup in his brother Benjamin's grain sack, then made a false accusation to see what his other brothers would do. Had they changed? Yes. Judah told the whole story to try and gain Joseph's sympathy, and he offered to make good on his vow to take Benjamin's place. These were not the same men who had jumped on the chance to sell Joseph into slavery more than twenty years before.

In response, Joseph finally revealed his identity in one of the most gripping, emotional scenes in biblical narrative. His brothers were terrified—by the unexpectedness, the switch in languages, the sudden presence of their long-lost brother, their powerlessness, and their deep feelings of guilt. Joseph, however, did not seek revenge; instead he provided for his family's needs, inviting them to come and live in the best part of Egypt. More significantly, he comforted and forgave his brothers, assuring them that “God sent me ahead of you” and that it had been His saving plan governing Joseph's life all along (45:7-8).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers is a type or foreshadowing of Christ, who died on the cross to forgive even far more grievous sins and betrayals.

If you are struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you, meditate on this story of Joseph and his brothers. God does not excuse the sinful action of the brothers, but He still redeemed the situation to ensure the survival of His people. And He gave Joseph the ability to see His perspective and to forgive his brothers. Pray that the Holy Spirit will grant you His grace to forgive.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 48
The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day . . . may he bless these boys. - Genesis 48:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
Bernard Weisberg was a pioneering Chicago lawyer and judge who fought for individual rights, especially civil rights. But perhaps his most important legacy was to his children—a love for reading and writing. He read aloud to them often, everything from fairy tales to Mark Twain. Now one son, Joseph, recently published his first novel. Another, Jacob, is a talented editor and journalist. “My father was a kind of Johnny Appleseed with books,” he said. “Not only was he always extolling their virtues; he gave and lent, scattering them where he went.” As Bernard himself wrote, “Reading with our children will be first and last an act of love, a uniquely rewarding kind of intimacy, and a rich storehouse of shared experience.”

Fathers' legacies make such a difference! What legacy did Jacob leave to his sons? First, he passed on God's covenant promises. Specifically, he adopted as his own Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manas-seh, and blessed them. Although he was the oldest, Reuben had lost his birthright (see Gen. 35:22; 1 Chron. 5:1-2). Joseph was Rachel's firstborn, and we see this adoption as Jacob giving him the birthright, a double portion of the inheritance.

Second, Jacob also passed on a legacy of thankfulness and trust. He praised God's goodness in allowing him to see Joseph and his family (v. 11). He called the Lord, “the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day” (v. 15). In this intimate picture, we sense how far Jacob's heart has changed from that of the young trickster who cooked the famous lentils. He believed God would fulfill His promises, for He made Joseph swear to bury him back in Canaan. He exhorted his family to walk in faith and to trust in God's sovereign plan.

Nothing that happened in the lives of Jacob and Joseph was random. Somewhat to their own surprise, they had lived lives filled with purpose—not by their own efforts or abilities, but because God ordered their steps. That's our God, too, always working “for the good of those who love Him” (Rom. 8:28).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Family reunions are a common occurrence in the United States, but even if your biological family doesn't get together, you can still celebrate the spirit of Genesis 45-48 with your spiritual family.

If your church has a homecoming service or some other church-wide fellowship time, be sure to take part. If not, talk to your pastor and other church leaders to see if you can help organize such a gathering. This is a great way for the family of God to share joyfully in each other's lives!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 50:15-26
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. - Genesis 50:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the late nineteenth century, an anonymous African was taken from his grave, stuffed by French taxidermists, dressed in feathers and skins, and until recently exhibited in a museum in Banyoles, Spain. For decades he was known as El Negro, looked at by generations of schoolchildren on field trips.

Now he's home. After many years of protests and negotiations, the unknown man's remains were returned to Botswana and given a state funeral. This powerful symbolism was front-page news and hundreds came to view their stolen ancestor.

Just before his mummification and burial in a foreign land, Joseph likewise requested that his body eventually be returned home to Canaan. Since he talked about God coming to their aid, things may have already been going sour for the Israelites (vv. 24-25). Hundreds of years later, his descendants remembered and honored his request (see Ex. 13:19).

After Jacob died, Joseph's brothers showed that while their hearts had changed somewhat, they still didn't understand forgiveness. They assumed that with their father dead, Joseph would seize the opportunity for revenge. When he heard their feeble attempt at trickery, aimed at escaping his imagined vengeance, he wept. Had they lived all this time without feeling forgiven? Did they not have enough faith to grasp the beauty of God's plan? All he could do was repeat what he had said before. Despite their wrong motives and actions, God had worked everything that hap-pened for good. Through Joseph, many lives were saved during the difficult years of famine, his own family's not least of all. They needed to see what Joseph saw, the bigger picture—lives saved, God's name glorified among the nations, and His covenant promises still at work.

Our prayer is that you have also seen the big picture this month in our study of Genesis—the grand sweep of history's origins, the breathtaking faithfulness of God, and the purpose- filled lives lived by those who have run the race before us (Heb. 12:1). From this study of beginnings, we have discovered that our life purposes can be found in God alone!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What lessons or principles have you learned this month from our study of Genesis? Take some time today to re-read, reflect, and review. Especially in relation to this year's overall theme of life purposes, what do Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph have to say to you here and now?

As we begin this new year, ask the Lord to reveal His purposes for you, and seek to incorporate these truths into your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 56
In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? - Psalm 56:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Last summer, two fishermen from the tiny island nation of Kiribati, disoriented by bad weather, became hopelessly lost in the vast Pacific Ocean. For eight weeks, they drifted and survived by drinking rain water and eating raw fish. Finally, after other boats had apparently ignored their signals for help, they were miraculously rescued by another fishing boat near Papua New Guinea.

The writer of Psalm 56 needed rescuing from a similarly desperate situation. David wrote this after pretending to be insane in order to evade Philistine hostility (1 Sam. 21:10-22:1; cf. Ps. 34). He had run from Saul and the Israelites, then from the Philistines, and was feeling quite discouraged and alone. The psalm has three basic elements—a prayer, a description of the situation, and a response of faith—each of which is expanded. The prayer is found in verses 1 and 7-8; the situation in verses 1-2 and 5-6; and the response in verses 3-4 and 9-13.

The prayer begins simply: “Be merciful to me.” In the expansion, we get a picture of mercy that also includes justice. David wanted God to pay attention to his lament, to judge his enemies, and to bring them down in righteous anger. The enemies mentioned above had been hot on his trail, so much so that he ended up hiding in a cave. They are colorfully portrayed as slanderous, proud, and murderous, twisting his words and conspiring against him. It is interesting that his lament is written in a “scroll,” God's book, a biblical image often associated with accurate judgment (cf. Mal. 3:16-4:3).

David's response also begins simply: “I will trust in you.” He knew that people posed no threat because God was on his side. His enemies would give up chasing him and he would present thank offerings to the Lord. In his mind, this was a “done deal.” He fully expected to continue to “walk before God in the light of life,” receiving His blessings.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
David was so sure of God's deliverance that he gave thanks as if that deliverance had already happened. We can take the same faith-filled attitude modeled by this man after God's own heart. However bad it seems, however bad it is, the Lord will rescue you . . . He will keep you on your feet . . . He will bring you again to the “light of life” (v. 13). You, too, can cling to this truth, and pray for God to give you the eternal perspective of His salvation. As yesterday's verse said, “He will never let the righteous fall.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 1:1-12
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.� - Matthew 3:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his best-selling book Rick Warren notes that the search for purpose in life has puzzled people for thousands of years. The reason, he explains, is because we usually begin at the wrong starting point. We begin with ourselves. The real secret to purpose is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Today we are beginning a month-long study of the life of Jesus as it is described in the Gospel of Mark. It is a lively account, full of action. In it we will see how all that Jesus did during His earthly ministry was influenced by His own sense of purpose. Our lives will lack purpose without a proper understanding of Christ.

Mark's gospel begins with a brief description of the ministry of John, the one who came baptizing in the desert and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark indicates that John's ministry of preaching and baptism fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. John was sent to set the stage for the coming Messiah and announce His purpose. John's message promised that the one who came after him would indeed baptize with the Holy Spirit.

According to Matthew's Gospel, John objected when Jesus came to him to be baptized by him. Jesus convinced him by explaining that it was “proper to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). This phrase might just as well have been Jesus' mission statement. The appropriateness of Jesus' actions were confirmed by God the Father's public testimony. When the Holy Spirit visibly descended in the form of a dove, it affirmed the Father's love for Jesus and marked Him as the one who would baptize in the Spirit. It is significant that the first action Jesus took once He began His public ministry was to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit (v. 12).

Jesus' actions exemplify the two most important dimensions of a life of purpose. He knew what God the Father had called Him to do, and He was responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in His life. We too have a purpose to fulfill and are led by the Spirit of God (Phil. 2:13; Rom. 8:14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we begin this study of the purpose of Christ as it is revealed in the Gospel of Mark, take a few minutes to think about your own life. Look over your calendar for the last month. In what have you been investing your time? Take a few minutes to review your finances. What do they say about your priorities? Now summarize your conclusions in a single purpose statement that accurately reflects what you have seen. Are you satisfied with it? If not, ask God to use our studies in the next few weeks to show you where changes need to be made.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 1:14-20
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. - Luke 5:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
Evangelist D. L. Moody was deeply affected by the observation of Henry Varley who said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” It is a challenging question. Yet it brings to mind an even more challenging one. What can God do with an ordinary person?

Few of us would say that we meet the criteria described by Varley. It's not that we are unconsecrated to God. It's just that we see ourselves as falling into the class of people that can best be described as “average.” We are not the brightest or the boldest. We do not stand out in a crowd. We're just regular people.

According to today's passage, we are just the sort of people that Jesus Christ seeks to be His followers. The first disciples that Jesus called were fishermen casting their nets into the lake. He did not go to the religious elite to select those who would become His apostles; He went to common men as they went about their daily business. This is often the context for God's call. Moses and David were called to special service while guarding the flock (Ex. 3:1; 1 Sam. 16:11). Elisha was called while plowing his father's field (1 Kings 19:19).

When the call to special service finally came, it brought with it the expectation of an immediate response. Simon, Andrew, James, and John all answered Christ's call “without delay” (v. 20). They left their nets and their families behind in order to take up a new calling as “fishers of men” (v. 17). In each case obedience was costly. They abandoned their livelihood and may have faced family disapproval for taking up a more controversial and certainly less lucrative calling.

Later in his ministry Peter would remind Jesus of the sacrifices they had made and inquire about what they would gain in return. Jesus promised that anyone who has left goods or family behind for the sake of the kingdom of God will eventually receive a hundred times as much in addition to eternal life (Matt. 19:28-29; Mark 10:29-31).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you longing to do something “great” for God? In most cases the greatest thing we can do for God is the thing He has put in front of us to do. It might be doing your best on the job or serving your family with an attitude of joy. Serving God is a matter of daily obedience that is worked out in the home and on the job.

Remind yourself of your responsibility to consecrate yourself to God by copying Henry Varley's quote and placing it where you will be able to see it as you go about your daily affairs.