Despite God acting in the prison cell, Joseph remains in prison, forgotten about. His brother Reuben had of course failed to come back to rescue him from the pit, now the cupbearer fails to remember to help. How could God’s promises come true. Read Genesis 41 Now Pharoah himself is troubled by dreams. First seven… Continue reading You raise me up
Tag: Old Testament Studies
Prison
It had seemed like Joseph had fallen as low as possible when he found himself sold as a slave in Egypt. Yet, now he had fallen further still, just when things had looked like they were on the way up again. He now finds himself falsely accused, treated as a criminal and in prison. At… Continue reading Prison
Tempted
The story now switches back to Egypt where Joseph has been sold by the traders. If Judah had failed the test and so was not vindicated or justified when it came to relationships, how would Joseph fare? Read Genesis 39:1-20 The traders sell Jospeh to Potiphar, a commander in the Egyptian army. It seems that… Continue reading Tempted
A murky tale
The focus on Joseph’s story means that Genesis 38 tends to be skipped over a bit which is a shame. The story of Judah and Tamar is crucial both to the unfolding Bible story line and to what is happening with Joseph. We leave Jacob’s favoured son for a time, sold into slavery in Egypt. … Continue reading A murky tale
Sold
Joseph continues to work for his father. However, there is no doubt that the combination of the bad reports he was passing back to his dad, the favour shown by Jacob and the dreams made for an uneasy working relationship between the brothers. Read Genesis 37:12-36 Jacob sends Joseph to check in on his brothers… Continue reading Sold
The dreamer
God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3). Although Abraham and Sarah, his wife were childless, God had promised them a son. When the boy finally arrives, he is named Isaac which plays on the idea of laughter. Isaac has twins, Esau and Jacob but although slightly younger by… Continue reading The dreamer
40 days in Isaiah – a Lent course
We are approaching Lent, the build up to Easter. Whilst there is no compulsion on believers to observe particular seasons, fasts and festivals, many do find it helpful to set aside specific time for prayer, reflection and study. Last year I put together a series of readings and studies working through Isaiah as a potential Lent course. You… Continue reading 40 days in Isaiah – a Lent course
Honouring the enemy
After honouring Mordecai, Ahasuerus goes on to honour another man, Haman. He is appointed to high office and the people are commanded to bow did to him and pay him homage. Mordecai refuses and this is picked up on by palace officials. They also pick up on the fact that he is Jewish. Why does… Continue reading Honouring the enemy
Vashti’s defiance
The story of Esther starts in the emperor’s palace. Ahasuerus, most closely identified with Xerxes is described in terms of power and wealth. He is described as ruling over an empire from Africa to India (1:1-2). He throws a party to show off his wealth and opulence (1:4-8). This wasn’t just a knees up and… Continue reading Vashti’s defiance
Tempted
#FaithrootsPodcast 1 Chronicles 21:1 -22:1 Tempted 1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1 The census (v1-5) 2 Samuel 24 makes God the source of the provocation for a census. “Satan … ‘Adversary,’ without the article, than than God is the instigator of David’s census. Such a figure does not appear elsewhere in Chronicles(or Ezra-Nehemiah): indeed only in Job 1-2… Continue reading Tempted
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