Bless Your Children.

Even a casual reader of the Old Testament will notice that people took spoken words—blessings and curses—more seriously back then.  Genesis is filled with powerful blessings spoken over people.  Each patriarch blesses his sons: Abraham blesses Isaac, Isaac blesses Jacob and Esau, Jacob blesses his twelve sons, and more.  Some of Jacob’s blessings are poetic:

“Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the kill. He crouches, he lies down like a lion—who dares to rouse him?… Asher’s food will be rich, and he will produce royal delicacies.  Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns. Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine beside a spring; its branches climb over the wall….” Genesis 49:9-22.

As parents, God gave us blessings for our children. For our daughter, He gave the name “Twila,” meaning “woven of two threads,” indicating she will be strongly tied to God because her spiritual heritage is strong in both her father and her mother’s lines.  For our son, God gave a Bible verse indicating he will be a blessing to our family and others.

But a keyword search of Genesis reveals that the word “bless” is preceded far more often by “God” (as in “God blessed Joseph”) than by the name of anyone else.  God does much more blessing than even the best parents.  The patriarchs understood this: IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE BLESSED, GOD MUST BE BEHIND IT.  When the pagan Potiphar prospered, he knew God was blessing Joseph, 39:3.  The jailer too saw that God was with Joseph, 39:23. Later Pharaoh recognized the Spirit of God in Joseph, 41:38. Certainly God’s children (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) would have understood this too: blessings come from God, not merely the words of your parents. 

Nevertheless, the words of parents have overwhelming power. Encouragement can change the direction of a child’s life—but so can criticism. In no other relationship can your words do more harm—or more good.  Choose words wisely and bless your children!

Dear God, bless us as only you can!  Bless our work and our time the way you blessed the work of Joseph. Make us honorable, filled with integrity as he was—and BLESS the work of our hands, because we know blessings come from you.  And bless our words, so we can be a blessing to our children.

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“It Was Not You, But God…”

By God’s grace, terrible things can have positive outcomes. Romans 8:28 says “God causes all things to work together for good….”  God is sovereign—He is the Ruler and King of the universe. He fashions the worst things into good.

More than twenty years after they sold him into slavery, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. “But they could not answer him because they were terrified” Genesis 45:3.  They were thinking ‘it can’t be him, but if it is, he’s going to kill us.’  Joseph anticipated their fears:

“Don’t be worried or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because GOD SENT ME ahead of you to preserve life….  GOD SENT ME ahead of you to establish a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Therefore, IT WAS NOT YOU WHO SENT ME HERE, BUT GOD” Gen. 45:5-8.

This is not passive voice, right? Joseph says: GOD DID THIS.  “GOD SENT ME… GOD SENT ME… IT WAS NOT YOU.”  Joseph KNOWS this was God’s plan. He KNOWS God wanted him in Egypt, in Potiphar’s house, and even in prison. He KNOWS it was not just his brothers being cruel (though they were). Joseph says “GOD DID IT.” After Jacob died years later, Joseph had to say it again:

“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? YOU MEANT IT FOR EVIL, BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD, to bring about the present result—the salvation of many people” Gen. 50:19-20.

Never be so focused on your problems that you can’t see that God might be doing something amazing. Forgive people who hurt you—and beg God to show you the GOOD he will do through those hurts.

God, give us forgiveness and gratitude in the face of problems. Show us your amazing grace to bring good out of pain. Give us wisdom and hearts like Joseph, so we can truly forgive and see your hand at work.

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A “TYPE OF CHRIST” (Have You Heard the Phrase?)

At the age of 147, Jacob is in his final days.  He calls his sons to himself and blesses each one—although some of the blessings sound like curses as he notes their colossal failures. Jacob reserves the greatest blessing for Judah, which reads in part:

“The SCEPTER will not depart from Judah or the STAFF from between his feet until He whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him” Genesis 49:10. 

This is a Messianic prophecy.  Not only will David and most of the nation’s kings come from Judah, but the Messiah will descend from Judah. 

Why bless Judah?  He was a scheming, ruthless man.  But he did one great thing that not only endeared him to Jacob, but made him a “TYPE” of Christ. A type is a prophetic symbol of someone coming in the future, ‘type’ being the word for an impression left behind by a stamp or by the tiny letters sculpted on the type bars of an old typewriter.  When Judah’s life strikes the page, it leaves a print that matches Jesus. Judah’s life points to Jesus.  

But when? When does Judah ever look like Jesus?  Judah is “Christ-like” when he offers his own life as a substitute for the life of his brother Benjamin.  In that moment, Judah becomes a TYPE of the Savior who would offer His life as a substitute for ours.  This is Judah’s greatest moment; this is why Jacob blesses Judah and God makes him the father of a race of kings, culminating in the birth of the KING OF KINGS, who to this day is known as “THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH” Revelation 5:5.  (Learn the phrase “type of Christ.” There are dozens of other people who are types of Christ, including Isaac on the altar, Joseph, Moses, and David.)

Judah’s one great shining moment is also his chance to redeem his past.  Perhaps he has learned his lesson, finally doing something selfless and noble.  Some of his brothers may never have learned.

God, give us the integrity of Joseph. But when we lack it, help us move past our failures and make new and better choices as Judah did.  Remind us it’s never too late to change.

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Forgiving is Easy When You See God’s Hand.

When Joseph insists on keeping the “thief” Benjamin as his slave, Judah asks to take his place:

“My father’s life is wrapped up with the boy’s life.  When he sees that he is not with us, he will die…. Now please let your servant [Judah] remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy….  For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the grief that would overwhelm my father” Genesis 44:30-34.

Joseph can bear no more.  He turns to his brothers: “I am Joseph!’ But they could not answer him because they were terrified” 45:3.  The brothers are stunned.  (I wrote in my Bible: “history’s ultimate jaw-dropping moment.”)  Little brother’s dreams came true.  Joseph rules the world.  What will he do now? Each knows the vengeance he would execute were he in Joseph’s place.  They are ruthless schemers.  But Joseph is different.

“Don’t be worried or angry with yourselves… GOD SENT ME AHEAD OF YOU TO PRESERVE LIFE…. GOD SENT ME ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt….  Tell my father about all my glory in Egypt and about all you have seen. And bring my father here quickly” 45:5-8,13.

Can you look at injustices and see God’s hand at work? Sometimes you can, sometimes you cannot.  But you can always forgive. Remember Romans 8:28 “God causes ALL THINGS to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  He will bring good from your suffering!

Dear God, help us to see YOUR PURPOSE in all that we suffer. And help us to forgive those who do horrible things to us.  Give us the integrity of Joseph.

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How’s Your Professionalism?

During 13 years in Egypt, Joseph was slave to Potiphar, falsely accused, left in a dungeon, forgotten.  Suddenly he is summoned: “Take a bath.  Shave that beard.  Put on fresh clothes.  Whatever Pharaoh says, do your best to answer.”

Suddenly Joseph is standing before the king.  He interprets Pharaoh’s dream and gives God the credit.  But Joseph does more.  He speaks boldly, offering the king of the world a plan:

“Let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Let him appoint overseers, and take a fifth of the harvest during the seven years of abundance….  Under Pharaoh’s authority, store the grain in the cities, so they may preserve it as food” Genesis 41:33-35. 

Joseph, now 30, speaks his new language well.  He is a born leader. Pharaoh is impressed and immediately makes him second-in-command. Had Joseph merely explained the dreams, perhaps shyly, while looking down and mumbling, the outcome might have been different.  Pharaoh would still have been pleased; the meaning of the dreams was all he asked.  But because Joseph made an impression, Pharoah gave him his signet ring and the power to save the world by managing the largest food storage project in history.

Joseph was ready. “BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON” 2 Timothy 4:2.  Can you speak well—or will you by age 30?  No, seriously. If you were brought before judges or corporate presidents, could you speak like a professional?  For example, do you know when to say ‘my wife and I’ versus ‘my wife and me’?  Do you have a good vocabulary and working knowledge of real-world, grown-up topics? Can you hold off on the cussing and slang and speak like a professor when required?  Can you stand up straight and make bold eye contact?  These skills matter and can be found in MANY (but not all) Bible characters.  Jesus, who, like Joseph, was 30 when lifted into His most important role, was an incredible speaker and was confident before both Jewish and Roman leaders.  May we be the same.

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Time Flies When You’re Working Hard.

Imagine sitting in a dungeon all day, nothing to do, nothing to read, no one to talk to. Time crawls. 

Joseph was sold into slavery at 17.  He served Potiphar, was falsely accused, spent years in prison, then was elevated to second-in-command of Egypt. But Joseph had never stopped working. God did not send him to Egypt to wile away his time in a cell, atrophy consuming body and mind. God sent him to Egypt to work and hustle and face challenges and grow. Those 13 years, serving first Potiphar and then the head of the Palace Guard, grew Joseph into the man God wanted him to be. Potiphar saw God blessing things he entrusted to Joseph—so Potiphar entrusted EVERYTHING to Joseph. Joseph—an immigrant, still learning the language and culture—soon ran Potiphar’s entire business. 

The same thing happened in prison: the Captain of the Guard saw how capable Joseph was and put him in charge of EVERYTHING.  And Joseph worked hard, dawn to dusk, never slowing down.  He must have arrived in Egypt with incredible skills.  But slavery and prison taught him humility and compassion. Still, the man worked hard and time did not drag.

And when Joseph finally met Pharoah, the king put him in charge of EVERYTHING.  In essence, Joseph WAS king.  His word was law.  And God blessed the entire nation through his leadership.

“The Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man….  The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him… the Lord made everything he did successful.” Genesis 39:2,21,23.

One key to Joseph’s success?  HARD WORK.

“Do your work with all your heart, as unto God rather than men. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24.

God, teach us to work hard, to be grateful for work and acts of service—and help us work hard FOR YOU, not just for others or ourselves. Remind us that we are serving you and you are growing us through our work. Bless our work as you blessed Joseph’s.

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The Blessing of God.

In Egypt, Joseph gave his sons names that indicated God had blessed him “in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:51-52. But Joseph was not the only one who knew God’s hand was on him. It was obvious to Egypt’s idol-worshipping pagans:

“And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper…. [so Potiphar] made him overseer in his house… and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had.”

Genesis 39:2-5.

And even in prison:

“The Lord was with Joseph… and the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners… because the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper” 39:21-23.

And Pharoah:

“Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?… and Pharoah took off his ring and put it on Joseph’s hand,” 41:38,42. 

God’s blessings were all over Joseph, and he became second-in-command of all Egypt.

I love the story of Joe. So what can I do to have God’s blessings in my life? Any clues? Part of it is God’s choice—He chose Joseph for special blessings. But it’s more than that. Joseph OBEYED. Imagine: young man, all alone in a new land, no friends or family, no one speaks his language or worships his God. But there is one woman who is after him every day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. She grabs his clothes and begs: “Sleep with me!” That would be SO TEMPTING! (Seriously.) He answered:

“How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”—and he tore himself loose leaving his robe in her hand! (How hard did she pull? She was scary-determined.)

But notice, Joseph did not focus on sinning against Potiphar, his wife, or himself. He feared sinning against God. –And that’s the key to his blessings. God blesses us when we obey.

How can you obey God more? Is there a sin you need to eliminate? Do you crave God’s blessings? Obey Him and be patient. Plant good seeds and in a later season (give them time to grow), you will reap a good harvest. 

—read Galatians 6:9

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The Lord is With You. Genesis 39 and 40.

Who is your favorite person in the Bible—excluding Jesus, the God-Man? Mine has always been Joseph, and I began reading his story today: a gifted dreamer, super-talented, picked-on, and misunderstood. And righteous. What a man of INTEGRITY.

But though sold into slavery in a foreign, pagan land, he was never alone, not even in the Egyptian prison. When Joseph worked in Potiphar’s house, Genesis 39:2 says “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.” Other versions say “God made whatever he did to prosper.” I think Joseph knew that. He knew it was not just him or his brains or talents. Throughout his life, when dreams needed to interpreted, Joseph always told the dreamers that “interpretations belong to God” (40:8; see also 41:16). He knew it was never about him.

So God was with Joseph and Joseph knew it. Sometimes I find myself praying that way—that God would be with me as He was with my hero, Joseph.

When Potiphar threw Joseph into prison, chapter 39 repeats the chorus: “The Lord was with Joseph, and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (v. 21). That’s amazing. Imagine having God as your social coordinator, blessing your relationships with people and causing them to view you in a positive light. Sometimes I pray this too: “God, grant me favor in the eyes of so-and-so….” And He can do it. Honestly, I know He has done it. While I may be tempted to look at myself and see only failure, I know that there are a lot of people who have high opinions of me. God HAS granted me favor in their eyes.


Finally, it says again, “THE LORD MADE EVERYTHING THAT HE DID SUCCESSFUL” (39:23). Boy, have I prayed for that over the years. I need success. Don’t we all? I need to do well, earn a raise and a bonus, pay bills on time, and take care of dozens of responsibilities that God has given me to steward. You better believe I’m praying for God to bless me and to “make everything I do successful.” Amen.


Dear Lord, like Jabez, I pray, “Oh, that thou wouldst bless me indeed!” We need your blessings, Lord. Make our efforts successful. Bless us in our jobs, our schoolwork, our hobbies, our home. May people see JESUS in us, through our love and patience and forgiveness and grace and integrity and our servant hearts. Be with us, God, and make us successful for YOUR GLORY, not our own.

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Dirt Farmers and Horse Thieves: Dregs. Genesis 38.

My dad used to joke, “My ancestors were all dirt farmers and horse thieves.” Actually, his farmer-ancestors were hard-working, honest, kind, and willing to reserve judgment until they had heard all the facts.  Yet my grandfather’s nine siblings were not untouched by scandal and rumor.

Every family tree has rotten limbs—it’s a mathematical certainty. For some, it may be your parents.  For others, you have to look further, knowing the worst among us are hardest to find. Criminals, drunks, gamblers who can’t pay, and the unemployable often live on the run leaving behind few records for the genealogical researcher. But they lived, whether you can find them or not.

‘Dregs of society’ is a metaphor comparing the lowly to grounds swirling in the bottom of a coffee cup.  And one genealogical record is loaded with the dregs of society: Jesus.  The Messiah is descended from Rahab, a pagan prostitute; King Ahaz who worshipped idols and had his own son burned alive as a human sacrifice; King Joash who murdered the prophet Zechariah; and many more.

Jesus is “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah”—consider the sins of His ancestor, Judah.  First, he kidnapped his brother Joseph, second, he suggested selling Joseph into slavery.  Then he raised sons so wicked, the Lord slew them. He disobeyed God regarding his daughter-in-law, Tamar. Later, he slept with a prostitute. Then he angrily sentenced Tamar to death for ‘having played the harlot’ before realizing she was pregnant by him.  Like the soap operas of David and Solomon, the life of Judah is a pageant of sin and shame.  But there is no shame in Jesus.

And there is no shame in you!  No matter how bad your parents are, no matter the secrets in your family, God sees you individually.

“In those days, it will no longer be said: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.’ Instead, each will die for his own iniquity. If anyone eats sour grapes, his own teeth will be set on edge” Jeremiah 31:29-30.

God, thank you for redeeming us no matter our family of origin.  Thank you for grace!

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Keep the Matter in Mind. Genesis 37:11.

Sometimes parenting feels like a rerun of a TV show I already watched.

But more often, the themes are similar, but the stories are quite different. And the way God speaks to me about those stories is also different. When I struggled with algebra, God spoke to me and led me through the minefield. When my children struggled with algebra, God reminded me of my own experience and of the principles that should lead to success—but He did not step into my life and lead me the way He did when it was MY story.

God works differently in the lives of parents. He reminds us of our own experiences, and of wisdom and truths that will guide our children. But parenting is a bit like coaching—we are not on the field, but on the sideline. We offer advice, but we cannot play the game.

This makes for an interesting experience for parents in the Bible. When Joseph had dreams that his father did not approve of, Jacob rebuked his son. Joseph’s brothers were angry and jealous, but his father “kept the matter in mind” Genesis 37:11. Even though Jacob was offended by his son’s dreams, the Bible says the father kept the matter in mind. In other words, Jacob knew that some dreams come from God, and he could not ignore his son’s two dreams. Somewhere in the mind of this parent was an openness to the ways of God and the mystery of an unknown future. Rather than ignore the matter and forget the dreams, Dad “kept the matter in mind.” Years later, those dreams would be fulfilled, and the favorite son that Jacob had mourned as dead for twenty years would turn out to be alive and one of the two most powerful men on earth. I believe keeping the matter in mind gave Jacob a glimmer of hope during the dark years of mourning for the son he thought was dead.

The Bible uses the same phrase to describe Mary’s reaction to some events in the life of Jesus. After the shepherds reported what the angels had said to them, Mary “pondered” or “treasured” these things in her heart. That is, she “kept them in mind.” And when her twelve-year-old son astonished the temple priests with his understanding, she “treasured these things in her heart.” Mary did not draw conclusions—she did not assume she had all the answers, but she knew she had witnessed something important and she stored it away in her memory. Like Jacob, she would keep the matter in mind, knowing that someday God would give her greater understanding. Similarly, I treasure a handful of memories of events in my kids’ lives that may or may not have come from God. One day, I will know.

The phrase is used one other time in the Bible. In Daniel 7:28, Daniel reports he had a troubling dream. He knew the dream came from God, but he did not understand it. Yet, he refused to dismiss it. Instead, “his thoughts terrified him and his face turned pale, but he KEPT THE MATTER IN MIND” Daniel 7:28.

Sometimes, that is all a parent can do. We watch what God is doing, we pray for understanding, and we keep the matter in mind, knowing that He will reveal more when He is ready.

Dear God, when we do not understand, remind us to pray and to keep the matter in mind. Never let us ignore things we do not understand. But help us to pay attention as you give us greater wisdom.

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