Jacobs’s sons feud with Joseph.Another critical opening chapter in the life of the Hebrew nation. Another mess. The son most favored, shares a dream with his family, and in doing so sparks anger and hate. Pride on both sides tears Jacob (Israel’s) family apart.
I love this quote by Thomas Jefferson: “Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold.”
Jacob's pride set Joseph up for a childhood of privilege. Joseph's pride widened that chasm and watered the seeds of jealousy. His brothers' pride and pain allowed those seeds of disharmony to grow and flower. And somewhere on the road to Dothan, ten normally civil men plotted the death of their brother. The seeds of pride cost this family dearly.
Today’s reading ends with Jacob mourning the loss of Joseph, and Joseph beginning a new life as a slave in a new country. You can see God's story shaping the events. As we will see later, Joseph had to go to Egypt, he had to save Egypt. God brought about the beginnings of his promise back to Abraham. In Egypt the Jews found a home multiplied and growing until God found a stuttering old man to take His nation out of Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land. But that's later.
Things to think about:
1. Think back on your life. How has God used your pride to shape and prune you.
2. Is there some area where your pride is interfering with your walk with Jesus?
3. Jeremiah 29:11-14: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. This promise was given to the Hebrews when they were in captivity much later in God's story. How does this help you think about yourself in God's Story?
Jacob's pride set Joseph up for a childhood of privilege. Joseph's pride widened that chasm and watered the seeds of jealousy. His brothers' pride and pain allowed those seeds of disharmony to grow and flower. And somewhere on the road to Dothan, ten normally civil men plotted the death of their brother. The seeds of pride cost this family dearly.
Today’s reading ends with Jacob mourning the loss of Joseph, and Joseph beginning a new life as a slave in a new country. You can see God's story shaping the events. As we will see later, Joseph had to go to Egypt, he had to save Egypt. God brought about the beginnings of his promise back to Abraham. In Egypt the Jews found a home multiplied and growing until God found a stuttering old man to take His nation out of Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land. But that's later.
Things to think about:
1. Think back on your life. How has God used your pride to shape and prune you.
2. Is there some area where your pride is interfering with your walk with Jesus?
3. Jeremiah 29:11-14: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. This promise was given to the Hebrews when they were in captivity much later in God's story. How does this help you think about yourself in God's Story?
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