Reading Mar 22-26

"Bondage, Passover and Exodus"

Mon, Mar 22: Exodus 1-3
Tues, Mar 23: Exodus 5-6
Wed, Mar 24: Exodus 11-12
Thurs, Mar 25: Exodus 13-14

My computer is down

My computer has a virus or two or many. I will not be able to post this week. The readings are Genesis 40-45, about Joseph's dream interpretations. Hopefully I will be able to post later this week. I must go before the computer tells me it's sick again!

"How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

The theme for this week is: “How can I do this Great Wickedness?” This quote is from Joseph when Potiphar’s wife tempted him to lie with her. I’ll get to that later.

I am constantly amazed at how different my children are, the first two especially. I’m sure that Jacob and his wives were even more amazed since they had twelve! Joseph, Jacob’s second to the youngest, was of such a character that he was the favorite of his father. We do not know exactly the individual characters of his brothers, but they were angry enough to conspire against him when Joseph told them that they would someday bow down to him as was shown in his dreams.

Here is what happens to Joseph: he it thrown in a pit by his brothers (after being persuaded not to kill him), sold into Egyptian slavery, was supposed dead by his father, was a profitable slave to Potiphar, but because of his goodness Potiphar’s was attracted to him and wanted him to lie with her. He refused and Potiphar’s wife exacted revenge by framing him and he is jailed.

Here are the good things: Joseph’s progress toward dream fulfillment begins because his brothers hate him and sell him into slavery. Because Joseph lives with the Lord in his life, he is protected and blessed in his circumstances: he becomes trusted by Potiphar, he is responsible for more that he could have been at home, he is respected by all around him. While in jail, the Lord remained with him (meaning Joseph continued to live as he should in rotten circumstances), and was looked upon kindly by the jail keeper.

So, here is what I thought of through this week’s reading: all good doesn’t come from only living a virtuous life. Good comes from making what you can of your life and the influence others have on you. Did the Lord WANT Joseph to be hated by his brothers? Did the Lord want Potiphar’s wife to frame him? The Lord is not the author of sin, so He wouldn’t create those circumstances, but those circumstances don’t need a creator, they just happen because we are a fallen people, subject to the symptoms of humanity. Hard and hurtful things happen because of other people’s choices and those things may change our lives. But if we live so that the Lord is with us, we will prosper in one way or another. So, the key is not asking, “Why does the Lord allow this to happen? Or Why did the Lord do this to me?” (though there is some value in asking those questions, focusing on the questions only will stunt growth, living to find answers will bring understanding). But asking like Joseph, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” or “How can I remain in faithfulness with God?” and then act according to promptings.

Readings Mar 8-12

"How Can I Do This Great Wickedness?"

Mon, Mar 8: Genesis 34

Tues, Mar 9: Genesis 37

Wed, Mar 10: Genesis 38

Thurs, Mar 11: Genesis 39

What is a marriage covenant?

What is a marriage covenant? It’s a covenant with God. Yes, you covenant with each other, but it is a covenant with God. I need to think of marriage more like that. Thinking of my marriage as a covenant with God, and then to my husband makes my marriage more spiritual and more meaningful. It makes my marriage more heavenly and less earthly, which makes me less selfish and snotty. Notice that the title for this lesson is “Marriage IN the covenant” not “marriage IS the covenant.” Marriage IN the covenant tells us that we are to live in a manner that would lead us to the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. One of those things is marriage by the proper legal and spiritual authority.

Why is it important that we know about Abraham and his covenant marriage, Isaac and his covenant marriage and Jacob and his covenant marriage? Because covenant marriage is established with them. Because their marriages give my marriage hope and life and a better way to live and perceive.

I love the story of Abraham’s servant finding Rebekah for Jacob. It just seems that every thing works out for everybody and not because it just works out, but because everyone involved is living how they should, that Abraham teaches his servants and sons correct principles and they choose to live them.

My thoughts are short this week. It’s been a nutty week. Thanks for your comments Kaye!

Reading Mar 1-5

I'm late! Sorry!

"Birthright Blessings; Marriage in the Covenant"

Tues, March 2: Genesis 24

Wed, March 3: Genesis 25 - 26

Thurs, March 4: Genesis 27

Fri, March 5: Genesis 28 - 29