Scripture Reading: Genesis 37 & 39
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Scripture Quote: "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.” Genesis 45:8 (NIV)
Temptation and sinful choices draw people into trouble and can damage relationships, even ruin lives. In Joseph’s story, God didn’t let other people’s sin destroy Joseph - God made sure he prospered. But, that doesn’t always happen. We can’t always expect God to bail us out. Joseph did have to go through many trails until, through God’s help, he came out of them victorious. He was a treasured son, a hated brother, a slave, manager of Potiphar’s affairs, a prisoner, and eventually, a great leader.
Joseph first suffered from being tactless with his brothers,(sin)and his father’s favoritism,(sin), which caused his brother’s murderous jealousy,(sin). His servitude as a captured slave was exemplary so God blessed him with a great position. But then Potiphar’s wife, Zuleika, lusted after Joseph,(sin). He refused her and ended up unjustly imprisoned because of her lies,(sin). Except for bragging as a young man, all of Joseph’s predicaments were the result of other people’s sinfulness. It’s like the ramifications of the sinfulness of Adam and Eve. Sin stains everything around it. As Christians, we must avoid temptations, of course, but we also need to avoid others that are living in sin.
Today’s meditation: Sin builds like a snowball – Stay out of its way.
Memory Verse: “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.” Genesis 41:39 (NIV)