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Welcome to my blog: I intend to share heartfelt writing about anything that comes to mind. |
| Summary of week 2 Joseph Bible study |
| I worked on cleaning house today. I know it seems like I do a lot of house cleaning and I do. However, it is me against a stopped up sink/bathtub, 5 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 other humans. I get very little help. Plus, I am playing rearrange and catch up from about 4 other adults that previously lived here of whom only one did all the work then too. It’s also an old house and it is taking a lot of work, time, and effort to get cleaned up. Some days it feels like it’s me against the house and the house wins. Today me and the house broke even and it took all the energy I had to do what I did with it. LOL ——————————————————————————————————————————————————  Take UP Your Cross I could have sworn that I sent one out last night for today. ??? Um, but I guess I didn’t. Sorry about that.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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Snow can change the way light, shadows, and contrast appear. For example, snow can create a beautiful contrast between golden ornamental grasses and a blue sky. Your thoughts on snow... It’s cold but beautiful. I love to see it in the day when it seems to sparkle from the reflection of the sun. I love to see it at night too as it appears to brighten everything around you. It’s also fun to play in, but not to try to drive in. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Have fun with these words: finances, detour, valley, determination, reclusive, status and credentials. This sounds like a business setting to me. The finances of the business were poor. It seemed like they were down in the valley and headed for bankruptcy. The owner decided to take a detour down memory lane and re-examine where he had been and how he had gotten to this point in life. It seemed he was reclusive for a bit from his family and friends, but he had great determination for the growth and success of his business. He made sure he had all his credentials in order and was sure his status as a business owner would help him out. He made a plan that couldn’t possibly fail.  |
| Week 3 1 Genesis 35:16-21 - Joseph's mother dies. 2 Genesis 35:22-26 - Jacob came to the land of Isaac 3 Genesis 35:27-29 - Joseph's grandfather dies 4 Genesis 37:1-4 - Coat of many colors 5 Genesis 37:5-8 - Sheeves Dream 6 Genesis 37:9-11 - Sun, Moon, Stars Dream Day one: Scripture - Genesis 35:16-21 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Prayer - Say a prayer. Day two: Scripture - Genesis 35:22-26 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Prayer - Say a prayer. Day three: Scripture - Genesis 35:27-29 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Prayer - Say a prayer. Day four: Scripture - Genesis 37:1-4 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Prayer - Say a prayer. Day five: Scripture - Genesis 37:5-8 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Prayer - Say a prayer. Day six: Scripture - Genesis 37:9-11 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Prayer - Say a prayer. |
Take UP Your Cross Blog Prompt: Teach a truth from a Psalm that you love. God is very merciful. His mercy and related forms of the word appear 135 times in just the Psalms alone. Prayer prompt: Pray for the fruit of the spirit to increase in your life. Dear God, Increase your spirit in me and increase its fruits in me so that people will see more of you in me and glorify your name. In Christ’s name, Amen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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February is approaching, let's make some predictions: Is the groundhog going to see his shadow and give the northern hemisphere more snow? Who do you think is going to be in the Superbowl? Buffalo Bills, Kansas Chiefs, Detroit Lions or the Washington Commanders. Do you think tourism declining or increasing where you live? I think the groundhog will see his shadow this year and snow is much too heavy for the groundhog to carry to the northern hemisphere. LOL I don’t keep up with the sports teams enough to make a proper prediction. I think tourism is on the rise in OKLAHOMA. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lemony Snickett says,“February is the shortest month, so if you’re having a miserable month, try to schedule it for February.” J.D. Robb says, “Even though February is the shortest month of the year, sometimes it seemed like the longest.” Neither men seem to like February, what about you? Does it feel like it's too short or too long? How does one schedule a miserable month? We don’t know what the future holds and I don’t think any of us plan our miserable seasons in life. We can’t always control what happens. All we can control is how we respond. We get to choose rather we make the most of what life throws at us or we can wallow in the misery. As far as the month of February, I kind of like that we have a shorter month thrown in there. |
Take UP Your Cross Blog Prompt: Why do you attend church? I honestly have just been watching church online over the past year or so because I have stayed home to care for my roommate/best friend of 33 years. However, this is a good question to ask ourselves. It is so easy to just go through the motions and lose our passion for Christ. I was always taught you should go to church to worship God. While that may be true, going to church doesn't make me a Christian anymore that going in the garage makes me a car. In some ways, it is very beneficial to go to church to develop friendships with other Christians and to have that church family around during tough times to help you through them. Prayer prompt: Pray for your local government that they will manage their resources wisely. Dear God, Please help the local government to manage their resources wisely. In Jesus' name, AMEN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Imagine lacking something that everyone else has, something that proves you belong to the world. Something so vital....let's see what comes to mind... The first thing that comes to my mind is that I would hate to lose my eyesight. It's one of the many things we tend to take for granted. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prompt: "Embroidery is just magical for me from start to finish." Write about something that is magical for you. For me, I guess it would have to be writing. Sometimes it even surprised me what I write. LOL |
Take UP Your Cross Blog Prompt: Are there any aspects of your life where you can see the devil planting temptation? What can you do about it? Yes, I can sense it sometimes. When this happens, I pray first of all. Then I identify ways to avoid the temptation or avoid giving into it. Prayer prompt: Pray for those who have been hurt by the church to be healed from that hurt and to trust in Jesus, not people. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for all that you do for us. Please, heal the hearts of those who have been hurt from the people of the church. Help them to put their trust in you and not people. Help them to not let what people have done to them make them stop worshiping and trusting you. In Christ's name, Amen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Describe the view outside your window. It depends on which window I happen to be looking out of at the moment. It is night when I am writing so all I can see is the darkness in the backyard. During the day, I enjoy the view much more. Then I can see the grass of the lawn and the trees surrounding the yard. I can see the color of the sky. I can see into my neighbors' yards. I see their dogs. I see the birds flying from tree to tree, and the leaves blowing in the breeze. I can see the squirrels scampering about on the electrical lines and trees. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prompt: The most beautiful things «The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.» Helen Keller In your opinion, which kinds of things are the most beautiful, seen, touched, or just felt? In my humble opinion, they can be all of the above depending on which beautiful thing we are talking about. They can also be smelled (roses for example) and heard (singing for example). We can experience many beautiful things with all of our senses and all of our whole being if we try hard enough. |
Take UP Your Cross Blog Prompt: Do you feel resentment toward anyone? How do you handle it? There are times when resentment comes up when I least expect it. I do have to pray a lot about this sometimes. I try not to hold any resentments towards anyone, but sometimes it is easier said than done. I especially struggle with people who are repeat offenders, when you have repeatedly asked them to not do something, and they do it anyway. (That sort of thing.) Prayer prompt: Pray for the safety of our schools, that children would be protected from evil plans such as school shootings. Dear God, I ask that you keep the students in schools and their teachers and staff safe from harm. Protect them from evil plans such as school shootings or other plans of harm. In Jesus' name, Amen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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What do you eat for breakfast if you don't have eggs? I eat a variety of foods at various times of the day. I may eat cheese and crackers for breakfast and eggs with biscuits for dinner. I will eat whatever is available and be thankful for it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prompt: "It is a night when people place lighted candles in their home. If candles day be fair and bright, winter will have another flight but if it be dark with clouds and rain, winter is gone and will not come again." Lady Caravan Highclere Castle, Downton Abbey Write about this quote in your Blog Entry today. I don't think candles being lit in our home or not has anything to do with the weather. The quote kind of sounds like something people look for on Ground Hog's Day, February 2nd. I don't know how true it is, but it kind of fun to see if it's the kind of day where the ground hog will see his shaddow. |
Take UP Your Cross Blog Prompt: Do you see the Bible as figurative or literal? Why? I believe the stories and events in the Bible are literal. There is some figurative wording included in some of those stories, however. I have read articles and watched documentaries about scientific evidence that certain stories are true. I love to explore evidence outside of the Bible proving its authenticity. Prayer prompt: Pray for America and President Trump as he is sworn in as President once again. Dear God, I have no idea what the future may hold. I don't know what to think always of our politics. I know that my life and this nation is in your hands. I hope with all my heart that President Trump will be for the good of the nation. I pray that America will come to you in humility and repent of our sins. I hope we turn away from the sins we have been committing against you and others. I pray that our land is healed, and the economy is made better. Help us to live better lives. In Jesus' name, Amen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Write about cookies. The edible kind or the kind in the computer? It's too bad the cookie monster can't eat the kind in the computer and keep them from taking up all the memory in there. My favorite cookie is the peanut butter cookie made with the crunchy peanut butter especially when they are fresh out of the oven. Yummy! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prompt: "Snowflakes Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand." Henry David Thoreau Now that it's winter in most parts of the world, what do you think this quote means, and do you ever feel like a snowflake? What does it mean to feel like a snowflake? LOL Just kidding. Speaking of snowflakes, I saw a couple today. Aparently, we aren't getting as much snow as we were expecting, but it is still cold enough here in Oklahoma. I did experience something different this morning. I took the dog out to do her business and there was no snow in the street or the yard. I looked down the street a couple of blocks, and there was snow in the street and the yards. I guess I know where the snow went now. |
| Week 2 1 Genesis 32:13-24 - Jacob prepares to meet Esau 2 Genesis 32:25-32 - Jacob wrestles with the angel 3 Genesis 33 - Jacob and family arrives and settles in Canaan 4 Genesis 34 - Dinah, Joseph's sister is raped 5 Genesis 35:1-7 - Jacob and family moves to Bethel 6 Genesis 35:8-15 - Rachel's nurse died and God reinforces the covenant with Isreal Day one: Scripture - Genesis 32:13-24 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Jacob is still afraid of his brother after being away for 20 years. He sends servants and gifts in bands to go meet Esau before him and his family in hopes to butter him up before he gets there. Then he splits his family into two different parts because he is afraid Esau will kill his family as well because he stole his blessing and birthright so many years before. This had to have been a very stressful move for Jacob. He had just faced his Father-in-law and parted ways with him, and now he had to face his brother. All of this conflict had been brought about because of dishonesty. I think his actions shows some regret also for his previous actions. The significance of him sending the gift to Esau before him was to also make restitution for stealing the birthright. Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Deceit and dishonesty cause breaches in relationships that can last for many years. Prayer - Say a prayer. Day two: Scripture - Genesis 32:25-32 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? The basic meaning of the name Israel according to Wikipedia is Contended with God, triumphant. This is the Hebrew meaning of the name. According to the Bing search I did, Jacob means to follow, supplanter. So, God changed his name from follower to triumphant because he had wrestled with God and man and prevailed. When the angel of the Lord wounded Jacob’s hip joint, Jacob had no choice but to face Esau in weakness and had to fully trust in God to deliver him. Later he stated that God had dwelt graciously with him. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/genesis/32-25.htm Jacob was only able to prevail by God's grace. The above link is commentaries references to this scripture passage and what it means. They mention that Jacob wrestled so hard with the angel that his hip socket shrank and he continued to wrestle with the angel until he blessed him there. Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? It pays to be persistent when asking the Lord for things. Prayer - Say a prayer. Day three: Scripture - Genesis 33 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Part of the significance of the gift that Jacob gave Esau was for physical restitution because he had physically stolen his birthright. God had blessed Esau as well as Jacob over that previous 20 years so that Jacob had to persuade Esau to take his gift, which he finally did receive it. After the meeting with the angel, Jacob went before his family to meet Esau. A change of heart? Although it is obvious that he had favorites. Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? A true change of heart is evident in your actions. Prayer - Say a prayer. Day four: Scripture - Genesis 34 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? Dinah, Joseph’s half sister, went out to socialize with the Canaanite women. As a result, she was raped by a Canaanite man. She was now defiled and no longer a virgin. Dinah was the daughter of Leah. Jacob, her father remained passive during the whole encounter with her rapist, his father and their people. The man who raped her tried to make a deal to marry her and for the Canaanite’s to become one with Israel. Of course, the Canaanite’s saw this as an opportunity to gain wealth from the Israelites. They did not have Godly or good intentions in arranging this marriage. What men will do to gain wealth! They had themselves circumsized. While they were still sore from this, Levi and Simeon went in and killed them and took their sister back with other hostages from their people. Now Jacob gets mad. He is afraid that this made him look bad to the other people, Canaanite’s , of the land and was afraid they would kill them. But the brothers were angry and asked him if they should just be allowed to treat their sister like a whore? On the other hand, Levi and Simeon acted as liars and murderers. One sin seemed to lead to another with a ripple effect effecting other people. Jacob was still a bit self centered here. Men and in that time treated women like objects instead of human beings. Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Be careful who you socialize with. Men should protect women and not be passive in a situation like this, but should also not seek revenge. Vengeance belongs to God. Prayer - Say a prayer. Day five: Scripture - Genesis 35:1-7 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? This is where all of Israel’s false gods and images were put away. Jacob took them away from the people that were with him and hid them. Then they traveled to Bethel. God put the fear of him into the Canaanites so they would not attack him and his people. Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? This is a call for everyone to worship only the Lord God of Israel. Prayer - Say a prayer. Day six: Scripture - Genesis 35:8-15 Observations - What observations did you make while reading this passage? Are there any word definitions you needed to look up? Are there any words, phrases, verses, themes, etc... that stand out to you? The family experiences more grief at the loss of Rachel’s nurse died. God continues to communicate with Jacob personally. Application - How does this apply to my life? What can I learn from this? What virtues, principles, or ideas are represented here? Prayer - Say a prayer. |
| Summary of Week one's Bible study: It is clear that Leah and Rachel struggled with each other. Leah wanted the love of her husband and Rachel wanted children. Leah was having children while Rachel had their husband's love. The significance that I could find in birthing many children is that children were considered a blessing from God. It also states that God opened Leah's womb and closed Rachel's because Jacob hated Leah while he loved Rachel. This shows some of the consequences of favoritism. Favoritism will be a theme in our study of Joseph's life as you will see. The definition of his name, Joseph, means "He will add" and the rood word means to add; to increase. Rachel believed God would give her another son. Apparently, Jacob lived with Rachel because in one of the verses, it talks about when Leah had another son, she had thought maybe he would then live with her. In those days, the maid conceived and gave birth, and their child was considered the children of their master. I have read in some commentaries where the maids of Rachel and Leah were considered concubines. However, the scriptures directly say they gave them to Joseph as another wife. However, they were still a maid/slave. It appears that Rachel did not fully trust God for her children until after she had Joseph. She tried all kinds of things to cure her infertility. She wanted Jacob to give her children. His response was to ask her if he was in God's place. She used mandrakes which were at that time a medicinal practice for infertility. She also used her maid which 2 sons were born from. Sadly, Rachel dies while giving birth to Joseph's younger brother, Benjamin. God ultimately gave her children when he was ready and in his timing. Joseph would have been around the age of 6 when his brother Benjamin was born and his mother died. God also in his sovereignty ended up causing the Messiah to descend from Leah, the hated wife, through Judah and the priestly line of Moses and Aaron through her son Levi. (478) Author IconMail Icon brought up a couple good points in our discussion too. Is it possible that God is always choosing the youngest instead of the oldest or the least favored in this line as a picture of Christ since he is considered the second Adam? Also, in this line of descendants, there are many examples of sin and God's sovereignty in the life of these people. Could the ten commandments be more of a reprimand as opposed to just rules to follow? Since the law is supposed to be what lets us realize we need Christ, these 10 commands reveal the sin in us because we are not able to obey the law perfectly. Only Jesus could do that. We then had a great discussion on Justification and regeneration based upon these thoughts. When we use deceit as a way to get what we want in life, it causes ill feelings from those around us. The relationship with Laban and his sons were not as they were before. Joseph would have witnessed this family tension. He would have been around 5 or 6 when the family fled from Laban to return to Jacob's family. Rachel stole her father's images, false gods. Rachel obviously was not just worshiping the god of Jacob's family. She was worshiping other gods. I wonder if this brings new significance back to the mandrakes too. Was there some kind of ceremonial ritual performed with them? I wonder what religious rituals or practices Joseph witnessed from his mother as a small child. Looking into some study Bibles' notes and commentaries notes, Laban apparently used some sort of divination to know that he had been blessed for Jacob's sake. He also was warned in a dream by the God of Isaac, Jacob's father, that he shouldn't harm Jacob when he was chasing after him. God had intervened on Jacob's behalf and saw how he was treated by Laban. God still took care of him even during this time. I am thinking his actual conversion experience/ commitment to the God of his father didn't happen until later when he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. Deceit leads to distrust. Distrust leads to tension and confrontations in a relationship. Be careful what you threaten also. Our words and our actions can cause problems for us in the future if they are not done through the spirit and will of God. I think at this point it is obvious that Laban and Jacob were wanting to come to blows had God not intervened. So, they make an agreement to make peace and to not see each other again. God would be their witness. Before Laban left Jacob, he kissed his family goodbye. This would have been the last time Joseph had seen his maternal grandfather and mother's side of the family. Was verses nine through twelve in chapter 32 Jacob's sinner's prayer? Jacob was afraid and greatly distressed when he heard that his brother Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men with him. He was so troubled that he divided his family and possessions in 2 in hopes that if Esau attacked them, then at least half of them could escape and be saved from Esau's wrath. Right before this, he had been met by a host of angels. I wonder if Joseph also saw these angels. Humility comes with true repentance. Jacob had deceived Esau 20 years earlier and had fled from him for his life. Now he had come back with his family, and was still afraid after all these years that Esau would kill him and his family for what he had done all those years ago. We are still seeing consequences of his deceitfulness. |
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