Moses in the basket

Last week, I finished reading Genesis... Long story short, Joseph's brothers returned to Egypt with their families and their father (Jacob); Jacob and Joseph were reunited; Jacob named his twelve sons and foretold the twelve tribes of Israel; Jacob died... Joseph died... their families remained in Egypt... and now we're on to Exodus.

Side note: that was a VERY concise synopsis... if you have some extra time, spend it reading the book of Genesis... it really is an interesting read... it kept me captivated. 

So anyway, Exodus... along came Moses.  It was Pharaoh's decree to have all the male children born to the Hebrew women killed at birth by the midwives, leaving the female children to live.  From what I understand, the Egyptians felt threatened by the growing Hebrew population and in an effort to reduce their numbers, the Egyptians began mistreating them and forcing them into slavery.  This would ensure a stronger race of people, similar to the more modern ideals of Hitler and the blonde-haired, blue-eyed "superior" race.  The Hebrew people, however, were faithful and could not bring themselves to kill the innocent baby boys who were being born into the world.  One Hebrew mother gave birth to a baby boy and kept him hidden for three months, until she couldn't conceal him anymore... to hide him, she made a basket to keep him safe among the reeds in the Nile River.  When Pharaoh's daughter went down to the riverbank, she found the baby in the basket and sent her maidservant to find a Hebrew mother to nurse him.  The princess adopted the child as her own and named him Moses, which means "I lifted him out of the water."  

What a story, right!?!  It just keeps getting more and more interesting.  Long ago, I had heard about the baby, Moses, in the basket, in the river but it was vague in my memory... and now, after having spent some contemplative and meditative time going over the story of how Moses came into the world... Moses, who led the people out of Egypt... Moses, who heard God's voice in a burning bush... Moses, who parted the Red Sea... MOSES!!!... I understand it so much better... so much clearer... and it's solidified in  my mind and heart.

This is a hopeful story of how Moses was saved... God chose Moses and kept him safe.  He has a lifetime full of faithful obedience ahead of him.  His mother knew he was special and she kept him hidden until she couldn't anymore.

Have you ever known that you were in a special place at a precise moment because God was at work?  It feels good to be called according to His purpose... to know that He will save you from the perils of this life on earth to further His kingdom... so that others can know Him... through YOU.  You are special... you may have been hidden until the right time... God may have tucked you into the safety of the reeds... protecting you because He loves you... until it was time for your life to be revealed... to others and, eventually, to you.  

Rest peacefully tonight, my friends.

~Sara

Genesis 45 - Joseph's Joy

Yesterday (and a little on Wednesday), I continued reading the story of Joseph in Genesis.  Over the last few weeks, I've learned a thing or two about Joseph...
1.  Joseph was one of twelve sons, born of Jacob.
2. Joseph was a product of his father, Jacob's, second marriage to his true love, Rachel.
3. Rachel and Jacob had two sons... Benjamin and Joseph... both of which their father favored over the other ten brothers born of his first wife, Rachel's sister, Leah.
4. Joseph was sold into slavery at a young age.
5. Joseph became Pharoah's top advisor in Egypt - which resulted in his riches and powerful position - a position that allowed him to provide for his family during the 7-year famine.
6. Joseph feared and loved God... and was grateful to his brothers for selling him into slavery because God used that situation to bless him.

Genesis reads like a soap opera!  There are ups and downs, surprises, and drama.  I haven't come across any dull moments in this story and I have learned so much history just by reading this book of the Bible and studying commentaries on the stories within.

In Genesis 45, Joseph is reunited with all of his brothers and he was filled with joy.  After a tearful reunion with Benjamin and the other brothers, Joseph wanted to hear about their families and, most of all, their father.  Joseph insisted that his brothers load down his wagons full of grain and food and supplies, clothing and many other gifts of sustainability and make the trip back to the land of Canaan.  He wanted them to feed their families, take care of them, and his father... and then he wanted them to fill the wagons with all their family members and come back to live with Joseph.  As they prepared to part ways, Joseph gave each of his brothers a change of clean clothes for the journey.  For his youngest brother, Benjamin, though... he gave five pairs of clothing and 300 shekels of silver.  Just like his father, he showed favoritism towards Benjamin because they shared the same mother.

Can you imagine the joy the brothers experienced in being reunited with their long-gone brother - the one they sold into slavery.  Can you imagine the relief they felt when Joseph wasn't angry with them for the decision they made in doing so?  Can you imagine the excitement they felt when Joseph said he'd save them (and their entire families) from the last 5 years of the 7-year famine that they were enduring?

In reading this story, I felt joy.  I felt relief.  I felt favor. I felt excitement. I felt mercy and grace.  I felt hopeful. I felt content... on behalf of Joseph and his family.

My journal entry reflected the fun-natured joy that I felt.  Cartooning is not my typical style - to put this picture in my Bible, I found the illustration on Google Images and traced it into my Bible. The main reason for this fun picture is to help me remember this story.   I used Micron pens to trace over my penciled image and then I watercolored the picture.  I love it... and I enjoyed painting it.

Until later... 

Peace, my friends...

~Sara

Genesis 43:1-15 and Mark 4:35-41

In Genesis, Jacob, the father of 12 sons faces a difficult decision.  As he struggles with the task set before him - trusting the fate of his youngest son as he is used as a barter tool in a test issued by his other son, Joseph - Jacob trusts God to grant mercy on his children, regardless of what the outcome may be.  Jacob may lose his beloved youngest son... a result that would break his heart. And yet, he grants his sons a blessing of mercy on the journey ahead.

In Mark, the disciples and Jesus set out in a boat to cross the lake.  As they made their way, a fierce storm arose.  The disciples were scared and they woke Jesus asking whether or not he cared if they were in danger due to the storm.  Jesus responded with a profound thought... he said "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" and then he commanded the storm to be silent and still... and the storm settled immediately.  The disciples were astonished at what they had seen.

These two passages really spoke to me today.  Jacob proved himself to be an honest man who is willing to accept God's will, regardless of the consequences or heartache that it might bring.  Jacob shows his faith in the goodness of God in this situation.  

Over the last couple days, I've been anxious and heavy-hearted about a recent situation that has come to light... questioning myself as time passes and nothing happens.  Today's scriptures reminded me to trust that God is at work - I trust God's goodness and am reminded to trust that I followed His guidance in the hard situations of this week.  Through these passages, God spoke to my heart - Do not be afraid - do you still have no faith?

Lord, thank you for your voice - the voice that whispers to my heart in the moments that I most need to hear it.  Help me, O Lord, to trust that you are at work and that you have granted mercy to me in each and every task that lies before me.

Peace my friends,

~Sara +

Genesis 40 continued... the Baker's dream

Genesis 40 - He noticed.

Genesis 40 describes two different dreams, dreamt by two different imprisoned men, the King's baker and cup-bearer (highly trusted officials in the kingdom).  Neither of the men knew how to interpret their dreams and this made them sad. When Joseph saw them, he noticed that they looked upset so he asked them what was wrong. The men responded to Joseph, telling him of their dreams but were worried because they had no interpreter to explain the meaning of their dreams.  Joseph uses this moment of anxiety to point their attention to God when he tells them that interpreting dreams is God's business and asks them to share their dreams with him.   

The cup-bearer had a dream of a grapevine with three branches and the branches brought forth blossoms and grape clusters. In the dream, he was holding the Pharaoh's wine cup, so he squeezed the grapes into his cup and placed it in Pharaoh's hand.

The baker had a dream about three baskets full of bread stacked on his head, the top of which had pastries especially for Pharaoh. Birds came and ate the pastries from the basket on his head.  

After hearing the dreams, Joseph then interprets the meanings of the dreams and predicts their fate. In three days, the cup-bearer will be restored to his office and will place the Pharaoh's cup in his hand as he did before he was imprisoned.  In three days, the baker will be hanged and birds will peck away at his flesh.  Joseph asked the cup-bearer to mention his name to Pharaoh so that he might look on Joseph with favor and free him.  

Three days passed and Joseph's interpretations of the dreams came to pass, just as Joseph had predicted, but the cup-bearer forgot about Joseph in the presence of Pharaoh.

To begin this Bible journal entry, I visualized each of the men's dreams.  Tonight, I illustrated the cup-bearer's dream.  Tomorrow, I plan to illustrate the baker's dream.  

The key phrase in the passage that really caught my attention is verse 6; "When Joseph saw them the next morning, he noticed that they both looked upset."  So I thought about this quite a bit... and it made me wonder... How often do we see folks who are upset and not notice?  How often do we notice things and not act on our gut feelings?   Not only does Joseph discern how these men were feeling, he also engages them and asks them to share their worries. Beyond that, he reminded them of God's role in their dreams and lives.  

Joseph could've been so engulfed in his own affairs that he didn't notice the men... but he wasn't.  He could've noticed their anxiety and ignored his observation... but he didn't.  He could've asked and responded in judgment.... but he didn't.  Joseph saw an opportunity to connect... with these men and with God... and he seized that opportunity.

Lord, help me to notice... help me to discern... help me to have the courage to act when you nudge me to do so.  Help me to remember to act in ways that will point others towards you... not me.  Thank you, Lord, for your guidance in my life... in my friendships... in my marriage... in my ministry... in my parenting... in my studies.  

In Him,
Sara