Recap

So far in Genesis, we've read through the creation of the earth, the rise and fall of humanity, and God's decision to choose a new family to be his. This led us through the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and now Joseph.

Joseph, once boastful about his dreams, finds himself in Egypt, interpreting dreams for Pharaoh. His wisdom saves Egypt from famine and elevates him to a position of power. The story comes full circle when his brothers, who sold him into slavery, unknowingly seek his help during the famine. Joseph tests their character to see if they are still the same men as when they sold him into slavery.

He accuses them of being spies and keeps Simeon until they bring back their youngest brother Benjamin. He also sends them back with the money they used to pay for the food hidden in the bags. Eventually the brothers return, offering back the money that was restored to them. Twice Judah was willing to sacrifice himself to save his brothers.

Content that his brothers are changed men, Joseph revealed his identity to them. He encourages them to go fetch their father and bring everyone down to live in Egypt. Pharaoh himself others them the best of his land.

Genesis 46-47

As we near the end of Genesis, we continue to see more things come full circle. Abraham had been driven to Egypt because of a famine (Genesis 12). Now his grandson Jacob is doing the same.

Abraham’s journey started with a revelation from God and now, nearing the end of Jacob’s journey, we get one more revelation from God. Jacob started his journey at Beersheba (Genesis 28:10) where he met God and it is here at Beersheba that God speaks to him again to close everything up.

We then get another genealogy. Again, as we’re coming to the end of Genesis, the author wants you to notice how many enter Egypt. The number 70 often meant ‘the totality of’, so the main take away is that the whole family is now in Egypt. When they leave Egypt in Exodus, the family is going to be a bit bigger.

There may be another significance to the number 70. When God splits the rebellious people of Genesis 11 into different nations we read in Genesis 10 that there were 70 nations made in total (you have to count them). So just as the fallen world can be divided into 70 nations, God is going to use this family of 70 to restore the world back to him.

Next comes more evidence of the favour Joseph has with Pharaoh. Even though Joseph’s family are shepherds and Egyptians despise shepherds, Pharaoh is still willing to bless Joseph’s family and give the best of his land.

Joseph’s favour with God is clearly demonstrated as God continues to bless him and make him fruitful. Joseph sells grain to all of Egypt, buying up livestock, and land for Pharaoh before ultimately introducing a new tax.

We should seek to have favour both with God and with men. God is the one from whom we get everything, but he’s also given us a mission to change the lives and the communities around us. To do that, we need to have good relationships with other people. God has called us all at some level to be influential, so as we grow in our relationship with him we should also be seeking to grow in relationship with others.

Coming back to the passage, this is all going to have important significance going forward beyond Genesis. The people of Egypt have all been bought as servants by Pharaoh. Their land is no longer their own and they must give a fifth of all that they grow to Pharaoh as a tax.

Meanwhile, these foreigners have come in and have been given the best land Egypt has to offer and are flourishing. As time goes on this disparity is going to lead to resentment.

Finally, we have Jacob preparing to die. This is setting up tomorrow’s reading, where Jacob is going to give his last will and testament to his sons.

Psalm 15

Attributed to King David, this psalm is considered a liturgical psalm, read out as part of a worship service. It was most likely used at the beginning of a service as God’s people entered his presence.

Psalm 15:1 - Questions concerning the Lord’s dwelling place

Psalm 15:2 - Positive requirements of dwelling with the Lord

Psalm 15:3 - Negative requirements of dwelling with the Lord

Psalm 15:4 - Positive requirements of dwelling with the Lord

Psalm 15:5a - Negative requirements of dwelling with the Lord

Psalm 15:5b - A promise that those who pursue these requirements may dwell with the Lord

The psalm opens asking the question ‘who can enter God’s presence?’ (my paraphrase). This is an important question to ask yourself as you go to enter God’s presence. The rest of the psalm seeks to answer that question.

The first three traits offered are that a person should walk blamelessly, do right, and speak the truth. This is mirrored by three things a person should avoid, there should be nothing false in their talking, they should do no evil, and they shouldn’t go around accusing others.

Then come the next set. A person must despise wickedness and honour those who fear God, and they should swear to do good and hold to their word.

Finally, are two more things a person shouldn’t do. They should loan out money and expect interest. This could trap someone in an oppressive spiral of dept. Nor should they accept bribes and oppress innocents.

The promise of this psalm is that if a person holds to all these things, they are able to stand in God’s presence and not be removed. We see in this psalm that there are things in life we should be working towards, and things we should be avoiding.

This psalm seeks to remind us that we are able to enter God’s presence, but not to take it lightly. It should require a preparing of our hearts and appropriate reverence to God’s holiness.