Monday, Ordinary 20/Proper 15-- Aug 18
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Meditation
Monday, Ordinary 20, Proper 15, like a movie that showed the ending and then went back in time to explain the events leading up, the Old Testament lesson reverted to Joseph’s brothers convincing their father that the governor of Egypt had insisted on bringing the youngest brother (and favorite), Benjamin. Joseph and Benjamin shared a biological mother—Rachel.
Jacob resisted but Judah finally convinced him that he would insure Benjamin’s safe return or it would be his shame for the rest of his life. Once convinced, Jacob insisted that they return with gifts to curry the governor’s favor. Laden down with gifts, the brothers returned.
Joseph directed his servant to bring them to his personal home, kill the fatted calf and share lunch with them. When they realized it was Joseph’s home, the brothers became afraid that the out-of-the-ordinary invitation spelled disaster coming from the money for the grains being found in their sacks. They braced for the worst, spending time preparing their gifts and were stunned by Joseph’s servant, who brought Simeon from prison to join them; washed their feet and fed their donkeys. They commented on the finding of the money in their grain bags, but the servant remembered that he had taken their money in payment, so he attributed their good fortune to God.
Then, at lunch, Joseph, who usually ate at one table, with the Egyptians at another table and the Jews at another table chose to eat facing the brothers. Egyptians didn’t eat at the same table with Hebrews. Not only that, but he actually had seated the brothers in order of their birth, much to their surprise.
Joseph was overcome with joy at seeing his brother, Benjamin, and had to remove himself to his private room, cry his eyes out and wash up before returning to the brothers. They proceeded to drink wine and eat (with Benjamin receiving 5 times the rest) until they became drunk.
The New Testament lesson resolved the issue of forcing non-Jews to behave as Jews. Paul and Barnabas argued with some Jewish Christians who insisted that the new converts conform to the ways of the Jews, specifically about circumcision. Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem where it was argued more, but Peter settled it with his proclamation that at Pentecost he, a Jew, had brought the Good News to non-Jews and if God accepted them as they were, then it was wrong to add the old traditions onto the backs of new believers.
In fact, the whole point was that God redeems. It is not our actions. The Psalmist said that he waited for the Lord, who redeemed Israel, more than a watchman waited for the morning watch relief.
I remember when the wee hours of the morning hit for people standing the watch on ship. I would go around and chat with sailors. That was a particularly difficult time for sailors. Fatigue crept in and they wanted the watch to be over. Helping them distract from the waiting game, was appreciated greatly because that time was packed with anticipation and desire for the watch to end.
Our lives should be hungering for God as Joseph hungered to see his brother, Benjamin. Or as the watchman craving for the morning watch to be done. Or the acceptance that Jesus paid the price and we don’t have to earn our salvation. Jew or non-Jew, the old ways were fulfilled and the new ways were sufficient.
The new ways were inclusive. Circumcision was limited to Jewish males. Baptism included Jew and non-Jew, male and female. The atonement of Christ was inclusive—offered to all.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 20, Proper 15Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis 45:1-15;Psalm 133;Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32;Matthew 15: 21-28&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Monday, Ordinary 20, Proper 15
Psalm 130
Genesis 43:1-34
Acts 15:1-21
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 133:1
King James Version (KJV)
133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Genesis 43:1-34
King James Version (KJV)
43 And the famine was sore in the land.
2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
5 But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
6 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
7 And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
10 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our *kitten*.
19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their *kitten* provender.
25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
28 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of their's. And they drank, and were merry with him.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for the story of Joseph, which has taught the importance of trusting God to work our challenges and trials together for our good. We praise you and give you the credit for saving us. Help us to spread the good news in new and wonderful ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Conclusion
Monday, Ordinary 20, Proper 15 celebrated God. Jesus saved us from our sins. We don’t have to jump through hoops or do something special to be a recipient of God’s grace.
God is the one doing all the work of atonement. We don’t have to get caught up in functioning in old ways. No more need for circumcision for the sign of membership. The new way was to baptize and make disciples.
Joseph showed the way in his demonstrating the ability to eat across the table from the Jewish brothers. Of course they didn’t know it was their brother, but the messae was clear—to be prepared and accepting of the direction that God takes us.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Monday, Ordinary 20, Proper 15, like a movie that showed the ending and then went back in time to explain the events leading up, the Old Testament lesson reverted to Joseph’s brothers convincing their father that the governor of Egypt had insisted on bringing the youngest brother (and favorite), Benjamin. Joseph and Benjamin shared a biological mother—Rachel.
Jacob resisted but Judah finally convinced him that he would insure Benjamin’s safe return or it would be his shame for the rest of his life. Once convinced, Jacob insisted that they return with gifts to curry the governor’s favor. Laden down with gifts, the brothers returned.
Joseph directed his servant to bring them to his personal home, kill the fatted calf and share lunch with them. When they realized it was Joseph’s home, the brothers became afraid that the out-of-the-ordinary invitation spelled disaster coming from the money for the grains being found in their sacks. They braced for the worst, spending time preparing their gifts and were stunned by Joseph’s servant, who brought Simeon from prison to join them; washed their feet and fed their donkeys. They commented on the finding of the money in their grain bags, but the servant remembered that he had taken their money in payment, so he attributed their good fortune to God.
Then, at lunch, Joseph, who usually ate at one table, with the Egyptians at another table and the Jews at another table chose to eat facing the brothers. Egyptians didn’t eat at the same table with Hebrews. Not only that, but he actually had seated the brothers in order of their birth, much to their surprise.
Joseph was overcome with joy at seeing his brother, Benjamin, and had to remove himself to his private room, cry his eyes out and wash up before returning to the brothers. They proceeded to drink wine and eat (with Benjamin receiving 5 times the rest) until they became drunk.
The New Testament lesson resolved the issue of forcing non-Jews to behave as Jews. Paul and Barnabas argued with some Jewish Christians who insisted that the new converts conform to the ways of the Jews, specifically about circumcision. Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem where it was argued more, but Peter settled it with his proclamation that at Pentecost he, a Jew, had brought the Good News to non-Jews and if God accepted them as they were, then it was wrong to add the old traditions onto the backs of new believers.
In fact, the whole point was that God redeems. It is not our actions. The Psalmist said that he waited for the Lord, who redeemed Israel, more than a watchman waited for the morning watch relief.
I remember when the wee hours of the morning hit for people standing the watch on ship. I would go around and chat with sailors. That was a particularly difficult time for sailors. Fatigue crept in and they wanted the watch to be over. Helping them distract from the waiting game, was appreciated greatly because that time was packed with anticipation and desire for the watch to end.
Our lives should be hungering for God as Joseph hungered to see his brother, Benjamin. Or as the watchman craving for the morning watch to be done. Or the acceptance that Jesus paid the price and we don’t have to earn our salvation. Jew or non-Jew, the old ways were fulfilled and the new ways were sufficient.
The new ways were inclusive. Circumcision was limited to Jewish males. Baptism included Jew and non-Jew, male and female. The atonement of Christ was inclusive—offered to all.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 20, Proper 15Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis 45:1-15;Psalm 133;Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32;Matthew 15: 21-28&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Monday, Ordinary 20, Proper 15
Psalm 130
Genesis 43:1-34
Acts 15:1-21
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 133:1
King James Version (KJV)
133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Genesis 43:1-34
King James Version (KJV)
43 And the famine was sore in the land.
2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
5 But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
6 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
7 And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
10 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our *kitten*.
19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their *kitten* provender.
25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
28 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of their's. And they drank, and were merry with him.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for the story of Joseph, which has taught the importance of trusting God to work our challenges and trials together for our good. We praise you and give you the credit for saving us. Help us to spread the good news in new and wonderful ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Conclusion
Monday, Ordinary 20, Proper 15 celebrated God. Jesus saved us from our sins. We don’t have to jump through hoops or do something special to be a recipient of God’s grace.
God is the one doing all the work of atonement. We don’t have to get caught up in functioning in old ways. No more need for circumcision for the sign of membership. The new way was to baptize and make disciples.
Joseph showed the way in his demonstrating the ability to eat across the table from the Jewish brothers. Of course they didn’t know it was their brother, but the messae was clear—to be prepared and accepting of the direction that God takes us.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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