Daily Reading

“Take us and our land in exchange for food, and we will become Pharaoh’s slaves and our land his property.” —Genesis 47:19 “Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. There they acquired property, were fertile, and increased greatly” (47:27). In contrast, everyone else in Egypt, except for the priests, had … Read More

“Joseph hitched the horses to his chariot and rode to meet his father Israel in Goshen.” —Genesis 46:29 After fifteen years of depression and chaos, Israel (Jacob) was reunited with his son Joseph. When Joseph saw his father, “he flung himself on his neck and wept a long time in his arms. And Israel said … Read More

“I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt. But now do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.” —Genesis 45:4-5 Joseph’s brothers were shocked when he revealed his identity. … Read More

“Then your servant our father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife bore me two sons. One of them, however, disappeared, and I had to conclude that he must have been torn to pieces by wild beasts; I have not seen him since.’ ” —Genesis 44:27-28 Joseph made it look as if Benjamin stole … Read More

“When Joseph’s eye fell on his full brother Benjamin, he asked, ‘Is this your youngest brother, of whom you told me?’ ” —Genesis 43:29 Joseph was reunited with his full brother Benjamin. “Joseph had to hurry out, for he was so overcome with affection for his brother that he was on the verge of tears. … Read More

“They said: ‘Alas, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us.’ ‘Didn’t I tell you,’ broke in Reuben, ‘not to do wrong to the boy? But you wouldn’t … Read More

” ‘I hear it said of you that the moment you are told a dream you can interpret it.’ ‘It is not I,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God Who will give Pharaoh the right answer.’ ” —Genesis 41:15-16 Joseph started off the day rotting in prison. A guard came to take Joseph from his … Read More

“They answered him, ‘We have had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them for us.’ Joseph said to them, ‘Surely, interpretations come from God. Please tell the dreams to me.’ ” —Genesis 40:8 Joseph got into this mess by interpreting dreams (37:5-9). He eventually got out of prison by interpreting dreams. Prayer: Father, … Read More

“When his master saw that the Lord was with him and brought him success in whatever he did, he took a liking to Joseph and made him his personal attendant; he put him in charge of his household and entrusted to him all his possessions. From the moment that he put him in charge of … Read More

“Judah got a wife named Tamar for his first-born, Er. But Er, Judah’s first-born, greatly offended the Lord; so the Lord took his life.” —Genesis 38:6-7 Judah failed to recognize his daughter-in-law, thought she was a prostitute, and committed incest with her. She conceived and gave birth to twins. This shameful event was nonetheless used … Read More