Gen 40

This is the start of Joseph's tale of interpreting dreams for others. Here lies the fate of two of Pharoah's servants - the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. Joseph maintained his dignity and his integrity during this whole time while being in charge of the prisoners. He respected God and his holiness so much so that the prisoners trusted him. After interpreting the dreams of the two, one was restored while one died according to the dreams. The restored man, the cupbearer did not remember Joseph despite all that he had done for him. I often wondered why he didn't. Was it lack of memory or desire not to remember the past and who was good to him, or was it more that this was not God's timing for Joseph since the famine was not imminent. Still begs the reality of "no good deed goes unpunished" and it was so for Joseph for two more years.

All in all, a good but tiring week. Came back to NJ on Tues and went to one of my favorites, Red Robin. It was the drive from hell with the lousy weather and terrible roads - nearly 3+ hours for a normal 2 hour drive. Still it was worth it seeing everyone. Wed was a work day out of Princeton. Thursday was good since we had a small crowd of 31 for T-giving, pretty easy cleanup - took me an hour to do the dishes, pots and pans. Friday was a work day out of Princeton and went to a Bahama Breeze restaurant locally with Daniel and Irene. Sat was good - did my 2.5 mile walk and got the lights up and dinner with the in-law family at a diner. Sunday was the church luncheon where I cooked and was real tired. Thank goodness for a dental appointment yesterday before heading down to Delly. Today, heading home and off to FL for a week.

Heard some sad news on Sunday about U. Ralph who passed away after an extremely long bout with Alzheimers and a failing body. He will be missed but at least he is now in the arms of Jesus. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend any of the services/interment since we'll be gone. Prayers fo the my s-i-l and her family.

Praise for today: For God is King of all the earth: sing to him a psalm of praise. Ps 47:7

Gen 39

The story of Joseph unfurls with him being a slave in the household of the captain of the guards, Potipher. Joseph is given a chance to shine and became the head of the household and the affairs of his master. God blesses Potipher through Joseph and the promise is starting. Alas, the "desperate housewife" of Potipher wanted something above and beneath the job description of head of the household from Joseph, who in deference to the Lord, couldn't and wouldn't oblige her. She plots to take her revenge as a woman scorned and rejected and thus sends Joseph to prison where he proves that the cream rises to the top and is put in charge of many things there. The Bible doesn't say if the blessings that Joseph brought through God lasted after Joseph was sent to prison. It is my guess that it wasn't and Potipher and his wife was just given their one chapter of fame and shame and lived the rest of their lives in obscurity and mediocrity. What an interesting chapter due to the intergrity and determination of a young man, Joseph who rose above his situation and was blessed because of his faith and lineage - a sharp contrast to his brothers.

Heading home tonight and working out of Princeton tomorrow and Friday. Looking forward to seeing GG later as well as Dave and Irene. Hopefully the traffic and weather will allow for a reasonable commute.

Praise for today: Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Ps 55:22

Gen 38

What an interesting chapter, much like the chapter with Dinah, this one involves Judah and Tamar. Judah, the fourth son in the lineage of Jacob, and the next in line to receive favor from his father after the eldest three severely disappointed him. His first son who was married to Tamar, died after the Lord struck him down due to his evilness which left the second one, Onan, to fulfill the brother's obligation to have offspring which would not be credited to him. He decided that since the offspring would be his - he practice birth control which was also wicked in the eyes of the Lord and he was struck down as well. The next in line was Shelah but given the past history of the other two, Tamar decided to live with her father. In the meantime, Judah's wife died. Tamar goes out of her widow's garb to get dressed up and lo and behold, she and Judah hook up. She decided that until she got her payment for her services she was going to get Judah's seal, cord and staff. She gets pregnant and ultimately charged with prostitution to which it is revealed to Judah that it was he who did the dirty deed and was not put to death as charged. The tale of twins is again replayed here as two sons, Perez and Zerah  were born with Perez who was supposed to come out second came out first. I guess the ultimate significance was the establishment of Perez who would be the recorded lineage to Jesus.

Looking forward to this weekend  and getting stuff done before T-giving. Weather looks decent for the weekend.

Praise for today: Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name. Ps 97:12

Gen 35:12-36

This begins the journey of Joseph towards fulfilling his dream but it was frought with danger, subtefuge and ultimately suffering towards the character building aspect of his life. Joseph started out as Jacob's eyes and ears and went out to meet his brothers in Dothan. When they saw him, they plotted to kill him but was thwarted by Reuben who either felt responsible to him or who wanted Joseph to pass on his birthright back to him. Ultimately his intent was to show his worthiness to Jacob by saving and securing Joseph. Judah was the one who concocted the scheme to sell him to the Ishmaelites who were passing through without Reuben's knowledge. Without Joseph, Reuben had to come up with a plan to reveal Joseph's demise and thus brought the famous coat with a dead goat's blood on it to put the legacy of Joseph behind him and them and hopefully secure his father's birthright and blessing. Jacob was so distraught that he could not be comforted by his family and mourned for his favorite son. Meanwhile, Joseph is sold to Potiphar by the Midianites.

One has to think why the detail and why him? This becomes the greatest and the most detailed story of perserverance and integrity that is recorded in the Bible. It is also a story of redemption and fulfilled promises.

Yesterday's events were sombering and sobering as 3 collegues were let go. Prayers go out to them and their families as they reconstruct their lives out of this dismal economy. Hard to say if this is it... Let's hope so.

Praise for today: Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; let the upright in heart praise him! Ps 64:10

Gen 37: 1-11

It seems that there are times that the Bible whizzes through history and merely glosses over time but as Phillip Yancey said "Genesis slows down when it gets to Joseph, and it shows God working behind the scenes". With Reuben, as the oldest, in line for the birthright but severely disappointing Jacob in c.35, the birthright was given to Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel. This was indicated by the special coat of many colors that was given to him by Jacob. This overstated the love of Jacob to Joseph and in turn created resentment and hatred between siblings. While he was blessed by Jacob and by God, he didn't really endear himself to his brothers and his parents by stating his dream that they will all bow down to him one day as ruler over them. Still while Jacob protested, he pondered it in his heart since he knew that God does work in mysterious and miraculous ways.

Long but enjoyable day with a dinner in Philly @ Capital Grill - excellent food and am glad it wasn't on my dime. Got back late 10ish so decided to bag the gym today.

Praise for today: The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Ps 28: 8

Gen 36

The listing of Esau's descendants were placed in this book to show how God did bless him despite not being the chosen one. The lines that came from Esau were extensive and showed how they banded together to forge a nation that was successful and thriving in the world's eye but still not under the banner of God and thus would be under the sword of Jacob's lineage. Esau married away from the house of Abraham and the writer reminds us of that with Esau's first two wives. Because he married "away", he could never carry the lineage of Isaac. He would be known forever as the father of the Edomites.

The situation at work in my eyes is getting a lot more terse. With review time comes the reassessment of the future. Seems like comp will get cut and how severely is always a question. It's been a while since we have adjusted our workforce and in the eyes of many, that could be troubling as it was in 2009. Still my hope is in the Lord and I'll live it one day at a time.

Praise for today: As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Ps 18:30

Gen 35: 16-29

The 12 tribes of Jacob would now be complete but it would cost the life of Rachel who would die during childbirth. Benjamin was Rachel's son borne "out of sorrow" but would be Jacob's son "born out of his right hand". Since the term "right hand" was used, he would receive the blessing. It  seems like Reuben was to be the one that would want it so he slept with one of Jacob's wives and because of that Joseph was given the birthright over the others. The chapter ends with the death and burial of Isaac as the two brothers who were reconciled buried their 180 year old father together.

Tiring weekend with a lot of stuff done around the house. Nice to see all that came this past Saturday. Back to the gym this morning.

Praise for today: Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Ps. 80:5