Based on current weather conditions, and predicted weather over night,
there will be no worship services or activities held at First Lutheran
Sunday, January 20, 2019.
I’ll be posting a special Worship Blog tomorrow morning
where we can reflect, give thanks, and worship
from the warmth and safety of our own homes.
Exodus 1 – Exodus 3
“Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.”
Exodus 1:8
We end the story of Joseph . . . to begin the story of Moses. Unlike Genesis, where we hear story after story, spanning from one generation to another, the story of Moses stretches out over the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Now we are in this for the long haul! So stick with me!!
Sometimes Moses’ story will move quickly, as we see in the first three chapters. Sometimes, it will seem to drag on, as we will see in the forty years in the wilderness. Yet, the entire story tells of how the people of Ancient Israel became a strong and mighty nation as they will eventually inherit the Promised Land.
For now, we begin with a baby, born in the midst of tense political times, when Pharaoh had ordered all of the male Hebrew infants killed or tossed into the river. If you paid close attention, Moses’ mother, followed the rules that Pharaoh had enacted, she just happen to place little baby Moses in basket as she tossed him in. Smart woman! Then to do so, when she knew he would be recovered, adopted, and that her services would be needed to tend to the child. Now she was being paid by Pharaoh’s daughter, to raise her own child. Very smart woman!
That wisdom, and mental security, wasn’t all passed on to Moses, at least not in these first few chapters. He kills someone. He runs way. He questions God’s identity, and as we move into tomorrow’s reading, doubts the authority that God has given him. What a leader! At lease that brings hope to me, if God can use Moses, despite his flaws, than God can keep using me.
On to tomorrow’s reading, Exodus 4 – 6.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Genesis 48 – Genesis 50
Congratulations! Pat yourself on your back! We made it through the first book of the Bible. Yes, that’s correct, one book down, 65 to go. Oh, wait a minute . . . .you thought we were reading one book, called the Bible. That’s a common misconception. The Bible is actually made up of 66 books (a few of them are letters, but we’ll get to that later). It’s also divided into two main sections, the Old Testament (containing the story of ancient Israel) and the New Testament (containing stories of Jesus and the early church). The Old Testament has 39 books in it, while the New Testament is made up of 27 books and letters. So for now, we are one book into our reading and well on our way to completing Year of Scripture.
As we finish up the story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did you notice Joseph’s words to his brothers in the days after Jacob’s death. They serve as a great summary to the entire Genesis story:
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20, NIV
From the beginning, as Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, we have all been living in harm’s way. Yet, through God’s divine plan, good news is found. For Joseph and his brothers its is food in the midst of the famine. For you and I, it is forgiveness from our sins and everlasting life gathered around God’s throne in paradise. How great is that!
Stay safe and keep warm as the snow begins to fall, now on to Book Two, Exodus 1 – 3!
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Genesis 46 – Genesis 47
Today is January 17th, and many people label today as the day that New Year’s resolutions are often broken. So if you are still hanging in there with me, congrats! If not, we are just about to finish Genesis, so its not to late to join in, or to get restarted again. Though I will admit, the bigger challenge is coming when we begin our February readings and start our journey through Leviticus. Together, we will make it!!
Last night we also gathered for our second review and discussion group. Together we shared the highlights of the second half of Genesis. If you want a quick summary of our discussion, check out this video. If you want to check out part one, for the first twelve chapters in Genesis, you can watch that here. Lastly before I share some quick thoughts, The Bible Project, has a great comic strip poster summarizing all of Genesis. There is a lot to it, but it is worth a look!
On to last nights reading . . .
I don’t think many of us can fathom the joy that Jacob had as he embraced Joseph after years of separation. Not only separation, but separation after years of what was thought to be Joseph’s death. Occasionally, we watch it on the news or hear about it in stories . . . someone thought dead, kidnapped, run away, etc. finds their way back home. In light of recent news, we think of Jamye Closs. Together, we celebrate the joy her family shares in her bold escape. Then, we ponder, if only she could embrace her parents again. If we can (not that we ever will or would want to) place ourselves in that mind set, then we might be able to find the joy that Jacob must have felt as he embraced Joseph after all of those years. At the same time, we might begin to fathom the inexpressible joy that God has for us his chosen created people, who have fallen into sin from the very beginning, only to be redeemed and embraced through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Off to finish the last few chapters of Genesis!
Pastor Bailey
Genesis 42 – Genesis 45
Our reading today in Genesis is a reunion full of so many emotions. It’s been years since Joseph was with his family. We might easily ask:
What a roller coaster of emotion. Yet, in all the ups and downs, we have to take note of Joseph’s response. Essentially, “this was all God’s doing!” There is true praise and adoration.
The family reunion continues as we read on to Genesis 46-47. Also, don’t forget, it’s Wednesday night. Join me if you can in the Chapel at 6:30 p.m. as we review and reflect together on this past weeks’ readings.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Genesis 41 – Genesis 42
From the depths of Hell, to the joys of paradise. That’s what it must have felt like for Joseph as he was released from prison only to find himself elevated to Pharaoh’s right hand man. Talk about a redemption story!
And, its much more than that, its a salvation story as well. Salvation for Jacob and his sons. After seven years of plenty, the famine settles in. Jacob and his family begin to starve. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph has prepared everything they need in Egypt. Even as they gravel at his feet, the sons of Jacob do not recognize who is right in front of them. How could they, for Joseph should have been as good as dead. Yet here he is, about to provide the food and protection they desperately need. As we read on, to Genesis 43-45, we will quickly find, that redemption and salvation are both at hand!
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Genesis 35 – Genesis 37
Genesis 38 – Genesis 40
It got to be about 7 p.m. last night and I realized that I hadn’t made any comments on my daily reading. Then, I honestly said, “oh well” I’ll catch everyone up tomorrow. Its not that I didn’t do my daily reading, I just never made the time to share with each of you. I’m sure this won’t be the last day that I miss along the way, and the first one had to happen somewhere. So on with my reflections . . .
In chapter 35, Jacob returns home, he’s given a new name, which is a sign of a new beginning, Isaac dies, the the story of Genesis is about to make a major shift. That shift happens as we enter chapter 37 and the story of Joseph. Other than the odd insertion of the story of Judah and Tamar in chapter 38, the story of Joseph is the longest continuous story found in the Book of Genesis, spanning from chapters 37 through 50 .
Of course, I can’t think of Joseph without singing,
“Go, go, go Joseph, you know what they say
Hang on now, Joseph, you’ll make it some day
Shalala, Joseph, you’re doing fine
You and your dreamcoat, ahead of your time . . .”
Great musical, saw it in Chicago years ago. It certainly tells the story well, as story that we will continue to venture into reading as Joseph dreams, is betrayed and sold by his brothers, becomes Potiohar’s right hand man, and finds his way into prison. What great story, I hope you keep reading with me. For now, I’m going to leave you as I continue singing, “Go, go, go Joseph!”
See you tomorrow as we read Genesis 41-42.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Genesis 31 – Genesis 34
Today, is our oldest’s son’s birthday! Happy Birthday John! Maybe its fitting that today’s reading focuses on brotherly love! Having two boys in our house we know all about that. Sometimes, they love each other very much. Sometimes, they are the worst of enemies. In the end, they mutually respect, love each other, and get along really well. Thanks be to God for that!
Jacob and Esau are much the same. Full of brotherly love! If we remember back to chapter 28, Jacob ran away to live in fear that Esau would be out to get him for tricking him out of his birthright. Now as Jacob is about to come home, he sends gifts to Esau to soften his return. Much to our surprise, there is no malice, no spite, no rejection, no hatred. Jacob is welcomed home to a loving embrace. A true model of brotherly love!
Now on to read, Genesis 35 – 37.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
If you haven’t noticed, things got shifted around a bit on our web-page today. I’m still learning, but one thing I didn’t like was seeing the blog on the home page. So, I’m hoping you found this, and were able to navigate your way around.
As always, I look forward to sharing more with you as we venture forth!
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Genesis 30 – Genesis 31
I’m not sure if we should feel sorry for Jacob or not. One cannot help but wonder if he realizes that he is being used as a pawn between Leah and Rachel to have children. Add into the mix, their two servants, Zilpah and Bilhah, and you might wonder how Jacob got any sleep! All in all, we end up with the birth of the twelve tribes of Israel, which we’ll get to soon enough, but for now we know that God’s blessing to Abraham is about to be realized as Jacob is now the father of:
Reuben
Simeon
Levi
Judah
Dan
Naphtali
Gad
Asher
Issachar
Zebulun
Joseph
Benjamin
And we can’t forget Dinah!
More to read for tomorrow! See you after we read on to Genesis 32-34
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
First Lutheran Tiffin Ohio 44883 