Genesis 37:1-36, 39:1-23

Joseph is introduced to us as a brash young man who for some reason is not able to develop healthy relationships with his family. The biblical author seems to suggest that his father’s favoritism plays a role in the poor relationship between Joseph and his brothers, but it also seems that Joseph has some poor social skills. Joseph is given a prophetic vision from God, but he then shares this vision in such a way as to create a wedge between his brothers and himself. Ultimately, this wedge leads to his brothers staging his mock death and selling him into slavery. Eventually God would take the situation and turn it to his will, but it would seem that God’s will could have been fulfilled with less heartache if Joseph had been less abrasive to his brothers.

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A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all the blessings you have given me. Thank you for the health and safety of my wife and children. Thank you for your constant presence in my life and my home. Thank you for the spiritual friendships you have built and continue to build around me. Be with me this week in my words and deeds; may everything I do be a witness that draws others toward you. Keep me from being a discouragement to others. Continue to work in my life and make me more like yourself; let my desires be your desires and may I more quickly place my selfish whims aside.

Help me to be faithful to the call you have placed over my life, and help me to trust that you have put me in the place which you most want me. Focus my mind on what you want me to do and learn while I am here. Forgive me for being self-centered and open my eyes to the needs of the community I am a part of every day. Help me to be a worthy representative of you to my children.

Your ways are wonderful Lord, but I fail to tread them. Your words are fulfilling Lord but I fail to consume them. Your promises are comforting Lord, but I fail to hear them. Your gifts are magnificent Lord, but I fail to delight in them. Let me walk in your ways, be filled with your words, listen to your promises, and delight in your gifts. For you are God. You are creator. You are maker of heaven and earth and man and me. I am your child. Make me into your man.

Thank you God,

Amen

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