QT 12/12/2025 Gen 40:16-23, Finding real, absolute truth in a day and age of echo chambers

Genesis 40:16–23 (ESV) —

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” 18 And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.”

20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

 

NOTE: In one of Paul's last letters before his death, he tells Timothy that in the latter days people will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening truth.

 

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV) — 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

 

These are called echo chambers and they are happening across the information spectrum. We find news that we like and friends that we agree with. Of course, we have been doing that for quite a while as evidenced by the chief baker who only told Joseph his dream after hearing a positive outcome to the chief cupbearer. I do wonder if the chief baker was guilty, which is another reason he withheld his dream.

 

We've taken this concept to its ultimate degree in these latter days. Partly because of corruption in our news sources, we have sought other news sources. The result is an increasingly hostile political atmosphere where everybody has their "truth."

 

There is only one truth, and it is found in the person of Jesus Christ, whom John calls the Word. John also records Jesus' statement:

 

John 14:6 (ESV) — Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

Jesus preached an exclusive faith. It was inclusive in the sense that it was for all people who would believe, but it was exclusive in that it did not include all religions and belief. If we truly seek TRUTH, it will be found in certainty in Jesus.

 

PONDER:

1. What are my sources of information?
2. Do I spend time in the bible seeking ABSOLUTE TRUTH?

 

PRAYER: Father, continue to wash my mind in absolute truth. Cleanse it, clean it, renew it in truth. Help me to discern the lies of the culture and the world. Help me to share truth with others so they can escape the darkness that is in the world.

QT 12/11/2025 Gen 40:1-15, Learning not to blame others

Genesis 40:1–15 (ESV) —

1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.

5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”

9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”

 

NOTE: The phrase "some time" indicates "years," why, because in two years, Pharaoh will have a dream, and we know that Joseph will be elevated at the age of 30. Since he was 17 at the time of abduction into slavery, we have 13 years of slavery or prison. And still another 7 years until he sees his family. In the case today, the cupbearer, after his elevation, will forget Joseph for two years.

 

Joseph takes advantage of the situation to request help. But, he does not blame his brothers nor Potiphar's wife. He gives no bad reports. And to be honest, it was not necessary, and in most cases, it really is water under the bridge in terms of how the situation came about. The facts are that he is in prison and it was unjust. I suppose most prisoners would argue the same thing, but it shows strong character to not blame others for misfortune.

 

We do like blaming others or rules or whatever. I did the same thing a couple of days ago in my QT notes. A far better response would have been to say, I was wrongly accuse of discrimination and almost fired. But fortunately, my boss went to bat for me at her personal risk. The other details were not important and really was just an attempt to place blame. I do appreciate my boss who supported me in the false accusation.

 

PONDER:

1. Are their situations where I am still blaming others for a misfortune?
2. Do I harbor bitterness against someone for their sin against me?
3. Do I need to forgive someone who has hurt me?

 

PRAYER: Father, I haven't thought about the situation in years until this week. I don't want to be bitter. Forgive me for my attitude and help me to truly forgive my employee. The person gave their best. My actions disappointed them. Maybe I should have been more direct so as not to cause false expectations. Give me wisdom for now and the future.

QT 12/10/2025 Gen 39:13-23, Living by faith is not always very easy

Genesis 39:13–23 (ESV) —

13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

 

NOTE: There is nothing humorous about the story if you were Joseph, but I do find the motif on cloaks humorous, first with his brothers, and now with Potiphar's wife grabbing it off of him. Joseph just can't seem to keep his cloak. This is a very typical "she said, he said" scenario. I discussed this yesterday in my quiet time, and it is very painful to the innocent party. There is so little one can do. I don't blame the women in the world, because I know there are numerous instances of men taking advantage of women throughout history, and they had no evidence, or any sympathetic authority to rise to their defense. But what Potiphar's wife does is terrible. And Joseph goes to prison because of her lie. But we must remember that God is in charge. Already, Joseph has met the chief of the guard and the chief of the jail for Pharaoh. He will soon meet the chief cupbearer and chief baker. And even though he is at the bottom and near despair, God is there working in ways he could never understand nor believe.

 

God knows your situation. He knows what you are going through. He is using hard times for your good. He will rescue you. We must believe by faith that he loves his children (those who have confessed Jesus as their savor).

 

There was a time in my life when I thought the pain (hard times) would never end. I could never have dreamed I would be where I am today. He is in charge and whenever we start to dwell on a problem, we need to give it to God by faith.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I going through a hard time in life?
2. Do I believe that God is still working to bring good out of the pain?

 

PRAYER: Father, hard times come in many different forms. Hard times can be physical, emotional, financial, and relational. They all hurt. And one is not easier than the other, at the time. Father, help me not to give up. I want to be a good example to others of trust and service to you.

QT 12/9/2025 Gen 39:1-12, The realities of life under the sun

Genesis 39:1–12 (ESV) —

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.

 

NOTE: It is no accident that Joseph is sold in slavery to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard. Joseph is successful in whatever he does. His father saw it and now Potiphar sees it, but with success comes temptations from the evil one. Joseph does the right thing, but still is caught in a situation where he will be charged with something he didn't do. It is an ancient case of "woke" and sexual harassment where the female is always right. It is so discouraging for you career to be curtailed by a lie.

 

I've experienced the same thing once in life. It was a lie by a disgruntled employee who felt two years of experience qualified her as a full scientist. When I did not promote her, she went to Employee Relations claiming discrimination and I was almost fired by the male VP. Fortunately, by God's grace, my immediate boss was a female Asst VP, and she stood up for me and against her own boss. She knew it was a lie. God used the situation to teach me a lot of things. I still pray at times for that employee who left the company sometime afterwards.

 

PONDER:

1. When things go against us, do we stop and ask God for wisdom?
2. Rather than being bitter, have we prayed for God to help us understand what he was doing for us during those bitter times?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am thankful for what you were doing in my life. I learned a lot about leading people in a non-military situation. I thought you just took care of people, but I have learned to be more discerning. I can still be a witness for Christ, but it takes special care and careful steps and documentation when working.

QT 12/8/2025 Gen 38:20-33, Recognizing God's will in all circumstances

Genesis 38:20–30 (ESV) —

20 When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her. 21 And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.” 22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’ ” 23 And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”

24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

 

NOTE: Judah is ready to have Tamar burned for her immorality, but as for his, he is worried about his reputation when they can't locate the cult prostitute to pay her back. It most certainly is a double standard. The only thing to say in Judah's behalf is that he admits Tamar was more righteous than him because he would not give her his third son in accordance with levirate marriage customs. His recognition of his own sin seems to be the start of a transformation in the life of Judah. He was caught, he admitted his guilt, and slowly he begins to be the leader in Jacob's family (42:2; 44:18-34). His son Perez is the next in the line of the Messiah.

 

God works through our failures when necessary to accomplish his will. There are a number of ways he could have provided the next in line, but he allowed this situation to occur. Was it for Tamar or was is for Judah or both? We don't know. We will fall at times. Do we repent, admit our sin to God, and then grow? We need to be reviewing our life and our goals regularly? Where are we and what does the Lord want me to do?

 

PONDER:

1. When was the last time I did a spiritual accountability check on myself?
2. Am I in Gods' will or am I in my will (doing what I want to do)?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do pray for leading and guidance. I want to do your will, not my will. Help me to know when things change or when I am living for myself.

QT 12/5/2025 Gen 38:12-19, God's will cannot be thwarted

Genesis 38:12–19 (ESV) —

12 In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua’s daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13 And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” 14 she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” 17 He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” And she said, “If you give me a pledge, until you send it—” 18 He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. 19 Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.

 

NOTE: Apparently Judah is not good at recognizing those he should know. He will also not recognize Joseph, but none of the brothers did. Also, giving his seal and staff appears to be a particularly naïve action. Under the culture of the time, if the sons could not fulfill the levirate responsibility, then it fell to the father. It was clear that Judah was not going to give his third son, so in some ways, Tamar was only trying to acquire what was her legal (according to the laws of that day) right. Ultimately, Tamar is an important part of the line of the Messiah. Judah is at fault here, twice over. One, he would not give his son in marriage to Tamar, and two, he seeks a prostitute. Even though prostitution may have been accepted by the culture in Canaan, it was not accepted in Israel because of the instructions by God going back to Adam and Even. We will see later that Judah will be very discreet when he tries to pay back the prostitute to get his things back, because he knows it is wrong.

 

What do we learn? God is at work. Tamar after only one contact with Judah is pregnant, and yet that did not happen with the first son. The events seem too miraculous to throw it off as chance. God was planning to use Tamar in the line of the Messiah, which would come through Judah. He did not use the two sons because of their (apparently extreme) wickedness. He used Judah's sin and was not thwarted by the two son's wickedness, to complete his work. His will is not circumvented by our actions. His wisdom oversees and brings about his will.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I truly seek God's will in my life?
2. Or in my sinful flesh, am I actively trying to thwart God's will for my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am not always seek your will as I should. I too often seek the comfortable life, rather than the life of obedience.

QT 12/4/2025 Gen 38:1-11, Cultural practices

Genesis 38:1–11 (ESV) —

1 It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, 3 and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. 5 Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.

6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death. 8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. 10 And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house.

 

NOTE: First, the law had not been written yet, so there is no commandment from God on the subject. Second, God would include this requirement 400 years later (Deut 25:5-10). At the time, it was custom, called the levirate marriage. In the future law, the son-in-law could refuse and the sister-in-law was free, but also alone. The practice was intended to provide for the well-being of the widow as well.

 

The heart of the story is the overall evil and wickedness in what will be royal line, Judah. The first son Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord. Onan's actions in regards to Tamar (spilling seed on the ground) was wicked in the sight of the Lord. Both men die early for their wickedness. Judah, himself, acts wickedly in pretending to give his third son to Tamar. He does protect Tamar by keeping him in his house. I have to wonder if Judah's wife influenced his actions. In any case, it is a sad story, and typical of the moral failures in the family of the patriarch.

 

What do we learn? This cultural practice, while later affirmed by God, was considered the right thing to do (again, culturally). There are many cultural practices which are right and good. Fortunately today, we have God's word to review practices against the truth. I find that today's culture seems to allow destroying / attacking another person's goods if their views are in opposition to your own. Most people would see that as wrong, but a growing progressive faction is adding violence as an acceptable cultural practice when the ideas are not what they like. This does not agree with God's word.

 

PONDER:

I know the phrase "polite society" seems out of place today, but it is closer to Jesus' command to love one another, even your enemy. How am I doing at loving others?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to see where I am following practices which are against your word. And help me to see where I am not practicing actions that you command.

QT 12/3/2025 Gen 37:23–36, The start of a very long pity party

Genesis 37:23–36 (ESV) —

23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes 30 and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” 31 Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” 33 And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

 

NOTE:  There is some irony as the brothers sit to eat, while Joseph is in the cistern presumably to die of hunger, and yet Joseph would someday feed the entire group. Once again, not all the brothers are present at the same time (I believe some were watching the flock, at all times). Judah is present as the trade caravan passes by and convinces the other brothers who were there as well to sell the boy rather than have blood on their hands. Some commentators suggest that Judah was only interested in the profit to gain from Joseph's life. And that, this is the reason for Joseph returning the gold in their baskets later in the story, to test them. I could be wrong but I disagree. I don't believe Judah or Reuben were interested in the boy's death, and both looked for ways to keep him from death. Judah's plan protected himself from his brother's reprisal, whereas Reuben risked the anger of the other brothers if he was to rescue the boy and return him. Reuben's plan may have been an attempt to redeem himself in the eyes of his father, after Reuben's own earlier sin.

 

Jacob's response to Joseph's death is a 22-year pity party. The passage says he mourned for many days, but many of his responses during the coming famine suggest that he still was not over the loss, even after 22 years.

 

It is good to mourn. It is very good to feel pain. It is good to shed tears. I believe, it is okay even to be angry at God (for a time). But ultimately, we cannot live in an eternal pity party. There comes a time, when you (I) must rise from the ashes and start living again. Yes, there will be reminders. Christmas seems like one of those times where a previous pain, maybe even one that came during the holidays, attacks once again. It's okay to feel hurt. But I say again, at some point we must return to the land of living. We must be back in the "giving" and not living in the "getting" of pity.

 

PONDER:

1. What pain have I not let go?
2. Am I living or only grieving? When will I be ready to move ahead in life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I have been there. I know that pain. It hurt. I was mad. But thankfully, at some point, I began to live again, instead of waiting for another shoe to fall in my apparently miserable life. Thanks for lifting me out of despair and giving me hope, and life once again.

QT 12/2/2025 Gen 37:12-22, The will of God cannot be thwarted

Genesis 37:12–22 (ESV) —

12 Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 14 So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15 And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” 16 “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 17 And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father.

 

NOTE: At any one time, not all of the brothers are at the base camp. In order to watch the flock, I am sure they took shifts, and depending on the size, some could beyond eye sight. So the term "brothers" may not refer collectively to every one of the brothers. This is supported by verse 21, "But when Reuben heard it …," where he is clearly not involved in the initial discussions. In fact, his plan to rescue him later, puts him in a different group. In my mind, the four brothers of the two servant women were most likely the ring leaders. Potentially, Simeon and Levi, who were known for their violence, could possibly be added. Except for Judah, the two remaining brothers (not counting Benjamin) are younger and went along with the crowd. Reuben disagrees but does not really voice his disagreement. In the next passage, we see that Judah had second thoughts as well when he proposes selling him to a Midianite traveler.

 

God had a plan in this but God does not encourage sin. God uses the sin and brings about something good despite our sin. He is never caught off guard. The dreams of Joseph shared prior, show that God knew all along how things would work out.

 

What do we learn? "No one" does something to you that hurts you in a way that God does not know or will not use for your good. Yes, people do hurt us, but they cannot hurt the will of God. He will bring about good in any and every situation.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I blame others for my misfortune?
2. Am I looking to see how God can bring good out of the evil brought about on me?

 

PRAYER: Father, your plan cannot be shaken. Your will cannot be thwarted. It may take circuitous routes, but never out of your will. Help us to trust and obey, even when we seem defeated.

QT 12/1/2025 Gen 37:1-11, Don't show favoritism

Genesis 37:1–11 (ESV) —

1 Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.

2 These are the generations of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

 

NOTE: The first thing to note is that his bad report concerned four brothers, all born of Bilhah and Zilpah (I'm never sure whether to call them wives or concubines. The son's names are Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The four oldest sons (Reuben, Levi, Simeon, Judah) of Leah, as well as two younger (Issachar and Zebulun) are not involved in the bad report. Joseph would be the oldest of the working boys, Benjamin is still quite young.

 

This problem of favoritism is compounded by the fact that the twelve sons split in four groups depending upon their mother. Rachel was the preferred mother by Jacob and he appears to have made Joseph his favorite with Benjamin a close second. This is clearly noticed by the brothers and begins to produce a lot of jealousy and anger. The special gift, a cloak, makes it considerably worse. It does not sound like a coat that one would do any physical work wearing.

 

Joseph, as seen later in life, is an intelligent young man with a passion for organization and business. I would not call him a leader because he does not show any of those skills. In fact, sharing his dreams to his family certainly is not a good way to lead.

 

I have always felt that Joseph was prideful. I think his father is guilty of encouraging a false sense of pride. The dreams are true dreams and maybe should have been shared in private with his father.

 

What do we learn from this? We learn the same lesson Jacob should have learned watching his parents, favoritism is not a good way to raise your children. Your children should never know you favor one over the other. Likewise, neither should the mother or father favor a child. I think it is natural for daughters to do certain things with only the mother and the sons to do certain things with only the father. But beyond that, both parents must make a concerted effort to include each and every child as special.

 

PONDER:

1. How do I treat each of my children? If they are older, then I would add, even now?
2. Do I show any favoritism?
3. For those who have grandchildren, the same rules apply. How do I treat each of my grandchildren?

 

PRAYER: Father, give us (my wife and I) wisdom and we help raise our two young grandchildren. Help us to establish a strong foundation based on biblical concepts, rooted in love.

QT 11/28/2025 Gen 36:31-43, The secret to spiritual greatness

Genesis 36:31–43 (ESV) —

31 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites. 32 Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah. 33 Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. 34 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 35 Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith. 36 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 37 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place. 38 Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. 39 Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pau; his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.

40 These are the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their clans and their dwelling places, by their names: the chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 43 Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of Edom), according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession.

 

NOTE: At the time of Moses, no kings had arisen in Israel, although God had promised kings to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). My guess is that these are the line of Kings to Esau up to and including the 40 years of wilderness. Edom has many successes including the defeat of Midian in Moab. As noted earlier, secular greatness develops faster than spiritual greatness. God takes his time to train up men and his people.

 

As an example, Paul (Saul of the time during Jesus), spent probably years training under Gamaliel before meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul immediately starts sharing the gospel, but God has to remove him from the scene. He then spends another 13 years in the desert learning from God directly. I think we want to be spiritual giants directly once we truly know the Lord. We don't want to take the slow boring steps of discipleship. We think we already know 90 percent of what we need to know. Someone once told me (although I find I only agree with it in part), that after a few years of intensive seeking God, you know 90 percent of all you ever will know about the bible, but you will spend the rest of your life seeing how it applies to your life. I'm not sure I completely agree.

 

What have I found to be true about spiritual growth? You will feel you have learned 90 percent of the basics within a few years of a spiritual birth. As the years continue, you will reach a point where you will realize how little you know (it can take 10-20 years). Then each year after, you will learn new things you did not realize that you did not know. And yes, you will continue to see new areas where the word of God should be applied to your life.

 

Someone once did a study on Paul's growth. After his training by Gamaliel, and his 13 years in the desert with the Lord, he says in Philippians that he has not perfect yet, in his first letter to the Corinthians, he says he is the least of the Apostles because he persecuted the church, in his second letter to the Corinthians, he talks about a thorn given him in the flesh to keep him from being conceited and how he felt weak, and finally in his first letter to Timothy, he calls himself the foremost of sinners, the worst. Saul's 20 years of active ministry, 33 years after his rebirth, had taught him how sinful he was.

 

I think we get spiritual growth wrong. It is not what you know, but it is who you know. And as you know God more, you realize how little you know and how sinful you are, and you cry out like Isaiah: "Woe is me ..."

 

Isaiah 6:1–5 (ESV) — 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory!”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

 

PONDER:

1. Am I in this (a walk with God) for the short run or the long run?
2. Am I willing to wait upon God as he trains me and prepares me?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am certainly guilty of pride and running to get ahead. Unfortunately, I was getting ahead of you, and you had to slow me down to listen. Thank you for these days to remember and I pray to continue to learn from you.

QT 11/27/2025 Gen 36:15-30, Handling scripture correctly

Genesis 36:15–30 (ESV) —

15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah. 17 These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: the chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife. 18 These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau’s wife: the chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah; these are the chiefs born of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife. 19 These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.

20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. 22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. 23 These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. 24 These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he pastured the donkeys of Zibeon his father. 25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah. 26 These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 27 These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 28 These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29 These are the chiefs of the Horites: the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 30 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the chiefs of the Horites, chief by chief in the land of Seir.

 

NOTE: Esau's family is large. And God includes a partial genealogy of the Horites. Esau's family intermarries with the Horites. Ultimately, Esau's family dispossess the Horites of their lands and their titles, becoming Kings in the land and partially fulfilling God's promises to Isaac and Abraham. Slightly humorous is the mention of Anah, the guy who discovered the hot springs while pasturing his father's donkeys. Even though these events are written down over four hundred years after their fulfillment, the details are important. Israel will spend time traveling in the wilderness, not far from Edom, and will come in contact with many of these tribes. The information is not invaluable in maintaining friendly relationships with the Edomites as the move around south and west of them.

 

It is a lot of information saved for posterity, and shows the bible authenticity. Some names will change at different points in history, but that happens in marriage and for other reasons, further increasing the historical authenticity. The stories are written as history, just as the stories of Adam, Cain, and Noah are written. There are lots of details and never once is there a suggestion of myth. They are written in the common language of the people. We need to be careful to read and learn, and not spiritualize too much. I know I slightly spiritualized the wrestling match between God and Jacob. It was a real physical event, but it also, in retrospect, seemed to symbolize Jacob's life with God so far. I think if we are careful not to change the meaning of events we can see pictures that God wants us to see.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I believe scripture as it is written?
2. Do I try to insert my ideas into historical stories without any evidence of such truth in the whole of scripture? That is another hermeneutical principle, scripture interprets scripture.

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray we would be careful in our handling of the word of God. It is true and historical. It is meant to be read by the common man. I suppose I would have been one of the heretics of Luther's day. Teach me and use me for your good in my world I live in.

QT 11/26/2025 Gen 36:1-16, Historical facts about Edom

Genesis 36:1–16 (ESV) —

1 These are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom). 2 Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, 3 and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth. 4 And Adah bore to Esau, Eliphaz; Basemath bore Reuel; 5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

6 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. 7 For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock. 8 So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom.)

9 These are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir. 10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau. 11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. 12 (Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.) These are the sons of Adah, Esau’s wife. 13 These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife. 14 These are the sons of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau’s wife: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

 

NOTE: Esau is also blessed, as can be seen by his large family and his large possessions. Esau chooses to leave the promised land and dwell in the hill country to the south. The land was given to Jacob, not by Isaac, but by God. The promised seed, the blessing to the whole world is now carried by the family of Israel. Was Esau correct in leaving? I don't know. Edom disappears in time, but Israel remains today. Was Esau's choice wrong. No, it was God's will to use the second child, not the first born to Isaac.

 

God fulfilled his promise to Isaac. He actually blessed both of his sons. Kings came from both. But one family, the slightly smaller one at this point, is the most important for the history of the world.

 

How does this apply? I've never got a lot out of genealogies, although they are interesting. It does provide a tremendous historical basis for scripture. The amount of names recorded by Moses is amazing. The stories are not myth but history.

 

PONDER:

How do I feel about the stories of Genesis? Do I believe they are historical fact?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your truth. You have provided a history of salvation to the world that is complete in what is important. It is up to us to read and obey.

QT 11/25/2025 Gen 35:16-29, Making a good impact or ruining generations

Genesis 35:16–29 (ESV) —

16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day. 21 Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

22 While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine. And Israel heard of it.

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

27 And Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned. 28 Now the days of Isaac were 180 years. 29 And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

 

NOTE: Benjamin is the only son born in the land. When the land is distributed among the ten tribes, his portion will include the area of his birth, near Bethlehem. Reuben, the oldest, loses his position as first born because of his sin, he ends up accepting land on the other side of the Jordan (by choice). Simeon's (partner to the Shechem massacre) portion is so far south, his tribe will essentially be forgotten. Levi, becomes a special tribe (because of Moses and Aaron), but receives no land. Their inheritance was God himself. Judah, the fourth oldest becomes, in essence, the firstborn and leader. Ultimately, the kingship would end up in Judah, and even more importantly, the line of the Messiah.

 

Our actions can have long-term consequences on our families. Reuben's consequence are an extreme, stretching thousands of years, there are others in history with similar impacts (Benedict Arnold for one). I think our actions do have consequences on the next generations in our family. In most cases, they will not be as severe. But for men especially, how we lead our family spiritually can have tremendous consequences. It is never too late to change. It may not make a difference, but it might, and in my mind, that alone is worth the change.

 

PONDER:

1. How have I lived my life in terms of its impact on my children?
2. What should I be doing now in terms of its impact on my family?

 

PRAYER: Father, because of the problem of our sinful nature, none of us can be perfect. We will fail repeatedly. But through obedience to your word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirt, upon belief in Jesus as the propitiation for our sins, we can live differently. We can experience the sanctification of our lives that results in a better person slowly but surely over time. Help us in our battle with our sinful self and the enemy of our soul to be the witness we should be.

QT 11/24/2025 Gen 35:1–15, Listening to God as he changes our direction

Genesis 35:1–15 (ESV) —

1 God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem.

5 And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 6 And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, 7 and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother. 8 And Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried under an oak below Bethel. So he called its name Allon-bacuth.

9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. 11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. 12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” 13 Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. 15 So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

 

NOTE: Jacob has come first circle. He is back at the place where he made his first vow:

 

Genesis 28:20–22 (ESV) — 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

 

God has provided for him, despite the selfish prayer he made last time, God provided. And God repeats his renaming of Jacob which he first did in the wrestling match (actual wrestling but also symbolic of Jacob's last 20 years with God). Technically, after he had made peace with Esau, this (Bethel) is where he should have gone. Now in fear of his neighbors (near Shechem), and the command of God, he finally goes to Bethel. And Jacob does something which may have been on his mind, eating away at his conscience, and that was to purify himself from all the foreign gods. Some may have come over with the residents of Shechem. Certainly, by now, he knows of Rachel's theft of her father's household gods. The only thing I would disagree, he should have melted them down, rather than buried them.

 

Now, he is back to where he promised, and the foreign gods have been destroyed. At this point, God renews his promise to Jacob, and repeats his renaming as Jacob as Israel.

 

God is very gracious to Jacob. Despite his repeated failures, at each point he is renewed and moves ahead. He is certainly NOT a perfect man, but I believe he has faith, and he is seeking to do God's will.

 

In my experience and in my reading of the bible, most of the time God gives second chances, sometimes even more. But while there is the promise of forgiveness, there is no promise of second chances. Failure to obey can go in many directions. One can be closed off from going into the promised land, as Moses later would find true. One can be told a second time to go to Nineveh after disobeying God. There is no rule. But the one thing I have learned is to repent and seek God again when we fail. As the ruler of Nineveh will say, "Who knows, God may yet repent and turn from his fierce anger" (Jonah 3:9).

 

PONDER:

1. Is there something God has told me (or asked me) to do, that I have not followed through upon?
2. How do we remain in God's will? I hope it is by seeking him and his purpose for my life, and NOT by bringing him along for the ride.

 

PRAYER: Father, I do want to serve you, not my selfish desires. I think it took Jacob a long time to figure that out. Too often we care more about being happy, than in serving you. Sometimes serving you is hard and not what "I" would want to do. But I am convinced there is no greater thing than to serve you and know you.