Joseph - the Third Test of Darkness

 

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 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.” Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 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. 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. 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.” (Genesis 40:9–15 ESV).

 

Look at Joseph’s life now. The once-favorite son became a slave and was honored for a while but is now in prison. Even though the warden has put him in charge of other prisoners, it’s still prison. We get a sense of the despair Joseph is fighting when we hear that he calls his “home” a “dungeon.” Dungeons are murky and miserable, with little light and even less hope. But Joseph knows that God is with him even in prison.

 

One day two of the king’s officials become prisoners, and they later tell Joseph they have had dreams they do not understand. Joseph explains that God can interpret any dream, so he urges them to tell him about their dreams. With God’s help he explains the dreams, giving the cupbearer an interpretation full of hope. With that, Joseph asks the man to plead his case to Pharaoh. This gives Joseph a ray of hope. Though the interpretations are fulfilled precisely, the cupbearer forgets all about Joseph. So, Joseph remains in prison, waiting in darkness.

 

Joseph continues waiting for a long time. But although the cupbearer has forgotten him, the Lord has not. In the next few chapters of this story we will see that God has an important role in store for Joseph. One of the principles we may learn in this portion of Joseph’s story is that God does not count time quantitatively; God’s timing is always qualitative. That is near impossible for us to understand, especially when our circumstances are so difficult and painful. However, we must look to God as the God of our eternity. What may seem to be unbearable now, is a mere blink of the eye in comparison to what He has in store for us. His plans for us are must bigger than our trials. The Apostle Paul says it this way:

 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:16–17 ESV).

 

Trust in that promise!

Joseph - the Second Test of Submission

 

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. 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. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 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. 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. (Genesis 39:19–23 ESV).

 

Joseph had not done anything wrong. Yet he found himself in prison. We learn some more about his suffering in the description provided in Psalm 105:

 

When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. (Psalm 105:16–19 ESV).

 

It is one thing to become a prisoner for committing a crime; it’s quite another to be put in chains while completely innocent. Joseph was more than innocent; his behavior had been honorable. All of this pointed to the suffering that Jesus came to endure for our sake, to save us from sin. After a ministry of doing good everywhere, Jesus was subjected to unthinkable brutality and excruciating death on a cross.

 

Submission can be a most difficult, harrowing test, especially if a person is innocent. It may well be the ultimate test for humility. If any of us think we are humble, can we pass the test of having to submit to injustice even though we may be innocent? That would be a hard test indeed.

 

Amazingly, Joseph sustained this hard test. God was with him and even favored him. The prison warden trusted and promoted him. Many years later, a seasoned leader in the early church summed up situations like this as follows: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

 

Joseph - The First Test of Loyalty

 

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, 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. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 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. 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.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 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. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” 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. 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. (Genesis 39:11–20 ESV).

 

The scene of our reading is pretty clear. Joseph finds himself in a very difficult circumstance. Many men before and after Joseph have faced the same temptation. If Joseph had slept with Potiphar’s wife, he knew the consequences; however, he knew that his faith and loyalty to the Lord demanded that he do what was right. The Lord clearly did not condone adultery. It might have been what we have called a “no-win” situation. The truth, however, is far from this. Joseph’s choice was a grand victory. He was able to maintain his loyalty to the Lord.

 

The sins of breaking trust, of failing to fulfill a solemn task, of violating a sacred responsibility—these can shatter relationships and make reconciliation immensely difficult. When an athlete violates the rules by using banned substances, when an investment manager misuses other people’s money, when a public official uses intimidation or cover-up—these are deadly sins that bring ruin into many people’s lives.

 

Joseph, who was highly conscientious and responsible, was fully aware of the trust placed in him by Potiphar. That gave him the moral clarity to view adultery with Potiphar’s wife as “a wicked thing” and a “sin against God.” Joseph passed the test of loyalty again and again, but Potiphar’s wife managed to frame him and get him thrown into prison. Now he had to bear more injustice and suffering.

 

As a steward, Joseph served with unwavering loyalty to fulfill the responsibilities placed on him. Many readers have noted that this is also what Jesus did; he came to do the will of the Father who sent him, despite the suffering he faced for our sake. Loyalty to God is always a higher calling; and it often is not accepted by the world. Choose the Lord… every time!

 

Joseph - God was with Him!

 

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. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. (Genesis 39:1–3 ESV).

 

It would seem that Joseph was utterly doomed. He was now a slave with no rights or standing, trapped in a foreign land. It would seem he was marooned, abandoned, cut off from all that sustained a sense of worth, purpose, and joy. But in this story we read again and again that God was with Joseph and that his hand was in Joseph’s life and work. When God chooses to pour out his blessings, which are so great that they cannot be contained, it’s difficult to overstate the abundance and the wide-reaching effect they can have.

 

Further, we learn that Potiphar, Joseph’s master, saw that the Lord God was with Joseph and “gave him success in everything he did.” So, Potiphar sized up Joseph’s capabilities and promoted him, making him his most trusted steward. He put Joseph in charge of the whole household. And God’s blessing extended to “everything Potiphar had.” We aren’t told whether Potiphar himself trusted in God, but he wasn’t blind; he could recognize efficiency and profits, and he could see that these were the results of Joseph’s work. So, it made sense to appoint Joseph as his household manager.

 

All of this shows that even what seems to be the most difficult of situations, like slavery and exile, God does not abandon those whom He calls and loves. It ought to be a great reminder to us that we can serve God in his strength, and the Lord can work wonders through us regardless of what the outward circumstances of our lives might look like. That is the kind of God we have as our heavenly Father!

 

Joseph - Favored Son to Forgotten Slave

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. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 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. 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. 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. (Genesis 39:1–6 ESV).

 

In just a short time, Joseph plummeted from being a favored son to being a slave. What a descent! His brothers had plotted to murder him, but when some Ishmaelite traders came by, the brothers got rid of him instead by selling Joseph as a slave to be resold in Egypt. For many of us, it may be hard to imagine what that exile felt like. Joseph was thrown out, shipped off to be forgotten! He was separated from his father and the rest of his family without hope of ever seeing them again.

 

What’s more, he was in the company of Ishmaelites! These were distant cousins, descendants of his great-grandfather Abraham. Ishmael, their grandfather, was described as a “wild donkey of a man,” whose hand was “against everyone” and who lived in hostility toward everyone (cf. Genesis 16:12). These were ferocious men—not only traders but slavers. Joseph was nothing to them but flesh to be sold for a good price at auction. And they sold him to a captain of the guard—an official of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Could things get any worse than that?

 

Was Joseph angry? Was he filled with bitterness of spirit? We aren’t told. But this much is sure: he was deeply hurt. The wound was massive. Would he ever heal? One thing was certain—God was not done with this story yet! As you can see from the rest of the reading today God blesses Joseph in ways that will ultimately put him exactly where God needs him to save the nation of Israel and finally set the stage for Moses to come to the deliverance of the Jews leading them into the Promised Land.

 

While God’s plan is often counter-intuitive as it unfolds, it is always designed perfectly to bring about our greatest good! Trust Him!

  

Josepj - the Scarlet Thread

 

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.” 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.” 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. When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 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.” 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. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah. (Genesis 38:24–30 ESV).

 

Today’s reading is full of deceit, separation, and immorality. Judah, from whose line Jesus the Messiah would come, was a wicked man at this point in his life. Judah was the one who proposed making money by selling Joseph into slavery. Joseph was now separated from the family against his will. But Judah willingly chose to be separate, living among the Canaanite people. Two of his sons were so wicked that God killed them. Judah promised their widow, Tamar, that his third son would become her husband, but he never made good on the promise. Furious and fearful, Tamar trapped Judah by disguising herself as a prostitute. Unprincipled Judah bought her services, but not before Tamar extracted, as payment, Judah’s own seal, cord, and staff. She became pregnant, and when Judah heard about this embarrassment to his family, he demanded that Tamar be burned to death. In her own defense, Tamar exposed Judah with the evidence of his seal, cord, and staff, so he was caught in his hypocrisy. Sheepish, he had to admit that she was better than he was.

 

Tamar gave birth to twins from this encounter. One of the boys was named Perez, the other Zereh. The name Zerah can mean “scarlet” or “brightness.” He was so named because, when the twins were born, Zerah’s hand emerged first. The midwife tied a red thread around his wrist to establish birth order. But then he withdrew his hand, and his brother Perez was born first. Zerah came out of the womb with the red string on his wrist, thereby earning his name.

 

This Zerah grew up and became the patriarch of the Zerahite clan of Israelites mentioned in Joshua 7:16–18. Zerah’s great-grandson Achan disobeyed the Lord and took some of the spoil from Jericho in direct violation of God command (Joshua 7:20–21). Years later, the Zerahites were among the Israelites who returned to Jerusalem from their seventy years in Babylonian captivity. The returning tribe of Judah, including the children of Zerah, numbered 690 members (cf. 1 Chronicles 9:3–6). Zerah’s twin brother, Perez, was an ancestor of Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 1:3–17).

 

Zerah reminds us that God doesn’t overlook anyone because of their parentage or the circumstances of their birth. Every person holds a unique place in God’s order and plan, and everyone is responsible to God for what he does with what he is given. The whole story of Joseph is one of the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. Even the wickedness of Judah toward Joseph could not overturn the purpose of God’s redemptive plan! God would use both of these men in a mighty way to bring that plan to fruition. Knowing this solidifies our faith even more!

Joseph - the Empty Cistern

 

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 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.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 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. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. (Genesis 37:18–24 ESV).

 

Take particular note of the last verse in our reading today: “The pit [cistern] was empty; there was no water in it” (v. 24). Remember, the hatred of Joseph’s brothers was white hot. They were out for blood. Most of them wanted to kill Joseph immediately and throw his body into a cistern where it likely would never be found.

 

But God had other plans; and, He ensured Joseph’s survival. Using Reuben, an empty cistern, and even Judah’s cruel-heartedness to work out his plans for the family of Jacob. Reuben suggested a way to do away with Joseph that would avoid shedding his blood. They could dump him into an escape-proof pit where they could leave him to die. The others went along with this idea, not knowing Reuben was planning to rescue Joseph later. And the cistern, designed for collecting water in that arid land, happened to be completely dry, sparing Joseph from drowning in water or in deep mud. Further, the callous argument of Judah persuaded his brothers that they could “kill two birds with one stone.” They could make money by selling Joseph to the caravan passing by, and they could be rid of him without having to kill him. Greedy hands sealed the deal, but this was all part of a bigger plan God had in mind.

 

In our own lives we too can sometimes see that God protects us despite the evil intentions of others. “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according his purpose” (Romans 8:28). I wonder how many empty cisterns you have been thrown into? Each of those in God’s hands will fulfill the promise of creating good in your life!

 

Joseph - the Hatred Explodes

 

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 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.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 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. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. (Genesis 37:18–24 ESV).

 

A dormant volcano can look peaceful and calm on the outside, yet deep within its core, hot lava continues to build up pressure. It may take centuries, but the volcano probably will again “blow its top.” Hot lava is rarely contained forever. Hatred can simmer a long time too. It boils deep down in the soul. Sometimes it leaks out a little, but people who long for revenge and satisfaction for their hate will bide their time as it stews within. They wait patiently for just the right time to make their move. As a result, the victims of hatred are often taken by surprise when it erupts. Joseph too was blindsided. He never saw it coming; nor did father Jacob.

 

But as Joseph journeyed toward his brothers at Dothan, they noticed him in the distance and saw their chance. Far away from home and from Jacob’s protection, this would be the perfect time and place to get rid of “that dreamer” once and for all. So, they made their move.

 

Then, after throwing Joseph into the cistern, the brothers sat down to a meal as if nothing unusual had happened. With hatred, people believe that their acts of revenge are justified. Sometimes we nurse our grudges and bitterness in self-righteousness. Make no mistake. While God may seem patient as He delays in making all things right, no act of hatred will go unnoticed or uncorrected. We must guard against our tendency toward hatred or retribution toward others, even when they are in the wrong.

 

Joseph - Sent to Find His Brothers

 

Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 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.” 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. And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 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. (Genesis 37:12–17 ESV).

 

In Theology there is a reference grouping of passages in the Old Testament called “Messianic Types.” Messianic types are Old Testament persons, events, or institutions (types) that prefigure and find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ (the antitype), often categorized as legal, prophetic, or historical. Key types include Adam (as a representative head), Isaac (the son of sacrifice), Joseph (rejected then exalted), Moses (the lawgiver/prophet), and David (the king). There are others as well, however, Joseph is a key figure in pointing to Jesus.

 

In this short segment of the story we see a caring father sending his son to see about the welfare of his other sons and the family flocks. This is a mission to ensure that all is well. Joseph makes the journey to Shechem, and he puts his heart into it. Unable to find his brothers at first, he doesn’t abandon his mission but keeps on searching. A local resident notices him, and he’s curious about this stranger who is “wandering around.” The man asks Joseph who he’s looking for, learns the facts, and points him toward Dothan. So, Joseph heads that way, adding more distance to his journey.

 

This picture of a father sending, and a son obeying and persevering—all to ensure the well-being of others in the family— reminds us of Jesus’ mission. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sent into the world by the Father to call out to us, his “sheep,” to find us, and to ensure our eternal well-being (cf. John 6:38-40; 10:27-30). As we know, he was rejected by the religious leadership, ultimately being crucified. The Apostle John says, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).

 

It is another way of showing us that God’s plan was to call out to His people to forgive and restore them. Often I think we make the mistake in thinking that we need to search for Him, when all the while He has already searched and found us, The question then become how we will respond to Him… How have you responded to the grace of God?

 

Joseph - the Hard Journey Begins

 

Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. 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. 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. 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. (Genesis 37:1–4 ESV).

 

Redemption comes hard when people who do evil believe they have done nothing wrong. The greatest evils are often committed in the name of a cause or ideal. Today, suicide bombers give up their lives to attack “the Great Satan.” During World War II, millions of Jews died in the name of Aryan supremacy. In the Middle Ages, inquisitions hunted down heretics who seemed to threaten the “purity” of the Roman church, and many people were tortured and killed. In Bible times, rebellious kings and priests tried to gain power and keep control by killing God’s prophets—including Jesus.

 

This is the beginning of Joseph’s story. It is the story of redemption. Though we don’t know what Joseph tattled about his brothers, it soon becomes clear that they don’t like him. Seeing their father’s favoritism for Joseph, they begin to hate him. They hate him even more when he describes a dream in which his brothers bow down to him. Even his father rebukes Joseph when he describes another dream in which it seems that his parents and his brothers will bow down to him.

 

Though Joseph may be mostly innocent in all this, it’s not long before his brothers are seething with hatred for him. And hatred, once enraged, is blind to all considerations but its own. Even in this, however, God has sifted the experience about to happen in Joseph’s life to produce good in him and the nation of Israel. Ultimately, this same good will stretch out to all peoples of all races.

 

This is the irrevocable promise of God. Even when you cannot see the future clearly and everything appears dire, God has purpose for every circumstance of life. He is redeeming us and producing the greatest good we could imagine in our lives. Trust Him in all of the parts of your journey!  

Joseph - a Story of Redemption

 

So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Genesis 50:22–26 ESV).

 

I thought it might be inspirational as well as encouraging to do some study in the life of Joseph. Part of the reason for this is that our church, Gospel City Church in Arlington, has begun a Sunday morning study surrounding the life of Joseph. [BTW… that study begins at 10:45 am each Sunday and if you are in the area, you would be welcome to attend. Kyle is one of the teachers of this study. It is thorough and instructional.] The other reason for going in this direction is my own personal study in recent weeks. I’ve enjoyed the study and discovered some “new” things along the way.

 

One of those “new” things is found in our reading today. Notice Joseph’s instruction to his brothers: “Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, ‘God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.’” (v. 25). I have written an extensive essay that uses both a studied of the original language as well as some background to show Joseph’s intent in having his remains taken back to Israel upon his death (If you are interested in receiving this please leave a comment or message me with your email and I’ll send it to you. It is a bit too long to post here.)

 

The whole story of Joseph (cf. Genesis 37-50) is a powerful narrative of providence, transforming betrayal into blessing. He was sold into slavery by jealous brothers, endured unjust imprisonment in Egypt before rising to become Vizier. By forgiving his brothers, he turned their evil acts into a means of salvation, ultimately saving his family and surrounding nations from famine. It points us to the incredible redemptive work of Jesus. However, it also points us to a key point of encouragement and hope. When he instructs them to “carry up his bones from here” (v. 25), he is looking for the ultimate deliverance from bondage.

 

Joseph was well aware of the covenant God made with Abraham concerning the Promised Land. He would have known, even with his rank and privilege in Egypt, that was not his destiny, nor his home. Home is the place God has promised to all His children. We simply call it heaven. I find that full of hope in these days. We are sojourners in this place until Jesus takes us to where He is for eternity! That gets me through every challenge and difficulty! This is the story we will explore in the life of Joseph.

A Gentle Spirit

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. (Proverbs 15:1–5 ESV).

 

Think about a time when someone made you angry. May­be, they cut you off in traffic; or, perhaps they made a rude comment on social media. Or maybe someone made you feel stupid, and you were embarrassed in front of your peers. In any of these situations, it’s easy to fire back a defensive response.

 

But if we act out in anger, we will only make the situation worse. Our sinful nature wants to get back at the person who has offended us, but that is not the peaceful approach Scripture calls us to.

 

Our proverb for today points us to the way of Jesus, who told his disciples, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). This is one of the few times Jesus actually listed attributes of himself. He is gentle and humble in heart.

 

As Jesus also showed, there is a place for anger in situations where God is being mocked or injustice is being allowed (cf. Mark 11:15-17), but those moments are few and far between. And as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:26, “In your ­anger do not sin”. That’s the way Jesus operates.

 

The next time someone makes you angry, practice a gentle spirit.

  

Being Teachable

 

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15 ESV).

 

As children, we learn to ask for help if there’s something we aren’t sure about. We raise a hand in the classroom; we bring questions to adults who might have answers for us. We want to learn things, so we ask for help, information, and advice as we need it. For many of us, this tends to change as we grow older. We start believing that being independent and figuring things out on our own is most important. We become less inclined to ask for help or advice because we don’t want to seem weak.

 

Oftentimes our own experience or expertise may be enough. And not all advice is good advice, as many of us learn along the way. In our reading today we see the contrast of the arrogant, self-reliant nature of a fool, who rejects advice, with the humility and wisdom of listening to others. It emphasizes teachability and the danger of pride.

 

This verse is a helpful reminder that it is foolish to become wise in our own eyes, to believe that we always know what’s best, or to assume that our way is always right. Asking for advice or for help does not make us weak. It expands our ability to discern complicated situations. Often someone who is wiser or more experienced can see or understand the situation better than we can. And sometimes God puts people in our lives specifically for that reason.

 

It should not be a surprise the James tells us to seek wisdom:

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8 ESV).

 

Use the resource of wise people God puts in your journey and pray that He will give you wisdom and discernment! A fool is in love with his own opinion; but wisdom means being teachable. We will never get old enough to know it all!

 

Enduring the Storms

 

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. (Proverbs 10:23–25 ESV).

 

I am writing this installment of Morning Devotionals on Thursday morning, February 12, 2026. Honestly, my motivation was to get one more cup of coffee before I begin my fasting at 10:30 am in preparation for another heart catheterization this afternoon. It seems like I ought to be a bit more concerned about the procedure than one more cup of coffee, after all, they are going to run a slim cable into my heart through the arteries to determine why I have been having some difficulties. It is not my first experience, but that is not the calming influence facing possible heart/arterial disease. I am doing all I can do to get a good result; however, God is ultimately in control of all of it. So, a cup of coffee and writing seemed to be my best activity for now.

 

My thoughts in the theme of wisdom brought me to our reading today. The New Living Translation has a slightly different translation of the last verse: “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.” There is no doubt about the coming of “storms” in our life. We all go through trials in life. They may be health trials, relationship trials, financial trials, or emotional trials, but all of our hardships and difficulties end up being spiritual trials as well. This is the place when wisdom leads us to the graceful, powerful provision of God.

 

As I have already written, Scripture never promises that we will be able to go through life without encountering storms and setbacks. There is no promise that life will be easy, or simple, or smooth sailing. Nevertheless, God promises to be with us always. Through the storms of life he will be our protector. He is always reminding us that “He’s got this!” Jesus taught that whoever follows his teaching is “like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-27): when a heavy storm came, the house did not fall; it was built on a solid foundation. Similarly, Proverbs calls us to build our lives on wisdom and righteousness—that is, having a right relationship with God. When we do that, we will have God as our foundation, we can stand firm, trusting that our destiny is safe in his hands. So, when trials come, do what you know to do, then have a cup of coffee and relax… God is holding us safe eternally in His hand!

 

Practicing Love Toward All

 

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:1–4 ESV).

 

Happy Valentine’s Day! It is not coincidental that I chose “practicing love toward all” as the focus for continuing our study in the gaining and using of wisdom in our lives today. After all today we celebrate love. Valentine's Day is our annual celebration of romance and affection, which is celebrated by couples and friends alike, typically through exchanging greeting cards, gifts, or enjoying shared experiences.

 

Knowing that I wanted to write about love today has caused me to have a bit of anxiety. It would be easy to get off path and wander into the tall weeds surrounding the many divisions of politics and culture. That is absolutely not my intention. However, with that said, I must also say that our present culture does not develop an environment where we can practice the love of God toward all people. It seems we have strayed so far from the model of Christ that it is hard to recognize genuine love, much less practice it daily.

 

Scripture does not shy away from urging us to keep the commands of God in focus. Moses taught the Israelites, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… soul and… strength. These commandments… are to be on your hearts… Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9).

 

Humans are incredibly forgetful, and the Spirit knows how often we neglect to focus our hearts and minds on the Lord. We often seek the wisdom of the world before we seek the wisdom of God. Galatians 5 lists love and faithfulness with the fruit of the Spirit, who calls us to live like Jesus. Jesus always showed these characteristics. As we engrave love and faithfulness on our hearts, we will grow more open to being led by the Spirit before being led by anything else. I wonder if we think enough about love each day? I hope it is the root from which wisdom will spring forth and bear fruit in your life!

 

Practice Prudence

 

O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. (Proverbs 8:5–12 ESV).

 

The word prudence is not one we use or hear very often. But the book of Proverbs has a great deal to say about it. Prudence can be defined as the ability to discipline yourself, to manage your affairs well, and to discern and have good judgment. We need prudence so that we can make good decisions and not act rashly or too quickly without first considering the costs or consequences.

 

In Proverbs, Wisdom calls everyone to gain prudence. We should act with discernment, thinking carefully even if our intentions are good. For example, it can be good to give money for important causes, but we should first pray and discern how and where to give it so that we can be sure our gifts are distributed well.

 

Jesus encouraged his disciples to have prudence. He says in the Gospel of Luke that if you want to build a tower, “won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28). In a similar way, Jesus wants us to assess the cost of being his disciple. We need to consider his words and discern his ways so that we can confidently follow his example and set our hearts on him.

 

One of the key elements of gaining and using prudence is in the intentional development of our minds. That is done through consistent study and mentoring. If you do not have a trusted mentor, pray that God will unmistakably lead you to that person. Through the years I have had great mentors as well as been a mentor to others. Think of such a person as your “coach” in the spiritual realm. Then, as you become more adept in using your gifts and talents, you will find prudence becoming a natural behavior.

 

Draw Quicker, Shoot Straighter!

 

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. (Proverbs 4:23–27 ESV).

 

When Mary and I moved back to Texas, nearly ten years ago now, one of the things we wanted to accomplish was for her to become comfortable with firearms. I like to shoot and we thought it would make another opportunity for a short outing together if she could learn to shoot and become licensed so that we could go to the range together. We found an excellent certified firearms instructor and both signed up for the course. As you can see from the picture, she became very proficient in the use of her pistol. We had quite a few outings to the range before our health began to interrupt the frequency of such outings.

 

Now, you may be wondering what this little story has to do with developing wisdom as our series continues. I often tell people that they must learn to “draw quicker and shoot straighter” in their effort to be all they want to be in their journey with Christ. The concept is that we have a great weapon in the Scripture. In fact, the Apostle Paul calls it the “sword of the Spirit” (cf. Ephesians 6:17). However, just like any weapon, if you are proficient in its use, it is not merely useless, it is also dangerous.

 

Regret is something that everyone struggles with. Depending on the situation or circumstances, the emotions of regret can linger for months or even years before one is able to refocus. Many of us are inclined to look back on what could have been or should have been. People can also tend to look behind them to “the good ol’ days,” when life may have seemed sweeter, simpler, and less frantic.

 

But whatever might cause us to fixate on the past, our reading today encourages us to look ahead. This is not because it’s bad or inappropriate to look back. We can learn a lot from our past mistakes, trauma, or the good times we enjoyed. However, Scripture calls us not to linger in the past but rather to glean from it (however long that takes) and then look ahead. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). This is wisdom. This is how we can draw faster and shoot straighter against our enemy! Read, study, understand, and practice using the Scripture!

Setting the Right Foundation

 

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. (Proverbs 3:19–23 ESV).

 

Setting the right foundation for a house involves analyzing soil conditions. Is it clay, sand, or rock? What’s the moisture level of the ground? What kind of structure will it be? Will it require a slab, crawlspace, or basement? What is the frost line? Of course you must ensure it is level and square to prevent future structural issues. Key steps include professional site preparation, clearing, proper drainage planning, and allowing sufficient concrete curing time. Setting a proper foundation for anything can be a difficult and sometimes complicated task. The same can be said about going the wisdom of God.

 

Our reading today gives us a “first-step” in acquiring the wisdom of God. Proverbs tells us that the Lord God, our Creator, founded the heavens and the earth by wisdom and understanding. The New Testament gives us some clarity on this. Now that Jesus has come, the mysteries of God have been revealed. As the apostle Paul puts it in Colossians 1:16, “In him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth . . . all things have been created through him and for him.” The apostle John also notes that “in the beginning was the Word [Logos]” and that “through him all things were made.” What’s more, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” and he is “the Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14).

 

So, Christ himself is our source of heavenly wisdom, of knowledge and understanding from God. He is the foundation and the means by which we can grow. This means that if we are to pursue wisdom, we will find it in Jesus and no one else. There are many ways to accomplish this; however, the most reliable is through the Scripture. The foundation of wisdom is found through the Scripture which is written and inspired through the Holy Spirit. Without an understanding and application of the truth in the Scripture, you will not have a strong foundation of wisdom. Set your foundation in the Bible.

 

The Great Treasure Hunt

[Jesus said] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44 ESV).

 

The reading today is most often called “the Parable of the Hidden Treasure.” John Calvin writes of this parable: “… the kingdom of heaven is like a hidden treasure. We commonly set a high value on what is visible, and therefore the new and spiritual life, which is held out to us in the Gospel, is little esteemed by us, because it is hidden, and lies in hope. There is the highest appropriateness in comparing it to a treasure, the value of which is in no degree diminished, though it may be buried in the earth, and withdrawn from the eyes of men. These words teach us, that we ought not to estimate the riches of the grace of God according to the views of our flesh, or according to their outward display, but in the same manner as a treasure, though it be hidden, is preferred to a vain appearance of wealth.”

 

In every life stage we learn to ask questions and seek understanding to be “successful.” In school we ask questions when we don’t understand. At work we gain experience and learn to do our jobs well. To own a home, we figure out how mortgages and interest rates affect our finances. It seems intuitive to seek wisdom in every area of our lives, and yet we often ignore the wisdom of God. Maybe that’s why Jesus compares it to a hidden treasure.” We are called to actively search for insight and wisdom from God so that we can know the Lord.

 

Scripture urges us to make the knowledge of God the most important knowledge that we can gain—more important than any other type of insight or wisdom. The knowledge of God and his wisdom help us see everything else more clearly. By the wisdom of God, we have greater wisdom and insight to do our tasks here on earth with a kingdom focus.

 

In the coming days we will look at some practical ways to seek this treasure… I hope you will join me on this great “treasure hunt”!

  

The torn Curtain

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:51–54 ESV).

 

Our reading today describes a very important element of the death of Jesus. At the moment Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn open “from top to bottom.” The temple was the place of God’s presence among his people. The innermost section was called the Holy of Holies. It was the most sacred of places within the Temple; it was the place where God’s presence was focused. A thick curtain separated it from the rest of the temple, and only one person, the high priest, could go into that room once a year, on the Day of Atonement, after going through an elaborate cleansing ceremony (cf. Leviticus 16).

 

In a sense, that curtain was a lasting reminder of the barrier God had used to keep Adam and Eve from the garden when they had fallen into sin. It wasn’t that God didn’t want people in his presence. The problem was that because of sin, no person could survive in God’s presence. God’s holiness and purity cannot mix with human sinfulness.

 

But Jesus’ death for our sake changed all that. The writer of Hebrews wrote: “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…” (Hebrews 10:19). Jesus took away our sin by his death, opening the way for us to approach God again and enjoy life in him. The Holy Spirit now comes to us in the quickening of our spirit allowing us to respond to God and He restores our relationship forgiving our sin.

 

So many times I hear people tell me what they need to do to earn God’s favor and receive His presence. That is so far from the truth of Scripture. Everything necessary to receive the fulness of the presence of God has already been done. God has come to us because of the atonement that Jesus accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection. You don’t need to go anywhere of do anything to have God’s presence and power; He has already given it to you. Enjoy Him! Rely on Him! Fellowship with your heavenly Father! 

God's Broken Heart

 

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:1–8 ESV).

 

Ancient Greek philosophers imagined a perfect supreme being without emotion. This god would know everything and be in control of everything; however, it could not be influenced by people or other creatures, because that would imply weakness or lack of control. It could not have emotions or be truly responsive to humans. The Greeks called this supreme being “God.” The early Christian church developed in a world that was heavily influenced by this Greek thinking. So Christian theologians often used those ideas to explain Christian teachings to Greek-minded people. Even today, our concepts of God tend to be influenced by those perspectives. That heresy is known as Gnosticism. It holds that knowledge is far superior to emotion. The Apostle Paul warned the early churches against this understanding of God (cf. 1 Timothy 6:20).

 

When we come to a passage like our reading today, we might think, “What?! God regretted what he had done? He changed his mind? Human sin hurt God to the depths of his heart?” That doesn’t fit well with our Greek-minded ideas of an emotionless supreme being. So, we try to explain such verses away and not take them at face value.

 

But God wants us to realize that our actions—good and bad—affect him. When I hurt a friend, that puts a barrier between me and that person. Similarly, our sin grieves Him. Effectually we reject His presence. It sets up a barrier between us and him. He knows the pain that will bring not our lives which causes Him to grieve. Because of that, God has made a way forward for us. As we confess our sins to God and receive his forgiveness through Jesus, we are then free to experience the fullness of His presence. Do you need that restoration today? Confess to Him. He will restore you!