S – He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,

John 1:10–12 CSB

O – Commentary:

The world (kosmos) means the world of men and human society which is now in disobedience to God and under the rulership of Satan (cf. 14:30). The Logos came among people in the Incarnation, but mankind did not recognize its Maker (cf. Isa. 1:2–3). The failure to recognize (egnō, “know”) Him was not because God’s nature was somehow “hidden” in people, as some suggest. Rather, it is because of human ignorance and blindness, caused by sin (John 12:37).

1:11. In some ways this is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. The Logos went to His own home but He had no welcome. Jesus went to His own people, the nation Israel, but they as a whole rejected Him. In rejecting Him, they refused to accept Him as the Revelation sent by the Father and refused to obey His commands. Isaiah long before had prophesied of this Jewish national unbelief: “Who has believed our message?” (Isa. 53:1)

1:12. That unbelief, however, was not universal. Some received Jesus’ universal invitation. To all who accepted Jesus as the Revealer of the Father’s will and as the Sacrifice for sin, He gave the right to become children of God. The word “right” (exousian) is a needed improvement over the KJV‘s “power,” and “children” (tekna) is better than the KJV‘s “sons.” People are not naturally children of God but can become so by receiving the gift of the new birth.

 “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Reading John’s description in hindsight allows us to clearly understand the plan of salvation. We can know God when we believe and accept that Jesus was God in the form of man who came to bring salvation.  There are a lot of dynamics in why Israel didn’t believe in Jesus.  We should learn from their disbelief and let it be a catalyst for us to believe.

R – Heavenly Father, we recognize you are God, Son and Holy Spirit.  Thank you for making your presence known to us through all three entities of who you are.  Empower us to walk in our relationship with you in honoring your character and person.

S – But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. ²¹ Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 

Genesis 50:19–21 CSB

O – Commentary:

After the death of Jacob, whose body was returned to Palestine for burial, the brothers still feared Joseph and expected revenge. They could not understand this man whose willingness to do the will of God had given him joy even in suffering. Again Joseph reassured them: “You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives

The Teacher’s Commentary 

A – Our plans are limited to our understanding, resources and strategy.  God has no limitations.  He takes our plans and transitions them into his plans.  The key is for us to find the “joy” even when we are suffering and to remain faithful to his ways.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Your ways are above ours and your purposes far exceed our comprehension.  Give us strength to endure the challenges that come in walking faithful to you direction.

S – The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes^, and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him. 

Genesis 49:10 CSB

O – Commentary
This verse anticipates the kingship in Judah (cp. 17:6, 16; 35:11). Although the birthright blessing went to Joseph, Judah would provide Israel’s rulers (see 1 Chr 5:1–2). A long line of kings from Judah would retain the scepter, the symbol of rule; the last king would be the one to whom it belongs, the promised Messiah 

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – Amazing that God had a plan so many years before the birth of Jesus.  Throughout the Old Testament books, it all points to the arrival of the messiah.  Looking at the OT as a whole, that is a long time of waiting, suffering, patience and enduring tough situations waiting for an arrival of a promised one.  Fast forward to now – we are in the same place.  The difference is that God gave us the Holy Spirit to walk daily with and we all enjoy his presence without having to go through a person or high priest.  We can walk confidently with the Lord today!

R – Heavenly Father, you are One God in three persons – God, Son and Holy Spirit.  Thank you for the revelation and relationship with each.  Empower us to walk confidently in each aspect of our relationship with you.   You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory today.

S – Then Joseph took them both—with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel’s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel’s right—and brought them to Israel. ¹⁴ But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger, and crossing his hands, put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn

Genesis 48:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

The right hand was for the head of the firstborn, and Jacob was deliberately giving that position to the younger son. That pattern was followed for four consecutive generations: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh. Many years later, Ephraim became the leading tribe in the northern kingdom, superior to the tribe of Manasseh.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – The theme of God’s ways are not our ways continues.  Even when Joseph did so many things right and honoring, God still mixed up the conventional blessing. Both became great nations in Israel.  God has great things in store for us if we keep our eyes on him and not our circumstances.

R – Heavenly Father, your are omnipotent.  You know all things, you hold all things and you are not limited in any way.  We submit to your will and purpose.  Give us the ability to see your presence and hear your voice.  And, to trust you in all things.

S – Jacob said to Pharaoh, “My pilgrimage has lasted 130 years. My years have been few and hard, and they have not reached the years of my ancestors during their pilgrimages.” ¹⁰ So Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from Pharaoh’s presence. 

Genesis 47:9–10 CSB

O – The Lord blessed Pharaoh because Pharaoh was blessing Abraham’s descendants (12:3). Through Joseph’s wise administration in Egypt, the Lord saved the people from starvation and prospered Pharaoh. In selling food to the Egyptians during the years of famine, Joseph accepted money, livestock, and finally land as payment, until almost all of Egypt belonged to Pharaoh. Meanwhile, God provided Israel with some of the best land in Egypt where they could live, work, and multiply.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – It is possible for God to bless believers through blessing someone else.  For example, I was raised by two Godly parents.  I was blessed to live in their home, benefit from their provision and enjoy the Godly wisdom and relationship. We need to recognize the blessings of others and how they impact our lives and be grateful.

R – Heavenly Father, you are “I Am.”  Thank you for all the people you allow in my life and how you bless me through them.  Help me to be a blessing to others as well.  Allow them to experience a rich relationship with you as I serve as a catalyst in that relationship.

S – God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ⁴ I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back. Joseph will close your eyes when you die

Genesis 46:3–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

I am God The word for God here is el, which connects this vision with Jacob’s earlier divine encounters (31:13; 33:20; 35:1, 3). This may explain why the name “Jacob” is used for the verbal call.

the God of your father The word for “God” here is elohim.

I will make you a great nation This element of the divine covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob confirms for Jacob (12:1–3; 15:1–6; 26:4, 24; 28:3) that he will not forfeit the promise by leaving the promised land.

Faithlife Study Bible

A – God is preserving all of Jacob’s family by having them leave the Promised Land but ensuring him they will return.  Ironically, God doesn’t tell him about the middle part – the slavery and suffering they will endure while there. God tells him who He is and what he will do.  We need to be comfortable that God doesn’t give us a full picture of what is to come.

R – Heavenly Father, you are God and there is no other.  Empower us to trust you when it is hard.  We do not see the whole picture like you do but we can put our faith and trust in you.  Give us strength to walk in that today.

S – And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. ⁶ For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. ⁷ God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. ⁸ Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God

Genesis 45:5–8 CSB

O –  Commentary:

God … sent me is the central message of the account of Jacob’s family (37:2). As the Lord had told Abraham, he was leading the Israelites into Egypt (15:13). God had sent Joseph to Egypt to prepare for his family’s rescue during the famine. In what has become a classic statement of God’s sovereignty, Joseph explained that God had been working through all of the circumstances and human acts to bring about his plan. The certainty of God’s will is the basis for forgiveness and reconciliation with those who do wrong, cause hurt, or bring harm. If people do not believe that God is sovereign, then they will blame others and retaliate. Those who are spiritual will trust that God is at work even through human wickedness (see also Rom 8:28–30)

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – God is sovereign.  It is easy to trust in his ability when things are good and challenging when things are bad.  We must recognize that He is present in both.  And, that He is working for our good in both.  There are a lot of things that I don’t like or understand but I still choose relationship with God and faith.  Why?  I truly believe that his ways lead to the very best for me and those I love.

R- Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you the one, true God.  Your thoughts and ways are not like ours.  We put our trust in you to accomplish the work you need to do in us so we are in alignment with your will.  Most importantly, we want to know you more and grow in our relationship with you.

S – What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed your servants’ iniquity. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one in whose possession the cup was found.” 

Genesis 44:16 CSB

 O – Commentary:

Judah again spoke for the group. • God is punishing us for our sins: God was completing the work of repentance in their hearts. Judah again proposed that they all be punished. Benjamin was seemingly guilty of this theft, but all of the others were guilty of sin against Joseph. They preferred not returning to Jacob at all versus seeing his grief at the loss of Benjamin

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – One adage that I believe personally is that “The truth will always come out.”  Even if it isn’t in this lifetime, the truth cannot remain unhidden.  We cannot do things thinking we are getting away with it.  God sees it all and will use it to accomplish his purposes.  (Which we will see in the next chapter).

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one true God. We are grateful that you have a purpose for our lives.  You supernaturally mix the good and bad things we do to accomplish your will.  Empower us today to grow in our relationship with you.

S – Then the steward said, “May you be well. Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father must have put treasure in your bags. I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Genesis 43:23 CSB

O – Commentary:

 When they told Joseph’s steward about the silver they found in their sacks when returning from their first trip, the steward told them not to be afraid because their God had given them that money. Perhaps Joseph had talked with the steward about the true God.

 “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When God is working in someone, others are watching.  While it is unsure whether Joseph talked with his steward about God, the proximity of the two allowed the steward to have a reverence for God.  Ironically, he was teaching the Hebrew men about the character and capabilities of the God they worshipped.  We must be aware of the impact of our words and actions on those around us.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and ascribe you glory today.  Help us be aware of our relationship with you.  Let our thoughts, words and actions align with your will and character.  Let the impact of our relationship bring others closer to you.

S – Then they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.

Genesis 42:21 CSB

O – Commentary:

The brothers sensed that having to bring Benjamin back to Egypt against their father’s wishes was God’s punishment for their having sold Joseph to the traders. The sense of divine retribution began to awaken feelings of remorse that Joseph’s cries for mercy and their father’s tears (37:34–35) had failed to arouse

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Interesting to see how their human emotions are coming out years later after event happened.  God was working on their hearts all the time that Joseph was serving Potipher and imprisoned.  This was years in the making.  When we have sin or areas that need to be addressed, God keeps bringing them to our attention and gives us opportunity to deal with them.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy and Righteous.  Work in our own hearts today.  Whatever we need to deal with that will forgive sins or remove obstacles in our path, give us the courage to deal with them.  We invite your forgiveness with gratitude that you love us in our messiness.