Day 13 – September 15, 2025: Genesis 48-50 and Psalm 31

As you read through the blessings that Joseph gives to his children do you hear the words of Joshua (made up) when God says to him: “As I was with Moses I shall also be with you.” Yes, God was with Moses in very clear and powerful ways. But the people of God still turned their back and treated him atrociously. You can almost hear Joshua say, Lord, I actually want you to be with me a little more than you were with Moses. Can you get these people to obey you and me as I lead them? Here as you read Joseph’s blessing can you almost hear his children say with a blessing like that who needs a cursing? It seems almost like each person, except for Joseph and a few others, were given castigations against what they had done and saddled for life with their mistakes that were a part of their forever profile.

Jacob, or Israel, dies after the blessing and the brothers are worried now that dad is gone that Joseph is going to turn on them. After all, did he really forgive us? Well, it turns out he really did forgive them and he repeats the most powerful part of this story which in turn becomes the most powerful part of all of our stories: “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.” Genesis 50:20. What a great way to end the Joseph story, which is really the Israel story because from here the nation will be created and the people of God will find their way forward.

When Jesus walked on the face of this earth so much of what he said and did came directly from the Old Testament. It is almost as if every word that he uttered were actually Scriptures that were applicable to whatever life situation in which he found himself. In Psalm 31 we read the words: “Into your hand I commit my spirit” which is a direct quote from when Jesus was on the cross and gave up his last breath. There is tremendous overlap which is a reminder to us to view Scripture seriously and in light of what God has done for us.