DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 16:
WORD OF WISDOM
If you've done your best, then God's satisfied with what you've done.
___
DAILY DEVOTION
Patterns to Follow, Patterns to Break
"Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned
two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter
of Haruz of Jotbah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD,
as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father
walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the
LORD."
2 Kings 21:19-22
Some people learn early of God's love and accept His salvation at a young
age. They develop the habits of church attendance, Bible reading, prayer,
and giving early in life. Others do not have that advantage. Being saved
later, there are negative habits from their younger years that they must
overcome. Dostoyevsky wrote, "The second half of a man's life is made up of
the habits he acquired during the first half."
But all of us, whether we had a head start with a godly family or not, have
tendencies and habits of which we must be aware if we want to do what is
right and pleasing in God's eyes. It is easy for us to overlook things that
we are used to doing. For example, a person who grew up giving quick vent to
anger may not recognize the issues their outbursts can cause for themselves
and for others. It seems "normal" because it is part of a pattern of living.
We need to be alert and aware as we make our way through life to negative
tendencies and patterns that we may have acquired, and be vigilant not to
accept them. In the same way, we need to be aware of our good habits and
behaviors, and do what we can to reinforce them so that they continue.
If we do not pay careful attention to our habits and tendencies, we will
tolerate sin that should be cast out of our lives.
___
DAILY BIBLE READING
Genesis 47-50The Message (MSG)
47 Joseph went to Pharaoh and told him, "My father and brothers with their
flocks and herds and everything they own have come from Canaan. Right now
they are in Goshen."
2-3 He had taken five of his brothers with him and introduced them to
Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked them, "What kind of work do you do?"
3-4 "Your servants are shepherds, the same as our fathers were. We have come
to this country to find a new place to live. There is no pasture for our
flocks in Canaan. The famine has been very bad there. Please, would you let
your servants settle in the region of Goshen?"
5-6 Pharaoh looked at Joseph. "So, your father and brothers have arrived-a
reunion! Egypt welcomes them. Settle your father and brothers on the
choicest land-yes, give them Goshen. And if you know any among them that are
especially good at their work, put them in charge of my own livestock."
7-8 Next Joseph brought his father Jacob in and introduced him to Pharaoh.
Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked Jacob, "How old are you?"
9-10 Jacob answered Pharaoh, "The years of my sojourning are 130-a short and
hard life and not nearly as long as my ancestors were given." Then Jacob
blessed Pharaoh and left.
11-12 Joseph settled his father and brothers in Egypt, made them proud
owners of choice land-it was the region of Rameses (that is, Goshen)-just as
Pharaoh had ordered. Joseph took good care of them-his father and brothers
and all his father's family, right down to the smallest baby. He made sure
they had plenty of everything.
13-15 The time eventually came when there was no food anywhere. The famine
was very bad. Egypt and Canaan alike were devastated by the famine. Joseph
collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan to pay for
the distribution of food. He banked the money in Pharaoh's palace. When the
money from Egypt and Canaan had run out, the Egyptians came to Joseph.
"Food! Give us food! Are you going to watch us die right in front of you?
The money is all gone."
16-17 Joseph said, "Bring your livestock. I'll trade you food for livestock
since your money's run out." So they brought Joseph their livestock. He
traded them food for their horses, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. He got them
through that year in exchange for all their livestock.
18-19 When that year was over, the next year rolled around and they were
back, saying, "Master, it's no secret to you that we're broke: our money's
gone and we've traded you all our livestock. We've nothing left to barter
with but our bodies and our farms. What use are our bodies and our land if
we stand here and starve to death right in front of you? Trade us food for
our bodies and our land. We'll be slaves to Pharaoh and give up our land-all
we ask is seed for survival, just enough to live on and keep the farms
alive."
20-21 So Joseph bought up all the farms in Egypt for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian
sold his land-the famine was that bad. That's how Pharaoh ended up owning
all the land and the people ended up slaves; Joseph reduced the people to
slavery from one end of Egypt to the other.
22 Joseph made an exception for the priests. He didn't buy their land
because they received a fixed salary from Pharaoh and were able to live off
of that salary. So they didn't need to sell their land.
23-24 Joseph then announced to the people: "Here's how things stand: I've
bought you and your land for Pharaoh. In exchange I'm giving you seed so you
can plant the ground. When the crops are harvested, you must give a fifth to
Pharaoh and keep four-fifths for yourselves, for seed for yourselves and
your families-you're going to be able to feed your children!"
25 They said, "You've saved our lives! Master, we're grateful and glad to be
slaves to Pharaoh."
26 Joseph decreed a land law in Egypt that is still in effect, A Fifth Goes
to Pharaoh. Only the priests' lands were not owned by Pharaoh.
27-28 And so Israel settled down in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They
acquired property and flourished. They became a large company of people.
Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen years. In all, he lived 147 years.
29-30 When the time came for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and
said, "Do me this favor. Put your hand under my thigh, a sign that you're
loyal and true to me to the end. Don't bury me in Egypt. When I lie down
with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me alongside them."
"I will," he said. "I'll do what you've asked."
31 Israel said, "Promise me." Joseph promised.
Israel bowed his head in submission and gratitude from his bed.
48 1-2 Some time after this conversation, Joseph was told, "Your father is
ill." He took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and went to Jacob. When
Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come," he roused himself and sat up in
bed.
3-7 Jacob said to Joseph, "The Strong God appeared to me at Luz in the land
of Canaan and blessed me. He said, 'I'm going to make you prosperous and
numerous, turn you into a congregation of tribes; and I'll turn this land
over to your children coming after you as a permanent inheritance.' I'm
adopting your two sons who were born to you here in Egypt before I joined
you; they have equal status with Reuben and Simeon. But any children born
after them are yours; they will come after their brothers in matters of
inheritance. I want it this way because, as I was returning from Paddan,
your mother Rachel, to my deep sorrow, died as we were on our way through
Canaan when we were only a short distance from Ephrath, now called
Bethlehem."
8 Just then Jacob noticed Joseph's sons and said, "Who are these?"
9-11 Joseph told his father, "They are my sons whom God gave to me in this
place."
"Bring them to me," he said, "so I can bless them." Israel's eyesight was
poor from old age; he was nearly blind. So Joseph brought them up close. Old
Israel kissed and embraced them and then said to Joseph, "I never expected
to see your face again, and now God has let me see your children as well!"
12-16 Joseph took them from Israel's knees and bowed respectfully, his face
to the ground. Then Joseph took the two boys, Ephraim with his right hand
setting him to Israel's left, and Manasseh with his left hand setting him to
Israel's right, and stood them before him. But Israel crossed his arms and
put his right hand on the head of Ephraim who was the younger and his left
hand on the head of Manasseh, the firstborn. Then he blessed them:
The God before whom walked
my fathers Abraham and Isaac,
The God who has been my shepherd
all my life long to this very day,
The Angel who delivered me from every evil,
Bless the boys.
May my name be echoed in their lives,
and the names of Abraham and Isaac, my fathers,
And may they grow
covering the Earth with their children.
17-18 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim's
head, he thought he had made a mistake, so he took hold of his father's hand
to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's, saying, "That's the wrong
head, Father; the other one is the firstborn; place your right hand on his
head."
19-20 But his father wouldn't do it. He said, "I know, my son; but I know
what I'm doing. He also will develop into a people, and he also will be
great. But his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will
enrich nations." Then he blessed them both:
Israel will use your names to give blessings:
May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.
In that he made it explicit: he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
21-22 Israel then said to Joseph, "I'm about to die. God be with you and
give you safe passage back to the land of your fathers. As for me, I'm
presenting you, as the first among your brothers, the ridge of land I took
from Amorites with my sword and bow."
49 Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather around. I want to tell you what
you can expect in the days to come."
2
Come together, listen sons of Jacob,
listen to Israel your father.
3-4
Reuben, you're my firstborn,
my strength, first proof of my manhood,
at the top in honor and at the top in power,
But like a bucket of water spilled,
you'll be at the top no more,
Because you climbed into your father's marriage bed,
mounting that couch, and you defiled it.
5-6
Simeon and Levi are two of a kind,
ready to fight at the drop of a hat.
I don't want anything to do with their vendettas,
want no part in their bitter feuds;
They kill men in fits of temper,
slash oxen on a whim.
7
A curse on their uncontrolled anger,
on their indiscriminate wrath.
I'll throw them out with the trash;
I'll shred and scatter them like confetti throughout Israel.
8-12
You, Judah, your brothers will praise you:
Your fingers on your enemies' throat,
while your brothers honor you.
You're a lion's cub, Judah,
home fresh from the kill, my son.
Look at him, crouched like a lion, king of beasts;
who dares mess with him?
The scepter shall not leave Judah;
he'll keep a firm grip on the command staff
Until the ultimate ruler comes
and the nations obey him.
He'll tie up his donkey to the grapevine,
his purebred prize to a sturdy branch.
He will wash his shirt in wine
and his cloak in the blood of grapes,
His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.
13
Zebulun settles down on the seashore;
he's a safe harbor for ships,
right alongside Sidon.
14-15
Issachar is one tough donkey
crouching between the corrals;
When he saw how good the place was,
how pleasant the country,
He gave up his freedom
and went to work as a slave.
16-17
Dan will handle matters of justice for his people;
he will hold his own just fine among the tribes of Israel.
Dan is only a small snake in the grass,
a lethal serpent in ambush by the road
When he strikes a horse in the heel,
and brings its huge rider crashing down.
18
I wait in hope
for your salvation, God.
19
Gad will be attacked by bandits,
but he will trip them up.
20
Asher will become famous for rich foods,
candies and sweets fit for kings.
21-26
Naphtali is a deer running free
that gives birth to lovely fawns.
Joseph is a wild donkey,
a wild donkey by a spring,
spirited donkeys on a hill.
The archers with malice attacked,
shooting their hate-tipped arrows;
But he held steady under fire,
his bow firm, his arms limber,
With the backing of the Champion of Jacob,
the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.
The God of your father-may he help you!
And may The Strong God-may he give you his blessings,
Blessings tumbling out of the skies,
blessings bursting up from the Earth-
blessings of breasts and womb.
May the blessings of your father
exceed the blessings of the ancient mountains,
surpass the delights of the eternal hills;
May they rest on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of the one consecrated among his brothers.
27
Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
all morning he gorges on his kill,
at evening divides up what's left over.
28 All these are the tribes of Israel, the twelve tribes. And this is what
their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each one with his own
special farewell blessing.
29-32 Then he instructed them: "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury
me with my fathers in the cave which is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
the cave in the field of Machpelah facing Mamre in the land of Canaan, the
field Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial plot. Abraham and
his wife Sarah were buried there; Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried
there; I also buried Leah there. The field and the cave were bought from the
Hittites."
33 Jacob finished instructing his sons, pulled his feet into bed, breathed
his last, and was gathered to his people.
50 Joseph threw himself on his father, wept over him, and kissed him.
2-3 Joseph then instructed the physicians in his employ to embalm his
father. The physicians embalmed Israel. The embalming took forty days, the
period required for embalming. There was public mourning by the Egyptians
for seventy days.
4-5 When the period of mourning was completed, Joseph petitioned Pharaoh's
court: "If you have reason to think kindly of me, present Pharaoh with my
request: My father made me swear, saying, 'I am ready to die. Bury me in the
grave plot that I prepared for myself in the land of Canaan.' Please give me
leave to go up and bury my father. Then I'll come back."
6 Pharaoh said, "Certainly. Go and bury your father as he made you promise
under oath."
7-9 So Joseph left to bury his father. And all the high-ranking officials
from Pharaoh's court went with him, all the dignitaries of Egypt, joining
Joseph's family-his brothers and his father's family. Their children and
flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Chariots and horsemen accompanied
them. It was a huge funeral procession.
10 Arriving at the Atad Threshing Floor just across the Jordan River, they
stopped for a period of mourning, letting their grief out in loud and
lengthy lament. For seven days, Joseph engaged in these funeral rites for
his father.
11 When the Canaanites who lived in that area saw the grief being poured out
at the Atad Threshing Floor, they said, "Look how deeply the Egyptians are
mourning." That is how the site at the Jordan got the name Abel Mizraim
(Egyptian Lament).
12-13 Jacob's sons continued to carry out his instructions to the letter.
They took him on into Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of
Machpelah facing Mamre, the field that Abraham had bought as a burial plot
from Ephron the Hittite.
14-15 After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers
who had come with him to bury his father returned with him. After the
funeral, Joseph's brothers talked among themselves: "What if Joseph is
carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?"
16-17 So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave
this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin-all that wrongdoing.
They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of
the servants of your father's God?"
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
18 Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground
before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
19-21 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you
planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you
see all around you right now-life for many people. Easy now, you have
nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured
them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
22-23 Joseph continued to live in Egypt with his father's family. Joseph
lived 110 years. He lived to see Ephraim's sons into the third generation.
The sons of Makir, Manasseh's son, were also recognized as Joseph's.
24 At the end, Joseph said to his brothers, "I am ready to die. God will
most certainly pay you a visit and take you out of this land and back to the
land he so solemnly promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel promise under oath, "When God makes
his visitation, make sure you take my bones with you as you leave here."
26 Joseph died at the age of 110 years. They embalmed him and placed him in
a coffin in Egypt.
