A 'Quiet' Day in STM (5)

Closing devotion

In our short journey together, we seek to know more about ourselves and about God. The important lesson to learn for your future ministry is that IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU. It's about drawing close to God and doing what He has assigned for you.

In the Joseph’s narrative in Genesis 37-49

• Joseph’s dreams
• Joseph sold by his brothers
• Joseph and Potiphar’s wife
• Joseph in jail (cupbearer and baker)
• Pharaoh’s dream
• Joseph in charge of Egypt
• The famine
• The Jacob family Egypt

This is a powerful narrative of jealousy, good and bad. It also ensures the survival of the Jacob family, the family that will become ancient Israel nation.

Who do you think is a vital link in this narrative?

• Joseph
• His brothers
• Potiphar
• Jacob
• The Pharoah

An unnamed man in Shechem (Gen.37:14-15)

14 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.

When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?”

17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’”

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan.

This unnamed man is the link. If he has not been helpful, if you have not told Joseph where his brothers are things will have been different.

God has a plan. This plan is unfolding with and without our help. God is sovereign. Actually he does not need us but he loves us enough to allow us to take part. Sometimes we actually get in the way.

When I was about six, my father was clearing his overflowing bookshelves. He piled all the books he wanted in one pile and books to be burnt in the other. Helpful number one son come along and want to help. Take this pile of books outside for your mother to burn, said my father. Guess which pile did number one son took?

Sometimes we are a hindrance to God’s plan. This is especially when we ran ahead of him with our own plans. God is a sovereign God. God is larger that what we can imagine him to be.

Today we have learned something about ourselves and about God. I hope we have learnt enough to stay close to him.

Soli Deo Gloria