Genesis 39:1-23 Click here for the reading
The chilling part of this reading is that consistently God shows up and is present with Joseph, even through all the trouble he has....being sold into slavery by his brothers, now being put into prison.
In this story, Joseph is thrown into a situation where his boss's wife tries to seduce him and he resists (on a personal level and on a religious one). The consequences of his resistance is to be thrown into prison.
Are there not consequences to doing what is right? Think about that. God never promises that doing what is right (righteousness or integrity) will bring a carefree life. BUT God does promise to show up in the process. The other consequence of his integrity was not a negative one (being put in prison, wrongly accused and convicted) but one of blessing. God blesses Joseph through his difficulty. Much like Job and Jesus, God blesses not just with reward but in suffering. That too is a large part of God's story to be present in suffering, suffer with us and bring blessing beyond suffering.
Seeing the world around us constantly in suffering and patterns of suffering, individually and communally, we can be reminded that God is present. For those who are in prison, wrongly accused and convicted, for those in prisons of depression, anxiety, hatred, illness etc.....God is present! Maybe that is enough.
God, thanks for showing up. Thanks for your presence in suffering and in
In this story, Joseph is thrown into a situation where his boss's wife tries to seduce him and he resists (on a personal level and on a religious one). The consequences of his resistance is to be thrown into prison.
Are there not consequences to doing what is right? Think about that. God never promises that doing what is right (righteousness or integrity) will bring a carefree life. BUT God does promise to show up in the process. The other consequence of his integrity was not a negative one (being put in prison, wrongly accused and convicted) but one of blessing. God blesses Joseph through his difficulty. Much like Job and Jesus, God blesses not just with reward but in suffering. That too is a large part of God's story to be present in suffering, suffer with us and bring blessing beyond suffering.
Seeing the world around us constantly in suffering and patterns of suffering, individually and communally, we can be reminded that God is present. For those who are in prison, wrongly accused and convicted, for those in prisons of depression, anxiety, hatred, illness etc.....God is present! Maybe that is enough.
God, thanks for showing up. Thanks for your presence in suffering and in
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