Stuck in a Birth Canal

Exodus 14:13–14 “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still’ ” (NIV)....

Victimization Cancelled

Exodus 9:19 “Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die” (NIV). Observation: We...

Pile Drivers and Paper Cuts

Exodus 5:22–23 “Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at...

Finishing Well

Genesis 49:33 “When Jacob had finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.” Observation: Genesis 48 and 49 record the deathbed scene of a man still fully engaged. He first blessed Joseph’s two sons,...

Famine of the Heart

Genesis 47:25 “ ‘You have saved our lives,’ they said. ‘May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh’ ” (NIV). Observation: Joseph was governor of Egypt, in charge of all grain distribution, as famine grew more severe. In payment for...

Nose Rings

Genesis 44:1 “Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: ‘Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along...