The Bible teaches me Something New about Life & Myself!
You learn something new in the Bible every day!
My brother-in-law Bill was a dairy farmer. I started milking cows with him in my early teens and never heard him refer to cows collectively as ‘kine.’
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharao’s dreams were that there would be seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine to come in the whole land of Egypt.
Pharao asked, can we find such another man that is full of the spirit of God?
So impressed, Pharao appointed Jacob to be the ruler over all of Egypt. Only in the kingly throne will Pharao be above Joseph who was only 30 years old at the time.
Reading more of the story of Joseph in Egypt I learned more of the strategy Joseph was using with his brothers. He and Benjamin the youngest were the only two children of Rachel and Jacob. Rachel had died after giving birth to Benjamin. Joseph knew that Jacob thought Benjamin was his last living son to connect his father with his mother Rachel’s memory.
“You will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to hell,” was how Jacob assessed the risk of losing both of his sons born of Rachel.
“We deserve to suffer these things, because we have sinned against our brother,” indicates a guilty conscience of all Joseph’s brothers except Benjamin who was not yet born when they sold Joseph into slavery.
I am learning so much reading the Bible, meditating on it a bit and then writing about how it has impacted and will continue to impact my life.
Even back then when they wrote the Bible they included cliffhangers and teasers to bring you back to read more of the Bible. The third day of the Joseph story coming up soon! Stay tuned!
I am not just learning about cows and ancient terminology, I am learning something new about myself by reading the Bible that will help me for the rest of my life and beyond to eternity.
Day 15: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Bible teaches me Something New about Life & Myself!
Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Genesis Chapters 41-44
Bible Notes:
Genesis, the genesis or origin of the world, the history of Creation.
Noe and the Deluge, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
Closes with the deaths of Jacob and of Joseph in Egypt, whither Joseph had called his father and brothers.
Genesis Chapter 41: Pharao’s two dreams; The butler tells Pharao of Joseph; Pharao tells his dream to Joseph; Joseph interprets Pharao’s dreams; Joseph becomes ruler of Egypt; Joseph prepares for the famine; Birth of Manasses and Ephraim; Famine.
Kine—cows collectively; a plural of cow.
Seven kine, beautiful and fat, then seven kine ill-favored and leanfleshed.
Seven ears of corn full and fair, then seven ears thin and blasted.
Devoured all the beauty of the former.
Dreamed a dream foreboding things to come.
Afterwards the event of the thing proved to be so.
Without me, God shall give Pharao a prosperous answer.
The king’s dream is one: God hath shown to Pharao what he is about to do.
Seven years of plenty; seven years of famine to come in the whole land of Egypt.
Can we find such another man, that is full of the spirit of God?
Only in the kingly throne will I be above thee. Joseph was 30 years old.
Genesis Chapter 42: Jacob sends his sons to buy grain in Egypt; Joseph imprisons his brothers; Joseph offers freedom to his brothers; Simeon is held as hostage; The brothers tell Jacob what befell them in Egypt; Jacob refuses to let Benjamin go to Egypt;
And he knew them; he was not known by them.
You are spies.
We deserve to suffer these things, because we have sinned against our brother…
Provender—dry food, as hay or oats, for livestock or other domestic animals; fodder
My money is given me again…
You have made me to be without children; Joseph is not living; Simeon is kept in bonds, and Benjamin you will take away; all these evils are fallen upon me.
You will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to hell.
Genesis Chapter 43: Jacob permits Benjamin to go to Egypt; Joseph entertains his brothers; Joseph meets Benjamin; Joseph makes a feast for his brothers;
In the meantime the famine was heavy upon the land.
You will not see my face, unless you bring your youngest brother with you.
Peace be with you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father hath given you treasure in your sacks.
Obeisance—a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture; deference or homage.
Because his heart was moved upon his brother, and tears gushed out; and going into his chamber he wept.
For it is unlawful for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, and they think such a feast profane.
Genesis Chapter 44: Joseph’s brothers depart; The cup in Benjamin’s sack; Joseph declares that he will keep Benjamin; Juda’s generous offer.
Put my silver cup in Benjamin’s sack.
Why have you returned evil for good? You have done a very evil thing.
Know you not that there is no one like me in the science of divining.
Joseph and Benjamin is of the same mother Rachel who is now dead.
You shall see my face no more.
You will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow unto hell.
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