WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Today’s Bible passage is full of examples of common human flaws and weaknesses. Praise God that he is perfect. His strength, power and wisdom is matchless, and his goodness is flawless. Favouritism I’m a mother to two sons. As they are both still young, I don’t yet know whether favouritism is something all parents have to overcome, or whether for Jacob it was a specific weakness that he chose to indulge. Either way Jacob, who was not only father of 12 sons and a daughter but also head of God’s chosen covenant family, bestowed it upon Joseph (v 3), the eldest son of his favourite wife Rachel. Sibling rivalry For his part, Joseph seemed a little tactless about the favour he received and was certainly insensitive to how his brothers felt about him (vs 5–9). So between Jacob and Joseph, the other older brothers undoubtedly had a difficult home life to deal with. However, they allowed their jealousy to grow to the point that they actually hated Joseph and were unable even to speak civilly to him (v 4). Parental favouritism, sibling rivalry, jealousy, insensitivity; just a few examples of the sinful human nature we all share. And yet, amidst all these human failings, in this un-harmonious family, God’s calling on the life of Joseph is being revealed in his dreams. Respond: What would you say your flaws and failings are? How do they show themselves in daily life? Ask God to help you work on them today by his grace and through his power. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-10-08