This week we’re reflecting on Genesis chapters 40-41, where God enables Joseph to interpret various kinds of dreams… and consider something of his character, over a 13 year period, as we encounter him hitting his lowest low before being raised up as one of the heads of the Egyptian empire.

This week we reflect on Genesis 39. 

Joseph is pursued by Potiphar's wife, and suffers as a result of doing what was right. 

We consider the plans God has for Joseph, even when it seems sin is going to derail those plans.

And even though Joseph is faithful and does what is right, he still endures hardship and injustice - where is God? Why isn't he rewarded, or blessed?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Hunger and thirst = desperate

Righteousness - right relationships, that which is good and right, a desire to love God and others. Craving fairness and justice. Equity among all people.

Those who desire, or crave, righteousness will get what they want/desire - their thirst will be quenched, their stomach’s filled! 

God is righteous. He’ll do what’s right. In the Kingdom, there is justice.

 

The English word “righteousness” refers to the quality of being righteous or in the right and is cognate to “just,” “justness,” and “justice.” In biblical usage, “righteousness” possesses ethical, forensic, salvific, and socioreligious connotations, depending on the context. Generally speaking, in relation to God, “righteousness” can refer to a divine attribute or to a divine activity, while in relation to human subjects, “righteousness” primarily denotes a legal and social status or a moral state.

Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the earth.

When the Bible speaks of “meekness,” it refers to someone who lives a life of submission to God and his wisdom. Someone who can put aside self to follow God's direction rather than trusting solely in themselves and their own wisdom. 

Numbers 12:3 says that Moses was the meekest man on earth. He is the only person that the Old Testament describes this way. We tend to think of meekness as mousy and quiet, lacking in opinions and backbone. Since Moses is described as meek, though, the Bible must have a different understanding.

Our world is full of turmoil, and we add our own inner turmoil to it. But meekness brings quiet, a “composure of the soul” that stills our turmoil. It brings clarity and purpose because it is “a victory over ourselves.” That is why meekness brings true courage, that is, the will and ability to act selflessly in sacrificial ways. It is a practiced, emotional self-denial that frees us up for kingdom service.

All Christians develop meekness to some extent, since it is part of sanctification. This is why Psalm 37:11 says, “The meek shall inherit the land.” Followers of Jesus will grow in meekness that is a “peace of conscience which Christ has left for a legacy to His disciples.”

Moses is the Old Testament’s meek man. But in the Gospels, we see Christ living out meekness perfectly, emptying Himself as He carried out His Father’s will. Meekness turned the tables in the temple, had compassion on the crowds, called the Pharisees a brood of vipers, and prayed, “Not my will, but yours, be done.” It is meekness that characterises the Lion of the tribe of Judah who is the Lamb that was slain. It is meekness that carried out the plan for our salvation. Increasing meekness in us is merely a reflection of our King.

Meekness = humility.

Inherit the earth...

Leviticus 20:24

Numbers 32:19

1 Kings 8:35-36

1 Chronicles 16:14-18

Psalm 25:13, 37:9, 11, 21-22, 29, 37:34