Joseph isn't just' existing' in prison. He still has a heart for people because he is confident that God is good and he does good. He witnesses for God. The 'third day' features in the dreams - as it often does in the Bible - preparing us for the greatest 'third day' ever when Jesus rose from the dead.

There is a cost to following Jesus. Joseph would rather rot in an Egyptian prison than sin against God. Yet even in prison, he acts with integrity and works hard because he knows God is good. Jesus was falsely accused and viciously tempted by Satan, yet he said 'no' to sin and willingly paid the price for our sin. May we keep going whatever the cost as we fix our eyes on Jesus.

Joseph believes that the God who is King is a good God and does good. Therefore he serves well as a slave. What a challenge and encouragement that is to us to work hard with integrity even in the jobs we don't like doing. Joseph showed gratitude and it helped him to say 'no' to sin. He saw sin for what it is. May we have such an attitude, remembering our deep gratitude to Jesus who bore our sin.

What should we think about Tamar? The Bible seems to want us to be sympathetic towards her and to see her as someone who acted quickly, shrewdly and wisely. She shows greater concern about Jesus the Messiah even though she is an 'outsider' from Canaan than her father-in-law Judah does. Her witness seems to be a turning point in Judah's life as we will see in the ongoing story of Joseph. There's amazing grace for Judah's and there's encouragement to keep walking by faith like Tamar.

Another grim and dark chapter. What is God doing? We often ask that question so it's good that we have these Bible stories showing how God works out his plan and purpose through broken and dysfunctional families. We don't need to despair. And there's grace for Judah too! Jesus is willing and able to save completely all who trust in him.

Wow! Joseph brutally slave. His brother Judah doesn't come over as very kind even though he ends up 'saving' Joseph. Reuben is weak despite being the older brother. Jacob is broken hearted. What a dark chapter! But there's a 'meanwhile' at the end so there is hope. In fact, Joseph is exactly where the Lord needs him to be! Jesus was sold, let down by a weak Roman governor, crucified by wicked men, but it was exactly what God had planned should happen to save us! Hallelujah!

This part of the chapter shows the evil that lurks in the human heart - let's not allow bitterness and anger to fester. We need to take these powerful emotions to the only one who can handle them - our Lord. Remember Jesus who willingly and publicly went to Jerusalem knowing he would be betrayed and handed over to be crucified for us.

In this chapter we see Jacob has picked up bad habits from his parents about showing favouritism. We teach by our example so we need to take great care. We need to be slow in criticising Joseph when the Bible doesn't. God was kind in giving Joseph the dreams - how he would need to cling to that vision in the coming days. How we need to remember that every knee will bow before Jesus - so keep going!

In the second part of this chapter we see the contrast between Jacob and Esau. Esau looked impressive, but what he produces ends up being used through the Bible to picture people going against God and facing his judgment. But even there we can see grace, because the prophet Amos talked about their being forgiveness for Edomites. Let us hear God's voice and live, trusting in Jesus day by day.

In the this chapter we see a man moving away from the LORD and yet seeming to be blessed. We can be tempted to envy the wicked, but the name Esau made for himself was Edom which would come to nothing. Jacob remained where God wanted him to be, in the land of promise, trusting and following the LORD and through his family, God brought Jesus.