(Jesus said) "But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."[Luke 10:33-37]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
In Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan the Lord holds up an example of care and compassion that He would have us follow. Sadly, many people don't, and I have often wondered why.
We know that men often demonstrate kindness or their own goodness when they have an ulterior purpose, a purpose which benefits them.
Look at the work of artists, philanthropists and politicians, and you will see many who are glad to be of help to others, as long as there is some kind of public recognition for them. Without that acknowledgement of their actions, it often seems their good-deed-doing seems to suffer. Understand, that's not my idea. It comes from Scripture, where it says in Proverbs 20:6, "Many men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"
I recently read an article about serotonin, a chemical which is secreted by the brain. Interestingly, serotonin is also known as the "well-being drug." It is a chemical that directly affects our moods and is prescribed by thousands of doctors to whole herds of patients who are going through difficult times or who are fighting stress, sadness, anxiety, depression and a host of other problems.
A recent study showed that if an individual receives some kindness from another, his serotonin levels rise and that gives him a sense of well-being. The same reaction happens when you perform an act of kindness toward others.
Perhaps the most incredible bit of information the report shared was this: if someone sees another person doing an act of kindness to others, the watcher's sense of well-being is also elevated. Now you would think, with all of these positive, serotonin-fueled feelings flowing all around us, people would continuously be doing kind acts toward others.
But that's not happening, is it?
Maybe a clue can be found in Galatians 5:22, where it says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness."
It would appear that kindness toward others is not just motivated by a chemical. This passage says goodness is a fruit of the Spirit of God.
The Holy Spirit moves us to mercy as we try to show our appreciation to the Lord, who is the ultimate Source of goodness. It is the Father's love, which moved Him to make the greatest act of kindness in the history of humankind: the sacrifice of His beloved Son, our Savior. In Jesus' life, in His death on the cross of Calvary, and through His glorious resurrection we are given salvation.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may the Holy Spirit continue to encourage us and move us to daily do acts of kindness, goodness and mercy to others. And then, we ask that You use those acts to let others see the great love You have given us. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Edilberto Méndez Mora. Mr. Mora has been a contributor and volunteer at our office of Christ for All Nations - Panama since 1992. He has been a member of our staff since 1997 and our director since 2004. Lutheran Hour Ministries has been located in Panama since 1985. It was recognized by the Panamanian State in 1996 as a nonprofit, religious entity that serves society and whose primary purpose is the proclamation of the Word of God to unbelievers.
With its ministry center in Panama City, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Panama makes Gospel connections through printed materials, "live" events, mass media and the Internet, holistic outreach, and other means. Using Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), individuals are instructed in the basic tenets of the Christian faith and how to put them into operation in their lives. Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops train laypeople to share their faith with others, in order to build bridges via the Gospel. Helping young people make healthy lifestyle choices is the role of Project JOEL, a program teaching faith-based values that has been successfully integrated into the curricula of public schools, giving teachers a valuable resource to help them foster and promote constructive values.
Volunteers are special. Take a look at how LHM-Panama's volunteers are making a difference in the culture of this Central American country of more than 3.5 million people. You can read about it byclicking here to visit its blog.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
In Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan the Lord holds up an example of care and compassion that He would have us follow. Sadly, many people don't, and I have often wondered why.
We know that men often demonstrate kindness or their own goodness when they have an ulterior purpose, a purpose which benefits them.
Look at the work of artists, philanthropists and politicians, and you will see many who are glad to be of help to others, as long as there is some kind of public recognition for them. Without that acknowledgement of their actions, it often seems their good-deed-doing seems to suffer. Understand, that's not my idea. It comes from Scripture, where it says in Proverbs 20:6, "Many men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"
I recently read an article about serotonin, a chemical which is secreted by the brain. Interestingly, serotonin is also known as the "well-being drug." It is a chemical that directly affects our moods and is prescribed by thousands of doctors to whole herds of patients who are going through difficult times or who are fighting stress, sadness, anxiety, depression and a host of other problems.
A recent study showed that if an individual receives some kindness from another, his serotonin levels rise and that gives him a sense of well-being. The same reaction happens when you perform an act of kindness toward others.
Perhaps the most incredible bit of information the report shared was this: if someone sees another person doing an act of kindness to others, the watcher's sense of well-being is also elevated. Now you would think, with all of these positive, serotonin-fueled feelings flowing all around us, people would continuously be doing kind acts toward others.
But that's not happening, is it?
Maybe a clue can be found in Galatians 5:22, where it says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness."
It would appear that kindness toward others is not just motivated by a chemical. This passage says goodness is a fruit of the Spirit of God.
The Holy Spirit moves us to mercy as we try to show our appreciation to the Lord, who is the ultimate Source of goodness. It is the Father's love, which moved Him to make the greatest act of kindness in the history of humankind: the sacrifice of His beloved Son, our Savior. In Jesus' life, in His death on the cross of Calvary, and through His glorious resurrection we are given salvation.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may the Holy Spirit continue to encourage us and move us to daily do acts of kindness, goodness and mercy to others. And then, we ask that You use those acts to let others see the great love You have given us. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Edilberto Méndez Mora. Mr. Mora has been a contributor and volunteer at our office of Christ for All Nations - Panama since 1992. He has been a member of our staff since 1997 and our director since 2004. Lutheran Hour Ministries has been located in Panama since 1985. It was recognized by the Panamanian State in 1996 as a nonprofit, religious entity that serves society and whose primary purpose is the proclamation of the Word of God to unbelievers.
With its ministry center in Panama City, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Panama makes Gospel connections through printed materials, "live" events, mass media and the Internet, holistic outreach, and other means. Using Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), individuals are instructed in the basic tenets of the Christian faith and how to put them into operation in their lives. Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops train laypeople to share their faith with others, in order to build bridges via the Gospel. Helping young people make healthy lifestyle choices is the role of Project JOEL, a program teaching faith-based values that has been successfully integrated into the curricula of public schools, giving teachers a valuable resource to help them foster and promote constructive values.
Volunteers are special. Take a look at how LHM-Panama's volunteers are making a difference in the culture of this Central American country of more than 3.5 million people. You can read about it byclicking here to visit its blog.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Genesis 49: Jacob reveals his sons’ destinies
"Don't Miss the Party" Wednesday, 5 February 2015
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Genesis 49: Jacob reveals his sons’ destinies
1 Jacob summoned his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the coming days.
2 Assemble yourselves and listen, sons of Jacob;
listen to Israel your father.
3 Reuben, you are my oldest son,
my strength and my first contender,[a]
superior in status and superior in might.
4 As wild as the waters, you won’t endure,
for you went up to your father’s bed,
you went up[b] and violated my couch.
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers,
weapons of violence their stock in trade.
6 May I myself never enter their council.
May my honor never be linked to their group;
for when they were angry, they killed men,
and whenever they wished, they maimed oxen.
7 Cursed be their anger; it is violent,
their rage; it is relentless.
I’ll divide them up within Jacob
and disperse them within Israel.
8 Judah, you are the one your brothers will honor;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 Judah is a lion’s cub;
from the prey, my son, you rise up.
He lies down and crouches like a lion;
like a lioness—who dares disturb him?
10 The scepter won’t depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from among his banners.[c]
Gifts will be brought to him;
people will obey him.
11 He ties his male donkey to the vine,
the colt of his female donkey to the vine’s branches.
He washes his clothes in wine,
his garments in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes are darker than wine,
and his teeth whiter than milk.
13 Zebulun will live at the seashore;
he’ll live at the harbor of ships,
his border will be at Sidon.
14 Issachar is a sturdy donkey,
bedding down beside the village hearths.[d]
15 He saw that a resting place was good
and that the land was pleasant.
He lowered his shoulder to haul loads
and joined the work gangs.
16 Dan[e] will settle disputes for his people,
as one of Israel’s tribes.
17 Dan will be a snake on the road,
a serpent on the path,
biting a horse’s heels,
so its rider falls backward.
18 I long for your victory, Lord.
19 Gad[f] will be attacked by attackers,
but he’ll attack their back.
20 Asher[g] grows fine foods,
and he will supply the king’s delicacies.
21 Naphtali is a wild doe
that gives birth to beautiful fawns.[h]
22 Joseph is a young bull,[i]
a young bull by a spring,
who strides with oxen.[j]
23 They attacked him fiercely and fired arrows;
the archers attacked him furiously.
24 But his bow stayed strong,
and his forearms were nimble,[k]
by the hands of the strong one of Jacob,
by the name of the shepherd, the rock of Israel,
25 by God, your father, who supports you,
by the Almighty[l] who blesses you
with blessings from the skies above
and blessings from the deep sea below,
blessings from breasts and womb.
26 The blessings of your father exceed
the blessings of the eternal mountains,[m]
the wealth of the everlasting hills.
May they all rest on Joseph’s head,
on the forehead of the one set apart from his brothers.
27 Benjamin is a wolf who hunts:
in the morning he devours the prey;
in the evening he divides the plunder.”
28 These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them. He blessed them by giving each man his own particular blessing.
Jacob’s death and burial
29 Jacob ordered them, “I am soon to join my people. Bury me with my ancestors in the cave that’s in the field of Ephron the Hittite; 30 in the cave that’s in the field of Machpelah near Mamre in the land of Canaan that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a burial property. 31 That is where Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, and where Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and where I buried Leah. 32 It is the field and the cave in it that belonged to the Hittites.” 33 After he finished giving orders to his sons, he put his feet up on the bed, took his last breath, and joined his people.
50: Joseph fell across his father’s body, wept over him, and kissed him. 2 Joseph then ordered the physicians in his service to embalm his father, and the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 They mourned for him forty days because that is the period required for embalming. Then the Egyptians mourned him for seventy days. 4 After the period of mourning had passed, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s household: “If you approve my request, give Pharaoh this message: 5 My father made me promise, telling me, ‘I’m about to die. You must bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now, let me leave and let me bury my father, and then I will return.”
6 Pharaoh replied, “Go, bury your father as you promised.”
7 So Joseph left to bury his father. All of Pharaoh’s servants went with him, together with the elder statesmen in his household and all of the elder statesmen in the land of Egypt, 8 Joseph’s entire household, his brothers, and his father’s household. Only the children, flocks, and cattle remained in the land of Goshen. 9 Even chariots and horsemen went with him; it was a huge collection of people. 10 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Atad on the other side of the Jordan River, they observed a solemn, deeply sorrowful period of mourning. He grieved seven days for his father.
11 When the Canaanites who lived in the land saw the observance of grief on Atad’s threshing floor, they said, “This is a solemn observance of grief by the Egyptians.” Therefore, its name is Abel-mizraim.[n] It is on the other side of the Jordan River. 12 Israel’s sons did for him just as he had ordered. 13 His sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased as burial property from Ephron the Hittite. 14 Then[o] Joseph returned to Egypt, he, his brothers, and everyone who left with him to bury his father.
Joseph and his brothers in Egypt
15 When Joseph’s brothers realized that their father was now dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us, and wants to pay us back seriously for all of the terrible things we did to him?” 16 So they approached[p] Joseph and said, “Your father gave orders before he died, telling us, 17 ‘This is what you should say to Joseph. “Please, forgive your brothers’ sins and misdeeds, for they did terrible things to you. Now, please forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God.”’” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 His brothers wept[q] too, fell down in front of him, and said, “We’re here as your slaves.”
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I God? 20 You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it, in order to save the lives of many people, just as he’s doing today. 21 Now, don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So he put them at ease and spoke reassuringly to them.
22 Thus Joseph lived in Egypt, he and his father’s household. Joseph lived 110 years 23 and saw Ephraim’s grandchildren. The children of Machir, Manasseh’s son, were also born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m about to die. God will certainly take care of you and bring you out of this land to the land he promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Joseph made Israel’s sons promise, “When God takes care of you, you must bring up my bones out of here.” 26 Joseph died when he was 110 years old. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.[Footnotes:
Genesis 49:3 Or first of my power
Genesis 49:4 LXX; MT he went up
Genesis 49:10 Sam; MT his feet
Genesis 49:14 Or stubbornly lying beneath its saddlebags
Genesis 49:16 Or he judges, or settles disputes
Genesis 49:19 Or he attacks or good fortune
Genesis 49:20 LXX, Syr, Vulg; MT from Asher
Genesis 49:21 Or who gives beautiful words
Genesis 49:22 Heb uncertain
Genesis 49:22 Heb uncertain
Genesis 49:24 Heb uncertain; or flexible
Genesis 49:25 Heb Shaddai or the Mountain One
Genesis 49:26 LXX; Heb uncertain
Genesis 50:11 Or the Egyptians’ observance of grief
Genesis 50:14 LXX; MT includes after he buried his father.
Genesis 50:16 LXX, Syr; MT they commanded
Genesis 50:18 Or came]
Matthew 23:23 “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You give to God a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, but you forget about the more important matters of the Law: justice, peace, and faith. You ought to give a tenth but without forgetting about those more important matters. 24 You blind guides! You filter out an ant but swallow a camel.
25 “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and plate, but inside they are full of violence and pleasure seeking. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup so that the outside of the cup will be clean too.
27 “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs. They look beautiful on the outside. But inside they are full of dead bones and all kinds of filth. 28 In the same way you look righteous to people. But inside you are full of pretense and rebellion.
29 “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.
____________________________
Lutheran Hour Ministries Daily Devotion - Thursday, 5 February 2015 "Don't Miss the Party" by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.[Ephesians 4:17-18]
Great Britain's five-year-old Alex Nash is a popular guy.
Being popular and getting invited to places can be a good thing unless you find yourself being asked to go to too many places. That was the situation for Nash.
Nash was invited and accepted an offer to attend a friend's birthday party at a ski and snowboard center. It was to be quite the production. But Nash is a popular guy, and he was also asked to spend some time, the same time, with his grandparents. It was a tough choice, but eventually time with the grandparents won out.
Nash ended up missing the birthday party with his pal. Normally, that would be the end of the story, but this is hardly a normal story.
A few days after the party had taken place, Nash's dad, Derek, received a letter, which included a bill for $24. It took Nash a while to figure out his son was being charged for not having gone to his buddy's birthday party. It seems the folks throwing the party had to pay $24 for non-showing Nash. They didn't mind paying his price for admission if he had come, but they were pretty upset for having to pay for himnot showing.
You know, I think maybe Jesus feels the same way.
He came into this world to rescue us from sin, death and devil. To that end He lived His life, He suffered, and was crucified. It was a tremendous price to pay, but He was willing to do it so heaven might be filled with saved and forgiven sinners.
Jesus gave His all so we might be invited and received into that never-ending heavenly party.
Sadly, there are people who aren't going to be there. You may even know some of them. They are the ones whose understanding is darkened; who are ignorant of the life Jesus wishes to give them; whose hearts are hard and unreceptive to the risen Redeemer and the Holy Spirit's call.
It is a sad picture, and it is also a picture that will not last forever.
The day is coming when Jesus will stop calling. The day is coming when He will move away from these lost souls, and the time of salvation will be over. The day is coming when those who wanted to live without Jesus will be granted that wish, and they will live forever without Him.
That's tragic, and it is also why you and I, our Synod, and Lutheran Hour Ministries must continue to do all we can so Jesus may gain admission to those hearts.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for Jesus' sacrifice and His invitation to forgiveness and salvation. May others join us in believing and allow the Savior to come in. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.
Great Britain's five-year-old Alex Nash is a popular guy.
Being popular and getting invited to places can be a good thing unless you find yourself being asked to go to too many places. That was the situation for Nash.
Nash was invited and accepted an offer to attend a friend's birthday party at a ski and snowboard center. It was to be quite the production. But Nash is a popular guy, and he was also asked to spend some time, the same time, with his grandparents. It was a tough choice, but eventually time with the grandparents won out.
Nash ended up missing the birthday party with his pal. Normally, that would be the end of the story, but this is hardly a normal story.
A few days after the party had taken place, Nash's dad, Derek, received a letter, which included a bill for $24. It took Nash a while to figure out his son was being charged for not having gone to his buddy's birthday party. It seems the folks throwing the party had to pay $24 for non-showing Nash. They didn't mind paying his price for admission if he had come, but they were pretty upset for having to pay for himnot showing.
You know, I think maybe Jesus feels the same way.
He came into this world to rescue us from sin, death and devil. To that end He lived His life, He suffered, and was crucified. It was a tremendous price to pay, but He was willing to do it so heaven might be filled with saved and forgiven sinners.
Jesus gave His all so we might be invited and received into that never-ending heavenly party.
Sadly, there are people who aren't going to be there. You may even know some of them. They are the ones whose understanding is darkened; who are ignorant of the life Jesus wishes to give them; whose hearts are hard and unreceptive to the risen Redeemer and the Holy Spirit's call.
It is a sad picture, and it is also a picture that will not last forever.
The day is coming when Jesus will stop calling. The day is coming when He will move away from these lost souls, and the time of salvation will be over. The day is coming when those who wanted to live without Jesus will be granted that wish, and they will live forever without Him.
That's tragic, and it is also why you and I, our Synod, and Lutheran Hour Ministries must continue to do all we can so Jesus may gain admission to those hearts.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for Jesus' sacrifice and His invitation to forgiveness and salvation. May others join us in believing and allow the Savior to come in. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Genesis 46: Jacob’s household moves to Egypt
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____________________________
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Genesis 46: Jacob’s household moves to Egypt
1 Israel packed up everything he owned and traveled to Beer-sheba. There he offered sacrifices to his father Isaac’s God. 2 God said to Israel in a vision at night, “Jacob! Jacob!” and he said, “I’m here.” 3 He said, “I am El,[a] your father’s God. Don’t be afraid to go down to Egypt because I will make a great nation of you there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I promise to bring you out again. Joseph will close your eyes when you die.” 5 Then Jacob left Beer-sheba. Israel’s sons put their father Jacob, their children, and their wives on the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6 They took their livestock and their possessions that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and arrived in Egypt, Jacob and all of his children with him. 7 His sons and grandsons, his daughters and his granddaughters—all of his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.
8 These are the names of the Israelites who went to Egypt, including Jacob and his sons. Jacob’s oldest son was Reuben. 9 Reuben’s sons were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 10 Simeon’s sons were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, whose mother was a Canaanite. 11 Levi’s sons were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 12 Judah’s sons were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah. Er and Onan both died in the land of Canaan. Perez’s sons were Hezron and Hamul. 13 Issachar’s sons were Tola, Puvah, Iob, and Shimron. 14 Zebulun’s sons were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel. 15 These are the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram. Her daughter was Dinah. All of these persons, including his sons and daughters, totaled 33.
16 Gad’s sons were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. 17 Asher’s sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. Beriah’s sons were Heber and Malchiel. 18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah. She bore these to Jacob, a total of 16 persons.
19 The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. 20 To Joseph, in the land of Egypt, were born Manasseh and Ephraim. Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis,[b] bore them to him. 21 Benjamin’s sons were Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. 22 These are Rachel’s sons who were born to Jacob, a total of 14 persons.
23 Dan’s son[c] was Hushim. 24 Naphtali’s sons were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. 25 These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel. She bore these to Jacob, a total of 7 persons. 26 All of the persons going to Egypt with Jacob—his own children, excluding Jacob’s sons’ wives—totaled 66 persons. 27 Joseph’s sons born to him in Egypt were 2 persons. Thus, all of the persons in Jacob’s household going to Egypt totaled 70.
28 Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph so that Joseph could explain the way to Goshen. Then they arrived in the land of Goshen. 29 Joseph hitched up his chariot and went to meet his father Israel in Goshen. When he arrived, he threw his arms around his neck and wept, embracing him for a long time. 30 Israel said to Joseph, “I can die now after seeing your face. You are really still alive!”
Jacob’s household settles in Egypt
31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “Let me go up and inform Pharaoh and tell him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household who were in the land of Canaan have arrived. 32 The men are shepherds, because they own livestock. They’ve brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ 33 When Pharaoh summons you and says, ‘What do you do?’ 34 say, ‘Your servants have owned livestock since we were young, both we and our ancestors,’ so that you will be able to settle in the land of Goshen, since Egyptians think all shepherds are beneath their dignity.”
47:1 Joseph went to inform Pharaoh and said, “My father and brothers with their flocks, herds, and everything they own have come from the land of Canaan and are now in the land of Goshen.” 2 From all of his brothers, he selected five men and presented them before Pharaoh.
3 Pharaoh said to Joseph’s brothers, “What do you do?”
They said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and our ancestors.” 4 They continued, “We’ve come to the land as immigrants because the famine is so severe in the land of Canaan that there are no more pastures for your servants’ flocks. Please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”
5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since your father and brothers have arrived, 6 the land of Egypt is available to you. Settle your father and brothers in the land’s best location. Let them live in the land of Goshen. And if you know capable men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.”
7 Joseph brought his father Jacob and gave him an audience with Pharaoh. Jacob blessed Pharaoh, 8 and Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?”
9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, “I’ve been a traveler for 130 years. My years have been few and difficult. They don’t come close to the years my ancestors lived during their travels.” 10 Jacob blessed Pharaoh and left Pharaoh’s presence. 11 Joseph settled his father and brothers and gave them property in the land of Egypt, in the best location in the land of Rameses, just as Pharaoh had ordered. 12 Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and his father’s entire household, in proportion to the number of children.
Joseph centralizes power in Egypt
13 There was no food in the land because the famine was so severe. The land of Egypt and the land of Canaan dried up from the famine. 14 Joseph collected all of the silver to be found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain, which people came to buy, and he deposited it in Pharaoh’s treasury. 15 The silver from the land of Egypt and from the land of Canaan had been spent, and all of the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes, just because the silver is gone?”
16 Joseph said, “Give me your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock if the silver is gone.” 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food for the horses, flocks, cattle, and donkeys. He got them through that year with food in exchange for all of their livestock.
18 When that year was over, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We can’t hide from my master that the silver is spent and that we’ve given the livestock to my master. All that’s left for my master is our corpses and our farmland. 19 Why should we die before your eyes, we and our farmland too? Buy us and our farms for food, and we and our farms will be under Pharaoh’s control. Give us seed so that we can stay alive and not die, and so that our farmland won’t become unproductive.” 20 So Joseph bought all of Egypt’s farmland for Pharaoh because every Egyptian sold his field when the famine worsened. So the land became Pharaoh’s. 21 He moved the people to the cities[d] from one end of Egypt to the other. 22 However, he didn’t buy the farmland of the priests because Pharaoh allowed the priests a subsidy, and they were able to eat from the subsidy Pharaoh gave them. Therefore, they didn’t have to sell their farmland.
23 Joseph said to the people, “Since I’ve now purchased you and your farmland for Pharaoh, here’s seed for you. Plant the seed on the land. 24 When the crop comes in, you must give one-fifth to Pharaoh. You may keep four-fifths for yourselves, for planting fields, and for feeding yourselves, those in your households, and your children.”
25 The people said, “You’ve saved our lives. If you wish, we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.” 26 So Joseph made a law that still exists today: Pharaoh receives one-fifth from Egypt’s farmland. Only the priests’ farmland didn’t become Pharaoh’s.
Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
27 Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. They settled in it, had many children, and became numerous. 28 After Jacob had lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years, and after he had lived a total of 147 years, 29 Israel’s death approached. He summoned his son Joseph and said to him, “If you would be so kind, lay your hand under my thigh, and be loyal and true to me. Don’t bury me in Egypt. 30 When I lie down with my fathers, carry me from Egypt and bury me in their grave.”
Joseph said, “I will do just as you say.”
31 Israel said, “Give me your word!” and Joseph gave his word. Then Israel slumped down at the head of the bed.
48:1 After this happened, Joseph was told,[e] “Your father is getting weaker,” so he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him. 2 When Jacob was informed,[f] “Your son Joseph is here now,” he[g] pulled himself together and sat up in bed. 3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty[h] appeared to me in Luz in the land of Canaan. He blessed me 4 and said to me, ‘I am about to give you many children, to increase your numbers, and to make you a large group of peoples. I will give this land to your descendants following you as an enduring possession.’ 5 Now, your two sons born to you in the land of Egypt before I arrived in Egypt are my own. Ephraim and Manasseh are just like Reuben and Simeon to me. 6 Your family who is born to you after them are yours, but their inheritance will be determined under their brothers’ names. 7 When I came back from Paddan-aram,[i] Rachel died, to my sorrow, on the road in the land of Canaan, with some distance yet to go to Ephrathah, so I buried her there near the road to Ephrathah,[j] which is Bethlehem.”
8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”
9 Joseph told his father, “They’re my sons, whom God gave me here.”
Israel said, “Bring them to me and I will bless them.” 10 Because Israel’s eyesight had failed from old age and he wasn’t able to see, Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed and embraced them.
11 Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t expect I’d see your face, but now God has shown me your children too.” 12 Then Joseph took them from Israel’s knees, and he bowed low with his face to the ground. 13 Joseph took both of them, Ephraim in his right hand at Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand at Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. 14 But Israel put out his right hand and placed it on the head of Ephraim, the younger one, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands because Manasseh was the oldest son. 15 He blessed them[k] and said,
“May the God before whom my fathers
Abraham and Isaac walked,
may the God who was my shepherd
from the beginning until this day,
16 may the divine messenger who protected me from all harm,
bless the young men.
Through them may my name be kept alive
and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.
May they grow into a great multitude
throughout the land.”
17 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was upset and grasped his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “No, my father! This is the oldest son. Put your right hand on his head.”
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He’ll become a people too, and he’ll also be great. But his younger brother will be greater than he will, and his descendants will become many nations.” 20 Israel blessed them that day, saying,
“Through you, Israel will pronounce blessings, saying,
‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”
So Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I’m about to die. God will be with you and return you to the land of your fathers. 22 I’m giving you one portion more than to your brothers,[l] a portion that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”[Footnotes:
Genesis 46:3 Or God
Genesis 46:20 Heb On
Genesis 46:23 Or sons
Genesis 47:21 Sam, LXX he made the people slaves
Genesis 48:1 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vulg; MT he told
Genesis 48:2 LXX; MT he informed
Genesis 48:2 Heb Israel
Genesis 48:3 Heb El Shaddai or God of the Mountain
Genesis 48:7 Sam, LXX, Syr; MT lacks aram.
Genesis 48:7 Sam; MT Ephrath
Genesis 48:15 LXX; MT Joseph
Genesis 48:22 Heb uncertain]
Matthew 23: Ways of the legal experts and the Pharisees
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples, 2 “The legal experts and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore, you must take care to do everything they say. But don’t do what they do. 4 For they tie together heavy packs that are impossible to carry. They put them on the shoulders of others, but are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others. They make extra-wide prayer bands for their arms and long tassels for their clothes. 6 They love to sit in places of honor at banquets and in the synagogues. 7 They love to be greeted with honor in the markets and to be addressed as ‘Rabbi.’
8 “But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. 9 Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. 10 Don’t be called teacher, because Christ is your one teacher. 11 But the one who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.
Condemnation of the legal experts and the Pharisees
13 “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You shut people out of the kingdom of heaven. You don’t enter yourselves, and you won’t allow those who want to enter to do so.[a]
15 “How terrible it will be for you, legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You travel over sea and land to make one convert. But when they’ve been converted, they become twice the child of hell you are.
16 “How terrible it will be for you blind guides who say, ‘If people swear by the temple, it’s nothing. But if people swear by the gold in the temple, they are obligated to do what they swore.’ 17 You foolish and blind people! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold holy? 18 You say, ‘If people swear by the altar, it’s nothing. But if they swear by the gift on the altar, they are obligated to do what they swore.’ 19 You blind people! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy? 20 Therefore, those who swear by the altar swear by it and by everything that’s on it. 21 Those who swear by the temple swear by it and by everything that’s part of it. 22 Those who swear by heaven swear by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.[Footnotes:
Matthew 23:13 Most critical editions of the Gk New Testament omit 23:14 How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You eat up widows’ houses and make a show of praying long prayers. Therefore, you will receive greater judgment.]
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