Justbebronze by Justina A. Bell

Joseph insists on seeing Benjamin to prove that their story was not a fable. Joseph then sends his brothers to prison for three days to think about his terms. On their release, Joseph offers them a compromise; one brother will remain in prison while the rest return for Benjamin. The predictable effects of Joseph 's "indiscretion" was alienation from his brothers who sold him into slavery- the first real test of his character. Not only did Joseph pass this test, but he also passed a second by refusing a very different kind of "indiscretion" with Pharaoh's wife. After he had convicted his brothers' hearts through kindness, Joseph set in motion his final test to see if his brothers, who betrayed him more than 20 years earlier, would do it again to Benjamin: Then he commanded his house steward, saying, "Fill the men's sack with food, as much as they can carry. Joseph's story shows us that when we fix our gaze on God and choose to rely on him, ev...

 Judah reminds Jacob that there's no use in returning to Egypt unless they bring Benjamin, as they were told. If anything happens to Benjamin, he offers to bear the blame himself. Finally, Jacob relents, but he makes them take a gift to Canaan's best produce and also return the money they found in their bag. Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt to buy more food. They told their father they couldn't return unless Benjamin went with them, because the governor of Egypt (Joseph)demanded they bring him to prove they weren't spies. Judah told his father he would be responsible for Bejamin. Joseph hurried out because he was overcome with emotion for his brother, and he was about to weep. He went into an inner room and wept there. Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother. He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept. Joseph's story shows us that when we fix our gaze on God and choose to rely on him, even the hea...

 In the midst of the crisis in Egypt, Joseph's brothers arrived from Canaan, seeking to buy food, as the famine severely affected their land also. They did not recognize Joseph and he did not reveal himself to them. He dealt with his brothers largely through the language of commerce. Joseph is a victim of abuse, violated and abandoned by those he had trusted. His anger and bitterness had to be expressed when his brothers unexpectedly fell into his hand. Yet when the truth was revealed the other side of Joseph could emerge, including the faith that had sustained him. His brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt and eventually became steward to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials. Potiphar's wife tried unsuccessfully to seduce him and after false accusations were levelled at Joseph he was imprisoned. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph had a...

 He then came before Pharaoh and told him that his dream meant there would be seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt followed by seven years of famine. Joseph recommended that "discerning and wise man" be put in charge and that food should be collected in the good years and stored for use during the famine. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. Pharaoh wakes up. But the night is not over. He dozes off into sleep, only to have a second dream with many elements parallel to the first dream. This time it is not fat and thin cows; instead, it is seven plump and seven blighted heads of grain.

The bible story relates that while in prison, the chief butler and chief baker to the pharaoh were troubled by their recent dreams. Joseph interpreted the butler's dream to mean that he would be released and returned to the Pharoah's service three days. In the first dream, Joseph sees himself and his brothers' binding sheaves in the field. His brothers' sheaves circle around his own and bow low to the ground. In his second dream, Joseph sees the sun, moon, and 11 stars bowing down to him. While these dreams are symbolic, they did not require expert interpretation. Joseph worked for Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh, but when Potiphar's wife falsely accused him of attacking her, Joesph ended up in prison. God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker were also in custody when they each had a dream on the same night. But while Joseph was there in the prison- the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the ...

Genesis (39:7-20) tells how Joesph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, was bought by Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's guard. Potiphar's wife (who is not name in the bible) took a liking to the young man and made several failed attempts to seduce him. Mckinlay (1995) noted that Potiphar's wife is treated as an object in his master's possession (genesis 39:8-9), and the reason Joseph refuses is not because he does not want to have sex with her, but because it would violate his master's trust and be a sin against the God Yahweh. Potiphar's wife requested from Joseph to teach her the word of his God and that she and her husband would change to his God if Joseph did her wish. She promised to kill her husband, so that she could marry Joseph. Potiphar's wife responds, "Truly I have sinned and wronged him. Now don't be upset, for I will appease him, and he will honor you more than all of your friends, and he will make you a great man and a ruler over ...

 The story of the life of Tamar appears in the ancestor narratives of Genesis. As Judah's daughter-in-law, Judah believes she has killed two of his sons, and subjugates her so that she is unable to remarry. However, she ultimately tricks Judah into impregnating her and therefore secures her place in the family. Genesis 38 is a story of redemption, not only in the grand story of the bible, because it points to the Messiah, but it's also the story of Judah's redemption. When we first meet Judah in the bible, he sells his brother into slavery. About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said. "Bring her out and have her burned to death!" As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. According to Legends of the Jews, Tamar was endowed with a prophetic gift which allowed her to know the future of her descendants. From this gift, she knew th...

In the first dream, Joesph sees himself and his brothers binding sheaves in the field. His brothers' sheaves circle around his own and bow low to the ground. In his second dream Joesph sees the sun, moon. and 11 stars bowing down to him. When Joesph was about 17 years old, he had an inspired dream that he was gathering grain in the field with his brothers. Joesph bundle of grain stood tall. But his brothers' bundles of grain bowed down to Joesph's. When Joesph told his brothers about the dream, they were angry with him. In Genesis 37-50 we read Joesph story-from birth of his dreams to their final fulfillment. The fulfillment took roughly 22 years, 13 of which Joesph spent as a slave or in prison. In other words, delay was like a constant companion in Joesph journey to the dream. Joesph's story shows us that when we fix our gaze on God and choose to rely on him , even the heaviest situations can be made lighter. Remember that "God cause everything to work together f...

 The Chief is a leader in religious or sacred affairs. Holiness is the attribute of God that binds all the other together."That God is holy means he is endlessly, always perfect. And his standard for us is perfection as well. "Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," Jesus says in Matthew 5:48. This begins a section (Genesis 36:16-19) listing the chiefs of the son of Esau. This is the same as the record given in the previous verses (Genesis 36: 9-14) as Esau's son and grandsons by his three wives. "Chiefs" may generally refer to leaders among the Edomite people or the heads of the clans. In the New Testament "Chief" is in most of its appearances the translation of Greek protos, "first"; the revised version (British and American) reads "first" for the King James Version "Chief", "Chiefest," in Matthew 20:27; Mark 10:44; Act 16:12. Deuteronomy1:15 so I took the chief of your tribe...

 But Jacob, because he would not renew the sorrowful remembrance of the mother's death every time he called his son by his name, changed his name, and called him Benjamin, the son of my right hand; that is, "very dear to me, set on my right hand for a blessing, the support of my age, like the staff in my right hand. Of my right hand: a pun on the meaning of his name: Benjamin in Hebrew means "son of the right hand", something brought out in the bible (Genesis 35:18:" his father Jacob called him Benjamin, (that is, the son of the right hand)". It suggests that he was his father's help and support, someone essential to him. The "right hand" is seen as a place of honor and status throughout the biblical text. When the bible makes statements the Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the father, it is affirming that he has equal status to the father within the Godhead (Hebrew1:3,12:2;1 Peter3:22; Act 7:55-56. The raised right hand signifies braver...

 The Hebrew word for delight (anag) commands us to find enjoyment in God. The Lord wants us to incline our hearts towards him-to lean into Christ where we will discover unspeakable joy. Prayer of all kinds at all times, in-depth bible study, Scripture memorization, worship, fellowship and other people who know God well, taking a walk-in nature, and being awed by God's handiwork. All of this feed our delight by feeding our knowledge. Delight is often associated with an initial impression -one say, "She continues to delight us," to suggest that the first impression continues. The word delight derives from the Latin delectare "to charm" which also gives us delectable, and the same lighthearted sense of pure, uncomplicated pleasure. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desire of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this. He will make your righteous reward shine like dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalms ver...

 He seeks to mold us into the image of his son (Romans 8:28-29). If you want to have favor with God, be fully committed to his beloved son, Jesus Christ. Worship and revere him, identify with his pain, gain a heart like his, and display his characteristics in your life. If you want to gain favor, keep God as a priority in your life, be obedient, be humble, honor him, serve, and build kingdom relationships. Finding favor means gaining approval, acceptance, or special benefits or blessings. There is also a close association among favor, grace, and mercy, which are sometimes used to translate the same Hebrew and Greek (such as hen and Charis)So, in summary , (paraphrased) this verse speaks of God's favor by showing his approval to those who think more of others than themselves and are broken by the sin in our lives which drives us to ask for forgiveness and go to God's word with the expectation of trembling at the message he has in store for us!

 In the midst of the book of Jeremial is found one of my favorite passages in scripture: For I know the plans I have for you, "declare the Lord, " plan to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future. Being prosperous means you have a life worth living. It means you internal and external world are congruent. It means you have deep and loving relationships. It means you're making the world a better place and helping others prosper as well. Prosperity is far more than wealth; it is when all people have the opportunity and freedom to thrive. Prosperity is underpinned by an inclusive society, with a strong social contract that protects the fundamental liberties and security of every individual. Prosperity is multi-faceted abundance in health, love, relationship, and vocation. It's about flourishing, thriving, and having good fortune physically and spiritually. It's having the resources, opportunities, and support to live the life you desire. In ...

 If we do not look our history, including our ancestry, then we cannot know who we are in the present nor who we might be in the future. Our ancestry gives us a sense of foundation, which forms the basis of our lives in the present. This foundation helps us to connect to others who are or might be related to us. Ancestral beliefs are deeply dependent on the premise that the souls of the dead may return to the living and influence their lives: that it is possible and acceptable for the living to communicate with the dead and lastly that the living are able to exert an effect on the destiny of deceased ancestors. In some belief systems, ancestors are indeed seen as spiritual who can offer wisdom, protection, and support to their living descendants. The social or non-religious function of ancestor veneration is to cultivate kinship values, such as filial piety, family loyalty, and continuity of the family lineage. The belief is that now that they have passed on, they hold power to int...

Consistency is the key to close relationship in our everyday lives and our spiritual lives. Consistency in our time with God starts with simple changes, but those simple changes can make a big impact. Find time to be alone. Set aside a time to spend with God every day without distraction. 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."Spiritual consistency develops routine and builds momentum-it forms habits. It becomes a source of encouragement to s and even to people around us. It makes us stronger in our spiritual life and walk with God and it's pleasing to God when we are consistency in fellowship with him. Consistency helps us build momentum, develop good habits, and stay focused on our objectives. By consistency taking small steps towards our goals, we increase our chances of success. Whether it's learning a new skill, adopting healthy habits, or overcoming ch...

 Affliction calls you to repent and believe. Do not reject the Lord's offer to deliver you from all afflictions through salvation in Christ. For the believer, affliction is also a call to persevere in faith. If you are suffering under this type of affliction, the way out of it is clear: the 1st step is to repent of the cause, ask for forgiveness, and go to God's throne of grace to find the grace you need to help in your time of  need  ( Hebrew4:16) a third type of affliction can assail us uninvited and  underserved. We overcome affliction : not by asking God to take it away, but by humbling ourselves before God to receive more grace to pray to overcome the affliction. God's grace does not take away the affliction rather it gives us a greater measure of life to pray through the affliction

 No one is above the law, and certainly not above God’s law. From the earliest origins of government, God instructed the rulers to write, read, follow, and obey his word. In simple terms it means hearing the word of God and acting on it. It implies aligning our will to God’s will; doing what God has asked us to do. It is when we completely surrender to his authority and base our decision and our actions on his word. Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made” (Matthew 5:33NIV) “But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him(1John2:5) it gives us peace. God made our souls to live in accordance with him and his word. So, when we don’t, something feels off. But when we make God’s word our priority, we find a refuge of peace. John 14:15-if you love me, you will keep my commandments. 1Peter1:14-As obedient children, do not be conformed ...

She prepared goat meat and dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes. putting goatskins on him so he would feel hairy like his brother. Thus disguised, Jacob went to his father pretending to be Esau, and stole the blessing from him. Esau lost blessings not only because of his choice to sell his birthright, but also because of other poor choices he made. Read Genesis 26:34-35, looking for additional choices Esau made that deprived him of blessings. Isaac prayed in this blessing that his son would be in a position of authority and would not be subjugated by anyone. The final poetic line (cursed be those who curse you and blessed be those who bless you!)His prayer of blessing for wealth and rule over his brother will remain valid though it is given under false pretense. Esau will be left with a blessing that sounds like a curse and a plan to murder his brother. Jacob will be forced to run for his life.

 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hands to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. We ask God to bless then and the land that he has given us. That we care for it, work with it and praise him who gave us this earth as our common home. O Most High, all powerful, good Lord God, to you belong praise, glory, honor and all blessing. Genesis 26:2-5 The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will be with you and bless you. Verse reads, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land"(2 Chronicles 7:14ESV)

We must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to apply the Word to our lives. Living for God means giving up ourselves and desiring God's will above all else. As we draw nearer to God and come to know him more, His desires will more naturally become ours. Roman 14:8 "For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's" The Good News: Devoting yourself to God in life is the way to live an honest and happy life. Secondly, the main purpose of life is ultimately to glorify God (Isa.43:6-7). We were created for God. He is worthy of all glory and honor, and we were created to exalt, magnify, and worship him. He desires you to have a joyful, ambitious, purposeful life. Ask God for purpose and expect him to give it to you. Your attitudes, words, and actions must mirror Christ's. The Bible instructs us to (work) out or live our salvation, which means we will live a life surrender to God and br...

Jesus summarizes the teaching: "You shall not swear falsely but shall perform" your oath to the Lord (Matt.5:33). Disciples must keep their word, especially when others depend on them, even if circumstances change or oath keeping brings real loss. No one should break vows unless keeping them requires sin. Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oath to the Lord." But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools: fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. Jesus tells his listeners in Matthew 5:34 "to not swear oaths " and in here presents example of swearing oaths. In context, this passage refers not to the modern understanding of curs...

 1 Peter 5:6-7"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." The Good news: God will raise us up in the most difficult of times, we just have to pray and talk to him. Humility is an attitude of spiritual modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things. It entails not taking our desires, successes, or failings too seriously. In the past decade in particular, psychologists have rediscovered the importance of humility. Walking humbly with God means letting him teach us what is good. Jesus brought together loving God and loving neighbors in Matthew 22. He communicated his expectation and desire for us, his deeply loved children, to treat each other fairly and with kindness- with justice and mercy.

 It is the Holy spirit of you that brings you into the realm of true worship. That is why true worship can take place in at any time, any place and anywhere. God must be present order for there to be true worship. God is not just your church building. He is everywhere you go. Worship is a declaration that God is in the midst of all that happening in our world today, a powerful weapon against any lie that says Godis not in control or that he is not able. Worship together teaches us to submit and surrender all our cares to God- our priorities, plans, hopes, dreams, and even our fears. True wordship comes from the heart. The more time you spend with God in his word and prayer, the more your heart will be filled with worship for God. Throughout the day, your heart will be "tuned" to God, and you will honor God with both your words and deeds. Worship is to be real (in spirit) and fueled by Scripture (in truth). Authenticity. We should strive to abandon all hypocrisy and posturing ...

 Faithfulness means steadfast Loyalty that isn't easily swayed. Our faithfulness to God means trusting in him and loving him through all circumstances. It means following his commandment even when we'd rather choose a different path. Our loyalty to God must surpass our loyalty to anything else on our lives. This means we must serve him faithfully, live righteously, and be obedient to his commands. Loyalty connotes all the higher moral qualities - truthfulness, diligence, integrity, faithfulness. Often it may mean putting the interest off another above personal gain or pleasure. It is that quality, which leads its possessor to do his duty, at whatever cost to himself, even to the extent of paying the supreme price. When we are truly faithful to God, this shapes the way we live. For example, we are able to be loyal in our relationship here on earth and truly love others. Faithfulness requires us to submit our ways to God. It comes from a place of realizing that we are in need of ...

 The phrase "my brother's keeper" is a reference to the biblical story of Cain and Abel from the book of Genesis. It is generally understood to mean being responsible for the welfare of a brother or other sibling or, by extension, for other human beings in general. In the book 1 john, we see how the Holy spirit has tied being your brother's keeper (Old Testament) with one another verse (New Testament)."For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. We are to rejoice without jealousy, or ill will when good things happen to our siblings (Luke 15:11-32) we are to do our best aways to introduce our brothers and sisters to the Lord and build up their faith, just as Andrew introduced Simon Peter to Jesus (John1:40-42) Whoever claim to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cann...

 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears are toward their cry for help."(PS 34:15) This verse implies that God attends and hears those who love him-in contrast to the next verse, which depicts God judging and rejecting those who do not. To live righteously is to conduct one's life in an upright manner and moral standards that reflect our relationship with the Lord. As representative to the kingdom of God in all that we do, we should mirror his ways. This will mean in the face of evil, do what is right. He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor. This proverb shows the rewards of obedience to God. When we live righteously and show mercy, the result will be blessings from God (Proverb 15:9; Psalm23:6) Being righteous literally means to be right, especially in a moral way. Religious people often talk about being righteous. In their view, the righteous person not only does the right thing for other people but also follows the law...

Black History Month affords us the chance to challenge what we learned in history, dig deeper, and find out the actual events of the past that were not taught in schools. It allows us to learn about, celebrate , and honor Black leaders. Many of these leaders endured sacrifice and suffering and must be honored. February honors Black History Month. Black History Month is recognized as a celebration of Black achievements, prominent figures, inventions, art, music, dance, and much more. It also a time for paying tribute to the sacrifice and challenges African Americans faced to attain citizenship and freedom. Studying Black History year-round is also important because it provides context for how we got to where we are today and a deeper understanding of the issues we still face in this country. Many of our present cultural and political issues are not new but rather are unresolved issues from the past.