Author Archives: ilmaarts

GENESIS 41 CUPBEARER REMEMBERS JOSEPH

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March 15

GENESIS 41

9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.” 

                                                                      – Genesis 41:9-13

GENESIS 41 CUPBEARER REMEMBERS JOSEPH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA           

Two years later after Joseph interpreted the cupbearer’s dream

He suddenly remembered how accurately Joseph interpreted it

So, he told Pharaoh his experience with Joseph in prison

Joseph’s interpretation actually came true and he was restored in office

He also narrated of the baker’s dream interpreted by Joseph

Which both happened the same night and both their dreams came true.

It took two long years before the cupbearer remembered how Joseph’s dream interpretation of his dream came true. The Pharaoh’s frustration with his dream not being interpreted by anyone he called do so led for the cupbearer to remember Joseph who accurately interpreted his and the baker’s dream, two years before that.

We often wonder why we go through trials and adversities long but we don’t understand God’s perfect timing. Perhaps it was in his design to let two years pass by before Joseph was remembered for this gift of interpreting dreams. God always knows best when it comes to knowing when to give, take away or allow anyone to suffer. Because God is all seeing and all knowing, he has perfect timing. We, on the other hand, become so self-centered and not see the big picture. It may have appeared that Joseph’s waiting was long, but I am sure that God had been working those two years in light of a greater good for Joseph.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God prolongs our agony at times?

GENESIS 41 THE PHARAOH’S DREAM

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March 14

GENESIS 41

After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh. – Genesis 41:1-8

GENESIS 41 THE PHARAOH’S DREAM

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Two years later, the king dreamed he was by the Nile

Out of the Nile, seven cows came up beautiful and plump

These cows fed in the reed grass and then seven other cows came

These next seven cows were ugly and thin and came up out of the Nile

They stood beside each other in the bank of the Nile, but a bizarre thing happened

The ugly seven thin cows ate up the seven attractive plump cows and the king awoke.

The king’s dream bothered him so much that he was obsessed to find out what it meant. So, he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt to interpret these two dreams that troubled him.

All those two years, the cupbearer had forgotten that Joseph could interpret the dream. It was probably God’s timing that all these events happened that way for it will lead to Joseph’s rise from that prison cell. We never know what God’s timing is.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God allowed another two years for this dream to happen?
  • Why did God not rescue Joseph right away and let him suffer longer?

GENESIS 40 THE BAKER’S DREAM INTERPRETED

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March 13

GENESIS 40

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” 18 And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you! —and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.   – Genesis 40:16-23

GENESIS 40 THE BAKER’S DREAM INTERPRETED

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After hearing the favorable dream of the cupbearer

The baker excitedly narrated to Joseph his dream

He dreamed that three cake baskets were on his head

In the topmost basket were all kinds of baked goodies for the king

But then, the birds were eating it out of the basked on the baker’s head

Joseph interpreted the dream as the three baskets are three days

And in three days, the king will lift up his head and hang him on a tree

On the king’s birthday which was the third day, the cupbearer will be restored.

The interpretation of the baker’s dream was not as pleasant as the cupbearer’s dream. He expected it to be favorable after hearing the cupbearer’s dream interpretation by Joseph. Sadly, they both happen in three days with extremely opposite endings. It must have terrorized the baker.

Both interpretations truly happened. Joseph requested the cupbearer not to forget him when he is reinstated so he can also be pulled out of prison, but he forgot all about it. So, Joseph still remained in prison after the dreams came into reality.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it easy to forget our promises when things are going well?

GENESIS 40 THE CHIEF CUPBEARER’S DREAM

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March 12

GENESIS 40

9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”   – Genesis 40:9-15

GENESIS 40 THE CHIEF CUPBEARER’S DREAM

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When Joseph asked the two imprisoned officials about their dreams

The chief cupbearer shared his dream about the vine and three branches

When the branches’ blossoms came out, it ripened into grapes

Then the king’s cup was in the dreamer’s hand and placed it in his hands

Joseph interpreted the dream that the three branches are three days

And in three days, the Pharaoh will reestablish him in his office

Joseph reminded him to remember him when that happens

So that he can be pulled out from prison and go back to his land.

What an interesting dream interpreted by Joseph. This was one of the first dream interpretations that Joseph did when he was in prison. It was in prison that the Lord blessed him with such an ability to interpret dreams. Because the Lord was with him all these times, he was able to accurately interpret this dream. He reminded these two officials at the onset of their sharing of the dream that interpretation comes only from God. Despite all that he went through, Joseph never forgot to give credit to God and never forgot that all that he has are gifts from God.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God gave this gift of dream interpretation to Joseph in prison?

GENESIS 40 ON INTERPRETING DREAMS

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March 11

GENESIS 40

Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” – Genesis 40:1-8

GENESIS 40 ON INTERPRETING DREAMS

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

While Joseph was placed in charge of the other prisoners

The butler and baker were also imprisoned by Pharaoh

Joseph was appointed to be with these other prisoners

Then one day, they both have dreams that they were interpreting

And both the butler and baker wanted their dreams decoded

Joseph reminded them that it is only God who can interpret dreams.

In this account, we see that Joseph was concerned with these two officials of Pharaoh who were also imprisoned like him. But since Joseph had been asked to be in charge of the prisoners, he took the responsibility to be concerned with their well-being. Not many people would actually implement or go over what their roles call for, but we witness Joseph’s genuine concern for others here.

Joseph also brought truth to these two officials by reminding them that it is only God who can truly interpret dreams. So, he had a gentle way of presenting the truth with no judgments or criticisms.

REFLECTION

  • How can interpreting dreams by humans be a dangerous thing?

GENESIS 39 POTIPHAR PUTS JOSEPH IN PRISON

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March 10

GENESIS 39

19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed. – Genesis 39:19-23

GENESIS 39 POTIPHAR PUTS JOSEPH IN PRISON

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Potiphar believed his wife’s accusation of Joseph

He didn’t even ask Joseph’s side as he fumed in anger

Joseph was taken by his master to the king’s prison

But the Lord never left Joseph and still gave him favor

The keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all prisoners

Whatever Joseph did in that prison walls, the Lord made it prosper.

The malice and slander that Potiphar’s wife had over Joseph’s character poisoned her husband’s trust in Joseph. Interesting that he never pondered on those many years that Joseph did everything for him and that he didn’t have to manage anything that he owned. Anger overtook him and made a rash decision to put Joseph in prison without even hearing his side. After all, he trusted him that long. He was blinded by his wife’s sly and cunning ways to get rid of someone who rejected her sexual advances. Anger that isn’t processed always leads to unhealthy results. In this case, it was to break his trust to Joseph. It was also to his detriment because now, he had to attend to all that Joseph responsibly did for him.

No one can hurt anyone who belongs to God, the psalmist says in Psalm 105 that no one is to touch or harm his people. Psalm 34 also says God let angels encamp around them.

REFLECTION

  • How is this passage a message of hope for those afflicted with suffering?

GENESIS 39 POTIPHAR’S WIFE ACCUSES JOSEPH

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March 9

GENESIS 39

11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, 17 and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. 18 But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

                                                                   – Genesis 39:11-18

GENESIS 39 POTIPHAR’S WIFE ACCUSES JOSEPH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

It angered Potiphar’s wife that Joseph wouldn’t sleep with her

So, she grabbed Joseph to force him to lie with her, but Joseph fled

When he avoided her in haste, he left his garment which she used against him

His mistress’ used that to lie to her husband and avenge Joseph’s rejection

This caused Potiphar to believe his wife instead of hearing Joseph out

Lies and deception continued to prevail in that Egyptian household.

In this account, we witness the work of the devil using Potiphar’s wife as a host of demonic spirits. She has been obsessed with lust over Joseph. She would do anything to get him to lie with her and when Joseph was able to resist her over and over again, she got so mad and got back at him. This is a manipulation tactic of the devil. Lies and twisting the truth were clearly the strategies used here against Joseph. It destroyed his master’s trust in him and eroded that good relationship they had through that slander and malice that the mistress did.

REFLECTION

  • How is slander and malice clearly a tactic of the enemy?
  • How can we be aware of the devil’s sly strategies to tempt us to sin?

GENESIS 39 JOSEPH’S INTEGRITY

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March 8

GENESIS 39

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

                                                                   – Genesis 39:6-10

GENESIS 39 JOSEPH’S INTEGRITY

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

As God prospered Joseph in Potiphar’s household

His master’s wife had her eye on his handsome features

She wanted to lay with him but Joseph knew his boundaries

He didn’t want to betray his master’s trust for he had integrity

He knew that it would be displeasing to God and it is wicked

But Potiphar’s wife was relentless to get Joseph with her in bed.

This account is a clear manifestation of God’s presence in Joseph. He was walking with God’s Spirit so he is able to discern what is true and what is right. Without our faithful obedience and loyalty to the Lord, we will always be operating in our sinful nature, but if we are steadfast in our love to God, he will equip us with the strength to resist temptations.

Joseph showed integrity in this relentless pursuit of Potiphar’s wife to have a sexual relation with him. Joseph never forgot how God has blessed him with all the successes and bountiful comfortable life he was given when Potiphar trusted all he had with him.

We also witness the evil spirit living in Potiphar’s wife who wanted to be unfaithful to her husband and take a taste of Joseph. Because she didn’t know God, she lived in lust and a slave to her cravings.

REFLECTION

  • Can an ungodly person have integrity? Why or why not?

GENESIS 39 GOD’S AMAZING GRACE ON JOSEPH

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March 7

GENESIS 39

Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

                                                                   – Genesis 39:1-6

GENESIS 39 GOD’S AMAZING GRACE ON JOSEPH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After the attempted murder by his brothers and being sold into slavery

The Lord God continued to be with Joseph and he served Potiphar

His Egyptian master saw that Joseph was blessed by the Lord

So, he made him overseer of his house and placed him in charge

Because God was with Joseph, everything that he did was blessed

Since Joseph managed his household, Potiphar prospered.

Joseph was envied by his own brothers and was minimized, belittled and mocked by them. Joseph’s story is a perfect example of God’s amazing grace and provision. His life was full of suffering and traumas yet, he never took it personally as a punishment from God. He always knew that it was part of God’s plan. How many of us can think that way? We have a tendency to whine and complain when we get in situations where we are uncomfortable, rejected or minimized. We get angry and retaliate like his brothers did. They plotted to kill and get rid of him because they were uneasy to watch their father’s favorite be given more favor than them. All those hardships and suffering didn’t give Joseph reason to complain. Instead, he acknowledged God’s hand in all that he is going through. Thus, the blessings of the Lord were bountifully poured on him.

REFLECTION

  • How did Joseph have that very optimistic viewpoint despite all those abuses?

GENESIS 38 TAMAR AND JUDAH’S SINS EXPOSED

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March 6

GENESIS 38

20 When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her. 21 And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute[b] who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.” 22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’” 23 And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again. 27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

                                                                   – Genesis 38:20-30

GENESIS 38 TAMAR AND JUDAH’S SINS EXPOSED

The acts of Tamar deceiving his father-in-law so she can have a son and Judah using a harlot to appease his grief from his wife’s passing are both sins. Tamar’s deception was an offshoot of her vengeance for Judah not keeping his promise to have Shelah marry her when he was of age. Judah’s sexual sins were exposed when he tried to shame Tamar after discovering her pregnancy. His judgment on her bounced back at him when Tamar showed the signet, cord and staff that belonged to him. Humans automatically hide their sins until they are visibly confronted by proof of such acts. The reaction of remorse and repentance were evident when Judah admitted that his dismissal of his promise to Tamar to marry Shelah made Tamar more righteous than him. The twin sons of Tamar, one of which will be our Savior’s ancestor was the outcome of this sexual act of Judah and Tamar.

REFLECTION

  • How is “hiding” a clear manifestation of sin? Why do sinful people hide?