Bible Reading: Genesis 42 | John 14 | Psalm 42
Devotional for February 27, 2025
Reading: Genesis 42 | John 14 | Psalm 42
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Genesis 42
There are two scenes in this chapter. The first scene describes the events that take place in Canaan. We note that description in 42:1-5 and 42:29-38. The middle scene describes the events that occur when Jacob's sons go to Egypt to buy grain because the famine was great in the land (42:5).
The first scene contains the instructions from Jacob to go to the land of Egypt to buy grain. The famine predicted in Ch. 41 has arrived. Therefore, these events are at least seven years since Joseph was promoted as governor of Egypt. Benjamin did not travel with his brothers because Jacob feared harm would come to him (42:4). That decision would prove helpful to Joseph very shortly.
The middle scene of the chapter finds the brothers in Egypt. Immediately, Joseph recognizes them and begins to interrogate them. The Lord uses the events in this section to awaken the brothers' consciences for what they had done to Joseph. Joseph accuses them of being spies, then presses them about the family's welfare and demands that they bring the youngest to him (Benjamin). Joseph then confines them to prison for three days. After their release, he reiterates the words given to them previously. Reuben is stricken with guilt and rebukes his brothers for the harm they brought Joseph. Before returning home, Joseph sets them up by secretly returning their money in their bags. Upon discovering it, they were fearful because they feared God and the king of Egypt.
The final scene finds the brothers back in Canaan. There, they retell the events that occurred while they were in Egypt. Fear struck the house as they showed their father the money. Jacob is grieved at the demands of Joseph to return with Benjamin.
These events serve a singular purpose in the life of Joseph's brothers: to press their conscience for their sin against Joseph. There will be times in our lives when we resist the discipline of God. As a result, circumstances may come to us to remind us to fear him and walk in his ways. Those events that occur to us should not be resisted but seen as God's loving care because he loves his own and disciplines his children (Heb. 12).
John 14
John 14 contains two sections. The first (14:1-14) includes words of comfort to the troubled disciples. Jesus told them what would take place shortly. He tells them of his impending death and will leave them soon (12:31-35). As a result, the hearts of the disciples are troubled. The context of this section is framed by the words of Christ when he tells them, "Let not your hearts be troubled." He then tells them of his plans to go and prepares a place for them where he is and where they will be. Thomas asks the Lord about this place and the way to it, to which Jesus responds with a verse that most of us know well: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14:6). Then, responding to Philip, Jesus makes an astounding declaration: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." That is another of the numerous references to the deity of Christ in the gospel of John. This section teaches us many things. First, Jesus is a kind, compassionate Savior who desires to comfort his people. There will be many times in our lives that we will need this comfort, and it is that which we can count on with certainty. Second, Jesus proclaims with absolute clarity that he is the only means by which one can be saved. Regardless of the assertions of many in our world today, Christ alone is the only way to eternal life.
The second section (14:15-31) highlights the hope of another Comforter sent by the Father and the Son to help and encourage God's people. The Holy Spirit is the one who will be with them as they move out into the world, proclaiming the gospel to others. He is also the one who will teach them all that they need to know. He belongs to God's people today as well. We have the same hope of the same Comforter who is with us, guiding, leading, and teaching us all we need to know. He is the one who illuminates our minds and hearts to the truths of the Word of God. Without him, we would know nothing. As such, we should ask the Father for help each day (See Luke 11).
Psalm 42
Psalm 42 begins Book Two of the Psalter and heads this section of the Psalms with a desire to be in the presence of the Lord in corporate worship. Psalm 42 and 43 have the same theme and should be taken together. They both contain three stanzas. Both laments highlight the psalmist's desire to worship but is prevented due to providential circumstances.
42:1-4
This section sets the foundation and theme of the psalmist's desire to gather with God's people in worship publicly. It is filled with deep emotion and imagery as he tries to convey his heart's agony for being prevented from worship. Consider:
The picture of a deer panting for water – it is thirsty and looks for relief in water. The psalmist compares this with the soul's desire to worship the God of heaven.
The picture of tears that flow from the eyes of the psalmist – whether literal or figurative the emotion is evident. The psalmist is in deep emotional pain because he cannot be in worship.
We should feel this way when we are prevented from worship for providential reasons: sickness, health, and other matters that fall within this category of providential hindrance should cause us to ache and lament. Sadly, too many people don't miss worship when prevented from being there. It is a heart problem. Do we long for it like the psalmist conveys it in this section?
42:5-10
This section, simply put and summarized, highlights the agony of the psalmist because of evil people. His soul is cast down; he is depressed (yes, Christians do get depressed). Two times in this section, he mentions that his soul is cast down, but he also decides to revive it again, though he is prevented from the ordinary means of worship. He places his hope in the Lord, and he reminds himself of the Lord's unfailing love for him.
42:11
The final section again asks, "Why are you cast down?" It isn't that the psalmist doesn't know the answer. He knows. He has just written it down. He says it to remind himself to "hope in God." God will restore the broken days that keep us from worship. He will bring his people to the public gathering of the saints. He will do it, indeed, on that great day when we will worship him with the myriads of saints and angels. Therefore, hope in the Lord.