We’re going to be spending a few weeks reading a series of episodes about Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob. Christmastime is approaching when we hear stories about another Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. For example, just as the Patriarch Joseph, Joseph, the husband of Mary, also went to Egypt.
We listen today to another story about jealousy among brothers. Joseph was special, because like John the Baptist, he was born when Jacob was very old. Jacob needed to have remembered his mother Rebecca’s preference for him over Esau, and the troubles that this brought about for future generations, now including Jacob and the way he treated Joseph as his favorite. The betrayal of Joseph by his brothers is not unlike the betray of Jesus by Judas, and the denial of Peter.
How does this reading touch you and move you to trust what God is doing in your life no matter who may be angry or jealous of you?
The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy that are read each year beginning with autumn.
These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.
The Bible Through the Seasons 