We are in vulnerable, but faithful, territory here – with the deep willingness of this psalmist to recognize with the ancient Hebrew community – whether in exile or safely in one’s own land – life remains patterned after Love’s creatively unpredictable, yet delightful, design.
The story of Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers is a heart-wrenching tale of jealousy, greed, and deception. Judah persuades his brothers to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites rather than kill him.
In this passage, we witness the deep-seated envy and malice that Joseph’s brothers harbor towards him.
Families can be messy and complex, filled with love, jealousy, misunderstanding, and forgiveness.
I love the Exodus story! The sacrifice always involves blood, and in this case, the blood on the doorposts symbolized God’s divine protection over God’s people.
A fresh start does not have to begin on January 1st. We do not need to wait for a new year to make resolutions or to embrace the new while letting go of the old.
One of the hardest things to do, when we have been wronged, is to forgive or to admit our own faults when we have wronged others.
The Hebrew elders, scribes, and religious leaders of the 5th century and beyond who chose to begin the collection of the 150 psalms with this psalm as the first clearly saw the importance of connecting the blessings of life with living according to God’s law.
In the story of Joseph, we see a powerful example of divine love and forgiveness.
Jacob has died. Joseph and his brothers begin fulfilling the vows their father, Jacob, asked of them.