Bible Study & Devotional (January 23, 2021)
🔴 Famine & Reform
We are at the third famine recorded in Genesis. (1st Gen 10:12, 2nd Gen 26:1) Joseph reunites with his family and welcomes the opportunity to serve them in an elevated official position. God restored the love, and the covenant continues.
Chapter 47 of Genesis presents a complex contrast of events. While Joseph was gracious and lenient with his family, to the Egyptians, he was not. Perhaps the political reforms to sustain life were the priority allowing a fraction of the elite to enjoy measured comfort.
What is a famine?
Famine is a widespread scarcity of food caused by war, inflation, crop failure, population imbalance, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality. (Google Definition)
What is reform?
To make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) to improve it. To amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses.
Famine-reform? To starve abusive policies by restricting access to its nutrition source to improve the practice of life.
Proverbs 4:14 “Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.”
In Matthew 15, Jesus teaches the Pharisees about inner purity. To starve out the old human traditions and follow God’s command. Barriers prevent access to more profound understanding. We, as Christ-followers, should consider how we are leading our lives.
- Have we taken a parasitic approach to kindness (only doing for those who can return it)?
- Which of your character traits need reforming?
~Torrie Slaughter
This devotional was submitted by Torrie Slaughter, the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Genesis 46:1-47:31, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 4:14-19
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
