Genesis 40, Mark 10, Job 6, Romans 10

Date	Version	Reading Plan
@February 7, 2024	ESV (2016)	M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Genesis 40

Genesis 40:8 (ESV) 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.”

The chief cupbearer and baker to Pharaoh of Egypt had dreams that needed to be interpreted. Joseph saw that they were troubled because there was no available Egyptian interpreter. He rightly responds that accurate interpretations belong to God and inquired of their dreams. Everything was created by Him and belongs to Him and thus is the One we are to seek first in our search for answers.

Mark 10

Mark 10:20–22 (ESV) 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Jesus loved the young, rich man by telling him what he lacked. Righteous love is bold and forthright, willing to say hard things in order to lead others to stronger faith and obedience in the Lord. The rich man’s response was not good, going away disheartened and sorrowful, but he still needed to hear the truth and Jesus loved him in speaking it to him.

Job 6

Job 6:14–16 (ESV) 14 “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away, 16 which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

Job accuses his friends of forsaking God by removing their kindness from him. This bolsters the note on Mark 10, underscoring how truth must be given from a place of love and kindness. This is no easy balance to strike and we fail in achieving it perfectly, but God is gracious and capable of working in it all the same.

Romans 10

Romans 10:12 (ESV) 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

What a marvelous verse that encompasses the gospel of our Lord. To all who come to Him in repentance and faith, who relinquish their autonomy and call on Him as Lord, He will bestow His riches. No greater joy can be had and no greater gift received than that of salvation and restored relationship with our Creator.

Carson on Genesis 40

Joseph is quite prepared to tell his predicament to the cupbearer (the servant who will be released in three days and restored to the court) in the hope that he might be released (40:14–15). Joseph’s faith in God does not mean that he becomes entirely passive. He takes open action to effect improvement in his circumstances, provided that action is stamped with integrity.

Carson makes an important point here regarding Joseph’s speech and actions. His placement in the prison was unjust and desire to be released appropriate. He did not wallow in self-pity, but moved forward in faith and integrity. How good would it be if we did likewise.

Justin Houtz