Who is Asenath?

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Do you know who Asenath is? She was the daughter of an Egyptian priest, but she is in the lineage of Christ. How could that happen?

It happened with Joseph, a son of Jacob who had visions. His brothers hated him because he was Jacob’s favorite, and they sold him to some Midianite merchants who took him to Egypt. He served Potiphar the governor until he was falsely accused and put in prison.

Years later because he had the ability to interpret dreams, he was allowed to tell Pharaoh about the coming of a famine. The king put him in charge of the harvests, and he stored up food to feed the people during the famine.

He married Asenath and she bore him two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who became two of the twelve tribes of Israel and ancestors to Jesus.

THINK ABOUT IT

As Asenath was a pagan to Israel, we were too. We were lost in our selfish, sinful lifestyle until we experienced God’s amazing love. He demonstrated his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). By no effort of our own, Jesus brought us salvation from sin and gave us new life, abundant life (John 3:16).

As Joseph had an Egyptian bride, Christ does too. His bride is the church, which is made up of people who believe Jesus’ sacrifice was for them personally and who became a kingdom of priests so others might be brought in to God’s family. Listen! There is room for everybody! If you have not received God’s amazing love, it is not too late. Do these three things and you will be joint heirs with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven: Admit you need Jesus’ love, believe that He is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6), and confess Him as Lord of your life (Romans 10:9). Then find a Bible teaching church and be baptized.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Thank you, Father God, for Jesus our Savior. Teach us to live in the light of our salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Victory After Loss

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What happens when people lose everything? Shattered dreams. Loss of home, loved ones, health, wealth. We think it only happens to other people, but it happens to real people. Jacob’s favorite son Joseph had everything. His brothers hated him, even sold him to Ishmaelites who sold him as a slave into Egypt. He was wrongfully accused and imprisoned for thirteen years. Because he was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he was made governor and saved Egypt and his people in Canaan from a terrible famine.

Job lost his family, his wealth and health. Although he complained in his suffering, he believed God was with him. In the latter part of his life, Job had greater wealth. He had seven more sons and three more daughters. His brothers and sisters celebrated his new life with him and he lived another 140 years.

When Helen Howarth became blind, her husband abandoned her. She did not give up but wrote more than five hundred hymns including a cherished song of mine, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

THINK ABOUT IT

How do people recover from unbelievable loss? Could it be their faith in God? Do they believe that wealth and honor come from God, the ruler of all things and in His hands are strength and power to strengthen all people (1 Chronicles 29:12)? The sons of Korah said it well in Psalm 84:5-7: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka (suffering), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength til each appears before God in Zion.”

PRAY ABOUT IT

O Lord, our God, many people have suffered great loss in today’s world. Rescue them with your love. Let them know your presence and help them get back on their feet. O Lord, help us all to trust you more as we go from strength to strength in You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.