Day 15

The theme for this week is the sovereignty of God.  The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology defines the Sovereignty of God as “The biblical teaching that God is king, supreme ruler, and lawgiver of the entire universe.”
We will see this important truth in the lives of two men, Joseph and Job.  In Joseph’s life we see him go from being wrongly imprisoned to second in command in all of Egypt.  In the life of Job we will meet a righteous man who must come to grips with trials and tribulations that are brought into his life.  Each day this week you will see God’s sovereignty powerfully demonstrated in the lives of these two men.  
I also want to add a word about why you are reading Job right after Genesis in our chronological reading.  Job is a godly man but makes no mention of God’s law given to Moses and he performs his own sacrifices (Job 42:8).  Both of these would not make sense if Job lived after Moses.  Scholars generally agree that the events of Job best fit during the time of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob).

It was a courageous choice full of integrity that landed Joseph in jail, but it was the sovereign hand of God that brought him out.  Joseph had no ability to change his position.  Through the series of events you read today God brought about restoration for Joseph.  However, it is not as though Joseph didn’t do anything.  I see three key things Joseph did:
1)  Joseph worked hard for the chief jailer,
2)  Joseph exercised wisdom and the gift of interpreting dreams,
3)  Joseph exercised patience, spending over two years in jail.
Indeed, Joseph did his part and so did God.  God orchestrated different meetings, gave dreams to people, and gave Joseph the wisdom and ability to interpret those dreams.  Thus, we see an important principle: God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility work hand in hand in our lives.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?