‘it will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, with sorrow to Sheol. For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I don’t bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.’ Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers. Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; since his life is bound up in the boy’s life; ‘ Genesis 44:30-33
Spending time in nature
Preparation for today’s outside activity is to hide an equal number of treasures for everyone in the family. You will hide them around the area; they can be color-coded with ribbon if desired. (This game can be done inside, just hide the trinkets around the house.) The treasures can be anything, a handful of lollies, small toys, love notes wrapped around a paperweight. Make sure someone is hiding treasure for you as well. Once everything is hidden, the search may begin. In today’s story, Joseph had, had a valuable cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. He knew where the cup would be found but had his guards search anyway. For the youngest (if you have more than one child), make the treasure different. As we explore the scriptures to understand God’s will, our hunt is closer to the family’s quest for the hidden prizes. We seek out God and His will; we don’t know how the holy spirit will lead us. The longer we seek and delve into His Word, the more pearls we will find.
Tip
Remember exploring is always good, you want to get out in nature and see the beautiful world God has created for you. When you are exploring if you find treasure you didn’t hide be kind and leave it behind.
Do Something Creative
An easy creative activity today would be to create a mug or cup out of clay that can be put in a Kiln or a cup made out of play dough. You’ll take the clay or playdough and knead it until it is pliable. Roll out the clay with the rolling pin till it is smooth and even. Place the painting sticks along both horizontal edges. The rolling pin will eventually rest on the stir sticks leaving the cup evenly thick. Cut the rough edges off on the top, bottom, and sides. Make sure to leave the clay wide enough to be as tall as you want the cup to be. Wrap the cylinder with parchment paper and wrap the clay around the cylinder to make sure it is long enough. Cut off the access (Ideally, there will be enough access to cover the bottom of the cup). Use the toothbrush to rough the edges of the cup; so they bind together easily. Bind the ends together while leaving the clay on the parchment wrapped cylinder. If the access was enough for the bottom, place the “cup” on the leftover clay and cut the edges off, so you’re left with a perfect circle. Scrape the edges of the bottom and the exposed bottom of the clay on the cylinder. Bind the two rough edges together. Water helps smooth the clay. Once the cup is formed, form a thick ribbon from the discarded clay and use it as a handle. Let the whole cup dry, fire it if you have a clay shop nearby.
What you will need:
- Clay (if you are keeping the cup)/Playdough
- Paint stir sticks
- Rolling Pin
- A Cylinder
- Parchment Paper
- An old toothbrush
Family worship idea
For family worship, read Genesis 43 and 44. 44 ends with Joseph revealing that he is their long lost brother. If the worship time is not too long, you can continue; there will be a catalyst on chapters 45,46 & 47 and then the blessings on the sons. In chapter 44, Judah pleas with Joseph “Let (me) remain here” in place of Benjamin. Jesus also bore the sins of someone He loves, you and me. While you are reading, provide string, tape, and skewer sticks; as a family, or as individuals, quietly build a Structure that can hold five or more pounds. Once you’re done reading, see if the Structure can support five pounds (a small bag of sugar). Once you are done, discuss Judah’s promise to his dad. If he couldn’t bring Benjamin back, he said he would “bear the blame forever.” Jacob may have already known from Judah would come forth the Messiah. We don’t know, but could this be the reason Jacob agreed to let Benjamin go. Ruben had once offered his two sons if Benjamin did not return, but Jacob refused. He could have allowed them to take his youngest son because he knew the food would not last much longer. We do know that Judah was faithful to his promise to his father. When Benjamin was on the verge of becoming a slave, Judah did not hesitate to take his place. We, too, have a substitute. Jesus demonstrates His own love for us in this while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Christ bear’s our sins. He is strong enough to hold up anything we place on Him.
Personal thoughts
There is no doubt that the lessons we learn from the life of Joseph are invaluable. He is an example of faith and temperance. He is a type of Christ. When his brothers came to him the first time, Joseph punished all of them for three days. Simeon’s punishment was physically longer, but all of his brothers had suffered for selling Joseph into slavery over twenty years before. They didn’t harbor hate for Benjamin but wanted to keep him safe. Joseph must have seen the pain in their eyes, and though his treatment was harsh, it was also very loving. We can’t see our ending. We don’t always know the plans God has in store for us. We know as the Molder is working with a rough block of clay, he already sees what the end result is going to be. God has His hand out, ready to guide our steps, prepared to keep us from stumbling; we need to trust Him. Joseph likely had days of despair; there is no doubt he lifted up requests for help. Our earthly life is not perfect; there are painful reminders of the consequences of sin sprinkled throughout bushels of happiness and joy. Our heavenly life is where we store up our treasures. That is where we focus our attention and what helps the cares of this world fade away. We will find out the brothers were overwhelmed by finding Joseph. Like the man on the mat, the sweet sound, “Your sins are forgiven,” was needed. He cherished these words more than the ability to walk. As we watch Joseph’s actions help God’s Plan along, we don’t believe his inaction could have stunted God’s Plan. We know Joseph’s faithfulness allowed the Plan to unfold faster. God’s Plan is like a train. The train may increase or decrease speed based on elements; there are even stops along the way, but the train never changes course. If the wind comes up and pushes the train off the track, the cars are picked up and placed back on the same “course.” God is adjusting and moving, but His perfect Plan of salvation will come to the end He always intended.
Hiding His word in your ❤
‘Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life. ‘
Romans 5:9-10
Sabbath Catalyst 