Heart-attitude

Waiting Day 2 Not Abandoned: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Not Abandoned!

The Questions

1) How did Joseph respond to the events he endured and what does this teach us about enduring hardship?

2) What ways does God use waiting?

3) What heart-attitude glorifies God in seasons of waiting?

Genesis 45:1-8

Joseph could no longer keep his composure in front of all his attendants, so he called out, “Send everyone away from me!” No one was with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. 2 But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and also Pharaoh’s household heard it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please, come near me,” and they came near. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt. 5 And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. 7 God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Original Intent

1) How did Joseph respond to the events he endured and what does this teach us about enduring hardship?
Joseph’s story is one of the longest and most detailed in the whole biblical account spanning a full nineteen chapters from Genesis 37-50. His story gives us the history of God’s chosen people, the Israelites. At age 17, Joseph’s half-brothers sold him into slavery. Fueled by jealousy over their father’s favoritism, they intended to kill Joseph, but Reuben, the firstborn of the family talked them into selling him into slavery instead. As a slave, Joseph served Potiphar and was favored until Potiphar’s wife came on to him sexually and set him up to look like he had seduced her. At that point, Joseph went to prison. We don’t know his exact age at this time, but it is guessed he was around 27 or 28 years old. He had been in Egypt for over ten years. Then he spent two years in prison, all but forgotten. When he was thirty, he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and was promoted to the second highest position in power in Egypt. When his brothers arrive requesting grain during the famine (which came after seven plentiful years as predicted by Pharaoh’s dream), Joseph is 39 years old. He reveals his identity as their brother and responds by saying, “Don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here…” He could have easily been resentful and attempted to retaliate or make them earn his trust. Instead, Joseph had a God-given perspective, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.” Joseph is able to extend understanding and a reconciling forgiveness because He saw God’s greater purpose in the suffering he endured. 

2) What ways does God use waiting?
Joseph waited 22 years to see his brothers and even longer to see his father. In the course of time, he never saw his mother again. How the pain of estrangement must have burdened him for those 2+ decades! The pain of injustice also plagued him as he spent two years in jail when he had done nothing wrong. His suffering wasn’t due to his own poor choices or his sin. And yet, he endured misunderstanding, mistreatment, and what seemed like being completely forgotten to rot in prison. But, God never wastes suffering and He used the painful periods of waiting to deepen Joseph’s dependence on God and show him His trustworthy character. In Psalm 105, when it speaks of Joseph’s time in slavery, it says, “The Word of the Lord tested him (Joseph).” This phrasing means that God’s Torah, His law and His commands refined Joseph. God used this critical period of waiting to lay out His plans to not only birth the nation of Israel, but also to preserve a remnant of His chosen people so they might be strengthened, increase in number, and made to be greater than their foes. (Psalm 105:24) While God had in mind the larger national picture of His people and His eventual rescue for them through Jesus, He also was mindful of Joseph’s individual life. The Lord masterfully crafted Joseph’s sufferable waiting to be used for His holy purposes of refining Joseph’s heart and faith.

3) What heart-attitude glorifies God in seasons of waiting?
Joseph remained connected to God despite the pain and uncertainty of his circumstances. Genesis 39:2 records, “The Lord was with Joseph, and He became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.”  Joseph refused to allow temptation to draw him into sin and away from God. In Genesis 39:8-9 Joseph tells Potiphar’s wife, “My master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has put all that he owns under my authority. No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do this immense evil, and how could I sin against God?” He refused to betray God and the favor he’d been given. Joseph continued to give God credit and glory whenever he interpreted dreams, instead of praising himself, “Don’t interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8) Joseph emphasized to Pharaoh, “God will give Pharaoh the answer…” (Genesis 41:16) Over time, Joseph leaned more and more on God’s sovereignty and goodness. Towards the end of our time with Joseph, he proves his surrender by declaring to his brothers, “Am I in the place of God? You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” (Genesis 50:19-20) He knew God was far greater and His purposes ran far deeper than his own. Joseph saw his life in the context of God’s plan for His people and endured hardship in the waiting seasons because he trusted God.

Everyday Application

1) How did Joseph respond to the events he endured and what does this teach us about enduring hardship?
Joseph’s response to his long years of hardship, rejection, imprisonment, and unfair treatment, including being forgotten and left to waste away in prison was to forgive those who harmed him. He chose to see their actions in light of God’s greater plan and goodness. He humbly allowed God to shape his perspective and he viewed his life through the lens of a greater picture. In each of our lives, we also will endure hardship. Some of us will endure broken relationships, misunderstandings, being overlooked, or persecuted and rejected. All of these injuries are similar to what Joseph endured. As we live through the excruciating pain of these trials, we can remember Joseph’s example of humble trust and ask God to reshape our own perspective. We can seek to see the bigger picture and remember that regardless of what we endure, God is with us and He will use every circumstance for ultimate good. Romans 8:28 reiterates the fact that God uses all things for our good and His glory. In James 1:2-4, we are reminded that God allows trials to accomplish His good work in us, making us mature, complete, and lacking nothing. Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us to lift our eyes above the things of this world and place them where our real life is hidden with Jesus. When we gain an eternal perspective, we can see our troubles and difficulty with the same patience and faith Joseph demonstrated. 

2) What ways does God use waiting?
As He did with Joseph’s life, God uses waiting seasons in our own storylines to deepen our dependence on Him. With our desire to control, we often want to ask God for a map and compass so we can set off on our own (thank you very much). He is not the God of the map; He IS the map. I heard the story of a man lost in a jungle. Eventually, he ran into a native living in the jungle. He asked the man to show him the way out of the jungle. The man replied, “There is no way out. I am the way. Follow me.” That is what Jesus says to us. He IS the way. (John 14:6) We would rather He give us vague guidelines and leave us to our own devices, avoiding surrender. Thankfully, God loves us too much for that; He is the God of relationships and He saved us that He might restore us to relationship with Him. He uses waiting seasons to teach us to lean on Him instead of ourselves, this is God’s wonderful refinement of our souls. James writes, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) If we choose to let the Lord have His way with us, surrendering to the “full effect” of His work in our sufferable waiting, He will faithfully use us for the good benefit of others who suffer, just as He did with Joseph in restoring relationship and physically providing food for his family. (2 Corinthians 1:4-7) We never know what God is doing for both our good and the good of others while we wait in surrender to His ways. Let’s choose to surrender our will to His while we wait!

3) What heart-attitude glorifies God in seasons of waiting?
Not only does God promise to use our suffering for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28), He provides instruction on how to wait. He calls us to be “patient in affliction” (Romans 12:12), to “rejoice in the Lord always”, and “don’t worry about anything” instead choosing “prayer…with thanksgiving”. (Philippians 4:4-6) In the midst of our waiting, we are to “be strong, let your heart be courageous”. (Psalm 27:14) As we wait, He promises to renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31) and bless us (Isaiah 30:18). I associate the word “waiting” with waiters in a restaurant. What are they doing while they are waiting? Serving! As we wait on the Lord, we can serve Him with our everyday surrender. Seasons of waiting provide us with opportunities to “Trust in the Lord and do what is good.” (Psalm 37:3) If we humble ourselves before the Lord (1 Peter 5:6), He will strengthen our trust in Him, proving He will neither abandon nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) Like Joseph, we can remain connected to God despite the pain and uncertainty of our circumstances. We can resist temptation to sin and choose to give God glory for His work in our lives while trusting his sovereignty and goodness. God is far greater, and His purposes go far deeper than we perceive. We won’t always do these things perfectly in our waiting seasons. Our faith will falter. We will be tempted, and sometimes we will fall into sin. We may forget God’s goodness and even question His presence. These things happen, but we don’t need to stay here. We can acknowledge our doubt and bring it honestly to God, allowing it to be a bridge between us instead of a wall. Like the psalmist, we can tell God we are weary of waiting. (Psalm 6:6, Psalm 69:3) God is with us in our waiting!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Not Abandoned!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Waiting Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Fruitful Day 14 The Gentleness of Jesus: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Gentleness of Jesus!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)

John 13:12-17

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. 16 “Truly I tell you; a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Walking in sandals on the dusty dirty roads of Israel made foot washing a necessity before sharing a meal. Since people reclined at low tables, their feet were right next to others, not to mention the table and food. While the washing of feet was a common practice, it was highly uncommon for someone of Jesus’ stature as a revered Rabbi Teacher to perform the task reserved for household slaves. However, Jesus took it upon Himself to fulfill this lowly duty in order to model a lesson of love to His disciples. The lesson these twelve men seemed to have a hard time understanding was how necessary it was to have an attitude of servanthood toward others, just like Jesus. In Matthew 20 we read a story of two brothers, whose mom asked Jesus for a favor regarding her sons’ positions in His kingdom. It is clear from the exchange that the disciples not only expected Jesus to become an earthly king, but they also struggled significantly with pride. They felt they earned authority and power by being associated with Jesus. Cutting to the heart, Jesus responds with clarity, “you’ve got it all wrong, if you want to be great, then be a servant”. (Matthew 20:27-28, my paraphrase)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
It’s hard to say if Jesus’ instructions in the original context were meant literally as well as figuratively, but it was certainly an unforgettable scene. If you go back and read this story from the beginning of John 13, we notice that, of the men present, Jesus was the only person willing to tackle the dirty task of foot washing. The text doesn’t tell us why a servant wasn’t present to perform the job, but the other twelve disciples reclining at the table knew someone needed to do the work, yet none made any effort to do so. In that sense, one could make a case that Jesus’ words had two meanings; the first being “next time, one of you guys should do this for each other”. However, most likely, His words were meant as an example for His teaching point, “you all need to develop an attitude of serving others, which means setting your pride aside and doing things you think are beneath you”.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
Jesus’ intention was to get these men to look to Him as their example in all things. In that day, following a Rabbi literally meant to follow His every step, learning everything they could about “being a Rabbi”. This concept, however, went much deeper for Jesus’ purposes. He wasn’t trying to make “little Rabbis” who could speak and teach rhetoric like Him; He wanted them to live lives of sacrificial love as He modeled. He is the Master of Love; the disciples knew and understood He was greater than they in every regard. In a sense, Jesus was saying, “If I, the long-awaited Messiah, am willing to humble Myself and willingly take on the job of a lowly servant, you should as well”. It’s important to keep in mind that these men Jesus spoke to were the same ones who, in just a few short days, would be responsible for spreading the gospel and starting the Church by the power of God’s Spirit. Jesus needed them to think differently about Himself, others, and their role as His disciples.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Jesus washed dirty feet to be an example to those who would soon carry His message of hope, love, and freedom to the world. The One Sovereign God of All, holding all power and authority above any other, willingly took on this menial job with humility and love. Our takeaway is to have this same attitude of Christ reflected in our everyday moments. In rich teaching, the apostle Paul wrote to believers, “adopt the same attitude as Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:5-8) This heart-attitude is characterized by humility, gentleness, and a willingness to meet and serve others regardless of who they are or their position in life. While foot washing is no longer commonplace, there are thousands of menial tasks to be entered into every day in our homes, churches, and workplaces. As followers of Christ, we also need to be willing to jump in and take on those tasks regardless of whether or not it’s our specifically assigned job. Pray over these opportunities and ask the Lord to show you where you can practically reflect Christ’s heart-attitude.

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
When Jesus directed His disciples to “also…wash one another’s feet”, He was speaking more about developing, and living out, an attitude of servanthood than He was about literal foot-washing. Living with a servant’s heart requires more than simply doing what is required or finishing tasks out of guilt or obligation. Rather, true service flows from love and a willingness to meet others in their mess and jump in with humility. Once again, Paul discusses this attitude in Philippians 2:13-15 when he says, “do everything without grumbling or complaining”. It’s one thing to serve others out of obligation, or because we can’t come up with a good excuse to decline. It’s completely different to serve others from a desire to love like Jesus in the middle of others’ messiness. It’s funny how Jesus seems to provide real life examples for me each time I sit down to write. Just today, I had planned to spend the entire morning researching and writing this study. I had my cup of coffee and was headed to my laptop when my sister called needing help. Helping her would mess up my plans and, honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could help, but I went because that’s what sisters do. In the end, it wasn’t so much about helping, but being present and standing with her. With transparency, I’m not sure my attitude reflected servanthood, but I still chose to go because loving people is rarely convenient. I don’t know about you, but my own life is messy; still, that doesn’t stop Jesus from meeting me where I am and loving me on the journey. I am a work in progress, just like all of us who have surrendered to Jesus, and I’m thankful He teaches me lessons like this every day!

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
The twelve disciples played a critically important role in living out the kind of radical love Jesus had humbly modeled in front of them during His time on earth; our role as fellow Christ-followers is just as necessary. We too need to think differently about God, others, and ourselves. We have the exact same job assignment as the original twelve who witnessed Jesus act of humble love in front of them, “Go and make disciples”. (Matthew 28:19) Jesus provided us with real life, everyday examples of how to go about accomplishing His mission by meeting people and loving them exactly where they are. By serving others with humility and gentleness, we love like Him. When we don’t judge others and place ourselves higher, we love like Him. When we choose to love others in the middle of their messes, and in spite of our own inconveniences, we love like Him. The coolest part is we aren’t in this “loving others with humility” thing alone! Jesus not only wants to equip us and teach us how to love like Him through His Spirit in us, but He also invites us to ask for His divine help in every single circumstance we encounter. “Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart”. (Matthew 11:28-30) Let’s learn from the Master how to live and love like He did!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Gentleness of Jesus!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.