January 15
Today’s Reading
Genesis 37–38
Psalm 7
Luke 15
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Scripture Focus
“But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”
Genesis 37:4 NLT
“But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.”
Genesis 37:11 NLT
“She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.” And Judah never slept with Tamar again.
Genesis 38:26 NLT
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Summary – Genesis 37–38 & Psalm 7
Genesis 37 introduces us to Joseph’s family wounds—favoritism, jealousy, and hatred left unchecked. What began as jealousy in the heart grew into cruelty, deception, and betrayal. Joseph’s brothers never dealt with what was brewing inside them, and it blinded them to what God was actually doing. The dreams Joseph received were not for harm, but for preservation—for their good. Yet anger closed their spiritual eyes.
Genesis 38 shifts to Judah, whose own sin and avoidance of responsibility come to the surface. This chapter feels uncomfortable, but it reveals something important: God exposes sin not to destroy us, but to bring truth into the light. Judah’s confession marks a turning point—acknowledgment instead of denial.
Psalm 7 reminds us that God sees the heart. He is a righteous Judge who examines motives, not just actions. Hidden anger, jealousy, and hatred do not stay hidden forever. What we refuse to surrender will eventually surface.
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Devotion
Unchecked anger, hatred, and jealousy never stay small. They grow. They multiply. They harden the heart.
Joseph’s brothers did not deal with their anger after Shechem. They carried unresolved wounds, offense, and resentment—and when Joseph came with dreams from God, those emotions exploded. Instead of asking, “What might God be doing?” they reacted from wounded pride. Their jealousy blocked their ability to discern God’s purposes.
That is what unchecked sin does. It clouds spiritual vision. It distorts perspective. It causes us to misinterpret God’s work as a threat instead of a gift.
Judah’s story reminds us that ignoring responsibility does not remove guilt. But confession opens the door to restoration. When Judah finally spoke truth—“She is more righteous than I”—something shifted. God can work with humility. He cannot work with hidden sin.
Psalm 7 calls us to let God search us. Before anger becomes hatred… before jealousy becomes cruelty… before resentment becomes destruction—we must bring it to the Lord.
And then Luke 15 shows us the heart of God: a Father who runs toward repentance, not away from it. Whether we see ourselves in Joseph’s brothers, in Judah, or in the prodigal—God is always inviting us back into the light.
⸻
Lesson for Me
If I do not deal with anger, jealousy, and resentment at the heart level, they will eventually control my actions and cloud my spiritual sight. God’s purposes may be unfolding right in front of me, but I can miss them if my heart is not surrendered.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Is there any unresolved anger, jealousy, or resentment I have been ignoring or justifying?
2.Have past wounds shaped how I respond to what God is doing in others?
3.What is the Lord asking me to confess, release, or surrender today?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, search my heart. Expose anything in me that does not reflect Your truth or Your love. I don’t want unchecked anger or jealousy to blind me to Your work. Heal what is wounded, soften what is hardened, and help me respond with humility and obedience. I want a heart that sees clearly and follows You fully. Amen.
Today’s Reading
Genesis 37–38
Psalm 7
Luke 15
⸻
Scripture Focus
“But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”
Genesis 37:4 NLT
“But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.”
Genesis 37:11 NLT
“She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.” And Judah never slept with Tamar again.
Genesis 38:26 NLT
⸻
Summary – Genesis 37–38 & Psalm 7
Genesis 37 introduces us to Joseph’s family wounds—favoritism, jealousy, and hatred left unchecked. What began as jealousy in the heart grew into cruelty, deception, and betrayal. Joseph’s brothers never dealt with what was brewing inside them, and it blinded them to what God was actually doing. The dreams Joseph received were not for harm, but for preservation—for their good. Yet anger closed their spiritual eyes.
Genesis 38 shifts to Judah, whose own sin and avoidance of responsibility come to the surface. This chapter feels uncomfortable, but it reveals something important: God exposes sin not to destroy us, but to bring truth into the light. Judah’s confession marks a turning point—acknowledgment instead of denial.
Psalm 7 reminds us that God sees the heart. He is a righteous Judge who examines motives, not just actions. Hidden anger, jealousy, and hatred do not stay hidden forever. What we refuse to surrender will eventually surface.
⸻
Devotion
Unchecked anger, hatred, and jealousy never stay small. They grow. They multiply. They harden the heart.
Joseph’s brothers did not deal with their anger after Shechem. They carried unresolved wounds, offense, and resentment—and when Joseph came with dreams from God, those emotions exploded. Instead of asking, “What might God be doing?” they reacted from wounded pride. Their jealousy blocked their ability to discern God’s purposes.
That is what unchecked sin does. It clouds spiritual vision. It distorts perspective. It causes us to misinterpret God’s work as a threat instead of a gift.
Judah’s story reminds us that ignoring responsibility does not remove guilt. But confession opens the door to restoration. When Judah finally spoke truth—“She is more righteous than I”—something shifted. God can work with humility. He cannot work with hidden sin.
Psalm 7 calls us to let God search us. Before anger becomes hatred… before jealousy becomes cruelty… before resentment becomes destruction—we must bring it to the Lord.
And then Luke 15 shows us the heart of God: a Father who runs toward repentance, not away from it. Whether we see ourselves in Joseph’s brothers, in Judah, or in the prodigal—God is always inviting us back into the light.
⸻
Lesson for Me
If I do not deal with anger, jealousy, and resentment at the heart level, they will eventually control my actions and cloud my spiritual sight. God’s purposes may be unfolding right in front of me, but I can miss them if my heart is not surrendered.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Is there any unresolved anger, jealousy, or resentment I have been ignoring or justifying?
2.Have past wounds shaped how I respond to what God is doing in others?
3.What is the Lord asking me to confess, release, or surrender today?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, search my heart. Expose anything in me that does not reflect Your truth or Your love. I don’t want unchecked anger or jealousy to blind me to Your work. Heal what is wounded, soften what is hardened, and help me respond with humility and obedience. I want a heart that sees clearly and follows You fully. Amen.
Luke 15 …..