Service Location: the Strawbridges' (2760 S Ogden St, Englewood)
Time: 10:00am
Dear Church,
On this week's episode Tim and Stephen discuss Genesis 47, where Joseph's careful preparation pays off: the brothers answer Pharaoh just as Joseph coached them, and the family receives the best of the land (as Joseph predicted) along with a commission to care for Pharaoh's own livestock. Pharaoh's question to Jacob elicits an honest account of a hard life tinged by suffering and close enough to the Flood to feel the loss of his forefathers' truly long lifespans. But the interaction begins and ends with blessing, which carries authority in part because of the weight of Jacob's life.
In a passage that drives free-market readers nuts, Joseph takes over all the money, the livestock, the land and finally the people of Egypt for Pharaoh. (Notice that the Egyptians become slaves, but the Israelites remain free!) Tim and Stephen observe that a master is responsible to feed those he owns, which solves the starvation problem, and that a flat 20% tax is a lighter burden than most of us carry today. This feudal system maintains dignity and responsibility in a way that a simple handout never could (but God still gives Israel a better system at Sinai, and Philemon changes the picture further).
Although in Egypt, Jacob makes Joseph swear to bury him in the promised land: father and son both holding fast to the covenant promises. The episode closes on Israel multiplying exceedingly in the middle of a famine, blessed by God in a despised trade. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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Here are the details for Sunday's service:
Scripture Readings:
- Psalm: Psalm 99 (Tommy)
- OT: Genesis 47 (Josh)
- NT: Matthew 13:18-23 (Charlie)
- Gospel: Romans 8:31-39 (David)
- Prayers of the People: Elena
Songs:
- Song 1: Come, Let Us.. (73, G)
- Song 2: Psalm 12 (20, Bm)
- Song 3: A Mighty Fortress (66)
- Song 4: Abide with Me (61, Bb)
- Song 5: Psalm 30 (31, Em)
- Song 6: What Wondrous.. (98, Dm)
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday!
Blessings,
Stephen and Tim
Call: Tim | Homily: Stephen | Eucharist: Stephen