DCLM Daily Manna Friday 27 Sept 2024
TOPIC: The Enemy Within
TEXT: Genesis 37:1-4 (KJV)
37 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.
2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
KEY VERSE
“And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.”
Genesis 37:4
DCLM Daily Manna Friday 27 Sept 2024 MESSAGE
It pains more when you are hurt or betrayed by a trusted family member or a close friend. This is amply proved in William Shakespeare’s tragic drama, Julius Caesar. In the play, the Roman general, Caesar, recognised his bosom friend, Marcus Brutus, among those who were stabbing him to death during a conspiracy by Roman senators. Caesar utters the famous Latin words, “Et tu, Brute?” (Even you, Brutus?) It has been suggested that sighting a friend among his killers dealt Caesar the last blow.
Joseph also suffered same fate. His good nature and dreams that spoke of a brighter future, along with his father’s love attracted the hatred of his older brothers. Discarding an earlier plan to murder Joseph, they threw him into a pit, sold him into slavery, and lied to their father that an “evil beast” had slain him.
READ DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 26 September 2024 – A New Creature In An Old World
Familiar terrains are the most likely breeding ground of opposition, persecution and outright hatred. Christ puts it more aptly when He said that, “a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” While this should not result in unhealthy suspicion of your friends and relatives, you need to be aware of the depth of human depravity, which has no respect for natural ties. Only salvation in Christ can destroy these tendencies and replace them with Christlike love.
Loving the foes close to you is the most potent force that can conquer them. This is the reason Jesus taught us to love our enemies. Even though they lie in wait to harm us, the Lord assures that they cannot hurt us, “for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous…And who is he that will harm you…”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Christlike love is the greatest armour against foes.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Peter 1-5
