Joseph's Wife

On Sunday I briefly mentioned that Joseph was given a wife by Pharaoh.  His wife’s name is Asenath and we are told that she was the daughter of an Egyptian priest.  This detail about Joseph’s life has raised the question of whether or not Joseph sinned by marrying an Egyptian.  So what is going on here?  Well, there are a couple of things that we need to consider:

1.       Joseph goes from being a Hebrew slave and prisoner to the #2 position in the Egyptian government in an instant.  I don’t think we can even begin to understand how shocking this would have been to the people.  Having Joseph marry the daughter of a priest was Pharaoh’s way (and, more importantly, God’s way) of ensuring that Joseph would be accepted by the people.

2.   Joseph always presented in the Bible as honoring God in everything he did. He also always gives credit to God.  He is listed in the “Hall of Faith” in the book of Hebrews in the New Testament.  In short, Joseph would have never given into idolatry.

3.   The Scriptures never say anything negative about Joseph’s marriage, so God seems to have permitted it.  Joseph and Asenath have two sons (Manasseh and Ephriam) who will later become the heads of two of the tribes of Israel.  Perhaps Asenath embraced God after seeing the clear evidence of God’s power in the life of Joseph.  Even if that wasn’t the case, we can be sure that Joseph never worshipped any of the Egyptian gods or any false idols.

4.  In Exodus 34:15-16 the Mosaic Law does forbid intermarrying with anyone from the land of Canaan so that the people would not fall into idolatry.  Later passages list the specific nations that are under the ban.  However, Joseph didn’t live under the Law and didn’t marry a Canaanite woman.

Given all of the above, I don’t believe that Joseph’s marriage to Asenath was sinning against God.  God used his marriage to accomplish His will and save His covenant family.

Here’s what’s happening:

1.  TONIGHT - Youth Group and Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm.

2.  SATURDAY -  Youth Group Campfire Hangout from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

3.  May 28 – Youth Group and Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm.

4.  May 31 is “Graduation Sunday.”  We will be honoring our high school graduates during the worship service.  The youth group will have a celebration luncheon after the worship service.

5.  June 7 is “Quilt Dedication Sunday.”  We will be dedicating all of the quilts that have been knotted over the past school year.

6.  June 14 – Cruise for Christ Car Show.  We will not have Sunday School that morning.  Please plan to carpool, as parking will be somewhat limited.  Lunch is provided and we will have some activities for the kids.  Signup sheets for food donations and all the details are posted in the lobby.

7.  We will once again have a baptism service over the summer.  Please see me if you are interested in being baptized.

8.  AMEC is sponsoring a young adult gathering at Bethany Grace Fellowship on June 4 at 7 pm.  The plan is to have a time of worship and then watch “The Porch” (a young adult service streamed live from Dallas, TX). Afterward will be refreshments and an optional discussion group.  For more information contact Pastor Isaac Martin at isaac@bethanygf.org

This Sunday we will be looking at the series of interactions that Joseph has with his brothers in Egypt.  Joseph puts his brothers in a familiar position - the life of the favorite son of their father is in jeopardy. Has anything changed with them in 20 years? We'll find out the answer to that question and consider what true confession and repentance looks like and why we need it in our lives today!