Experience the Bible
Elizabeth Pietrantonio takes readers on a daily journey through scripture, reflecting on God’s faithfulness to His people and our response to His love. Approaching the Bible story through an historical timeline following the fourteen narrative books, she connects the events of the Old Testament with their fulfillment in the New, gently challenging readers to pursue lives of holiness and devotion to God.
Each day, readers will discover how the passages relate to their own personal journeys. With a re-energized faith, they will pray more fervently and see God’s hand not only in the history of the world, but in their own lives as well. Readers will enjoy the adventure as they cheer on the heroes, plunge into despair with the prophets, and fight alongside the people. Daily reflections and quotes from saints, Christian writers and theologians engage readers in the world they live in today. By the end of the 365-day journey, readers will see their own journeys in light of salvation history.
Although written from a Catholic perspective, Experience the Bible can inspire readers from all church traditions to fall in love with God’s Word and apply it to their lives daily. It is an ideal resource and will make an excellent addition to many personal and church libraries.
PERIOD - THE FATHERS - ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB
DAY 22—GO TO JOSEPH
Genesis 41–42
Job 33–34
Proverbs 4:1–9
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are.” … Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do.” – Genesis 41:39, 55
Joseph is the interpreter of dreams who was called out of prison to hear the dreams of the Pharaoh and provide an interpretation. Joseph ensures the Pharaoh understands that the interpretation will come from God. He always acknowledges God’s presence and goodness in all that he does, and he also provides practical advice on how to implement God’s plan.
This is such an important lesson for us. “Throughout the course of the centuries, men have labored to better the circumstances of their lives through a monumental amount of individual and collective effort. To believers, this point is settled: considered in itself, this human activity accords with God’s will.” (Gaudium et spes, §34)[1] God wants us to participate in His plans through our creativity, initiative, and efforts for the love of Him.
Reflect on the activities you perform in your daily life. The dishes you wash. The gardens you plant. These are only activities until you do them for the love of God. Then they become labor according to God’s salvific plan. They are just one thread in God’s tapestry, and all our threads unite to create the colors that make the tapestry resplendent!
As you read through these chapters of Genesis today, remember the bigger story. God created us good. Because evil has entered the world, God has a plan. We are all part of that plan, and for that reason, all that we do, all that we think, all that we become are offered up for the love of God. Don’t lose sight of the big picture when you are so focused on the small.
“We should always look upon ourselves as God’s servants, placed in God’s world, to do his work; and accordingly labour faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.”
– Reverend David Brainerd
[1] Pope Paul VI, Gaudium Et Spes, last modified December 7, 1965, accessed August 31, 2022, https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html.