I know reading the Bible should be taken serious and for real life application, but the scene in Mark 18:47-50a was pretty humorous to me as I read it. 47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” I almost picture Jesus pulling a prank on the disciples, trying to scare the heck out of them. I literally laugh every time I read “He was about to pass by them…” I have to believe Jesus had a sense of humor through many of his encounters with the disciples and many of people around Him.

There is a lot going on in the last few chapters of Genesis. I think the main thing to remember is that in the end the faithfulness of one man saved God’s people. While everyone else in the region was becoming slaves or integrated into the Egyptian population, the Israelites were set apart and allowed to stay separate from the Egyptians, thus preserving the Israelite as a separate people. Looking ahead, this does cause problems for the Israelites, but once again, this is all part of God’s plan for them. It’s hard to trust God and see that he has a plan for us, but we must trust and have faith He will pull us through.