Joseph: His Arms Were Made Strong (Searle)

The story of Joseph as recorded in the book of Genesis is a vital part of salvation history. Through this one man God kept alive the family from which Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world would be born. It is a glorious story and the one that David Searle tells in his new book.

In doing so the author follows the Apostle Paul who, when writing in the context of our vulnerability to temptation and referring to God's people in the OT, said 'These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings to us' (I Cor. 10:11). 'Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope' (Rom. 15:4).

Joseph, His Arms Were Made Strong takes up and illustrates many truths vital for Christian living. It is not only a a good read but will be spiritually beneficial to both young and old. It is relevant to contemporary trends and opinions both in society and the church. It draws upon long pastoral experience and is full of the down-to-earth examples. What is unusual but refreshing about the book is the author's directness in addressing the reader and his asking some personal questions. This underlines the helpfulness of the lessons drawn from Joseph's life and makes the reading a stimulus and guide to spiritual growth and personal holiness.

Table of Contents:

Foreword by Derek Prime

1. Joseph the Dreamer: Gen 37
2. ‘Filled with the Spirit’: Gen 39 & Eph 5:15-6:9
3. Joseph Tempted: Gen 39:7-20
4. Joseph in Prison: Gen 39:20-40:23 & 2 Cor 4:7-12
5. The Final Test: Gen 41:1-41
6. Joseph, Viceroy of Egypt: Gen 41:42-57
7. Steps to Repentance: Gen 42
8. Joseph Reveals Himself: Gen 43-45
9. Father and Son Reunited: Gen 46
10. The Greater Blesses the Lesser: Gen 47:1-12
11. Joseph’s Administration: Gen 47:13-26
12. Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh: Gen 47:29-48:22
13. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah: Gen 49:1-12
14. Zebulun, Issachar, and Dan: Gen 49:13-17
15. Gad, Asher, and Naphtali: Gen 49:18-21
16. Benjamin and Joseph: Gen 49:22-28
17. Guilt: Gen 50:15-21
18. Funerals: Gen 49:28–50:14, 22-26

Author 

Ordained to the ministry in 1961, David Searle has pastored three congregations, Newhills in Aberdeenshire, Labert Old in central Scotland, and Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland; he was also for ten years Director of Rutherford House, a theological research and study centre in Edinburgh. Now retired to his hometown of Arbroath in Scotland, he is married, has two sons, a daughter and eight grandchildren.