FAITH
We began our study marveling at the faith of Abraham. We observed him choose trust ... choose to believe God and to take Him at His word. We watched Abraham obey God. The faith of Abraham teaches us the place of obedience in our lives. It is necessary for the one who longs to walk with God. We read of Jesus stating this principle in John 14. He says, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:21) And in verse 23 He says, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching."
Do you want to walk with God? Do you want to walk in faith? Then obedience matters. It's not optional. It matters everyday of our lives. It matters today ... even in the smallest details.
We closed our study with Joseph. We observed him choose integrity and forgiveness. We watched him choose to walk rightly before God even in the harshest and most difficult of circumstances. And then we marveled at his ability and willingness to forgive. When Jesus teaches us how to pray, He includes this sentence: "Forgive us our sins as we also have forgiven those who sin against us." (Matthew 6:12)
Do you want to walk with God? Do you want to walk in faith? Then forgiveness matters. It's not optional. It matters everyday of our lives. It matters today ... in both the small and the large circumstances. We forgive because God forgives. We forgive because we have been forgiven. How dare we hold grudges against those who have hurt us when our God has released us from any guilt over the hurt we have caused?! Recognize that forgiveness is a process ... it is a decision ... you make the decision in your mind first ... the emotions follow later. It takes faith to forgive. Faith that God knows what He is talking about when He tells us that we need to do this. It takes trusting that God has our highest good in mind when He tells us to becomes 'forgivers' and to accept His forgiveness.
FAITH
I have loved walking through the lives of these two great men with you. I love the study of Genesis. There is so much to learn about God ... about people ... about myself. I want to close our study with words from Naomi Rosenblatt from her book, "Wrestling with Angels". She closes her book on Genesis with these words:
"So ends the book of Genesis. But as its name implies, Genesis is merely the beginning of a much longer story that extends over thirty-nine books of the Hebrew Bible - and over all the intervening generations connecting Abraham's family to our own. So long as life continues on this planet, the human drama will renew itself in every generation. So long as we persist in beginning, the creation continues. ... There are two powerful and interdependent calls that resound throughout Genesis: 'Go forth' and 'Fear not'. 'Go forth' addresses the active dimension of our lives. 'Fear not' addresses our spiritual dimension. ... Go forth and fear not. But how? By always reminding ourselves that we are created in God's image, that we are endowed with intellect and free will, compassion and responsibility, conscience and creativity. That what we do matters. That our life, and all life, is infinitely precious.
Go forth ... and fear not. ...
And the story begins again."
P.S. Our next study will begin in January. We will talk a stroll through the gospel of John and draw closer in relationship with our Lord, Jesus. Join us ...
November 16, 2010
November 11, 2010
Abraham/Joseph Week 10 Day 3
Read Genesis 49:29 - 50:26
Jacob's work is done. His days on this earth were at an end. He knew it. And so he "drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last" (49:33) I love the way scripture describes what happened next ... "and he was gathered to his people." His body will be buried. And since he is living in Egypt, it is done according to Egyptian custom. But there is something so much stronger in the words - gathered to his people. Henry Morris describes is like this: "Jacob was not merely to be buried with the bodies of his people, but he was to join them in their life beyond the grave, awaiting the coming of Messiah and the great resurrection day."
Jacob is now - with his people. His final testimony to his offspring has to do with their returning to the land promised to them through Abraham and Isaac. He reminds them that, while prospering in Egypt, it is not their home. We must not forget that truth ourselves! This place is not our home. It's all we know and so we often cling to it harder than is wise. Remind yourself again today ... there is a promised land that is ours ... a kingdom where we DO belong ... a kingdom we have only a foretaste of among God's people here ... THAT is home. And one day ...
Jacob's burial processional was quite dramatic! The description of the entourage is staggering. What a journey Jacob has had during his lifetime. What a transformation from a deceiving young man, manipulated by so many women, in the pit of despair over the loss of treasured son ... to a true patriarch among God's people. He had wrestled with God earlier in his life and stated then that he would not turn loose until he was blessed. Well ... Jacob didn't turn loose ... and God blessed him.
It is interesting to note how the brothers reacted after Jacob was gone. Their guilt has not been assuaged. Their fear resurfaces. And the family pattern returns - create a lie to cover yourself! Maybe Jacob had really told them to say those things to Joseph ... but I don't think so. I think they made it up. And we witness another emotional scene. Family damage runs deep. Joseph assures them again that he holds no bitterness toward them. He repeats how God has used him to bring good and to sustain life. Perhaps - now - the brothers can be free from the guilt of their sin. I love Psalm 32:5:
The book of Genesis closes with the very understated death of Joseph. He, too, has said to take his bones out of Egypt. Isn't it interesting to notice that Joseph went to Egypt at 17 years old and lived his entire life there. But, once again, he knew it was not his home. And so - the book of Genesis closes - but the story continues ...
About 400 years pass and we read in Exodus 13:19: You see ... the story continues ...
There will be one more post for this series as we wrap up our study. Be thinking about lessons that have been meaningful to you from the study of these two great patriarchs ... Abraham and Joseph.
Jacob's work is done. His days on this earth were at an end. He knew it. And so he "drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last" (49:33) I love the way scripture describes what happened next ... "and he was gathered to his people." His body will be buried. And since he is living in Egypt, it is done according to Egyptian custom. But there is something so much stronger in the words - gathered to his people. Henry Morris describes is like this: "Jacob was not merely to be buried with the bodies of his people, but he was to join them in their life beyond the grave, awaiting the coming of Messiah and the great resurrection day."
Jacob is now - with his people. His final testimony to his offspring has to do with their returning to the land promised to them through Abraham and Isaac. He reminds them that, while prospering in Egypt, it is not their home. We must not forget that truth ourselves! This place is not our home. It's all we know and so we often cling to it harder than is wise. Remind yourself again today ... there is a promised land that is ours ... a kingdom where we DO belong ... a kingdom we have only a foretaste of among God's people here ... THAT is home. And one day ...
Jacob's burial processional was quite dramatic! The description of the entourage is staggering. What a journey Jacob has had during his lifetime. What a transformation from a deceiving young man, manipulated by so many women, in the pit of despair over the loss of treasured son ... to a true patriarch among God's people. He had wrestled with God earlier in his life and stated then that he would not turn loose until he was blessed. Well ... Jacob didn't turn loose ... and God blessed him.
It is interesting to note how the brothers reacted after Jacob was gone. Their guilt has not been assuaged. Their fear resurfaces. And the family pattern returns - create a lie to cover yourself! Maybe Jacob had really told them to say those things to Joseph ... but I don't think so. I think they made it up. And we witness another emotional scene. Family damage runs deep. Joseph assures them again that he holds no bitterness toward them. He repeats how God has used him to bring good and to sustain life. Perhaps - now - the brothers can be free from the guilt of their sin. I love Psalm 32:5:
Then I acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" - and you forgave the guilt of my sin.Only God can remove the stain of guilt. Only God can offer you a clean conscience through the blood of Jesus. Let Him ... believe Him ... He can and will take away the guilt.
The book of Genesis closes with the very understated death of Joseph. He, too, has said to take his bones out of Egypt. Isn't it interesting to notice that Joseph went to Egypt at 17 years old and lived his entire life there. But, once again, he knew it was not his home. And so - the book of Genesis closes - but the story continues ...
About 400 years pass and we read in Exodus 13:19: You see ... the story continues ...
"Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.'"
There will be one more post for this series as we wrap up our study. Be thinking about lessons that have been meaningful to you from the study of these two great patriarchs ... Abraham and Joseph.
November 10, 2010
Abraham/Joseph Week 10 Day 2
Read Genesis 49.
We continue to listen to Jacob on his deathbed as he passes on "blessing" to his offspring, his twelve sons. We observed in chapter 48 that Joseph received the traditional 'double portion' of the first born. This was done by including both of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as direct descendants of Jacob. In chapter 49, Jacob speaks to each of his sons.
As you read the comments, one might question whether or not some of them sound much like 'blessings'. And it is true that some harsh things are said. But think with me for a moment ... can something said that sounds harsh be a warning? And - if a warning - is it not a blessing? It seems that Jacob, recognizing certain character traits and tendencies in his sons, gives each a preview of what will be grief and what will bring joy.
Let's make a few observations ...
To Reuben (vs. 3 - 4). Reuben was the actual first-born. That came with privileges - privileges that he obviously did not honor. His sin of making love to Jacob's 'wife' Bilhah brought dishonor on him and dramatically effected his legacy. Perhaps it was an undisciplined, lustful character that Jacob called "turbulent". Lessons? Sin has consequences. Of course, unconfessed sin outside of the grace of God has eternal consequences. But even confessed, forgiven sin carries consequences. So we take them to Jesus - knowing that He will strengthen and enable us to walk through whatever consequences come.
To Simeon and Levi (vs. 5 - 7). These two brothers were the ones who orchestrated the massacre of the men of Shechem. They apparently had a violent, blood-thirsty nature. Jacob says they are to be scattered. Banding together would give a strength that they needed to not have. Simeon never had a strong tribe. Some of the Simeonites were captured and ending up living in the lands of the Edomites and Amalekites (1 Chron 15:9) "Apparently they were eventually either mostly assimilated by Judah or scattered outside of Israel altogether, and little is heard of them after the days of King Asa" (Henry Morris: The Genesis Record) Levi's descendants become the servants of the Temple and the priestly tribe - so they have no land of their own but are scattered amongst the other tribes. Lessons? Beware "mob mentality". We are all susceptible to it. Be cautious before you jump on any one's bandwagon. Think. Pray.
To Judah (vs. 8 - 12). As I have mentioned earlier, Judah becomes "grown up" and takes on a leadership role in the family. He takes on responsibility. He develops into an honorable man. And Jacob acknowledges these things in his comments to and about him. When the country splits into a northern kingdom and a southern kingdom, the southern kingdom carries the name, Judah. The most exciting verse in this blessing is verse 10. King David will later come from Judah. And Judah became the prominent tribe from then on. Notice that the "scepter" would not depart from Judah "until he comes to whom it belongs". And we see another promise of the coming of Messiah ... of Jesus. Matthew 1:1 - the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus - and Judah's name is in verse 3. Lessons? Grow up! There is virtue and beauty and honor in growing up ... becoming a mature man or mature woman ... growing up into our head, even Christ.
We don't know too much about the other brothers mentioned until we get to Joseph in verse 22. Jacob describes Joseph as "a fruitful vine". Joseph had named his second son Manasseh, meaning, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." A fruitful vine ... Lessons? Are you one? I want to be one! How do we do that? Jesus gives us clear instruction ...
We continue to listen to Jacob on his deathbed as he passes on "blessing" to his offspring, his twelve sons. We observed in chapter 48 that Joseph received the traditional 'double portion' of the first born. This was done by including both of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as direct descendants of Jacob. In chapter 49, Jacob speaks to each of his sons.
As you read the comments, one might question whether or not some of them sound much like 'blessings'. And it is true that some harsh things are said. But think with me for a moment ... can something said that sounds harsh be a warning? And - if a warning - is it not a blessing? It seems that Jacob, recognizing certain character traits and tendencies in his sons, gives each a preview of what will be grief and what will bring joy.
Let's make a few observations ...
To Reuben (vs. 3 - 4). Reuben was the actual first-born. That came with privileges - privileges that he obviously did not honor. His sin of making love to Jacob's 'wife' Bilhah brought dishonor on him and dramatically effected his legacy. Perhaps it was an undisciplined, lustful character that Jacob called "turbulent". Lessons? Sin has consequences. Of course, unconfessed sin outside of the grace of God has eternal consequences. But even confessed, forgiven sin carries consequences. So we take them to Jesus - knowing that He will strengthen and enable us to walk through whatever consequences come.
To Simeon and Levi (vs. 5 - 7). These two brothers were the ones who orchestrated the massacre of the men of Shechem. They apparently had a violent, blood-thirsty nature. Jacob says they are to be scattered. Banding together would give a strength that they needed to not have. Simeon never had a strong tribe. Some of the Simeonites were captured and ending up living in the lands of the Edomites and Amalekites (1 Chron 15:9) "Apparently they were eventually either mostly assimilated by Judah or scattered outside of Israel altogether, and little is heard of them after the days of King Asa" (Henry Morris: The Genesis Record) Levi's descendants become the servants of the Temple and the priestly tribe - so they have no land of their own but are scattered amongst the other tribes. Lessons? Beware "mob mentality". We are all susceptible to it. Be cautious before you jump on any one's bandwagon. Think. Pray.
To Judah (vs. 8 - 12). As I have mentioned earlier, Judah becomes "grown up" and takes on a leadership role in the family. He takes on responsibility. He develops into an honorable man. And Jacob acknowledges these things in his comments to and about him. When the country splits into a northern kingdom and a southern kingdom, the southern kingdom carries the name, Judah. The most exciting verse in this blessing is verse 10. King David will later come from Judah. And Judah became the prominent tribe from then on. Notice that the "scepter" would not depart from Judah "until he comes to whom it belongs". And we see another promise of the coming of Messiah ... of Jesus. Matthew 1:1 - the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus - and Judah's name is in verse 3. Lessons? Grow up! There is virtue and beauty and honor in growing up ... becoming a mature man or mature woman ... growing up into our head, even Christ.
We don't know too much about the other brothers mentioned until we get to Joseph in verse 22. Jacob describes Joseph as "a fruitful vine". Joseph had named his second son Manasseh, meaning, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." A fruitful vine ... Lessons? Are you one? I want to be one! How do we do that? Jesus gives us clear instruction ...
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ... Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15: 1 - 5)So ... to be a fruitful vine like Joseph ... remain in the Lord. Live in Him. Set up your housekeeping in Him. Make your 'nest' there. Be like a turtle ... take your house with you so that you can remain in it at all times! And allow Him to bear fruit in your life. Be a fruitful vine ...
November 8, 2010
Abraham/Joseph Week 10 Day 1
Read Genesis 48
Beginning in chapter 48 of Genesis we walk into the deathbed scene of Jacob. This is one of the only people that we get such a detailed description of the time around their death. Jacob has lived 17 years in Egypt - 17 years longer than he anticipated! It seems he had been prepared to die when he saw Joseph again (Genesis 46:30). He had already told Joseph to be sure to not bury him in Egypt - take his bones back to Canaan - the land of covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and himself. Joseph had agreed to that plan.
I love the closing of chapter 47. "and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." I see an old man - at peace with God - worshiping. We never retire from the need to worship God. It forever is appropriate behavior from us. We are never too old ... to wise ... to tired ... to worship. Have you done that today?
What unfolds in the next 3 chapters is a beautiful passing on of heritage - of blessing - of this grand, old Patriarch pronouncing upon his progeny their place in the plan of God. There are three things that I want to mention for your consideration from chapter 48.
First, Jacob gives Joseph the "double portion" that traditionally went to the first-born. A father had the right to make that call. Reuben, the first son that Jacob fathered, had proven himself unworthy when he slept with Bilhah, one of Jacob's 'wives'. But more than that ... I think Jacob truly saw Joseph as his first born. He never wanted another wife other than Rachel. She was the woman who captured his heart, his love and his actual request for marriage. The other women came because of deception and manipulation. So Joseph, through his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, receives the double portion. In reality, Jacob "adopts" these boys and they become heirs along with the other sons of Jacob. Therefore, as you read later about the 12 tribes of Israel, you do not read of a tribe of Joseph ... there are 2 tribes from Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Second, don't miss the power of one's story. Jacob tells Joseph his "testimony" - a bit of his life story in 48: 1 - 11. I suspect some of these details had been told to him when he was a boy ... but how differently he would hear them now that he was a man. I can see Joseph hanging on every word. Be sure that you are passing on "your story" to your children. If your children are now adults ... let them hear again the how and the why you are who you are.
Third, there are 2 "firsts" in Genesis 48: 15 - 16. One is the reference to God as a shepherd. This is the first time that image is used. It is such a tender and poignant one. We will find it many more times in scripture but the first is here ... where an old man, about to die, recognizes and verbalizes that God has shepherded him all the days of his life - through the good and the bad, the righteous and the unrighteous. God is a faithful shepherd. He was to Jacob ... and He is to you. Can you do that right now? Will you stop a moment and think of the ways that God has been your shepherd all your days to this point? It will increase our confidence to walk upright into whatever our future days hold. "The Lord is my shepherd ... I want for nothing." (Psalm 23:1)
The other "first" is in verse 16. The NIV translates "the Angel who has delivered me from all harm..." The Hebrew word is the word for "redeemed". A more literal translation would read: "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil..." The "Angel" is none other than the preincarnate Jesus. Jacob recognized that His work is redemption. And His work is still redemption - reclaiming precious souls, created in the image of God, back into the family of God.
This intimate exchange between Joseph and his father closes with Jacob reassuring Joseph that "God will be with you."
You know that, don't you? You don't walk through any of the struggles you face alone. Even when you feel the most abandoned and alone - "God is with you". Oh - may we know that truth deep within our core! May we rest in the surety of it. May we stand in the confidence of it. May we walk in the steadiness of it.
Blessed assurance ...
Beginning in chapter 48 of Genesis we walk into the deathbed scene of Jacob. This is one of the only people that we get such a detailed description of the time around their death. Jacob has lived 17 years in Egypt - 17 years longer than he anticipated! It seems he had been prepared to die when he saw Joseph again (Genesis 46:30). He had already told Joseph to be sure to not bury him in Egypt - take his bones back to Canaan - the land of covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and himself. Joseph had agreed to that plan.
I love the closing of chapter 47. "and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." I see an old man - at peace with God - worshiping. We never retire from the need to worship God. It forever is appropriate behavior from us. We are never too old ... to wise ... to tired ... to worship. Have you done that today?
What unfolds in the next 3 chapters is a beautiful passing on of heritage - of blessing - of this grand, old Patriarch pronouncing upon his progeny their place in the plan of God. There are three things that I want to mention for your consideration from chapter 48.
First, Jacob gives Joseph the "double portion" that traditionally went to the first-born. A father had the right to make that call. Reuben, the first son that Jacob fathered, had proven himself unworthy when he slept with Bilhah, one of Jacob's 'wives'. But more than that ... I think Jacob truly saw Joseph as his first born. He never wanted another wife other than Rachel. She was the woman who captured his heart, his love and his actual request for marriage. The other women came because of deception and manipulation. So Joseph, through his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, receives the double portion. In reality, Jacob "adopts" these boys and they become heirs along with the other sons of Jacob. Therefore, as you read later about the 12 tribes of Israel, you do not read of a tribe of Joseph ... there are 2 tribes from Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Second, don't miss the power of one's story. Jacob tells Joseph his "testimony" - a bit of his life story in 48: 1 - 11. I suspect some of these details had been told to him when he was a boy ... but how differently he would hear them now that he was a man. I can see Joseph hanging on every word. Be sure that you are passing on "your story" to your children. If your children are now adults ... let them hear again the how and the why you are who you are.
Third, there are 2 "firsts" in Genesis 48: 15 - 16. One is the reference to God as a shepherd. This is the first time that image is used. It is such a tender and poignant one. We will find it many more times in scripture but the first is here ... where an old man, about to die, recognizes and verbalizes that God has shepherded him all the days of his life - through the good and the bad, the righteous and the unrighteous. God is a faithful shepherd. He was to Jacob ... and He is to you. Can you do that right now? Will you stop a moment and think of the ways that God has been your shepherd all your days to this point? It will increase our confidence to walk upright into whatever our future days hold. "The Lord is my shepherd ... I want for nothing." (Psalm 23:1)
The other "first" is in verse 16. The NIV translates "the Angel who has delivered me from all harm..." The Hebrew word is the word for "redeemed". A more literal translation would read: "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil..." The "Angel" is none other than the preincarnate Jesus. Jacob recognized that His work is redemption. And His work is still redemption - reclaiming precious souls, created in the image of God, back into the family of God.
This intimate exchange between Joseph and his father closes with Jacob reassuring Joseph that "God will be with you."
You know that, don't you? You don't walk through any of the struggles you face alone. Even when you feel the most abandoned and alone - "God is with you". Oh - may we know that truth deep within our core! May we rest in the surety of it. May we stand in the confidence of it. May we walk in the steadiness of it.
Blessed assurance ...
November 6, 2010
Abraham/Joseph Letter from Gail
Dear Readers ...
There are currently some internal issues with the "blogger" site that I use for this blog. They are working on the trouble. Meantime ... you are noticing sentences out of place, paragraphs moved, etc. It is a most frustrating problem! When I try and correct the mistakes ... blogger moves a different sentence to a new place. I want to apologize to you for what seems to be careless attention to the presentation and organization of the readings. I ask for your patience (as well as praying for my own!) as the programmers of this site are trying to figure out the bugs.
Grace and peace to you
Gail
PS - there is no telling how this note will come out when I press "post"!
There are currently some internal issues with the "blogger" site that I use for this blog. They are working on the trouble. Meantime ... you are noticing sentences out of place, paragraphs moved, etc. It is a most frustrating problem! When I try and correct the mistakes ... blogger moves a different sentence to a new place. I want to apologize to you for what seems to be careless attention to the presentation and organization of the readings. I ask for your patience (as well as praying for my own!) as the programmers of this site are trying to figure out the bugs.
Grace and peace to you
Gail
PS - there is no telling how this note will come out when I press "post"!
November 5, 2010
Abraham/Joseph Week 9 Day 3
Read Genesis 45:16 - 47:31
I can only imagine the emotion of this scene of meeting. Can you see Jacob and Joseph scrutinizing each other's faces? The embraces ... the tears ... the incredulity. Amazing ...
I want to focus on the scene when Joseph takes Jacob into the presence of Pharaoh. Just imagine it. There is the splendor of the palace of Pharaoh. This is the wealthiest country in the world at the time. The Pharaohs were surrounded by servants. Their cups were made of alabaster. Chairs were made of gold. The elegance and splendor had to have been staggering. Also, this is the most powerful ruler in the world at the time. This is a ruler that was considered to be the earthly embodiment of the great sun god, Ra, not just a man. Enter Jacob. An aged Hebrew shepherd. He would have had a beard most likely. I wonder if he had a staff? I probably have seen too many movies, but I can picture Jacob walking in to that splendid palace with a coarse robe blowing in the wind, staff in hand, beard long and free. We can learn some things from Jacob as he encounters Pharaoh.
First, Jacob blesses Pharaoh. He was not intimidated by the wealth and power in front of him. He passes on a Hebrew blessing. And the "greater blesses the lesser". Would you consider Jacob to be greater than Pharaoh? The world would not. It is the principle we first saw when Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14: 18 - 20; Hebrews 7:7) You and I have a tendency to be so impressed and dazzled by worldly wealth and power - so impressed by politically powerful people - that we tend to go mute when in their presence. Not Jacob. Robert Candlish in his Studies in Genesis, says:
The question for you and I - do we speak up when in the presence of worldly power? Or are we intimidated into silence? Do we really believe that we have something to offer this old world of ours?
No greater wealth exists that what you and I, as believers in Jehovah and the sacrifice of Jesus, have to offer our circles of influence. Speak up! Jacob was not intimidated. I don't want to be either!
The second thing that impresses me about this encounter is that Jacob describes himself as a "pilgrim." A pilgrim is a traveler, a person with no present land to claim as their own. Jacob calls himself, and his fathers before him, pilgrims. They were on a journey. I must remember that. I am on a journey. This is not "home". I, too, am a pilgrim. We get so attached to our place ... our country ... our homes ... we can forget that we are but pilgrims here. We do well to remember the words written by the author of Hebrews in Hebrews 11: 13 - 16:
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
The final thing I would have you notice
We are but pilgrims here. Jacob understood. Jacob defined himself that way. Do you? Do I? In reality ... "this world is not our home ..."
about Jacob's exchange with Pharaoh: he described his years as short and difficult. So what do we take from that? Life is short. It flies by, does it not? As I write, my daughters, my little girls who filled this house with laughter and energy and play, are all grown up with homes of their own. My house is quiet. Where did those years go? Life is short. I don't want to miss a day. I don't want to neglect a moment. I don't want to overlook a joy or a glimpse of beauty. Life is short.
Jacob also reminds us that life is difficult. Living this side of eternity, in this fallen world, is more than difficult. Jacob has had his share of trauma and pain and loss. I know that you have too. And we can echo this old patriarch as he says that his years are few and his days difficult. It should be no surprise to us. I wonder why it seems to keep surprising us - the brevity, the difficulty of life? Jacob reminds me that I long to be faithful through my short years and difficult days!
I can only imagine the emotion of this scene of meeting. Can you see Jacob and Joseph scrutinizing each other's faces? The embraces ... the tears ... the incredulity. Amazing ...
I want to focus on the scene when Joseph takes Jacob into the presence of Pharaoh. Just imagine it. There is the splendor of the palace of Pharaoh. This is the wealthiest country in the world at the time. The Pharaohs were surrounded by servants. Their cups were made of alabaster. Chairs were made of gold. The elegance and splendor had to have been staggering. Also, this is the most powerful ruler in the world at the time. This is a ruler that was considered to be the earthly embodiment of the great sun god, Ra, not just a man. Enter Jacob. An aged Hebrew shepherd. He would have had a beard most likely. I wonder if he had a staff? I probably have seen too many movies, but I can picture Jacob walking in to that splendid palace with a coarse robe blowing in the wind, staff in hand, beard long and free. We can learn some things from Jacob as he encounters Pharaoh.
First, Jacob blesses Pharaoh. He was not intimidated by the wealth and power in front of him. He passes on a Hebrew blessing. And the "greater blesses the lesser". Would you consider Jacob to be greater than Pharaoh? The world would not. It is the principle we first saw when Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14: 18 - 20; Hebrews 7:7) You and I have a tendency to be so impressed and dazzled by worldly wealth and power - so impressed by politically powerful people - that we tend to go mute when in their presence. Not Jacob. Robert Candlish in his Studies in Genesis, says:
Lifting up his hands at the full height of his stature, without one preliminary word of salutation or gesture of compliment to the king, the old man pours out his soul in prayer - asking God's blessing on the royal head - and in God's name, pronouncing the customary blessing of Abraham's house and seed.
The question for you and I - do we speak up when in the presence of worldly power? Or are we intimidated into silence? Do we really believe that we have something to offer this old world of ours?
No greater wealth exists that what you and I, as believers in Jehovah and the sacrifice of Jesus, have to offer our circles of influence. Speak up! Jacob was not intimidated. I don't want to be either!
The second thing that impresses me about this encounter is that Jacob describes himself as a "pilgrim." A pilgrim is a traveler, a person with no present land to claim as their own. Jacob calls himself, and his fathers before him, pilgrims. They were on a journey. I must remember that. I am on a journey. This is not "home". I, too, am a pilgrim. We get so attached to our place ... our country ... our homes ... we can forget that we are but pilgrims here. We do well to remember the words written by the author of Hebrews in Hebrews 11: 13 - 16:
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
The final thing I would have you notice
We are but pilgrims here. Jacob understood. Jacob defined himself that way. Do you? Do I? In reality ... "this world is not our home ..."
about Jacob's exchange with Pharaoh: he described his years as short and difficult. So what do we take from that? Life is short. It flies by, does it not? As I write, my daughters, my little girls who filled this house with laughter and energy and play, are all grown up with homes of their own. My house is quiet. Where did those years go? Life is short. I don't want to miss a day. I don't want to neglect a moment. I don't want to overlook a joy or a glimpse of beauty. Life is short.
Jacob also reminds us that life is difficult. Living this side of eternity, in this fallen world, is more than difficult. Jacob has had his share of trauma and pain and loss. I know that you have too. And we can echo this old patriarch as he says that his years are few and his days difficult. It should be no surprise to us. I wonder why it seems to keep surprising us - the brevity, the difficulty of life? Jacob reminds me that I long to be faithful through my short years and difficult days!
Lord, help us walk beside You all along our pilgrimage here. Help us be faithful to our Lord through each of our days - the ones that are easy and the ones that are difficult. May we have the courage of Jacob to give testimony, to give blessing, even in the presence of people the world would call "great". I don't want to be dazzled by the glitz of the world ... I want to be dazzled by the eyes of my Lord. And through Your Spirit ... may it be.
November 3, 2010
Abraham/Joseph Week 9 Day 2
Read Genesis 43:15 - 45:15
This is one of the most detailed accounts given in all of scripture. The emotional ride is intense and there are really no words to describe the feelings that are swirling all around the scene. We are observing an internal battle within the soul of Joseph. I think - in the midst of the returned monies, the silver cup, the in and out of prison, the hostage and the demands for Benjamin - we have a front row seat to the turmoil raging within Joseph.
Joseph had "chosen" to put his childhood pain out of his conscious mind. We see that in the way he named his first son. But with the appearance of his brothers - these Hebrew shepherds - the unresolved pain exploded to the surface. What follows is the tumult of Joseph figuring out how to respond.
Listen to Naomi Rosenblatt:
The turning point comes in chapter 44:18. Judah steps up. Judah - the brother whose idea it was to sell Joseph (37:26) - steps up. Can you imagine the courage it took for this accused Hebrew to walk up to the viceroy of all Egypt to have a private conversation - without being invited? In his plea, Judah unawares uses all of the "emotional hot buttons" for Joseph. He speaks of the aged father, his inconsolable grief, the "dead" son, the mother, the only remaining son of the mother - and Joseph's insides must have been contorting with memory and pain. Then Judah offers himself in exchange for Benjamin. What a 180 degree turn from the Judah who had led the exile of Joseph.
I see a picture of my Lord, Jesus, here. Judah - offering himself so that Benjamin could remain free. I can hear Jesus talking about "laying down his life for his friends". I can hear him talking about his coming that we might be free from sin and death ... that we might be reconciled to the "Father". One of the names for Jesus is "Lion of Judah".
And Joseph's heart is rent open ... he can contain his emotion no longer ... his desire for revenge and punishment melts away in the light of Judah's willingness to give himself up for Benjamin and Jacob. And Joseph forgives. Joseph even tries to assuage the guilt of the brothers. Love and hatred have been at war ... and love comes out victorious.
Where are love and hatred waging war in your own spirit? Catullus, a Roman writing in 1BC said: "I hate and love. You ask, perhaps, how can that be? I know not, but I feel the agony." If you are in that war zone, you, too, can feel the agony. What to do? Offer forgiveness. It is the only antidote. It alone provides healing for a tormented soul. Revenge never works. Leave that in God's hands.
Another point that strikes me ... Joseph does a transformation here as well. When he had the dreams in his youth about his brothers bowing down to him ... I think he saw the dreams as ruler and servants. Now, in the current circumstances, I think Joseph sees those dreams as a preview of his brothers being dependent upon him. Joseph has become a man.
Let's close with one touch of humor in this passage. I don't think we ever outgrow the desire to impress our parents. Did you see that Joseph, twice, tells his brothers to be sure and tell Jacob about his position in Egypt. He gives the credit to God, not to himself ... but he really wants his daddy to know. I get that! How about you?
This is one of the most detailed accounts given in all of scripture. The emotional ride is intense and there are really no words to describe the feelings that are swirling all around the scene. We are observing an internal battle within the soul of Joseph. I think - in the midst of the returned monies, the silver cup, the in and out of prison, the hostage and the demands for Benjamin - we have a front row seat to the turmoil raging within Joseph.
Joseph had "chosen" to put his childhood pain out of his conscious mind. We see that in the way he named his first son. But with the appearance of his brothers - these Hebrew shepherds - the unresolved pain exploded to the surface. What follows is the tumult of Joseph figuring out how to respond.
Listen to Naomi Rosenblatt:
Try as we might to repress painful memories, they inevitably resurface at other times of our lives, when we least expect them. The most extreme examples of this phenomenon are cases of childhood abuse in which the victims repress all memory of the events for decades. The unresolved pain of these incidents, though consciously forgotten, continues to wreak havoc on personal relationships. Pain is not a tidy emotion that we can conveniently tuck away out of sight. Repressed traumas eventually reemerge. When they do, we have an opportunity to resolve the pain and damage done years earlier. But not without courage and hard work.I don't think Joseph knew what he was going to do. Would he exact revenge? Did he want them to feel the helplessness, the abandonment that they had inflicted upon him? Did he want to see them afraid? I think the answer to all of the above is "Yes!"
The turning point comes in chapter 44:18. Judah steps up. Judah - the brother whose idea it was to sell Joseph (37:26) - steps up. Can you imagine the courage it took for this accused Hebrew to walk up to the viceroy of all Egypt to have a private conversation - without being invited? In his plea, Judah unawares uses all of the "emotional hot buttons" for Joseph. He speaks of the aged father, his inconsolable grief, the "dead" son, the mother, the only remaining son of the mother - and Joseph's insides must have been contorting with memory and pain. Then Judah offers himself in exchange for Benjamin. What a 180 degree turn from the Judah who had led the exile of Joseph.
I see a picture of my Lord, Jesus, here. Judah - offering himself so that Benjamin could remain free. I can hear Jesus talking about "laying down his life for his friends". I can hear him talking about his coming that we might be free from sin and death ... that we might be reconciled to the "Father". One of the names for Jesus is "Lion of Judah".
And Joseph's heart is rent open ... he can contain his emotion no longer ... his desire for revenge and punishment melts away in the light of Judah's willingness to give himself up for Benjamin and Jacob. And Joseph forgives. Joseph even tries to assuage the guilt of the brothers. Love and hatred have been at war ... and love comes out victorious.
Where are love and hatred waging war in your own spirit? Catullus, a Roman writing in 1BC said: "I hate and love. You ask, perhaps, how can that be? I know not, but I feel the agony." If you are in that war zone, you, too, can feel the agony. What to do? Offer forgiveness. It is the only antidote. It alone provides healing for a tormented soul. Revenge never works. Leave that in God's hands.
Another point that strikes me ... Joseph does a transformation here as well. When he had the dreams in his youth about his brothers bowing down to him ... I think he saw the dreams as ruler and servants. Now, in the current circumstances, I think Joseph sees those dreams as a preview of his brothers being dependent upon him. Joseph has become a man.
Let's close with one touch of humor in this passage. I don't think we ever outgrow the desire to impress our parents. Did you see that Joseph, twice, tells his brothers to be sure and tell Jacob about his position in Egypt. He gives the credit to God, not to himself ... but he really wants his daddy to know. I get that! How about you?
November 2, 2010
Abraham/Joseph Week 9 Day 1
As we continue the saga with Joseph, read Genesis 42:1 - 43:14
I want us to think about Joseph's brothers today. We are allowed by God to watch the transformation of these men. And they are a tough lot! Just to recount a little that we know about them ...
* Simeon and Levi led a slaughter of an entire city because of the violation of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34)
* All 10 brothers conspired to kill their brother Joseph ... relenting only when Reuben protested a little to the plan. So they changed plans and 'just' sold him into slavery, fabricating a story of his death for their father, Jacob.
* Judah slept with his daughter-in-law, thinking she was a prostitute, got her pregnant and fathered a set of twins by her. (Genesis 38)
(And you thought your family was a mess!)
Think about their transformation ...
First, this tough group of men have been brought to a place of neediness. It was done through famine. They are hungry. Their families are hungry. All their possessions and wealth does not serve them now. There is no grain to buy. Neediness is usually the place where transformation first begins - when we begin to realize that we cannot make the situation right - we cannot fix it - it is out of our control. These men are hungry. And they long to be filled. They believe it is all about food - about their stomachs. But God has much more in store for them.
I think that "famine" represents for us any circumstance that spotlights our neediness and our inability to handle things on our own. The "hunger" is the beginning place ...
Hear Jesus: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness ... for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) The "hunger" is the beginning place.
In John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'" The "hunger" is the beginning place.
Has God placed any 'neediness' in your life right now? Where is He trying to get your attention? That is a famine! The beginning place in your own transformation is wanting to be filled.
Secondly, these sons of Jacob experience harsh treatment. They are accused falsely of being spies. They passionately pour out their explanation but it is not believed. Of course, Joseph knows the spy-talk is a lie, but he still puts them all in prison for 3 days. That was, in itself, a bit of a 'pit', don't you think? He orchestrates the situation so that his brothers experience harsh treatment. Why? Why does he not immediately reveal himself? There are many possibilities ... maybe this was all planned ... maybe he was struggling with his own emotions ... maybe he needed time to decide what he was going to do. Scripture does not tell us Joseph's motives so I think we are free to think about the "maybes". It seems to be in this prison where the guilt of conscience finally has its breakthrough. When the men are released, they confess to each other the guilt over Joseph that they have carried for 20+ years. One author describes it as "jarring the guilt into consciousness." It's required you know. Confession.
Are there any places in your own life that need confessing? It doesn't matter if it happened years, even decades, ago. It is a part of the transformation process. It's a form of catharsis.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
One word of caution: don't keep confessing the same sin over and over again. That is Satan's voice telling you to do that, not God's. If you have previously, sincerely, confessed to God ... it is a closed page. God 'remembers' it no more. He no longer sees that on your face or in your life. Believe Him ...
Third, we see transformation happening because we see the signs of character emerging in Judah. When a return trip to Egypt must be made to hold off starvation, it is Judah who steps up and takes responsibility for Benjamin. It is Judah that behaves as a grown-up ... as a man. Reuben had attempted to guarantee Benjamin's save travel ... but did you notice he offered up his sons, not himself? (Genesis 42:37) but Jacob was not desperate enough yet. Judah, in Genesis 43: 8 - 10 takes on the roll of the responsible one. And he takes it on himself.
So ... transformation ...
feel the need
wake up the conscience ... and confess to God
be a grown up ... take some responsibility for your own life
I want us to think about Joseph's brothers today. We are allowed by God to watch the transformation of these men. And they are a tough lot! Just to recount a little that we know about them ...
* Simeon and Levi led a slaughter of an entire city because of the violation of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34)
* All 10 brothers conspired to kill their brother Joseph ... relenting only when Reuben protested a little to the plan. So they changed plans and 'just' sold him into slavery, fabricating a story of his death for their father, Jacob.
* Judah slept with his daughter-in-law, thinking she was a prostitute, got her pregnant and fathered a set of twins by her. (Genesis 38)
(And you thought your family was a mess!)
Think about their transformation ...
First, this tough group of men have been brought to a place of neediness. It was done through famine. They are hungry. Their families are hungry. All their possessions and wealth does not serve them now. There is no grain to buy. Neediness is usually the place where transformation first begins - when we begin to realize that we cannot make the situation right - we cannot fix it - it is out of our control. These men are hungry. And they long to be filled. They believe it is all about food - about their stomachs. But God has much more in store for them.
I think that "famine" represents for us any circumstance that spotlights our neediness and our inability to handle things on our own. The "hunger" is the beginning place ...
Hear Jesus: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness ... for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) The "hunger" is the beginning place.
In John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'" The "hunger" is the beginning place.
Has God placed any 'neediness' in your life right now? Where is He trying to get your attention? That is a famine! The beginning place in your own transformation is wanting to be filled.
Secondly, these sons of Jacob experience harsh treatment. They are accused falsely of being spies. They passionately pour out their explanation but it is not believed. Of course, Joseph knows the spy-talk is a lie, but he still puts them all in prison for 3 days. That was, in itself, a bit of a 'pit', don't you think? He orchestrates the situation so that his brothers experience harsh treatment. Why? Why does he not immediately reveal himself? There are many possibilities ... maybe this was all planned ... maybe he was struggling with his own emotions ... maybe he needed time to decide what he was going to do. Scripture does not tell us Joseph's motives so I think we are free to think about the "maybes". It seems to be in this prison where the guilt of conscience finally has its breakthrough. When the men are released, they confess to each other the guilt over Joseph that they have carried for 20+ years. One author describes it as "jarring the guilt into consciousness." It's required you know. Confession.
Are there any places in your own life that need confessing? It doesn't matter if it happened years, even decades, ago. It is a part of the transformation process. It's a form of catharsis.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
One word of caution: don't keep confessing the same sin over and over again. That is Satan's voice telling you to do that, not God's. If you have previously, sincerely, confessed to God ... it is a closed page. God 'remembers' it no more. He no longer sees that on your face or in your life. Believe Him ...
Third, we see transformation happening because we see the signs of character emerging in Judah. When a return trip to Egypt must be made to hold off starvation, it is Judah who steps up and takes responsibility for Benjamin. It is Judah that behaves as a grown-up ... as a man. Reuben had attempted to guarantee Benjamin's save travel ... but did you notice he offered up his sons, not himself? (Genesis 42:37) but Jacob was not desperate enough yet. Judah, in Genesis 43: 8 - 10 takes on the roll of the responsible one. And he takes it on himself.
So ... transformation ...
feel the need
wake up the conscience ... and confess to God
be a grown up ... take some responsibility for your own life
Lord ... we desire to be transformed by You into the image of Your Son. Let it begin in me ... let it begin and/or continue today ... let it come to full revelation of Yourself in us. And we believe that "the good work You began in us will be carried on to completion" (Philippians 1:6) because it is You who promised and You who will do it. I choose cooperation with Your Spirit ...
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