#122 To be honest I'm Genesis 47

47 Then Joseph went to see Pharaoh and told him, “My father and my brothers have arrived from the land of Canaan. They have come with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the region of Goshen.”2 Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 And Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”They replied, “We, your servants, are shepherds, just like our ancestors. 4 We have come to live here in Egypt for a while, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. So please, we request permission to live in the region of Goshen.”5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have joined you here, 6 choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.”7 Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.8 “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him.9 Jacob replied, “I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors.” 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court.11 So Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt—the region of Rameses—to his father and his brothers, and he settled them there, just as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 And Joseph provided food for his father and his brothers in amounts appropriate to the number of their dependents, including the smallest children. Genesis 47: 1-12 KJV

Joseph has already instructed his brothers and his father on how to answer Pharaoh when he ask their occupation. Tell him that you're shepherds, the simple truth, and again he knows his family and that the truth is not always their first inclination. What moral commandment of God goes uncontested by men? We find it somehow appropriate to answer based upon the prejudice or the expectation. They new the perception of the Egyptians when it came to shepherds, and yet that is what they are. It strangely bares witness to the depravity of mankind that the truth itself is a step of faith, and to many a luxury. 

They state who they are and request to live in the land of Goshen. It is good ground for their flocks, and   Pharaoh's response to the truth is to let them live in the land. He also request, that if there is any among them with special skills, that such a person be put over his own flocks. Pharaoh has learned to recognize talent and the importance of those who do their job well. The greatest man he knows is after all, the son and brother of these shepherds. I have failed often by paper, and been seduced into the hunt for degrees, but the greatest man in my field had the most boring resume. He holds the least degree, and cannot kiss butt to save his life, but he always tells me the truth and is a prodigy with great work ethic. I  have found others, while admittedly trying to duplicate this individual, that have great resumes and hold high degrees, and say everything you need to hear, but that was mostly all they had. Somehow having that they thought themselves entitled by the claim of paper and words. When they were lazy they referred me to the paper or talked of publication. For me, the paper should say what you have been trained in and are capable of in the field, but I do not hire you for the paper. I hire you for the business of doing what it says you can do. If you can't or won't do that, then the paper is meaningless. The Egyptians thought they came from the gods, and that all other racist were beneath them. It is an impressive pedigree, but notwithstanding, all those who believed it could not find amongst the "children of the gods", one equal to the shepherds son, who had become a father to their Pharaoh. I refuse to look lowly upon those jobs that society deems so, and I can find no justification for arrogance. The man that takes out my trash is an asset. The man that does whatever his occupation is as unto the Lord is my teacher.

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12English Standard Version (ESV)

10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

2 Timothy 2:6English Standard Version (ESV)

6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Read More

#121 Thy Face, Oh what a day Genesis 46

28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. 29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. 30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. 31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me; 32 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. 33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? 34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Genesis 46:28-34 KJV

It would appear that Judah is the recognized lead among his brethren, and he is sent ahead by his father. Joseph goes out to meet his father after many years of separation. It is not without emotion, and Jacob's response is, "now let me die, since I have seen thy face." No one wants to bury their children, and we would all like to see them well and successful long after they have left us. I would like to see my children grown and if they choose to have children, I would like to reach that point where I can help support and give of my time. Jacob's son had been lost to him for a long time, and in a way he thought was final. He would love all the same things, as any grandfather would, but he was now receiving something he before thought impossible. What more could he ask for? At this point, it is as if he has received from the dead. Everything about that moment is a far cry from the struggles and wrestling that has marked his life. It is a very good day to die. 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.… Philippians 1:21&22

…23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25"O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me;…John 17:23-25

Read More

#120 To walk, To sleep Genesis 46

Genesis 46 King James Version (KJV)

46 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.8 And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.10 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.11 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.12 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.13 And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.14 And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.15 These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.16 And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.17 And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.19 The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.20 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.21 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.22 These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.23 And the sons of Dan; Hushim.24 And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.25 These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.

26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.

Jacob was excited to see his son, but would appear to have had some doubts about the journey. It was a big move to a culture where they were not considered equals. His grandfather had received the prophecy of their bondage some years prior, and so far all that God has said has come to pass. What would he be marching his family into, and why would God have them going away from the land of promise? God speaks to him again, and the words of God are a comfort; he is no longer without direction, even if the details are vague. The more time a man spends with the word of God and seeking the direction of God, the more capable he feels to the task. When he does not feel so capable, he returns to the word of God and prayer, and so finds God able to help him complete what He has asked him to do. It is a puzzle often to me, in the minute details of these conversations with the Creator of the universe, that he would mention the closing of Jacob's eyes. It must have been important to Jacob, and God must be less the absentee parent we think. These conversations were so few, yet even those who believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God, spend so little time in it. We hold out that God does not care, or we wait for Him to speak to us like Jacob. He comforts him for the journey present and the journey last. His son will be there to close his eyes. It is a beautiful promise to an old man.

1 Kings 19:4

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."

John 4:6

and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

Read More

#119 Do not Quarrel Genesis 45

When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, "Joseph's brothers have come," it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "say to your brothers, 'do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.' And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, 'do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.' " The sons of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. To each and all of them he gave a change of clothes, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five changes of clothes. To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, "do not quarrel on the way." So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, "it is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die." Genesis 45:16-28 ESV

It would seem that Pharaoh and Joseph have become friends, as it is a friend who is usually happy for you when you receive good news. Joseph has been a blessing to him and so Pharaoh would like to bless Joseph. This blessing is extended to the brother's of Egypt's favored son, he will send the wagons of Egypt to collect the families, and bestow upon them all the best of Egypt. 

"And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. 25"It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.'26"For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways." Act 3:24-26

Joseph knows his brothers all too well and therefore admonishes them not to quarrel on the way home. There was no need for the I told you so's or trying to remove blame. They have all become a part of this by the lie they have led their father to believe. What an awkward moment this will be, and Jacob finds it much more difficult to believe the truth of his son than the lie. But when he hears the words of Joseph and sees the wagons of Egypt, his spirit is revived. It is enough that Joseph is alive.

o when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."… John 20:19-21

Read More

#118 Set Free Genesis 45

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "make everyone go out from me!" So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph; does my father still live?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, "please come near to me." So they came near. Then he said: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, 'thus says your son Joseph: "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. you shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine." '"And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. So you shall tell my father all of my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here." Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him. Genesis 45: 1-15 NKJV

The emotions become to great for Joseph to conceal, and he can no longer hide who he is, for the ruler is still the boy, and the boy would like to see his father. They are only 2 years into this tribulation, and so he instructs them to bring their families down. It says that the brothers were dismayed in his presence. That is one of the many horrible aspects of sin; we, who have sinned, expect the same from others. While it is true that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, not all wish to remain in sin, and some recognize the hand of God operating despite the intentions of men. Joseph is one such man, he has led his brothers toward repentance and will now demonstrate the doctrine of God's sovereignty.He will show them forgiveness that they could not before conceive. Judah has been on this road somewhat, with Tamar, knowing his own guilt, and from this changing his verdict. But they are dismayed, for if each places himself in Joseph's shoes, then they may only see revenge. I would rather not know the visions of Simeon and Levi, but Joseph assures them all, that what they meant for evil, God meant for good. He will, in this, save His remnant from extinction, both that of starvation and also that which comes from cultural assimilation. Before the complex cathedrals of Christianity, comes the story of one teaching its greatest and most simple principles. Men are sinners, nothing is hidden from God, God is sovereign and therefore nothing we do comes as a surprise to Him, nor thwarts his plan. We should forgive, as we have been forgiven. 

Romans 8:28&29

28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;…

Read More

#117 Voluntary Scapegoat Genesis 44

Then Judah went up to him and said, "o my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, saying, 'have you a father or a brother?' And we said to my lord, 'we have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.' Then you said to your servants, 'bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.' We said to my lord, 'the boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die' Then you said to your servants, 'unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.' When we went back to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. And when our father said, 'go again, buy us a little food,' we said, 'we cannot go down. If our youngest brother goes with us, then we will go down. For we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.' Then your servant my father said to us, 'you know that my wife bore me two sons. One left me, and I said, surely he has been torn to pieces, and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in evil to Sheol.' Now therefore, as soon as I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy's life, as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant to Sheol. For your servant became a pledge of safety for the boy to my father, saying, 'if I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.' Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father." Genesis 44: 18-44 ESV

Judah's response to Joseph's verdict is no less than brilliant. He addresses him as lord, ask that he not be angry with his servant, and compares him to Pharaoh. It is to say, I have nothing and yet could you grant me your ear, a moment of your time. He does not reject the ruler's verdict, not does he claim unfairness in the decree. He has acknowledged his own guilt for much worse, and he does not even attempt to defend the innocence of the boy. Instead, he establishes the value of the boy to his father, and the heart ache that will follow. He even recounts the story of Joseph, who he is without knowledge speaking to. This is marvelous on the largest of scales, and if he knew this was Joseph, he had not yet known him when they were young. He would of known only what he did to Joseph, and would have spoken most likely from fear of revenge. Judah stands before his own blessing and unaware. It opposes all a man knows, but it is a blessing to stand accused, to acknowledge who you are. There is in this the hope of repentance and the chance that you might be forgiven. It is a sad thing so few find it, when there is One who has already paid in full for it. It is a beautiful day for Judah, because all he has to offer is himself. He offers himself for the boy and the love of his father. He offers as one innocent of this sin but convinced of that which he thought hidden. 'Now therefore, please let your servant remain.' 

Leviticus 16:21-22

"Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. "The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

Read More

#116 Burn Genesis 44

Then he commanded the steward of his house, "fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack, and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain." And he did as Joseph told him. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, "up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'why have you repaid evil for good? Is it not from this my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.' " When he overtook them, he spoke these words. They said to him, "why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! Behold, the money that we found in the mouths  of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house? Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord's servants." He said, "let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent." Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. And he searched beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded  his donkey, and they returned to the city. When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground. Joseph said to them, "what deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?" And Judah said, "what shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord's servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found." But he said, "far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father." Genesis 44:1-17ESV

What kind of men had the brothers become? Joseph tests them again, and gives room for them to leave their brother Benjamin behind. If they have not been convicted of their past, then this opportunity to be tested again, as in the days of the coat of many colors, will be lost. If their envy and jealousy are not checked by the pain they witnessed in their father, then they will fail.  If they do not put themselves in the skin of the brother who tried to reason with them, then they will fail. Joseph has made it all too easy for them to walk away, and yet, there is Judah. He is remembering, and he is seeing this as from the Lord. He is convicted, as if this is a judgment handed out by God, and he is accepting the punishment. Joseph is anything but malicious and he will rejoice more than any man to find a change of heart. This is a second chance.

…6In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,…

 1 Peter 1:6-8

Read More

#115 Benjamin's Plate Genesis 43

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon." The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men  to Joseph's house. And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, "it is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys." So they went up to the steward of Joseph's house and spoke with him at the door of the house, and said, "oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man's money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks." he replied, "peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them. And when the man had brought the men into Joseph's house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they prepared the present for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, "is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?" They said, "your servant our father is well; he is still alive." And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, "is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!" Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. There he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, "serve the food." They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. And they sat before him, the first born according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph's table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him. Genesis 43: 16-34 ESV

Joseph still doesn't tell them who he is, and they are afraid that it is a setup. These men are his brothers, but they are also the same men that plotted to murder him. They settled for selling him into slavery, and his response is to test them, and show them kindness. At dinner they are even more befuddled for they are seated in order of birthright. What are the odds? There are 3 different eating areas due to the climate of Egypt at the time. The Egyptians were a racist community that believed they were created by the god's and no other nations held that place. Everyone else was beneath them. It may seem strange that God would raise up a Hebrew slave to such heights of power in a place where even he eats separated from the Egyptians of his house. It is the will of God though in preserving his people, who would carry the oracles of God. They would be easily dissolved and diluted into their present land of Canaan. Here, in Egypt, they would be treated as separate, for it would be an abomination to even eat with a Hebrew. This often works to strengthen communities and build bonds. Those, who are persecuted or ostracized, will seek out the comfort of the same. When we are alone among our enemies, we will go to great lengths to find a friendly face or those that are like minded. It is difficult to learn the truth from those who hate it, but it is easy to accept for truth that which your community believes. The socially accepted or politically correct lie, is still a lie. They will be somewhat preserved from that, for a time, in that they will remain and grow together. I think there is somewhat more here to be learned for the Christians of our age. There is a blessing that comes with community, growth, rebuke, wisdom, and with those that love us the opportunity to heal. 

Benjamin's portion is 5 times greater. I use to think that Joseph had developed the favoritism of his father, but reading along later into the life of Joseph, he seems to denounce this. This was probably more of a test for his brothers, to see if they were the same men, unconvinced and unrepentant of their sin. They still don't realize who he is. They are skeptical of his kindness and bewildered by the circumstances. The brothers are in the presence of the one they wronged, but also the one who can forgive them. By their own standard they would be humiliated and murdered alongside their families. He would instead lead them down the road of repentance, absolution, and count his suffering to their redemption. 

1 John 1:9 & 2:1 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness… My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Read More

#114 Rise of Judah Genesis 43

Now the famine was severe in the land. And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little food." But Judah said to him, :the man solemnly warned us, saying, 'you shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.' If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, 'you shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.' " Israel said, "why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?" They replied, "the man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, 'is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?' What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, 'bring your brother down'?" And Judah said to Israel his father, "send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice." Then their father Israel said to them, "if it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send you back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. Genesis 43:1-15ESV

The more I read this, the more disappointed I become with the Patriarch of the clan. Jacob is aware of what his sons went through in Egypt, Simeon is still in Egypt, and yet he ask that they return. Let me be clear on this though; my take on Jacob as a leader is negative, but I accept that I am Jacob often, in as many poor decisions as I have made throughout the years. The famine is severe, but he plays this down, and also ignores the danger his sons would face by returning without their brother. He then makes it clearly about himself when he ask, "why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man you had another brother?" You could have just lied, that seems to be reasonable now as it often is when it comes to what Jacob wants or what he could stand to lose. But a good leader does not ask his people to lie. A good leader does not deny the severity of the situation. Jacob is blinded by his favoritism, and has no problem asking his sons what any one would see as illogical and selfish. They cannot stand before the lord of the land without the favored son. He will not accept them unless Benjamin is with them. 

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

A true leader has to consider the cost of his direction, and take in to account the dangers and the losses that could be incurred by all who follow him. Those who follow should never fear being the blessing of  wisdom and good counsel. Judah stands up and becomes the voice of reason here; he offers himself as the surety, and states the direness of the situation, including  all those that it will destroy, everyone. He is firm in his resolve. He will not leave and put his brother's lives in needless jeopardy. Jacob finally relents, but it is not because he, who has been physically closer to God than any man, has won the struggle of nonsense. No, he has lost to one bound by logic and reason, and steadfast in his resolve. He has also gained, but by God's good pleasure, that which he does not yet know. He states, "may God," but it is not a sound statement of faith. It is not the charge of a man going into the battle of life, crying out, "it is a good day to die." Did you not receive the promise? Is God not Sovereign? Just skip to the last question. Ask yourself, did He, who framed the world and knew me in my mother's womb, not see me here? Then go humbly about His work, serve, love, forgive; you will be leading then. 

with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:10-12

"It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen." 

- George MacDonald

Read More

#113 Spies Like Us Genesis 42

On the third day Joseph said to them, "do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so. Then they said to one another, "in truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us." And Reuben answered them, "did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood." They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. Then he turned turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon form them and bound him before their eyes. And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them. Then they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed. And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack. He said to his brothers, "my money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!" At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "what is this that God has done to us?"When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, "the man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and took us to be spies of the land. But we said to him, 'we are honest men; we have never been spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.' Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'by this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. Bring your youngest brother to me. Then  I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.' " As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said to them, "you have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me."  Then Reuben said to his father, "kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you." But he said, "my son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." Genesis 42: 18-38 ESV

"For I fear God." It is difficult to say for sure why Joseph says this. It may have been to relate to his brothers, who see him as the lord of a pagan land. The Hebrews were not well thought of by the Egyptians, as we find in 43:32, where it was considered an abomination for an Egyptian to eat with a Hebrew. To say, "I fear God," may have also triggered the recount of young Joseph. They confess it as sin, and relate their present circumstances to God's justice. It is an emotional pull on Joseph, who has the power to pay them back a 100 fold for their trespass, but he continues by binding just one of them. Simeon is chosen for this, and he is probably the hardest to break. Was it not Simeon and Levi who deceived and then decimated a whole city to get revenge? When someone tells me that they fear God, I take it with a grain of salt. Joseph does everything in view of God, and his statement is pure. It is supported by the deeds of his whole life and the credit he gives to the Lord. When his brothers say they are honest men, it is in the hope that the person they are talking to does not know them. They are starting to fear God, but they have a long way to go. It is interesting to note that when they return home and relay the story to Jacob, he says, "you have bereaved me of my children." Maybe it was easier to believe his son was killed by an animal, than to admit to what his heart was thinking. He refuses to put Benjamin in the care of his brothers, even with the lives of Reuben's own sons as surety. It is a bold and vane promise on Reuben's part; for who is to say what will happen? And would you trust these Guys?

33"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.' 34"But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Matthew 5: 33-35

Read More

#112 Manifest Genesis 42

When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, "why do you look at one another?" And he said, "behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die." So ten of  Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him. Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "from the land of Canaan, to buy food." And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, "you are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land." They said to him, "no, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies." He said to them, "no, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see." And they said, "we, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more." But Joseph said to them, "it is as I said to you. You are spies. By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies." And he put them all together in custody for three days. Genesis 42: 1-17 ESV

There are those who would say, "God will provide," and suggest that by faith they shall wait upon this provision. They will wait and starve, while others, will by drive of hunger, leave the land or comforts of what they know to seek food. The famine brings about the hunger and while everyone sits waiting and looking at one another, they are no closer to the answer that is, this time, outside themselves. Whether manna from heaven or a paycheck, do not deceive yourself, it is the same God who provides, but there is no call to a passive laziness. 

…5Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. 6Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. Ecclesiastes 11: 5&6

Joseph's brothers leave Canaan in search of the food their neighbors have told them about. Jacob keeps Benjamin home for fear of what may befall him. He has not forgotten the loss of Joseph, and he will not be bereaved again. 

Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they do not know him. He remembers the dream from his youth, and now at that time of fulfillment, he accuses them of being spies. It may appear as vengeance but carries with it the divine. He sees them for who they are; they do not recognize him, and cannot yet see themselves for what they are. They have never told their father the truth, and it is a wonder that Joseph has never returned to Canaan to pay his father a visit. They claim to be honest men, but Joseph knows better, and they divulge the matter of their father and brother, who are not with them. Joseph is probably relieved to hear that Benjamin is alive, and that the same fate has not befallen him. Nevertheless, he will test them and they will remember. They came for grain, but will find the opportunity to see themselves and repent.

…4For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 4: 4&5

Read More

#111 Ask God Genesis 41

So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, "can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "see, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath- Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting  for it was immeasurable. And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the first born Manasseh: "for God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." And the name  of the second he called Ephraim: "for God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do." The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands. Genesis 41: 37-57 NKJV

Joseph has lifted up God before Pharaoh, and Pharaoh now credits God in lifting up Joseph, "a man in whom is the Spirit of God." The world's wisdom did not hold up, but the message of young outsider, a slave and a prisoner, was tied to a sovereign God. In acknowledging God, there becomes none wiser or more discerning than the slave. Those bearing the title, tradition or practice of wise men are only as good as the source from which their knowledge comes. If it denies the One, true God, at its premise, then it is a house built without a foundation. All of our models will become man based and man made. They will seem wise to us, and our hearts will fill in the spaces, making the necessary connections to show congruity. We are easily deceived. Joseph avoids this by listening to and obeying the words of God.

There are always those who will hate, and as Joseph is now elevated to second in command, it is certain that he is now under the microscope. He carries out his plan, and is able to store up an immense amount of grain in view of the coming famine. What if those watching do not see it come? Joseph could appeal to a change of heart from God, or try other means of deception, like all false prophets, but no need. He has heard from God and the famine most certainly comes to pass. Egypt is prepared, and when the bread of their houses runs out, Pharaoh tells the people, "go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do."

Joseph also has two sons during the first seven years, and their names are again testament to the relationship between a young man and his God. He is truly a blessing, an amazing life indeed, so why is it so hard for us to acknowledge God? Why is it that we give credence to the beliefs that receive the most air time? Why is it so easy to fall in love with sounds of our own voices, or worship things given and made? Whether fat or lean of life, could this time that we're now in be a famine? Remember, man cannot live by bread alone. He needs the words of God.

Read More