Though Joseph was a slave, the Lord was with him, and everything he did prospered. He was made overseer over all the house of Potiphar, and when any of the other servants needed anything, Joseph had the key. When any were hungry, he fed them. God prospered and blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.
So it was with Jesus. Though He was stripped of His heavenly dignity and took upon Himself the form of a slave, yet He was not defeated in His circumstances. He lived with a people who were bound by the limitations of the Adamic nature, yet He had the key of blessing. Whatever their needs were, He was the answer. In spite of the fact that He walked about in the same earthly prison house of a human existence as other men, yet He ruled in the midst of His circumstances.
There was such a divine radiance about Joseph, such a godly charisma in addition to the fact that he was a handsome young man, that the evil, lustful nature of a worldly woman was attracted to him. As Potiphar’s wife wanted Joseph to compromise his godly standards in an act of adultery, just so Satan tempted Jesus to mix the divine life with earthly desires. Neither man would yield to the temptations, and this led to the cross for both of them.
For Jesus, it was crucifixion at Calvary and into the prison house of death. For Joseph it was the prison house of a living death with no hope of pardon or liberty. Jesus defeated death and took the keys of death and hell from Satan and stands ready to open the prison doors and set the captives free. Joseph was so blessed of God in his prison that the keeper of the prison committed all the prisoners into his hand, and whatever was done in the prison, he was the doer of it. He had the key to unlock any door, and everything he did the Lord made it to prosper. What a peace it brings when we realize that our Lord Jesus has the key to the prison house of humanity we are in; whatever happens to us comes from His hand (Romans 8:28).
Joseph, the elder brother of Benjamin, is a strong type and shadow of our elder Brother, the Lord Jesus. He came out of the prison house and on to the throne. In one bright morning, Joseph was delivered from the darkness of the cell as the prison gate was rolled back. He took his place at the right hand of Pharoah, the supreme ruler of Egypt . All power to administrate the affairs of all Egypt was put into his hands, and all things were done in his name. “Go to Joseph” said the king when anyone asked for corn, or when anything needed to be done. Genesis 41:43 said that every knee was made to bow before him. What a tremendous type he was of the greater One that was to come. For Jesus, our elder Brother, the stone rolled away from the tomb, and He ascended to take his place at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Every knee bows, every tongue confesses, and every thing is done in His great name! Faith looks beyond the circumstances.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Joseph Unveiled
The sons of Jacob were faced with a terrible problem. They could not bear to face their father without Benjamin, but they were helpless before their judge, guilty and defenseless. Then Judah, the very one responsible for selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites some 22 years earlier, now makes an impassioned plea for Benjamin to return with them. There is no doubt in my mind that Judah had suffered much from a guilty conscience as he watched his broken hearted father grieve for Joseph, especially after he, Judah, had sons of his own and had experience of losing two of them in death (Genesis 38). Whatever a man sows shall surely bring him an abundant harvest. Would you believe that it was the sons of Judah, the Jews, who were responsible for selling the elder brother Jesus into the hands of the Roman gentiles?
The Jews have suffered much since then because of the anguish of the Father’s heart over what they did. But mercy is coming your way, Judah ! He who sits on the throne will hear your impassioned plea in these closing days of this age, and the beloved elder Brother with the Melchisedic robe of priesthood will unveil Himself to you.
Genesis 45 is a beautiful chapter of reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration. When Joseph revealed himself, his brothers were so startled, shocked, and fearful; they were absolutely speechless. I am sure if there had been any place to hide, any rock or mountain to cover them, they would have fled from his presence. He made them know that in spite of their hatred, wickedness and scheming, it had all been the will of God to bring him to Egypt for the purpose of preserving them in time of famine. It was all necessary in order for the family of Israel to stay in Egypt for 400 years until they grew into a mighty people, ready to go back to Canaan and rule their own country.
That which seems to us to be so unnecessary and even seems like the work of the devil is part of God’s overall plan to bring forth a great people strong enough that they might return to “their own land” to rule and reign with Jesus Christ, our elder Brother. Ours is to trust Him and know that He is on the throne, and that all things will work toward an ultimate victory for His Church, His Body. Let that many membered company of the younger brother of “Joseph” know that they are playing a very important part in the bringing about of this glorious restoration.
The Genesis narrative did not tell us of the special relationship Benjamin had with his long lost brother, once the family had all moved to Egypt . Certainly Joseph had some important work for Benjamin in the five years remaining of the time of famine (Genesis 45:9-15). Beyond that no one knows what part Benjamin had in the glory of Joseph’s Kingdom administration. None can tell you what the sons of God will be doing 10,000 years from now in the Kingdom of Christ and of God (Ephesians 5:5), but I am sure it will be glorious! It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!
The Jews have suffered much since then because of the anguish of the Father’s heart over what they did. But mercy is coming your way, Judah ! He who sits on the throne will hear your impassioned plea in these closing days of this age, and the beloved elder Brother with the Melchisedic robe of priesthood will unveil Himself to you.
Genesis 45 is a beautiful chapter of reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration. When Joseph revealed himself, his brothers were so startled, shocked, and fearful; they were absolutely speechless. I am sure if there had been any place to hide, any rock or mountain to cover them, they would have fled from his presence. He made them know that in spite of their hatred, wickedness and scheming, it had all been the will of God to bring him to Egypt for the purpose of preserving them in time of famine. It was all necessary in order for the family of Israel to stay in Egypt for 400 years until they grew into a mighty people, ready to go back to Canaan and rule their own country.
That which seems to us to be so unnecessary and even seems like the work of the devil is part of God’s overall plan to bring forth a great people strong enough that they might return to “their own land” to rule and reign with Jesus Christ, our elder Brother. Ours is to trust Him and know that He is on the throne, and that all things will work toward an ultimate victory for His Church, His Body. Let that many membered company of the younger brother of “Joseph” know that they are playing a very important part in the bringing about of this glorious restoration.
The Genesis narrative did not tell us of the special relationship Benjamin had with his long lost brother, once the family had all moved to Egypt . Certainly Joseph had some important work for Benjamin in the five years remaining of the time of famine (Genesis 45:9-15). Beyond that no one knows what part Benjamin had in the glory of Joseph’s Kingdom administration. None can tell you what the sons of God will be doing 10,000 years from now in the Kingdom of Christ and of God (Ephesians 5:5), but I am sure it will be glorious! It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Silver Cup
After the banquet Joseph’s steward filled the men’s sacks with as much food as they could carry. Joseph arranged for the steward to put his own personal silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Hardly believing that they had been treated so nicely and were getting away so easily, the eleven sons of Jacob started home. Gingerly they made their way, until finally they were out of the city limits. They began to feel more relaxed, perhaps joking and singing as they started the long journey home.
But a short way out of the city, they looked over their shoulders, and, lo, a cloud of dust was arising as the steward came upon them with a squad of palace police. The brothers experienced a sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs as they asked: “What is the matter, what have we done?” Then they were told that someone had stolen the prime minister’s silver cup. They protested that one of them would never do such a thing, and to prove their sincerity they volunteered that if any of them had the cup, he should die, and the rest of them would become Pharoah’s slaves. These were confident statements, until the sacks were all opened, beginning at the eldest to the youngest.
The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. What a shock! “Benjamin, how could you do such a thing? Why would you take such a chance for a piece of silver?” It was no matter that young Benjamin protested vehemently that he was innocent. The proof of guilt was there. Can you imagine the reproach Benjamin had to suffer from his brethren because of the silver cup?
In Matthew 20;22 Jesus warned His disciples that to follow Him they had to drink of His cup and asked if they thought they were able to do so. Joseph’s personal cup, speaking of his years of suffering in slavery and prison, was give to Benjamin. In Genesis 44:17 Joseph told the ten brothers that the one that had his cup would stay with him and be his servant, and the rest of them could return to their own realm or homeland.
Beloved sons of God, there is a price to pay to be a servant of Jesus Christ and live in the same realm He is in, “…that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 24:3). Our relationship with Him brings great reproach. The writer of Hebrews tells us to “go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”
What do you think the neighbors thought of young virgin Mary when she was found with child? What do you think her parents thought? Do you think they thought she was still a virgin? Do you think they believed her story of an “angel” visiting her? The carnal suspicious mind would never believe that the one responsible for Mary’s pregnancy was an “angel” much less the Holy Ghost. What a terrible reproach that young girl had to bear because she believed and received the word of the Lord that came to her! Was it worth it? Ask Mary now if she would have had it any other way. Sure, there is suffering and reproach to bear, in order to drink of His cup, but He makes it up to His beloved a hundred fold and more.
But a short way out of the city, they looked over their shoulders, and, lo, a cloud of dust was arising as the steward came upon them with a squad of palace police. The brothers experienced a sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs as they asked: “What is the matter, what have we done?” Then they were told that someone had stolen the prime minister’s silver cup. They protested that one of them would never do such a thing, and to prove their sincerity they volunteered that if any of them had the cup, he should die, and the rest of them would become Pharoah’s slaves. These were confident statements, until the sacks were all opened, beginning at the eldest to the youngest.
The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. What a shock! “Benjamin, how could you do such a thing? Why would you take such a chance for a piece of silver?” It was no matter that young Benjamin protested vehemently that he was innocent. The proof of guilt was there. Can you imagine the reproach Benjamin had to suffer from his brethren because of the silver cup?
In Matthew 20;22 Jesus warned His disciples that to follow Him they had to drink of His cup and asked if they thought they were able to do so. Joseph’s personal cup, speaking of his years of suffering in slavery and prison, was give to Benjamin. In Genesis 44:17 Joseph told the ten brothers that the one that had his cup would stay with him and be his servant, and the rest of them could return to their own realm or homeland.
Beloved sons of God, there is a price to pay to be a servant of Jesus Christ and live in the same realm He is in, “…that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 24:3). Our relationship with Him brings great reproach. The writer of Hebrews tells us to “go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”
What do you think the neighbors thought of young virgin Mary when she was found with child? What do you think her parents thought? Do you think they thought she was still a virgin? Do you think they believed her story of an “angel” visiting her? The carnal suspicious mind would never believe that the one responsible for Mary’s pregnancy was an “angel” much less the Holy Ghost. What a terrible reproach that young girl had to bear because she believed and received the word of the Lord that came to her! Was it worth it? Ask Mary now if she would have had it any other way. Sure, there is suffering and reproach to bear, in order to drink of His cup, but He makes it up to His beloved a hundred fold and more.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Christ of God
Christ of God is a dynamic Savior and a powerful Lord who can help us know that our lives are in His control. He is the only One who can liberate us. He can set us free once and for all from the wretched feeling of being lost.
The Christian life is a constant struggle until we have a one to one encounter with the preexistent, preeminent, personal, all-powerful Christ. Christ who is able to control our lives existed in eternity before time and creation. He was co-equal with God the Father. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1-2). These opening words from the Gospel of John help us catch the magnitude and majesty of the preexistent Christ. As the Word, He was, and is, the generative power of the universe, the One through whom all things were made at the Father’s command.
The One we like to think of as a Friend, Teacher, our Good Shepherd, is also Christ the Word, the uncreated creator of universes within universes, who created life on the planet earth. When the Father said, “Let us make man in our image,” (Genesis 1:26), humankind was thus created. Life Himself brought life into being. The Father was the instigator, the Son, the implementer, and through the ages made us and who came to remake us. He was born among us so we could be reborn.
In His humanity Christ revealed how life was to be lived under divine control. As the son of God, He called His followers to faithful and obedient discipleship. As Immanuel, God with us, He left no ambiguity about who He was. With authority He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58) asserting His preexistent oneness with Yahweh. With equal force He spoke with power and declared that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
The Christian life is a constant struggle until we have a one to one encounter with the preexistent, preeminent, personal, all-powerful Christ. Christ who is able to control our lives existed in eternity before time and creation. He was co-equal with God the Father. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1-2). These opening words from the Gospel of John help us catch the magnitude and majesty of the preexistent Christ. As the Word, He was, and is, the generative power of the universe, the One through whom all things were made at the Father’s command.
The One we like to think of as a Friend, Teacher, our Good Shepherd, is also Christ the Word, the uncreated creator of universes within universes, who created life on the planet earth. When the Father said, “Let us make man in our image,” (Genesis 1:26), humankind was thus created. Life Himself brought life into being. The Father was the instigator, the Son, the implementer, and through the ages made us and who came to remake us. He was born among us so we could be reborn.
In His humanity Christ revealed how life was to be lived under divine control. As the son of God, He called His followers to faithful and obedient discipleship. As Immanuel, God with us, He left no ambiguity about who He was. With authority He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58) asserting His preexistent oneness with Yahweh. With equal force He spoke with power and declared that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Temptation
Our confidence in overcoming temptation is in the faithfulness of the Lord who answers the petition He taught us to pray “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
Christ seeks to lead us out of patterns that will make us vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. That’s why He confronts us about our preemptive hugging of the center stage. He seeks to deliver us from habits of control because He knows we can’t pull it off alone. When we try and then find we need power, He knows that Satan will be ready to offer us false power.
Satan’s power comes at very high cost: his methods and his control cause a frightening spiraling descent into power tactics. But at any point we can call, and Christ will deliver us.
Not only has our Lord been through all the temptations we face and not only does He know every device of the tempter, He alone has power and authority over Satan. In the power struggle between good and evil in the spiritual world Christ always wins. The Father has given that authority to Christ.
We must call for aid. As has been stressed, He waits until we want His deliverance. His ongoing care to keep us out of temptation is freely given. He meets us at the pass erecting “Do Not Enter” signs on certain paths. But even as we push His sign aside and get into trouble He will help us even then in response to our cry for help.
The same Lord who erects the “No Entry” sign also places an “Only Way Out” sign in the jungle of defeat when we get lost. Christ’s help is the expression of the faithfulness of God that Paul touted with such gratitude. No temptation has overtaken you except as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13). The name of Christ is the way out. Christ delivers.
Christ seeks to lead us out of patterns that will make us vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. That’s why He confronts us about our preemptive hugging of the center stage. He seeks to deliver us from habits of control because He knows we can’t pull it off alone. When we try and then find we need power, He knows that Satan will be ready to offer us false power.
Satan’s power comes at very high cost: his methods and his control cause a frightening spiraling descent into power tactics. But at any point we can call, and Christ will deliver us.
Not only has our Lord been through all the temptations we face and not only does He know every device of the tempter, He alone has power and authority over Satan. In the power struggle between good and evil in the spiritual world Christ always wins. The Father has given that authority to Christ.
We must call for aid. As has been stressed, He waits until we want His deliverance. His ongoing care to keep us out of temptation is freely given. He meets us at the pass erecting “Do Not Enter” signs on certain paths. But even as we push His sign aside and get into trouble He will help us even then in response to our cry for help.
The same Lord who erects the “No Entry” sign also places an “Only Way Out” sign in the jungle of defeat when we get lost. Christ’s help is the expression of the faithfulness of God that Paul touted with such gratitude. No temptation has overtaken you except as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13). The name of Christ is the way out. Christ delivers.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Joseph's Two Sons
Manasseh and Ephraim were two fine young men with a great heritage. They were Jacob’s grandsons, but they shared in the inheritance with Jacob’s other sons. Thus Joseph actually had a double portion of the inheritance, and his sons were joint-heirs with him. He who is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36) has a double relationship with His chosen ones. He is our elder brother (Romans 8:29), and we are the children whom God hath given Him (Isaiah 8:18; Isaiah 53:10). He is called “the mighty God, the everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6). He who is the Alpha and Omega (Jesus) said that the overcomer shall be His son (Revelation 21:7).
Ephraim was both a son to Joseph and a younger brother to Manasseh. In this picture we see Joseph as a type of the Father and Manasseh as a type of the elder brother. The life of Joseph the Father was imparted to both the elder and the younger brothers, and they are joint heirs together of his inheritance. When the two brothers were brought to Jacob for his blessing, he laid his hands upon their heads and began to prophesy. His eyes were dim, and he could not distinguish one from the other, but by the leadership of the Spirit he crossed his hands, and placed his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, the younger brother. He explained that this one would become a multitude of nations (Genesis 48:15). Thus the younger son was set ahead of his elder brother and given a greater work to do. The “son of the right hand” or that one who received the blessing with the right hand laid upon his head, received greater authority and power.
As we consider who our elder brother is, this idea seems absolutely outrageous and heretical, but I call to your attention what Jesus said in John 14:12-13…”He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father.” He indicates that this brings glory to the Father. Notice He did not say “more” works (as some present day evangelists say is now true), but He said “greater works.”
All evidence from the sacred record reminds us all and points to the fact that the manifestation of Jesus Christ, as Head of His body in this earth will be greater than what men saw when He walked the shores of Galilee (with the exception of His redemptive work on Calvary which cannot be duplicated or excelled).
Ephraim was both a son to Joseph and a younger brother to Manasseh. In this picture we see Joseph as a type of the Father and Manasseh as a type of the elder brother. The life of Joseph the Father was imparted to both the elder and the younger brothers, and they are joint heirs together of his inheritance. When the two brothers were brought to Jacob for his blessing, he laid his hands upon their heads and began to prophesy. His eyes were dim, and he could not distinguish one from the other, but by the leadership of the Spirit he crossed his hands, and placed his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, the younger brother. He explained that this one would become a multitude of nations (Genesis 48:15). Thus the younger son was set ahead of his elder brother and given a greater work to do. The “son of the right hand” or that one who received the blessing with the right hand laid upon his head, received greater authority and power.
As we consider who our elder brother is, this idea seems absolutely outrageous and heretical, but I call to your attention what Jesus said in John 14:12-13…”He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father.” He indicates that this brings glory to the Father. Notice He did not say “more” works (as some present day evangelists say is now true), but He said “greater works.”
All evidence from the sacred record reminds us all and points to the fact that the manifestation of Jesus Christ, as Head of His body in this earth will be greater than what men saw when He walked the shores of Galilee (with the exception of His redemptive work on Calvary which cannot be duplicated or excelled).
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Common Human Temptation
All our temptations are but diminutive demonstrations of our desire to hug center stage. They are beguiling enticements to insure power, to play God, king of the mountain, lord of our own lives.
Try that on for size. Think of the temptations you have had in just the past years. Didn’t they involve side-stepping some spiritual or moral law of God? Start with the basics. Begin with the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods.” All the rest of the commandments focus on the danger of breaking that fundamental spiritual law. We can make a false god out of controlling our use of time, people, the family, truth, sex or things.
The producer and director of that production is Satan. He is a fallen angel who tried to hug center stage. Having lost his place in glory, he is busy recruiting and casting power-hungry people in roles that usurp the spotlight in their life story. He delights in getting us to seek the glory rather than glorify Christ. But center stage is where we get the worst case of feeling at loose ends because we cannot cope with the pressure. It’s inevitable; we were never meant to be there in the first place.
Temptation to get and keep control are distracting loose ends. They keep pulling us away from our central purpose of glorifying God and doing what we know He has called us to do. And now the central question: Is Christ also Lord of these loose ends of temptation? Always remember when you are being tempted that you are seeking to hug the center stage. Stop! You’re not the star. Christ is.
Try that on for size. Think of the temptations you have had in just the past years. Didn’t they involve side-stepping some spiritual or moral law of God? Start with the basics. Begin with the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods.” All the rest of the commandments focus on the danger of breaking that fundamental spiritual law. We can make a false god out of controlling our use of time, people, the family, truth, sex or things.
The producer and director of that production is Satan. He is a fallen angel who tried to hug center stage. Having lost his place in glory, he is busy recruiting and casting power-hungry people in roles that usurp the spotlight in their life story. He delights in getting us to seek the glory rather than glorify Christ. But center stage is where we get the worst case of feeling at loose ends because we cannot cope with the pressure. It’s inevitable; we were never meant to be there in the first place.
Temptation to get and keep control are distracting loose ends. They keep pulling us away from our central purpose of glorifying God and doing what we know He has called us to do. And now the central question: Is Christ also Lord of these loose ends of temptation? Always remember when you are being tempted that you are seeking to hug the center stage. Stop! You’re not the star. Christ is.
The Sad Awakening
Jacob worked for seven years for the privilege of marrying Rachel, and it seemed to him but a few days. This is because of his love for her. That is all that is said about these years, but we can feel the heartbeat of expectancy of those two young people. Girls of the east mature quickly, and it is possible that Rachel was only thirteen years of age when Jacob first saw her. By the end of the seven years, she was a mature young woman, and Jacob was anxious to receive the reward of his labors.
The custom of the land was to have a great wedding feast, all the neighbors gathered, and the wine flowing freely. The bride was kept out of sight until time to come to her husband. Finally, late in the evening, when Jacob was well filled with wine, the bride was brought in, her face covered with a veil, and the marriage was consummated.
When morning came and his head was clear, he found he had married Leah, the older sister. He was furious and went to Laban in a rage. “Seven years I labored faithfully, and you have tricked me! Why would you do this to me, your own nephew?” He was now reaping the harvest of his own cunning, deceiving nature. What a man sows that shall he also reap.
“Oh,” said the cunning old Laban. “Didn’t I explain the law of the land to you? The younger sisters cannot be married off until first their older sisters are married. According to the law and the custom of the land, I had to let you marry Leah before Rachel was qualified to be wed. But now she is ready, so if you will fulfill the wedding week for Leah, give her the customary honeymoon, then we’ll have another wedding, and you and Rachel can be married.”
What could Jacob say? He was trapped by the law, and he did not want some other man to marry his beloved Rachel. Where was she during the wedding? Hidden away somewhere by her scheming father, most likely grieving about her promised husband and her hated sister. So Jacob agreed, and the honeymoon week went on, unpleasant though it must have been.
After Leah’s honeymoon, Jacob wedded Rachel, his true beloved, before any payment was made. He had to work yet another seven years in return for her. The bride of the law was paid for in advance, but the beloved was the bride of grace, nothing having been paid for until after she was really his. So it is with us. We cannot be satisfied with what we have earned or worked for under the law. When we receive the real thing, we find we have paid nothing for it, but we labor the rest of our lives in a labor of love and gratitude (Ephesians 2:8-10).
The custom of the land was to have a great wedding feast, all the neighbors gathered, and the wine flowing freely. The bride was kept out of sight until time to come to her husband. Finally, late in the evening, when Jacob was well filled with wine, the bride was brought in, her face covered with a veil, and the marriage was consummated.
When morning came and his head was clear, he found he had married Leah, the older sister. He was furious and went to Laban in a rage. “Seven years I labored faithfully, and you have tricked me! Why would you do this to me, your own nephew?” He was now reaping the harvest of his own cunning, deceiving nature. What a man sows that shall he also reap.
“Oh,” said the cunning old Laban. “Didn’t I explain the law of the land to you? The younger sisters cannot be married off until first their older sisters are married. According to the law and the custom of the land, I had to let you marry Leah before Rachel was qualified to be wed. But now she is ready, so if you will fulfill the wedding week for Leah, give her the customary honeymoon, then we’ll have another wedding, and you and Rachel can be married.”
What could Jacob say? He was trapped by the law, and he did not want some other man to marry his beloved Rachel. Where was she during the wedding? Hidden away somewhere by her scheming father, most likely grieving about her promised husband and her hated sister. So Jacob agreed, and the honeymoon week went on, unpleasant though it must have been.
After Leah’s honeymoon, Jacob wedded Rachel, his true beloved, before any payment was made. He had to work yet another seven years in return for her. The bride of the law was paid for in advance, but the beloved was the bride of grace, nothing having been paid for until after she was really his. So it is with us. We cannot be satisfied with what we have earned or worked for under the law. When we receive the real thing, we find we have paid nothing for it, but we labor the rest of our lives in a labor of love and gratitude (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)