It is often stated that a wrong-doing can never solve a problem, but living our lives in accordance with the guidelines given to us by God WILL solve problems. Take a look at a family brothers described in the Bible, all members of one family, the sons of Israel. Ten of them so jealous and hateful of Joseph their brother that the very sight of him provoked their worst behavior.
One day they saw him coming to visit them, “Then they said to one another, ‘look this dreamer is coming!’ “(Gen. 37:19). Have you noticed how quickly one sinful act can lead to another? Joseph’s brothers are a good example! As soon as they saw Joseph coming, they began to plot his death, but when Midianite traders came by, it seemed more advantageous to sell him for twenty pieces of silver. Getting rid of a brother and make money at the same time was an idea that appealed to their self-interest and fitted their hate.
Ah, but the trouble had just begun. They had to kill a goat (clever deception) and wipe Joseph’s coat in its blood. Finally, there was the lie they had to tell Jacob. Helplessly they watched as their father was overcome with grief. After all, they were the ones who had gotten rid of Joseph- so what comfort could they possibly give?
Another example is David the King, the sweet psalmist of Israel. Early in his reign he was at war with the people of Ammon. He sent his troops to battle and he himself remained at home. Instead of being in the battle with his men, he chose to rest, but in his resting he became restless. Being restless, he became sleepless and went up to the roof of the house. There he saw a woman taking her bath. He desired her, a woman who was already married to one of his best soldiers (2 Sam. 23:39) and the son-in-law of another of his best soldiers ( 2 Sam. 23:23). This woman was even the granddaughter of his special adviser, Ahithophel (2 Sam 17: 1-23).
David lured her to bed, and, when he was told she was expecting his child, he arranged her husband’s death in the battlefield. Think about it. It started with laziness that turned into restlessness, then insomnia, followed by lust of the flesh, misuse of power and influence compounded by betrayal, deception, adultery and finally cold blooded murder.
How easy it is for one, seemingly isolated, disobedient act to spiral into compounded problems. One lie leading to another lie and another lie spiraling out of control. How simple for one tiny deception to grow into a multitude of sins.
God's guidelines clearly tell us to say "No" right away to disobedience. Doing so saves us a lot of trouble in the long run. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. " (Titus 2:11-14).
Showing posts with label Joseph. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joseph. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Joseph: Prisoner to the Will of the Spirit
One of the most notable of God’s prisoners in the Old Testament is Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. In his childhood he was beloved of his father and had freedom to move about as he chose. He had seen a vision of the Throne, of rulership and authority, and he believed God was going to bring this to him. Nevertheless, this vision was not shared by his brothers, and because of this vision he was brought into a very real confinement by his brothers, into a pit with no way to look but up.
He was then sold into slavery, and he was brought to Potiphar’s house in chains of bondage. At Potiphar’s house Joseph was blessed in such a way that Potiphar gave him a measure of freedom and authority, and he was the means of feeding and caring for the others who were also in bondage. He may have become a little satisfied with his measure of authority and his measure of freedom and the good work that he was doing. Perhaps he travailed before God to complete and fulfill the original vision he had seen. At any rate God began the work of bringing him to the throne.
How? By setting him free? Oh no! But by bringing him into a terrible disgrace and the losing of his reputation and the “measure” of his freedom and authority. God brought Joseph into a greater confinement than he had ever known, and for years He kept him confined in a prison cell. This lasted until Joseph began crying for deliverance, and he tried to enlist the aid of everyone who could get a word with the king. He cries, “Get me out of this place.”
There was real travail of his soul. Psalm 105:19 tells us that “The word of the Lord tried him.” Even in the darkest hour when it looked as though he was a complete failure and his life was nothing, Joseph never lost the vision of what God had shown him. He held on to the word of the Lord to him. When he was completely submitted to the dealing of God, in the fullness of time God brought forth His chosen vessel to feed the nation in the time of need. God was not late, neither could He be forced or pressured into moving too soon. He was right on time. He had Joseph, His chosen one, ready for the hour.
Just because God has given you a vision does not mean you should exert all your strength to take it at will. You must be patient before God and allow Him to prepare you for it. It is not an easy road. Before the world can be brought into submission to God, He first will perfect and mature the tool He will work with. You can never be in this company who rule with Christ on His Throne until you have become His prisoner and been brought into absolute submission and obedience to His perfect will.
To Christ every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, but you will never be used to bring others into submission as long as there is the least bit of the rebellious nature within you. You must be disciplined to the will of the Spirit. Remember that having a burden does not necessitate timing. Surrender and submit under the mighty hand of God.
He was then sold into slavery, and he was brought to Potiphar’s house in chains of bondage. At Potiphar’s house Joseph was blessed in such a way that Potiphar gave him a measure of freedom and authority, and he was the means of feeding and caring for the others who were also in bondage. He may have become a little satisfied with his measure of authority and his measure of freedom and the good work that he was doing. Perhaps he travailed before God to complete and fulfill the original vision he had seen. At any rate God began the work of bringing him to the throne.
How? By setting him free? Oh no! But by bringing him into a terrible disgrace and the losing of his reputation and the “measure” of his freedom and authority. God brought Joseph into a greater confinement than he had ever known, and for years He kept him confined in a prison cell. This lasted until Joseph began crying for deliverance, and he tried to enlist the aid of everyone who could get a word with the king. He cries, “Get me out of this place.”
There was real travail of his soul. Psalm 105:19 tells us that “The word of the Lord tried him.” Even in the darkest hour when it looked as though he was a complete failure and his life was nothing, Joseph never lost the vision of what God had shown him. He held on to the word of the Lord to him. When he was completely submitted to the dealing of God, in the fullness of time God brought forth His chosen vessel to feed the nation in the time of need. God was not late, neither could He be forced or pressured into moving too soon. He was right on time. He had Joseph, His chosen one, ready for the hour.
Just because God has given you a vision does not mean you should exert all your strength to take it at will. You must be patient before God and allow Him to prepare you for it. It is not an easy road. Before the world can be brought into submission to God, He first will perfect and mature the tool He will work with. You can never be in this company who rule with Christ on His Throne until you have become His prisoner and been brought into absolute submission and obedience to His perfect will.
To Christ every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, but you will never be used to bring others into submission as long as there is the least bit of the rebellious nature within you. You must be disciplined to the will of the Spirit. Remember that having a burden does not necessitate timing. Surrender and submit under the mighty hand of God.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
From Prison to the Throne
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.
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.
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.
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