Joseph's brothers sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites, then the Ishmaelites sold him to the Midianite traders, then the Midianite traders traded him to the Medanites, and the Medanites took him into Egypt. Now Potiphar has him. There is no record of any complaint of all these maneuvers on this noble servant's part. He was destined to save the then known world. But before that he would be mistreated and jailed wrongly.
Jesus was "sold out" by Judas and the Hebrew leaders and then moved from secular ruler to ruler on His way to the cross with no complaints. Finally He stood side by side with Barabbas whose life was overcome by temptation, his temptation overtaken by sin that demanded death by the law. However, the law was conquered. Its demand was satisfied by Jesus! Jesus became the Substitute, to die in the sinner's place.
You and I live in Egypt far away for the kingdom of God where temptation is overtaken by sin and we are condemned to death. Thank God we have a Noble Servant who stands in our stead only thinking loving thoughts of us. Praise Him!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Bibledoorajar Speaks of a Magnificent Servant
Joseph, the slave who did not resist his enslavement, arrived in Egypt. The plan was for him to be of service to his master, Potiphar, who himself served at the pleasure of the Pharoah. Soon it became clear that Potiphar had gotten himself a wonderful young man. There seemed to be no ill will within Joseph about his new status in life. He served in Egypt with pleasure. Potiphar realized that Joseph feared God and that God was with him. God prospered Joseph in all that he did and he became somewhat of a special man whose vitality could not go unnoticed.
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in his season and will not wither; and whatsoever he does shall PROSPER." (Psalms 1: 1ff)
It pleasures God to have such a servant. As an example we have Joseph, but, of course, our ultimate example is the One who served completely at the pleasure of His God and Father. Joseph is a good role model, but of Jesus, God said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. Is it not wonderful that God was willing to share Him?
"...This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him." Matthew 17: 5 When the disciples heard this they were awe stricken. Are we in awe of Jesus today? Should we repent and agree again to serve the Most Magnificent Servant and pursue the ultimate good life?
Jesus is Life yet we sometimes resist the journey of seeking His truth which will lead us to a wonderful life of service. As we grow, He leads us to places where we can serve at His pleasure. He can give us fullness of life just as He did Joseph if we are willing to go on in service. Abundance is heaven's plan, not neediness. God gives us directions on the path of life (following Jesus) if we are interested in service to Him. Prosperity without withering. That's a noble goal.
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in his season and will not wither; and whatsoever he does shall PROSPER." (Psalms 1: 1ff)
It pleasures God to have such a servant. As an example we have Joseph, but, of course, our ultimate example is the One who served completely at the pleasure of His God and Father. Joseph is a good role model, but of Jesus, God said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. Is it not wonderful that God was willing to share Him?
"...This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him." Matthew 17: 5 When the disciples heard this they were awe stricken. Are we in awe of Jesus today? Should we repent and agree again to serve the Most Magnificent Servant and pursue the ultimate good life?
Jesus is Life yet we sometimes resist the journey of seeking His truth which will lead us to a wonderful life of service. As we grow, He leads us to places where we can serve at His pleasure. He can give us fullness of life just as He did Joseph if we are willing to go on in service. Abundance is heaven's plan, not neediness. God gives us directions on the path of life (following Jesus) if we are interested in service to Him. Prosperity without withering. That's a noble goal.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Bibledoorajar Looks Again at Life Journeys
In Acts seven, we find the journey of Stephen recorded. The believers had multiplied and a need for additional leadership emerged. The Word says that Stephen was one of the men selected by the believers for the apostles to appoint to leadership. He was to cover needs within the growing group that now included Gentiles. He was chosen from among men of whom there was an honest report and whom were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. This man started a journey that included being noticed by men in the synagogue. These men were not able to withstand his wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. They became incensed with Stephen and began to persecute him. Finally, he was brought before them and accused of blasphemy. In his defense, Stephen tried to reorient the Hebrews to the history behind Jesus the Nazarene of whom they were really so envious. At one point in his speech he said:
"and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. The
patriarchs moved with envy, sold Joseph
into Egypt: but God was with him."
Acts 7: 9 ff.
We learn from Stephen's story, that the men of the synagogue were no more able to handle his zealousness than the patriarchs were able to handle that of Joseph. Something about the "journey" of these men was too much for them to accept. I remember going on a mission outing in Virginia one time. The journey included our handing out announcements of a Bible meeting and interacting with people on the street about the meeting. Afterwards a trip to Williamsburg was planned. One brother, full of the Holy Spirit and zeal for the Lord, wanted the group to keep "working" in the area and to make more contacts for the Lord's work. But the majority of the group wanted to seek the recreation and soon the young man was made to look like one gone overboard in his zealousness: a misfit. I am now impressed with how he received this feedback with grace and humility although I must admit I was not mature enough at the time to realize what an ability God had given him.
So Joseph was sold into slavery and purchased by Potiphar an officer and captain of the guard of the Pharoah of Egypt. Jacob's beloved son has been humiliated and sold into slavery in Egypt.
"He who was in the form of God, made Himself of
no reputation, and took upon
Him the form of a servant."
Philippians 2:ff.
"and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. The
patriarchs moved with envy, sold Joseph
into Egypt: but God was with him."
Acts 7: 9 ff.
We learn from Stephen's story, that the men of the synagogue were no more able to handle his zealousness than the patriarchs were able to handle that of Joseph. Something about the "journey" of these men was too much for them to accept. I remember going on a mission outing in Virginia one time. The journey included our handing out announcements of a Bible meeting and interacting with people on the street about the meeting. Afterwards a trip to Williamsburg was planned. One brother, full of the Holy Spirit and zeal for the Lord, wanted the group to keep "working" in the area and to make more contacts for the Lord's work. But the majority of the group wanted to seek the recreation and soon the young man was made to look like one gone overboard in his zealousness: a misfit. I am now impressed with how he received this feedback with grace and humility although I must admit I was not mature enough at the time to realize what an ability God had given him.
So Joseph was sold into slavery and purchased by Potiphar an officer and captain of the guard of the Pharoah of Egypt. Jacob's beloved son has been humiliated and sold into slavery in Egypt.
"He who was in the form of God, made Himself of
no reputation, and took upon
Him the form of a servant."
Philippians 2:ff.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Bibledoorajar Asks: Where Has All the Purity Gone?
" Where have all the good men gone
and where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss
and I turn
and I dream of what I need.
I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero
'til the end of the night.
He's gotta be strong
and he's gotta be fast"
Bonnie Tyler
As Chapter 37 of Genesis ends, we see the sweet pure and wronged Joseph a captive and on his way to Egypt. We see a grieving father and we see the remainder of his sons return and carry on their lives while Joseph is away. So graphic is the picture of sons unwilling to establish a righteous nation. Judah takes a wife from among the heathens. They produce three sons. The first is so evil that God has to take his life. The second is so evil that he refuses to carry on his brother's family line. The father is so scared that he refuses to give the widow (Tamar) his third son for fear he too will be taken. Then there is that whole scene of Tamar seducing Judah after his worldly friends finish their sheep shearing and are looking for a little pleasure. The trap is set. Tamar becomes pregnant by the patriarch of the family and secures the truth of it, by taking important pieces of Judah's head of family presentation. Judah thinks he can end this evil accomplished wrongly by burning the harlot. However, she has the goods to expose him. The wicked webs have been weaved and we see no hero in sight. Our hero is gone. However, the Hero of the Heavens is watching and He alone has seen why this nation, Israel, will need a savior. He alone has the power to influence and grow the character of the one who will eventually save the needy mass of protoplasm represented here.
Thank God that He loves us so even as when this graphic picture presented here, shows the depth of sin in mankind. Thank God that He is always thinking and always turning evil for good. He is the Strong One and He may seem slow and hidden but He cannot be denied. "O glorious Victory that overcomes the world."
and where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss
and I turn
and I dream of what I need.
I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero
'til the end of the night.
He's gotta be strong
and he's gotta be fast"
Bonnie Tyler
As Chapter 37 of Genesis ends, we see the sweet pure and wronged Joseph a captive and on his way to Egypt. We see a grieving father and we see the remainder of his sons return and carry on their lives while Joseph is away. So graphic is the picture of sons unwilling to establish a righteous nation. Judah takes a wife from among the heathens. They produce three sons. The first is so evil that God has to take his life. The second is so evil that he refuses to carry on his brother's family line. The father is so scared that he refuses to give the widow (Tamar) his third son for fear he too will be taken. Then there is that whole scene of Tamar seducing Judah after his worldly friends finish their sheep shearing and are looking for a little pleasure. The trap is set. Tamar becomes pregnant by the patriarch of the family and secures the truth of it, by taking important pieces of Judah's head of family presentation. Judah thinks he can end this evil accomplished wrongly by burning the harlot. However, she has the goods to expose him. The wicked webs have been weaved and we see no hero in sight. Our hero is gone. However, the Hero of the Heavens is watching and He alone has seen why this nation, Israel, will need a savior. He alone has the power to influence and grow the character of the one who will eventually save the needy mass of protoplasm represented here.
Thank God that He loves us so even as when this graphic picture presented here, shows the depth of sin in mankind. Thank God that He is always thinking and always turning evil for good. He is the Strong One and He may seem slow and hidden but He cannot be denied. "O glorious Victory that overcomes the world."
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