Bibledoorajar Observes the Power to Bless

      What did Israel/Jacob see in the future of his second and third born sons? They received the same blessing for the same evil deed. They had been instruments of cruelty. They had wiped out all the men of Shechem in retaliation for the rape of their sister Dinah (Genesis 34:25-29). This did not seem to be that big of a deal at the time. Jacob really said very little about it, but obviously moved by the Spirit, he remembered the event wrapped in its' spiritual significance. I guess it is true that our past can come back to haunt us. Though forgiven, the consequences of behavior live on. And oh, what ramifications it can have!
       It seemed that one of the biggest problems with Simeon and Levi's  behavior had been the degree of their anger. Apparently there is a fierceness of anger than is rooted in self-will rather than in godly, righteous anger. "Be angry and do not sin"(Ephesians 4:26). "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger…be put away from you" "Ephesians 4:31). God's people simply cannot have their way with anger; godliness must be the pursuit at all costs. As a result of the two brothers committing this great sin which stemmed from ungodly anger, they were to be divided in the new nation. This was particularly true of Simeon. His tribe became smaller and smaller and finally became the smallest of all the tribes. For Levi, the prophecy of being divided and scattered became a blessing. Because of demonstrating paramount faithfulness during the golden calf episode (See Exodus 32: 26ff), the tribe was scattered throughout the whole nation of Israel. Their inheritance was the Lord, not land. And from this tribe we see the evolution of Israel's priests living among the people.
     In the sphere of counseling, it is said that people do not improve their lot in life because they do not fix. That is, they refuse to handle their feelings within their families or communities correctly. Perhaps the story of Simeon and Levi helps underscore that observation. Anything need fixing?

Bibledoorajar Examines The First Shall Be Last

 Isaac had met with the Pharoah and knowing he would not live much longer he prepares to give each of his sons a blessing. We might think of these statements as prophecies also because he told them what would befall them in the last days. Each son would be patriarch of a tribe or here called a nation, but each would have a different place in the future land of Israel. Such telling of these great secrets concerning the end of time was very significant as to how the various tribes would experience Israel. Just think of God allowing Jacob in his status as Israel(spiritual leader) to know what would occur to his children who were sons of both Jacob/ Israel(knew of their physical and spiritual identity and destiny). God had given Israel a place of spiritual maturity but it was a constant battle against Jacob to maintain it.  So it was for his sons. 

For his first son, Reuben,  there was stark news that though he had claim to the inheritance rights of the firstborn he forfeited the excellent spiritual and social position through pride and immorality.  Reuben’s immorality with his father’s concubine Bilhah (the mother of his brothers Dan and Naphtali) is recorded in Genesis 35:22. Now, Israel says that the rights of blessing, priesthood and ruling authority will be divided rather than centralized in his firstborn.

 

The tribe of Reuben never did excel. No prophet, no judge, or no king came from the tribe of Reuben. Reuben is an example of how the first can be last. Listen to what God the Father's firstborn said:

 ..."When the priests heard this they were utterly amazed. "Then who, they asked, 'can be saved?' Jesus looked at them and said, 'humanly this is impossible, but with God everything is possible, Peter replied, 'look, we have left everything and followed you. So what will we have?' Jesus said to them, 'Yes, I tell you that in the REGENERATED world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times more, and he will obtain eternal life. But many who are FIRST SHALL BE LAST, AND MANY WHO ARE LAST WILL BE FIRST. Matthew 18:

 (Matthew 19:25-30).

   God looks for stable character in those who will lead His people. Reuben just didn't have it. As it is said in our culture, character counts and so do blessing. Best be counting them and remaining true.

Bibledoorajar Travels

     Bibledoorajar has traveled to Houston today to be with a nephew who needs hand surgery. We have come here for him to have the surgery done by one of the best. The best. The best is so important when you have a great need, is it not?
      Jacob had moved a family of seventy to be with the best because they all had a great need. He had met his son Joseph, known in Egypt as Zaphenath-paneah. He learned that Pharoah gave him the name when he elevated him to his high position because Pharoah had felt that Joseph was surely Divinely blessed having many god-like characteristics. This observation was not new to Jacob for he had indeed seen God-like characteristics in his son before. But now, there was great power associated with Joseph's Egyptian name and, further, Pharoah himself expressed an interest in meeting and talking with Jacob. The elevation of his favorite son was amazing to the father. To meet with the Pharoah himself because of his son was even more amazing. As they sat and talked Jacob told the Pharoah all about his earthly journey and told the Pharoah he was now able to die because he had seen his special son and experienced all of his provision. Jacob had also lived to see the ones who had been so cruel to Joseph rejoice in him and acknowledge his greatness.
      One day the Greater Son will take those who know him to meet the Father, the Possessor of Heaven and Earth. There the Father will be most interested in talking with the Faithful. Can you envision yourself having a conversation with the Most High God? If you know the Son, the conversation(s) will indeed take place. If you haven't met and acknowledged the power of the Son to bring you to the Father, perhaps now would be the time to do just that.

" Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."  Rev. 1:7

All, even those who were so cruel to Him, will see Him.  It will surely happen.


Bibledoorajar: What's Goshen like?

So, all of Joseph's family came to Egypt. But with conditions. By Joseph's decree and with the Pharoah's blessing they were to live in but one part of the land: Goshen.  Joseph placed his family in a separate part of Egypt so that all would realize that their existence was distinctive from others living in Egypt. And there Joseph would meet his family's needs and they would prosper.

Growing up, I can remember being exposed to church groups whose name started with Goshen. I did not realize then that the goals of those church leaders included their members being distinctive from the world around them.  But later I understood their desire;  the flock would understand that they were set apart, saved, and would be helped and loved to the end in a Goshen like community.

Goshen is in the world but not of it. Sometimes it is difficult to remember where home is. But if we ease away from it and choose to live somewhere else, we usually find the taste of living elsewhere bitter indeed.

The Goshen of Egypt prepares us for the Prodigal Son story. Best to get on home now.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.
                      J. Wilbur Chapman