Bibledoorajar: Looking Up

    The Pharoah who had the audacity to say "I know not the Lord" is the epitome of  human desire to be independent from God and forgetting that we exist at His pleasure. This particular Pharoah was referenced as an Assyrian by Stephen in his sermon recorded in Acts. Some scholars state that he was executing a police state in Egypt.  But, be that as it may, Stephen said "it was he who took shrewd advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive." Thus we have two comparative statements about this evil act in the Bible ( Exodus and Acts)  witnessing the reality of evil opposition to God's people and our need to confront it (out of the mouth of two or three witnesses...2 Cor. 13:1).

Yesterday, I was surprised when the Bible class lesson learning goal was: "We are doing this training to equip ourselves with motivation to accomplish and overcome OPPOSITIONAL difficulties so we can fully serve God." The learning objectives were that at the end of the session participants would possess skills to PURGE harmful and OPPRESSIVE difficulties and would once again be eager in their service to God and the church. We were to see ourselves as part of history still fighting opposition!

God  had allowed the children of Jacob to grow exponentially and the Pharaoh began to give reasons why they should be dealt a harsher life. He claimed they were getting too mighty--a formidable body who needed to be kept under control or they would become dangerous to the government. Thus began a long history of leaders coming up with some pretense as to why the Jews were not fit to be trusted or to fit in with current thought.

It is a story for all Christians to note being that it is a great description of how the bondage of sin can entangle us accusing us of "just not fitting in". The writer of Hebrews put it this way:

" Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."  Heb. 12:1

Like Israel, we are to look to the "clouds" being dependent on the Strength thereof and to resist being as Egypt who looked at their "world" for strength and independence from the true Source of strength.. The "clouds" are full of mercy and help. Why not take a closer look this week as to how the joy of the Lord can be your strength? There He is--right by the Father. See Him?

Bibledoorajar: Differences

We have come to Exodus One and now we see differences between those dwelling in Goshen and the new leadership in the remainder of Egypt. The biggest difference was that the new leader of Egypt had either come from a far part of Egypt where Joseph's deeds were minimally known by his time or he chose to not recognize them because Goshen had swelled in such number. Egypt was a people bereft of God under the new leadership and were different from the Egypt that spoke of God while Joseph lived. The new nation of Israel had swelled to probably two million and lived in Goshen which stood between Egypt and their enemies of Canaan. And the nation of Israel was different from Egypt in that they were shepherds and lived life in a different manner.  Finally, we must acknowledge that this great nation of Israel was about to reap the consequences of what their fathers had sown when they tried to kill Joseph and sent him into bondage. We like to forget that the Bible says the sins of the fathers are visited up to the fourth generation, but...there we go forgetting important differences. Opposition from Egypt is now in the front. How different are these two groups going to be? The new Pharoah does not want to lose the value of the Jews but he sure wants to control them and use them for his good. The Jews just want to live in Goshen and tend their sheep.

Differences have been noted about Jews since they participated in the killing of their Messiah too. Their gifts and abilities are valued but rarely has the world assimilated their differences. Opposition to them has often led to bondage. Even this past week we heard the Prime Minister of Israel encouraging Jews that are being opposed by the world to flee to Israel but many do not want to go because they have become so accustomed to living where they are. Before you say, 'that's just stupid' remember that we often do not flee as a bird to the mountain of God either. We prefer to stay in the place of opposition and be bandied about. Wierd.

In the book of Mark we see Jesus moving quickly (forthwith, straightaway, etc), to give those who would believe a place of safety from the different world that opposed them. But not all accepted. Sad.
Today consider reading Psalm 11:1.

Bibledoorajar: Identity and Threat

"The collar was clearly a sticking point with the professor, who stood before him in the cliche cardigan with elbow patches....'.unless, of course, you're using the bookstore as your pulpit. A clever notion, but I am not charmed.'
'This is who I am. There's nothing to be done about it--I belong to God.'
'While, I, sir, am my own.'
'George McDonald called that notion the guiding principle of hell."
    
Father Tim and Professor McCurdy: a conversation in Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good.

Not only had Joseph died, but all of his eleven brothers had gone on. But God had surely kept his promise of being with their descendants. They greatly multiplied and prospered in Egypt. Their numbers swelled until they were in a position to be a possible threat. When the past was past, a new Pharoah came into power who had no awareness of the nature of the contributions made by the foreign group. He became concerned that they could band with another enemy and overthrow Egypt. He would have to find a solution to this situation in order to feel in control.

Today, all over the world, Christians are multiplying and being blessed by the Father. As always, it seems we are becoming a threat. Like Father Tim, we are being asked to shove our identity away and let the "ones who are their own" feel comfortable. How can we possibly give in to what McDonald called a guiding principle of hell?"

       "Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide.
        In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side."
                                                               James R. Lovell

Bibledoorajar: Someone Who Is Unafraid

Jacob has gone but the family continued to prosper under the leadership of Joseph. But now Joseph who has lived to see his great-grandchildren is also about to die. How strong was the mouth to mouth message of God's remembrance that was being passed down from Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob and his children? Joseph found it necessary to repeat the message once again: God will remember you; bank on this. He said this was the reason that they did not need to fear come what may: "God will remember you". Keep faith. And to insure that someone would be going into the Promised Land that never doubted, Joseph exacted a covenant from them to carry his bones with them as they went. With every step, carry my coffin. Someone (Joseph)  would go into the land unafraid. Keep carrying my coffin. I am not afraid nor will I ever discount that God will remember. And so they did. And when they feared (which they surely did) faith filled bones went into the Land with them.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, a thief asked that He remember him when He came into His kingdom. Someone who was unafraid was carrying the covenant promise into the heavens and the thief knew it. How marvelous it is to know that no matter how weak we are, no matter how much we fear death, a totally unafraid faith-filled Son has gone before us. No matter how we are consumed by the particulars of death and the grave, Jesus wants us, most of all, to take the time today to remember that Someone who was unafraid is remembering us and going with us when the time comes. Whatever else we may be required to do in life, this is our first calling: God has and always will remember His own. Keep carrying the Cross. Hallelujah.

Great is Thy faithfulness,
Oh God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning in Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.
                      Thomas O. Chisholm