Bibledoorajar For The Best Part

     Imagine Jacob looking into the distance and seeing his sons return to him safely. Imagine him hearing the best part--Joseph was alive! Imagine him receiving this news from men who were filled with joy to report it. Imagine being 130 years old and trying to digest such news by such changed sons. Rocked on his heels for a bit, he finally looked at all the wagons and equipment sent to get them to Egypt and to Joseph and Jacob accepted the wonderful miracle provided for his family. Imagine all the activity that it took to prepare 70 family members to make their way to a new home. But Jacob stopped first at Beersheba ,the place of God's oaths to his grandfather, to his father, and to him. He sacrificed and waited before God. There God assured him that it was right to go to the son that lived even in Egypt a godless country. God told the pilgrim it would be a place of provision for years of famine, but that his clan would be returned home at a future time. Jacob moved his clan onward to Egypt. Now, for the best part. Imagine Jacob looking up and seeing Joseph appearing in his chariot-- all the dazzling splendor and kingship. Imagine Joseph coming first to Judah (praise) and then to all the clan of Israel.
     Yesterday in worship, we sang two songs. Here is a taste:

"Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,  lift up your voice and sing (praise-rap)
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King. The hope of all who SEEK Him,
the help of all who FIND, None other is so loving, so Good and Kind.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me
along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how
I know He lives? He lives within my heart."(A.H. Ackley)

".... For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was
buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared
to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time...."
                                      1st Corinthians 15: 1ff.

      Have you made the journey to Jesus. He will appear one day, first to Judah(praise)
and then to all mankind. Get ready, get ready..... Are you in the praise group?

"For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind" Isaiah 66:15

"Nearer still nearer, while life shall last, Till safe in glory My anchor is cast.."(Leila Morris)

Bibledoorajar: The Great Shift

Joseph, having revealed himself to his brothers, now asked them to return to their father and all their clan and reveal his marvelous glory to them. He further admonished his brothers to not argue along the way, but to go quickly and say this:

"Hurry, and go to my father and say: 'Thus saith thy son Joseph. God has set me lord of all Egypt, come to me and settle in the land of Goshen."

As Joseph wept and kissed his brothers, Pharoah heard and was well pleased. So powerful was Joseph in the land of Egypt that Pharoah gladly allowed him to send heavily gift laden wagons back to his family for their journey(not allowed by Egyptian law). And the brothers were to reassure all the family that what they couldn't take with them would be wonderfully provided in the land of Egypt.

Imagine if you will, these brothers who had so maligned Joseph, being asked to return to Jacob with a bounce in their step! They were cautioned to not give in to old behaviors and argue along the way, but to go all the way with a glad heart rejoicing in the provision of God through Joseph.

Years later, Paul, the apostle to we Gentiles, cautioned:

"Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to the things going on around Christ---that's where the action is. See things from His perspective." Colossians 3;1-2 from The Message translation.

This perspective---don't worry about tomorrow, be joyful, share My Glory--that's today and every day's position for the child of God. Where's your bounce?  Do you need to make the great shift today?
After all:

         "He's alive, He's alive
         He's alive and I'm forgiven,
         Heaven's gates are open wide."
                                       Don Francisco

Bibledoorajar: God Meant it for Good

As Joseph wept and revealed himself to his brothers he declared that all that had happened to bring him to Egypt had been the plan of God and that God had meant it all for good. He had placed Joseph in Egypt ahead of them to ASSURE salvation in a time of severe famine. He told his brothers that there would be yet five more years of famine and he asked that they bring his father and the rest of the family to him so that they could be safe, fed and at rest. He would be enough for them. Such news of such a good life was glorious for the brothers who had once so wronged their brother.

Years later, God allowed His only begotten Son to be brutalized and crucified with all the world's dark sins upon Him. As hard as it was, it was enough to ASSURE that all who believed and accepted His Son's provision would be safe, fed and at rest. Such news is glorious and is still being shared today giving untold persons a good life.

In 1820 a poor Puritan girl gave birth to a daughter. She named her Frances Jane Crosby but the family called her Fannie. Soon it became apparent that the child would never see and her plight did not look good as her father soon died and it was necessary that her mother take work as a maid in a nearby home. But God planned to use this little girl for His glory and had placed her in a very religious family. Fanny credited her grandmother with spending hours with her helping her understand her world and her place in it. Fannie would say of her blindness, "what can't be cured can be endured." In 1873 the blind woman penned these words:

"Blessed ASSURANCE, Jesus is mine! Visions of rapture now burst on my sight. Angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love.----THIS is my story." May we all see as Fannie saw.

Bibledoorajar: Tears of Compassion

     Our story tells us that Joseph wept seven times over the course of saving his brothers. Thus, he was revealed as a compassionate man. He wept as his brothers confessed their guilt (Gen. 42:24). He wept when he saw Benjamin (Gen. 43:30). He wept when he made himself known to his brothers (Gen. 45:1-2).. He wept when his brothers were reconciled to him (Gen. 45:15). He wept over his father Jacob. (Gen. 46:29). He wept at the death of his father (Gen. 50:1). And he wept when, later, his brothers questioned his love for them (Gen. 50:15-17). Joseph revealed himself first to Judah(Praise) and his brethren, before he was made known to the rest of Jacob's household. It is very interesting that Joseph revealed himself first to Judah (Praise)  because we are told in Zechariah 12:7, "The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah (Praise)  first. However, all the sons Of Jacob would (will) come to understand who both Joseph and their Messiah really were (are).

 Jesus Christ, was also a tenderhearted man. In the New Testament one can read of how He was moved with compassion.  He wept at the graveside of Lazarus, and later over Jerusalem.  The apostle Paul also anguished over the growing rift between Israel and the young church. In the 9th chapter of Romans,  He authoritatively speaks of God's first and eternal covenant with the Jews. Eternal covenants do not go away and by faith we accept that their blindness will one day be removed and they will see the Lord for whom He really is. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the safety of Israel and believing Jews everywhere. One day you just might be sharing eternity.

"O Trinity of love and pow'r
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad praise from air and land and sea. Amen"
                                           
                                                     William Whiting (1860) 

Bibledoorajar: "How can we clear ourselves?"

Jacob's sons began the return to Jacob bringing Benjamin with them. But little did they know that Joseph had one final test of them. In Benjamin's bag was not only the returned money but Joseph's silver cup. They were followed by Joseph's official and when found they were confronted. Astounded, they realized the situation was such that no matter how much they explained, they could not escape guilt. Finally, they were taken back into the presence of Joseph who confronted them again for taking his cup of divination. He asked them how did they think he would not know the cup was stolen given its use in his ability to divine things. Whether or not Joseph really used the cup in this way is not clear from the text, but what is clear is that the sons would have known of its' use in pagan lands. It is doubtful that Joseph used a cup of this sort given that God had gifted him with special knowledge. At any rate the men were distraught. They were so distraught that “they tore their clothes” (Genesis 44:13). Judah asked the viceroy how they could possibly clear themselves. This is what Judah said: "God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord's servants” (Genesis 44:16). Joseph’s test had worked. His brothers were immediately convicted of their sin and attributed their current misfortune to God’s hand of justice in the mistreatment of their brother. The brother's journey of accepting The Divine and their guilt had terminated with them tearing their clothes in anguish and asking the question: How can we clear ourselves?

This position is what the preachers call "godly sorrow," the result of frequent defeat. Jesus compared a Pharisee and a Publican. The pharisee prayed to God thanking Him that he was not as other men while the Publican asked God's grace on him, a sinful man. Jesus implied that this realization on the part of the Publican was an important one, a sure sign that the Spirit was at work convicting the Publican of his sin and at the same time revealing the goodness of God. Only through this work can one's sinful soul be quieted. Jesus says the same thing as Joseph: "Did you think I would not know considering my position as Lord of all?

          "Be Still and Know that I am God
           Be still and know that I am God
           Be still and know that I am God."  A song taken from Psalm 46

This is where the brothers found themselves. What is your self-assessment? Only He is deserving to be exalted. Only He can quiet the sinful soul. Jesus asks, did you think I would not know?

Bibledoorajar Looks at Giving Up Self-Deception

     Jacob's ten sons have been on a journey of enlightenment. Slowly and patiently Joseph led them through events that highlighted within them their great guilt in disposing of Joseph and bringing pain to their father. In a conversation among themselves, Joseph overhears them admit their guilt. Joseph provided atonement for their great sin by returning their money in their sacks as they left Egypt. They may be forgiven, but it would not be a forgiveness bought with money. Rather, it would be a free gift to men who had given up their self-deception and admitted their sinful nature. Now, Joseph has asked them to bring Benjamin to him. He desired to see how Benjamin had been treated by them. Had they mistreated him as they did Joseph? Was the negativity that led them into temptation lessened? Had their vision of themselves and their world been impacted by what Joseph had asked of them? In short, were they humbled and ready to call Joseph their friend and brother?

     Years later the Greater Son had many conversations with His disciples. He called them His friends, but had many serious conversations about the perils of temptation and the problems of self deception. He asked them to view the peril as if a millstone were around their neck pulling them and others under. Such a condition does not leave one in a position to live freely or to be in a position to freely help others. Jesus told them that He would send a Friend, A Wonderful Counselor, after He was gone. Like Joseph to his brothers, this Holy Spirit would not leave us alone in our difficulties. But rather He, too,  sees us through even as He convicts us of our sin. What a wonderful provision, rescue and Gift.

Bibledoorajar Speaks of Jacob and El Shaddai

                       El Shaddai: God Almighty; The All- Sufficient One

     Reuben, Jacob's eldest son, tells his father that if he will release Benjamin to go back to Egypt with the brothers, then he (Reuben) would pledge to protect and return both Benjamin and Simeon who was being held in prison. Further, if he did not do so, then he (Reuben) would gladly give up his own sons. Jacob said no to this plan. After all, Reuben's sons were his sons (grandsons) and Jacob did not want to lose --any part of the future of the clan. But then Judah ("praise"--the son from whom Jesus the man was descended) said that he would take the responsibility. To this Jacob agreed. Jacob gave the sons twice the necessary money to give the Viceroy and told them to freely carry it to him in their hands. He also sent a costly gift. And then the Bible says the head of the clan said to Judah ("praise"):

"And El Shaddai give you Judah ("praise") mercy before the man (Viceroy, RAP), that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children then I am bereaved." Gen. 43:14

There was a chance that Israel (Jacob) might lose his children and thus be bereaved, but his appeal was to the Almighty with whom he had a merciful relationship. This is the fourth time that Israel's merciful relationship with El Shaddai has been referenced. His appeal for blessing was based on merciful promises from El Shaddai, The Almighty One. This is where his hope lay as he sent his sons back to Egypt. This is the nature of God that Israel, the spiritual head of the clan, had come to rest in.

Years later Jesus, the Son of the Most High God (his nature) came also bringing the opportunity for a merciful relationship with His Father. He praised Him for His mercy and encouraged all to come to Him. The name Most High God reflects the nature of Him who is being presented to us. His powerful nature is greater than any other gods and yet He extends mercy through His Son. How great is that? Now is the time to come to Him, trusting Him even to the point of possible bereavement. Have you taken that step?