Bibledoorajar looks at Misplaced Hope

 "Hope that has no guarantee of fulfillment is a false friend that comforts us a while with flattery and leaves us to our enemies. Expectation of a bright tomorrow when no such tomorrow can be ours will be bitterness compounded by despair in the day of the great reckoning."
                                                                                                         A.W. Tozer

Last week we looked at Pharoah's misplaced hope in his wise men and magicians. His expectation was that the meaning of his dreams would be declared and he could rest assured that his tomorrows would be brighter. His troubled soul would be quieted.  But a hope misplaced in the world and it's ways can only lead to disappointment and/or bitterness and anger. Yesterday in Bible class we were talking about that very issue. Looking to the world and its' thought can only be a one way street. Consider this Hindu proverb: "There is no disease like hope." The proverb rightly points out the error of worldly hope or hope misplaced. It has no guarantee even though over and over men and women seek its' comfort. Paul says to be in the world and drawing on its' wisdom is to be without hope and without God. So, what was so powerful about the hope Joseph put in God?  The main point of it was that it was based on a covenant--an agreement between God and Abraham that was passed down through the patriarchs. It was not some loosely based report that was merely misplaced flimflams that can come from any direction leading to confusion and chaos. For Joseph, he held the covenant in his heart and his destiny was in the hands of God. Where are you placing yours? Is it based on a covenant given by God?

"Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. "
                                      Ephesians 2:12

Jesus gives us new birth based on a new covenant that gives us complete hope in Christ. Give it some consideration today. If you have it, praise God. If you need it, seek it. It can be found.

Bibledoorajar Says Look, God Limited Pharoah's Wise Men!

"As a magician I promise never to reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician, unless that one swears to uphold the Magician's Oath in turn. I promise never to perform any illusion for any non-magician without first practicing the effect until I can perform it well enough to maintain the illusion of magic."
                                        Magicians Oath for Professional Organization Membership

"Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,…" 2 Thessalonians 2:8,9

Pharoah's butler was alive and well and serving in the palace thanks to Joseph. But he had all but forgotten the one who asked to be remembered. But in the fulness of time, God moved in powerful ways to have Joseph emancipated from slavery. He did this by giving Pharoah dreams that he himself could not interpret. But never fear, Pharoah had all kinds of wise men dedicated to help him in situations such as this. And so they were summoned. Some scholars say that these men were magicians capable of sophisticated magic that makes people say, "how did they do that?" Others say that these men were connected to the occult and got they power from Satan and demons. It appears that both groups are right as clearly the passage quoted above indicates that Satan and his demons have the power to complete sighs and false wonders and that through practice men can create unbelievable illusions.  But, we must never forget that God can use the most likely and the most unlikely events to bring about His will. "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord....He turns it wheresoever he will. Proverbs 21:1" Under these circumstances: prison, a pharoah's psychological distress, magicians and wise men, Joseph is to not only be delivered from prison but exalted to a high position in Pharoah's court. Pharoah's dreams? An instrument in the hands of God. Pharoah's magicians? Instruments in the hand of God. Pharoah's butler? An instrument in the hands of God.
Egypt, the center of all then known culture and learning? An instrument in the hands of God. The Egyptians may have known many secrets about the world and things in it, but the one who would bring true light to Pharoah's dreams was to be a man who feared God. Something to think about.

Bibledoorajar and Dreams

Joseph was bound in prison for something he did not do. In there with him were two miserable men. Both had had very vivid dreams the night before. And both of the men did not know what such a vivid dream meant. They were very tense and sad about not knowing the meaning. This was the first thing Joseph said to them: the interpretations will come from God and I will ask Him what they mean if you tell me about your dreams. Pharoah's butler started. His dream involved three grape vines entwined about his head and he took the grapes and squeezed them into a cup. Pharoah's baker then said he dreamed of having three baskets on his head and the top one was filled with baked goods. In the dreams, the butler was able to press the wine, fill the cup and place it into Pharoah's hand. But the birds came and ate the baker's baked goods and they never reached Pharoah's hand. To the butler, Joseph said the 3 vines symbolized three days and that at the end of that time period, the butler would be restored to full standing before the Pharoah. For this good report, Joseph asked to be remembered. However, to the baker, Joseph said that the three baskets were three days and at the end of the time period, his full standing before Pharoah would be forever cut off cursed by death.

It is said that if you want to see if someone's predictions are true, wait to see if they come true. Well, in this story the interpretations made by Joseph with God's help were spot on. Within three days the butler was back in good standing, but the baker reaped the curse of death. The butler was happy, but unfortunately he forgot to remember the one who gave him peace. Yesterday I took the Lord's Supper with fellow congregants. Thank God for the opportunity to remember the One who shed the blood that was pressed into the cup and that we symbolically drank. Our faith extended to the time at which He would bring us into full standing with the Father to be with Him always. But for those like the baker, who stand with their human works in their hands, expecting full restoration, beware, for human works will never fully restore. He that believes his own works will fully restore will be subject to damnation. Such a solemn reminder.  Don't forget to remember the One who alone gives peace.

"Peace, Perfect Peace, in this dark world of sin, the blood of Jesus whispers peace within."
                           Edward Bickersteth, 1875

Bibledoorajar: False Witness to False Imprisonment

Many of us grew up being taught or told the story of Joseph and his ill fortunes. In those children's stories, we knew Joseph was being mistreated but most of us did not grasp just how far the mistreatment went nor how great was his response in the midst of it. But Stephen made it clear during the time of trouble and persecution of the early church. Full of power, he reported on the source of the power of Joseph that allowed him to successfully endure even unto false imprisonment.

    "And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt; but God was with him, and released him out of all of his tribulations." (Acts 7). Stephen was experiencing significant trouble, but the one thing he remembered was God's promise to be with and deliver obedient ones (Deuteronomy 4:30). And, so, he likened his troubles to that of Joseph. We all seem to chafe at times in the midst of trouble telling our friends how troubling the events were. It is remarkable when one quietly, and in faith, endures without complaint. Nevertheless, troubles have a remarkable effect and have to be endured.
Joseph impressed folks like the official who ran the prison with his endurance and trust in God. Some were also impressed with the God who helped him. Two people were in prison with Joseph and both were watching him. It seems a butler and a baker had offended Pharoah and wound up in the same place as Joseph. We will see that Joseph was able to help one but not the other.

Jesus impressed many during His time of tribulations. One was a Roman official. At the cross, Jesus' greatest tribulation, He, too, was able to help one believing offender but not the other. How important is our continuing belief and obedience in the face of trouble? It is the root of our very salvation. Father, give us the strength to always be obedient ones even in the face of trouble--to NEVER forget that you are with us even unto the end.

Bibledoorajar Observes The Chase and Challenge

      "Challenge, and not desire, lies at the heart of seduction."
                                                   Jean Baudrillard    

Scholars tell us that sexual promiscuity was fairly common in Egypt. They also tell us that many of the Court officials were made eunuchs in order to ensure greater loyalty to the Pharoah and his purposes. So, we do not really know what all of the issues may have been that contributed to Potiphar's marital state nor what drove his wife to pursue Joseph. We do know that Joseph was one of the men that the Bible describes as handsome and that it was apparently necessary for him to work within the house of Potiphar. But this handsome fellow was always busy at work and never seemed to give Potiphar's wife the time of day! The challenge was on. Could she snare him?

Apparently she tried and tried but Joseph was having none of it. Finally, she was willing to grab him by his clothes to pull him in; Joseph was fast and he slipped out of his outer garment and fled in his undergarments. The challenge was foiled and now explanations and cover-ups had to occur. What she needed was some witnesses, even if they be false, so she called to other men working nearby. She enhanced her argument by not referring to Joseph by his name, but by calling him the Hebrew her husband had brought in to work. He was but a lowly Hebrew servant and who was he to get away with such an attempt made upon her? Could she find witnesses ruthless enough to bear false witness? Whatever she was able to pull off was apparently enough for her husband's anger to be kindled. But against whom? Joseph's name was not mentioned as the focus of the anger, but Potiphar obviously felt he must take some action anyway.  Attempted rape would have meant death usually, but Potiphar put Joseph in prison. Joseph offered no defense.

When the Greater Servant had thoroughly withstood all of the Hebrew officials attempts to discredit Him, they looked for witnesses whose testimony would end their chase and His life.

"Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him.."  (Mark 14. He offered no defense.

Even, today, there are many who are willing to bear false witness against the Greater Servant and those who serve Him. Those willing to bear false witness have long existed and this kind of human failing led God to make bearing false witness a severe problem (find it listed as the 9th Commandment in Deuteronomy) even among His own people.  Ah, Lord, a word to the wise; help us remember.

Bibledoorajar Views Temptation X 3

                                                 Photo by NewLife

“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.”
                                           Will Rogers

The wonderfully magnificent servant of Potiphar was all about his mission. His magnificence may not have been acknowledged by his brothers in Canaan, but Egypt was all about taking advantage of him and his abilities. As he worked, Potiphar's wife watched the "goodly man" (Genesis 39). She began to conceive a plan to have a sexual fling. After all, he was a slave/servant was he not? At her bidding, was he not? The more she looked, the more she realized how "well-favored" he was!  Her obsession had began.

"Lie with me"  :  Joseph refuses  39:7

Day by day she spoke to him about lying with her:  Joseph refused  vs. 10

And she caught him by his garment and said lie with me:  Joseph refused and fled:  vs. 12

Joseph's reasoning? To do so would be a great wickedness and a sin against God.

The Greater Magnificent Servant was also unacknowledged by his brothers and was a goodly man in a fallen world. The world was reaping benefits from His Work. But the Prince of the world was obsessed with getting Him to sin.

"If You are the Son of God command.." : "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every world that proceeds for the mouth of God."

"If You are the Son of God cast..." : "You shall not tempt the Lord thy God."

"All these things I will give you..."  : "Get thee hence, Satan..."

This reminds me of Paul's writing to Timothy about dealing with youthful lusts. His suggestion? RUN!  There is probably not a better suggestion.
        

Bibledoorajar Follows the Magnificent Servant As he Works

Joseph was bought by Potiphar and immediately put into service. The Bible does not record what Potiphar put Joseph to doing at first. Perhaps in the fields because he was a shepherd boy. What Joseph started doing was not as important as this: God was with Joseph, and He blessed him. While being with his brothers he may have been on a downward route, but now Joseph is on the way up!

Everything Joseph did for his master turned out well. Magnificently well really.  So, Potiphar saw and said to himself: "Why don't I just let Joseph run everything--- all my operations?" And that's just what he did. He put him in charge of ALL that he owned and he was a rich man with many irons in the fire.
And God was with Joseph and God blessed Potiphar's house. Soon the Word says that all
Potiphar had to worry about was what he was going to eat! Now that's confidence in someone's ability and a growing respect for the God whom the young man said he served.

God sent a Greater Magnificent Servant who, as Joseph did in Egypt, gained authority in the earth through His work on the cross. How far would He be able to go with God's blessing? Could He handle the whole work of God?

Matthew 5:17-18 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished…”   Jesus Christ    Italics and underline mine.

Not the least thing! We can confidently set about our work for Him knowing that He will accomplish all. Yes, it might include fiery trials and that is something with which we have to come to grips using our greatest gift--- faith in the Magnificent Servant and the One who sent Him. He will be with us as we go anywhere to serve and give Him glory!

"Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone
Other friends may fail me, He is still my own
Though His hand may lead me over
dreariest ways
Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.

Anywhere, anywhere, any little fear
I'll never know
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go"

                    Jessie Pounds and Helen Alexander