Sticky Situation

Genesis 43:1-15

In most churches around the world, children are taught very early, the importance of Ephesians 6:1-3 which reads, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” The average Christian parent willingly seeks to raise their children in the fear of the Lord, so that as they mature, they’ll gradually develop in knowledge, understanding, and reverence of who He really is. Parents want the best for their children, and desire to steer them in the right direction, so they hold a firm stance toward obedience. But, is it ever ok for a child to disobey their parent’s command?

That question may have tickled a few ears, but should children really do everything their parents tell them to, even if it could cause potential harm to them? Our text gives a great example of this precise situation. After seeing their little brother for the first time in years, and assuming he was probably long dead, Joseph’s brothers were met with a rude awakening, when Joseph thought it wise to teach them a lesson for the past error of their ways. There’s no doubt Joseph was elated to see his brethren (it’s apparent he didn’t hold a grudge, nor develop hate toward them), but he desired more so to see his father and younger brother, Benjamin with his own eyes.

After being sent back to their land, and given instructions to return with Benjamin, Joseph’s brothers told their Father Jacob, all that Joseph had told them. After hearing that “the man” commanded them to bring young Benjamin back to him, Jacob was literally heartbroken. He couldn’t afford to lose another son, especially from the wife he had worked over 14 years to marry.

As time passed, and food begin to become scarce, due to the famine, Jacob told his boys to return to Egypt, to buy more food. Judah spoke out and said (in Ell’s translation), “Dad, we already told you, that dude back in Egypt, warned us not to return without Benjamin. I know you love him as you did Joseph, but I’m gonna have to disobey you on this one pops.” Obviously, this didn’t sit well with Jacob, but he was eventually convinced to comply.

Were Judah and his brothers wrong for agreeing to disobey their father, because it could have potentially cost them their lives, or should they have gone against the words of the ruler of Egypt, and returned without Benjamin? Things that make you go, hmm.

There’s a valuable lesson in this story, that all could benefit from. When it comes to obeying God, while possibly upsetting your parents or others, choose God. Never allow anyone, including those you look up to most, to take precedence over the Word of God, because at the end of the day, only what God says really matters anyway. Also, be mindful not to be disrespectful to those in authority, but be certain when following another man’s orders, it doesn’t contradict how God commanded you to live.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Hearts Of Repentance

Genesis 42:29-34

To what lengths would you go, to save the life of someone you love? The story of the life of Joseph is filled with many valuable lessons, that can all benefit anyone who desires to be more like God. In our text, Joseph was very careful not to reveal his identity to his brothers suddenly, as he perhaps desired to uncover the truths of his younger brother Benjamin, and his father Jacob. Joseph knew how vile and malicious the hearts of his older brothers were, so he was wise in his initial approach toward them.

The text reads that Joseph spake roughly with them, no doubt to bring back to their remembrance, how they willingly planned to end his young life. Through God’s wisdom, Joseph’s strategy worked. After a moment of harsh, yet necessary dealings with his brethren, Joseph caused the once unruly men to finally face the truth of their actions toward him as a child. It’s hard to get over being hurt, especially when it comes by the hands of family, but time always has a way of reminding your persecutors that their ungodly acts toward you, will always work against them, until they repent.

Joseph was able to endure extreme hardships, receive the highest honor as ruler of Egypt, and be reunited with his father and younger brother once again. Joseph’s brothers thought selling him into slavery would be his end, but God sent the young lad on a journey, to eventually preserve their very own lives. Your life may not seem to be all that and a bag of chips at the moment, but keep on pressing on, and watch how God orchestrates the events of your life, to serve His life-changing purpose.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Oohhh Be Careful…

Genesis 42:1-5

One of the most influential lessons I’ve learned in life was, be careful how you treat a person, because you never know when you may need their help. Oftentimes, it’s a hard pill to swallow, requesting assistance from someone you’ve wronged severely and repeatedly, but receiving help from others comes easy, when you learn to show genuine love and respect toward them consistently.

Joseph’s brothers treated him unfairly, and refused to appreciate his gift, while choosing rather to see him suffer, than prosper. It’s sad and disheartening, when your own family treats you as if you were their enemy, rather than their own kin. But, through all his suffering, shame, and disappointment, God allowed Joseph to be blessed beyond his imagination.

Joseph was purposed to be blessed for many reasons, but also to lend a helping hand to those same brothers who sold him into slavery. During the time when the struggle through the famine became intense, Jacob commanded his sons to go to Egypt for food. After pondering on this lesson for a while, I’m convinced, Joseph knew he’d run into his brothers again, and God had placed him in a position that the average person would never reach during those days, so being in the presence of his jealous and cruel brothers, would definitely have a different flavor this go ’round. Despite the way he was treated, Joseph showed true love toward his brothers.

Can you show real love to someone who deliberately hurt you? Can you forgive, and bless that person who sought only to kill your hopes and dreams? Is your faith strong enough to endure suffering for a season, so that God can elevate you to a place from which you can bless those who caused all your suffering? Chew on that for a moment…

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Pharoah’s Ring

Genesis 41:41-49

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous underdog stories, that uplift those with heavy hearts, and encourage others with hung down heads, but of all the stories written, few compare to the life, and legacy of Joseph.

Born into a prestigious family line, Joseph was destined to continue in the footsteps of his predecessors. Like all feel-good stories, Joseph’s beginning was hard, harsh, and extremely cruel. From being hated by his own kin, to being imprisoned for false accusations, the servant of the Lord refused to allow his struggles and persecution to hinder his godly duties. How often do men turn away from God, and seek other sources for answers, when life hits them with seasons of trials and tribulations? Very often, from my perspective. The times we should cling to God most, is when trouble hits, because these are the very moments God desires to use us to accomplish great things.

Joseph’s patience, and endurance through his challenging season, paid off in an unprecedented way! From being literally thrown in a pit, then imprisoned, Joseph’s faithfulness to God awarded him the position of “ruler over all the land of Egypt” (vs. 43b). God may not make us kings, queens, and rulers over countries for our consistent holy living, but He can, and will bless His people in other ways. Whether we are blessed with good health, wealth, favor with man, healthy and obedient children, or any other good thing, staying true to God in the midst of hard times, will always work to the benefit of the Saints of God.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Don’t Hate, Appreciate

Genesis 37:2-11, 23-24, 28

If we could see life from God’s perspective, then our actions and behavior towards others would change in an instant. God sees the hearts of men, and judges them, not only by their actions, but by their motives and intentions as well. He desires the best for all mankind, but they must be willing to align themselves properly to receive His best.

Men are born in sin, shaped in iniquity, and are preset to fail. This was all made possible because of the fall of Adam. Because of sin, many are susceptible to becoming influenced by its wicked nature, which can cause them to inflict harm onto others. When our focus on godliness begins to waver, we make ourselves easy targets to become overtaken by all manner of evil spirits; some of which include lying, jealousy, envy, strife, gossip, and even thoughts of murder.

While it’s one thing to harbor ill will toward an enemy, it’s worse when the person you’re at odds with is a member of your own family. Throughout history, most family dissension stemmed from hatred, jealousy, and envy. Our text gives one example of such a situation, when Jacob’s sons proved how hatred and envy can cause men to commit horrendous acts, even toward those of the same blood. Although the hate Joseph’s brothers felt toward him was triggered by his preferential treatment of their father, they were still old enough to know that they should control their emotions, and not allow sin to overtake their thoughts. Unfortunately, their initial level of hate for their little brother was increased the more, after Joseph shared dreams of how he would someday rule over them. It’s hard to tell from Scripture, whether Joseph was being boastful, or just trying to be a normal little brother, in any case, his very presence struck an irritating nerve in the hearts of all his brothers, who eventually threw him in a pit, from which he was sold as a slave to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver.

What a shame, to read how blood-kin can threaten to kill one of their own, because of hatred and envy. Do you allow your feelings to cause you to treat your brothers or sisters different? Can you appreciate when someone in your family receives a blessing from God, or do you become jealous, and turn hostile toward them? Be very careful how you treat those who only desire to be loved, because if you push them away, God will make it so that you’ll definitely see them again; only next time, you may be surprised to see what they have become.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

Favor For The Dreamer

Genesis 37:29-36

One of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs many people will experience in life is, parenting. While raising children (especially in this time) should be taken seriously, and with the proper precautions, one of the most unwise things to do is, show favor to one child, over all the others. Favoritism is good when it involves things like selecting foods you prefer, or the color you want to paint your house, but when dad and mom show more love for Cinnamon, while treating Nutmeg and Cashew like the neighbor’s kids, then those seeds will eventually come back to haunt them.

A great example of this can be found early in Scripture, in the lives of Jacob, and his sons. The average Bible reader should have already been exposed to this inspiring story, but if you haven’t, then you can read it in less than an hour (Genesis chapters 37-45). The text reveals, “Jacob (Israel) loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age” (vs. 3a). Some history records that Jacob was over 90 years old when Joseph was born, and after the death of Rachel, little Joseph became his father’s special helper in being the agent between him and his brothers.

Unfortunately, the other brothers strongly disliked the relationship between their father, and little Joseph. Usually, when a mob of angry people have ill feelings toward someone, they tend to devise a plan to destroy their credibility. This was precisely the case with Jacobs sons. When Jacob had sent Joseph to check on his brothers one day (who were supposed to be feeding the flock in Shechem, but took a stroll to Dothan), they saw him from afar, and instantly plotted to slay him. Aside from labeling him, the dreamer, the brothers decided they’d kill him, then throw him in a pit. If it had not been for Reuben, who convinced the others to spare Joseph’s life, and only throw him in a pit, the little dreamer would have left the earth without fulfilling his promised assignment.

It’s amazing how people can hate you for things you had nothing to do with. Some people were blessed with gifts, talents, and abilities, that others dream to have, but rather than appreciate their gifts, they plot to hinder them from exercising them. Never allow jealousy, hatred, envy, nor strife to invade your mind, simply because God shows someone favor. Whether it be a brother, sister, friend, or even someone you aren’t too fond of, value, appreciate, and respect those who God uses in great ways.

Jacob suffered heartache for years, thinking that his son had been killed, but in the end, the love he had for Joseph was restored. Parents, be careful how you treat your children, because one day they’ll grow up, and act upon all you said and done to, and for them. Also, be certain to raise all of them in the fear of God, and teach them the value of love and respect for others.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Worth The Wait

Genesis 30:22-24; 35:16-20

Have you ever prayed for something so long, until it seemed as if God was ignoring you? The thing you felt was necessary to make your life better, seemed not to be on God’s mind at all. What are you to do, when you pray and cry, cry and pray for a thing, but all your efforts seem futile? Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer to that, but I can offer a suggestion, that could help you endure the waiting game.

When we pray to God in faith, He indeed hears us, and desires that our needs be met, but there will come times when God will delay our manifestation, in order to reveal a more deeper revelation through our patience. Sometimes, God withholds blessings, so that the true motives and intentions of others can be revealed early, so that you can see who’s really for you, and who’s not. God also delays things in order to monitor whether or not we have more desire for material things, over His spiritual blessings. There will even be moments when we’ll pray for something, and it’ll never manifest in the earth. Thankfully, God knows all, and has full understanding of the things that will make our lives better, but He cares more for our eternal prosperity, rather than our earthly, temporal possessions.

In our text, Rachel had become envious of her sister Leah, because she bear no children. Jacob was tricked by Rachel’s father into marrying her sister, so he was obligated to bring forth children with Leah also, but Rachel seemed barren, and was ashamed of her present situation. After having six sons and one daughter, Leah was certain that Jacob would dwell with her, or consider showing her more appreciation, but God then remembered Rachel, and opened her womb.

When it seems like all hope is lost, and everyone around you is prospering, these are the moments God steps in to prove to your haters, He never forgets His own. Why God waits until the last minute to bless us sometimes, I’ll never know, but I’m just grateful that He comes through.

You may have been praying and believing for God to open or close doors in your life for a long time, but don’t lose heart. God heard all your prayers, and has not forgotten you. All your prayers of faith have been like a soothing incense to God, and He’ll soon step into your situation, and manifest His love for all to see. Hang in there, and trust that your season of suffering will soon come to an end.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Save Me!!!

Isaiah 49:1-7

If you were swimming in the ocean, and was caught off guard by an undertow current, would you ignore the help of an experienced lifeguard, swimming to your rescue? If you were severely injured in an automobile accident, and was unable to move, would you tell the ambulance and rescue team, you’ll figure things out on your own? When we’re in trouble, we rarely turn down the opportunity to receive assistance, especially if it’s rendered free of charge. Men and women are in position, in various areas of life, to aid and assist those, who require help. Whether a person was involved in a car accident, work injury, burglarized, or whatever the case, there are always people at the ready, to meet their need.

The world was once drowning in sin, and needed a savior, so God prepared for Himself, a body, by which to come to the earth, and redeem man back to Himself. For various ungodly reasons, many have refused to accept God’s help, and chose to figure things out on their own. These people fail to realize the gravity of the situation they’re in, and can ill afford to die in their sin, yet God offers limited time for them to reach out, and take hold of His hand.

Refusing to accept God’s free gift of salvation, is equivalent to the person rejecting the lifeguard’s help, while being pulled underwater, by an undertow current. Sin is real, and the devil cares nothing for men’s souls. For this reason, he attacks the children of God relentlessly, and won’t stop until his judgment is executed. Snap out of your world of selfishness and pride, and reach out to grab hold of God’s saving hand. Don’t allow the waves of sin to pull you under, into an eternity of sorrow.

Keep your chin up… it’s easier to see Heaven that way,

Ell

Jacob charged to marry cousin

Genesis 27:46-28:5

Anger is an emotion that, if left unchecked, has the potential to stir up a world of trouble. The Bible teaches us that we indeed are allowed to be angry. However, while expressing our feelings of strong dislike towards a thing, we are forbidden to allow our anger to cause us to act out in sin. We live to please God, and have the Holy Ghost abiding on the inside of us, but there will be times when our faith, and emotions, will be tested to the brink.

In this text, Esau had become overwhelmed with hate towards Jacob, after being robbed of their father’s blessing. It’s apparent that many of those who were associated with this family knew of Rebekah’s partiality for Jacob, as they informed her of Esau’s plot to kill his brother. The devious mother, and wife, who was responsible for causing all this mess to unfold, quickly planned to send Jacob away, until Esau’s rage subsided.

Rebekah appealed to her husband and asked if Jacob could also take a wife of the daughters of her uncle Laban, and not from the land where they dwelled. Some time before, God forbade Israel to mix with other nations, and commanded them to dwell alone, and not intermingle with them. In any case, Rebekah feared that she would lose both sons if Esau killed Jacob, and was subject to the death penalty, so she hoped that Jacob would be safer if sent away. So Isaac blessed Jacob and told him not to marry a Canaanite woman, but go to Padanaram and choose a wife from his mother’s father.

The same promise God spoke to Abraham, Isaac bestowed unto Jacob. Jacob had already obtained the birthright, so the blessing of his father was freely given, erasing all doubt as to whether the birthright now really belonged to him. I’ve often heard people say that God doesn’t bless mess, but the promise was spoken over Abraham, and his seed, so God knew that Jacob would eventually come to terms with his troubled past, and get himself together.

Provoking others to anger is a very terrible thing to do. The repercussions that follow such behaviors can sometimes take years to repair. Jacob and his mother were indeed wrong for deceiving their family, but God was able to get the glory in the end.

Seek peace,

Ell