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

Fruitful In The Famine

Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52

Why do bad things happen to good people? Well, bad things happen to everyone, but it seems, at times, that the good suffer unnecessarily, simply for doing what’s right. Many have lost their lives in the past, for standing for truth, and although they were unable to live full lives, their message still resonates in our current time. In Scripture, Stephen was stoned to death, for doing great wonders and miracles among the people, and teaching the truths of Jesus. Many who strive to do good, suffer unfortunate hardships, but God sees all, and can use those hardships to promote those who endure them.

Our text summarizes the theme of Joseph’s life. Although he didn’t suffer death from all his negative occurrences, God proved to him that those who remain obedient to His Word, can and will be rewarded in the earth. Aside from being blessed during the famine, Joseph’s obedience to God caused him to become ruler of Egypt. Pharoah said to Joseph, “only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (vs. 40b). Wow, what an honor! Allow this lesson to encourage you to continue fighting the good fight. Bad things will happen to good people, but God will use those bad experiences, to elevate them to greater levels in Himself, and among men.

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

The Original Passover Celebration

Exodus 12:1-14

People around the world take part in a variety of celebrations. Some enjoy “doing it big” on their birthday, while others participate in their team’s victories in sporting events. Baby showers have been a popular event in American culture, and the families and friends of newlyweds enjoy fun and laughter at wedding receptions. All these celebrations are good and fun, but have you ever celebrated freedom from enslavement to an oppressor? I know some contemplate being free from an unfaithful spouse a moment to leap for joy (and I can imagine it is), but few events can rival the emotions that come with being totally free from years of intense bondage.

The children of Israel had become fruitful and prosperous in the land of Egypt. All their prosperity was permitted because of the obedience of Joseph. After Joseph died, things began to change, as a new king arose over Egypt, who had no knowledge of the favor Joseph had with God. This newly appointed king became afraid of how mighty the children of Israel had become, and feared that they could eventually join with his enemies, if war was to ever break out. In an effort to keep God’s people under control, the king appointed taskmasters, or chiefs of tribute, to afflict them with burdens, or hard tasks. Surprisingly, the more they afflicted the people, the more they multiplied and grew. Can you imagine having a picnic in the park, and trying to get rid of a handful of sugar ants around your food basket, but the more you spray them, the numbers triple every second? That would turn out to be a disastrous picnic. This crazy king went so far as to order the Hebrew midwives to kill all the males babies who were born of the Hebrew women, so that the population could suffer a great decline, but the midwives feared God, and ignored the king’s command. So the children of Israel continued to multiply even greater.

Fast forward a few chapters and we find where Moses was born, and was called by God to deliver His people out of the land of Egypt. If you delve deep into the book of Exodus, you’ll discover some cool and amazing things that took place in the lives of Moses and his family. Anyhoo, Pharoah tried hard to keep God’s people under oppression, but his time to release them would come sooner than he expected, and at great cost. Because of Pharoah’s refusal to release Israel from bondage, God allowed nine plagues to befall the land. The tenth, and final plague God brought upon Egypt was that all the firstborn in the land would die, from Pharoah’s firstborn, even to the firstborn of the animals. The purpose for God sending this plague was so that everyone would know how the Lord put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. Pharoah had caused this to come upon himself, because he was stubborn, he lied, resisted God, and manifested hatred of Israel in more ways than anyone could imagine. God had a plan set in place to protect His people as the death angel roamed the land, fulfilling the command of God.

The Passover was instituted to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from death, when the angel passed over Egypt to slay all the firstborn of the Egyptians. If you’ve chosen to live a life for Christ, then I’m certain there are people in your life, who have been ordained by satan to oppress you to no end. Some you may be aware of, whereas others could be operating unawares. There is an appointed time when God will send deliverance your way, and remove all those who are assigned to block your forward progress. In your suffering and bondage seasons, keep your eyes on God, and await His command, because little do your enemies know, there’s a an angel sent from Heaven to defend you against all who oppose you, and your God. So celebrate every victory God brings in your life. Whether it be healing, salvation of a loved one, debt cancellation, or whatever, give God all the glory, and all the praise, because it’s by His grace that we have been saved, set free, and delivered!

Walk in love,

Ell