- araratchurch
- Jul 13, 2024
- 3 min read
“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.””
Genesis 41:39-44 NLT
One of the stories always coming to my mind when thinking of a quick shift in a power dynamic, is the story of Mephibosheth:
“One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!””
2 Samuel 9:1-7 NLT
So it was that Mephibosheth—having spent years “laying low” in Lo-debar—is suddenly brought to the king’s table and also has great riches restored to him!
I will draw your attention to the fact that Mephibosheth came to King David in an attitude of humility, offering himself as a servant. Indeed, he came with the attitude of the prodigal son, who, returning home, did so, presenting himself as a servant to the house over which he was an heir.
Now, I can’t say that all cases of injustice end (in this life) as well as it did for Mephibosheth. But, we know that in the life that is to come, those who have been faithful to the Lord, will spend eternity at the King’s table! But—make no mistake—it can happen in this life as well!
However, in the absence of humility, a position restored, can be quickly taken away again, just as we saw time and time again in the biblical record concerning Israel.
As well, those having justice restored, who fail to do what God has put them in their position to do, will not like their next phase. But that story, is for another day.
In our opening scripture we see that Pharaoh is so impressed with Joseph that he makes him ruler over all of Egypt! And as such, he will be given an awesome opportunity.
The question is, will Joseph wield his new found power to exact vengeance on his abusers? Perhaps there’s something greater for which he was exalted.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jul 12, 2024
- 5 min read
“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."”
Genesis 41:15-16 ESV
A great portion of the modern church has set up an idol and put the name of the Lord on it. This idol is “the here and now.” What do I mean by this?
Fearing that people would be lost to the church, the emphasis has been taken away from the coming of Jesus Christ and His eternal Kingdom that is to come.
This gravitation from the expectation of the coming of Christ and His eternal Kingdom, is certainly not biblical. However, it was prophesied as a sign of the Last Days before the coming of Jesus Christ.
“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.”
2 Peter 3:3-13 NLT
Indeed, focusing on the here and now (in terms of our reward-seeking), gave a space for the whole “name it and claim it” church, where the goal is riches and position rather than obedience to Christ.
Don’t misunderstand me, I believe in speaking the word of God, and seeing the power of God revealed through the declaration of His word. But I do not believe that we should go through our Christian walk, trying to use God’s word to store up earthly riches, while ignoring the fact that we will face trouble, trials and persecution. These things don’t happen (necessarily) as a result of a bad confession, but happen because we are identified with Christ.
Now, in our obedience to Christ, we may be taken to sit in a throne of power. But it may also take us to being the one standing before that throne, speaking truth to that power.
Obedience to Christ make take us to great riches in this world. But it may also take us to persecution and suffering.
Make no mistake, there is not a hard choice to be made where we must choose to neglect the life we have here on earth (in terms of our responsibilities), in order to focus on eternity. However, there is a hard choice between loving the world and loving God.
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 NLT
Yes, when the emphasis is on what you can have now, what you can be now, what you can do now, that concept becomes an idol and replaces the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Lord, however, did promise us this:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NLT
Wow! The Lord PROMISED that we would have trials and trouble in this life. But look! He also said that we can be encouraged because He has already won over the world, the flesh, and the devil!
No, we don’t go running around looking for trouble and tribulations, or accepting whatever the devil throws our way. But—if in the process of serving the Lord—we are subjected to trouble (because of our service), we can be encouraged, knowing that—in the end—we will be able to share the victory Christ has already won for us. To forfeit an eternal life of ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ in order to be comfortable, powerful, admired, etc., in this life, is the worst deal possible…ever.
Consider Joseph: He was sold into slavery by his own brothers. He was then falsely accused and put into prison. On top of all that, a person whom he helped, forgot about him for two years! Now, as we see in our opening scripture, he stands before Pharaoh, the most powerful person in his day.
Think about it, Joseph could’ve seen this as the opportunity to get back all that had been unjustly taken from him. Why should he now rock the boat by bringing the name of the Lord into this equation? Isn’t Joseph deserving of a “me moment”?
Rather than choosing to bask in his own glory, Joseph chose to boldly tell the truth about the Lord being his source, even if it would cost him being put back into prison.
Child of God, may we never sacrifice our steadfastness, our commitment to the Lord, to get temporary relief from injustice or any other of the temporary “goodies” the world offers.
Remember, this life isn’t all there is. And, the next life is eternal.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jul 11, 2024
- 3 min read
“The next morning Pharaoh was very disturbed by the dreams. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When Pharaoh told them his dreams, not one of them could tell him what they meant. Finally, the king’s chief cup-bearer spoke up. “Today I have been reminded of my failure,” he told Pharaoh. Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh.”
Genesis 41:8-9, 14 NLT
It’s interesting to watch animals as they stalk other animals, showing great restraint until the moment is right for them to pounce on the prey. You see, a poorly timed move, will allow the prey to escape.
We—as human beings—struggle with being patient. If something is in our mind to do, or there is something we desperately need (like justice), we want it now; yes, we must see it now. But remember, God‘s ways are perfect, He is very patient and He brings justice in His time. Consider this scripture:
“For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
Hebrews 10:30-36 NLT
I will caution you with this observation: Satan is not impatient. Consider that when he had finished with the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, he was not really finished at all, only waiting till a more opportune time.
“Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.”
Luke 4:12-13 NLT
Tragically, sometimes our human propensity toward impatience, coupled with Satan’s ability to patiently wait for another opportunity to lead us into temptation, spell disaster for the impatient soul.
Now, not everyone reacts the same when coming to the point of believing that they will never see justice.
Some will despair to live and spend their days in grief and the bitterness of soul we have often addressed here.
Others, attempting to get even, become passive aggressive, exacting their own brand of “justice” by causing hurt where they can.
As well, there are those who, having given up on justice through the appropriate channels, set out to secure vigilante justice.
Having decided we have waited long enough for what we wanted, we are perfectly “groomed” to take Satan‘s bait. Let it not be so!
Although Joseph had requested that the cupbearer not forget him, the cupbearer HAD forgotten him for two years. Perhaps Joseph had even lost hope that the cupbearer would ever do the right thing.
In our opening scripture we see that—at the right time—the cupbearer does remember!
Suddenly, because of Joseph‘s faithfulness, he again stands before a powerful figure. Ultimately, his God-given gift has brought him here.
“A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.”
Proverbs 18:16 ESV
Yes, the Lord had gifted Joseph with everything he was going to need to do what the Lord had sent him to do. That same gift has brought him before pharaoh, and will ultimately lead to him seeing justice. But, none of this may have been possible, had Joseph despaired after the cupbearer forgot all about him.
Joseph remained faithful, and now complete justice will be served. But that too will take a little longer.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!