- araratchurch
- Jun 30, 2024
- 2 min read
“So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.”
Genesis 39:6-10 NLT
In 44 BC, Julius Caesar was murdered by a group of senators led by his “trusted friend” and protege, Marcus Brutus. It is said that his last words were something along the lines of, “Et tu, Bruté?” (You also, Brutus?)
And then, there’s this:
“But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?””
Luke 22:47-48 NLT
Yes, even our Lord was betrayed by someone who was very close to Him; indeed, by one of His own disciples!
Sadly, for many people, their undoing comes at the hands of people they have once trusted.
Now, whereas there are instances in which a relationship once characterized by mutual trust and respect, turned sour with one betraying the other’s trust, it is also true that many injustices are perpetrated within the context of a relationship in which one is trusting, while the other is an opportunist. In fact, this dynamic not only applies to individuals, but also to groups of people, even nations, wherein trust is greatly exploited by people with evil self-interest.
Given, if anybody would’ve had an excuse to take advantage of someone’s trust, it would’ve been Joseph. He is a young, normal male, who has been taken as a slave, plucked away from all that he had ever known. Yet, as we see in our opening scripture, he will not betray the trust of his master nor dishonor the Lord. As a matter of fact, he goes beyond the call of duty to avoid even the opportunity for doing the wrong thing.
Child of God, no matter what the circumstances in which we may find ourselves, it cannot be an excuse to exploit the trust or vulnerabilities of others.
And as for Joseph, surely his integrity will be rewarded….
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jun 29, 2024
- 4 min read
“From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,”
Genesis 39:5-6 NLT
Many people are familiar with the biblical story of Naaman, the leper. What we generally take away from that story is the fact that Naaman didn’t want to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times as the prophet Elisha instructed. But upon doing so, he was miraculously healed.
A part of Naaman’s story easily lost to the reader, is how he had come to hear about Elisha.
“The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said.”
2 Kings 5:1-4 NLT
You see, it was a little servant girl who suggested that Naaman go see Elisha for healing. Yes, a servant girl, taken as spoils of war, actually cared about her master’s disease. As a result of her caring for her master enough to suggest that he seek out the prophet, Naaman came to know the God of Israel in a great and mighty way.
Now, you know as well as I do that having been taken from your way of life, and given as a “gift” to someone, it would be easy to be bitter and actually want bad things to happen to your master. But this servant girl did care about Naaman, and as such, brought glory to God.
Along those lines, have you ever read the story of Saint Patrick? He was taken from Britain as a slave when he was only 16 years old and brought to Ireland where he worked as a slave for six years before escaping. Then, after having been reunited with his family, he later received a call from the Lord to go back to Ireland and minister to those who had been his captors.
As a result of Patrick’s obedience to God, many souls were saved, and God was glorified, all because of a slave turned savior for his former enemies.
Jesus spoke of the fact that we are to behave differently than the world does when we face persecution.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48 NLT
It seems to be a bitter pill to swallow to pray for your persecutors. But our Lord put His life where His instruction was by asking forgiveness for those who crucified Him.
“When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”
Luke 23:33-34 NLT
In our opening scripture we see that although Joseph is a slave, he is bringing great success to the house of his master. Indeed, the Lord is blessing the house of Potiphar for Joseph’s sake!
Remember, sometimes it is the very injustice that could torment you, that is actually placing you on a stand from which your good works can be seen, bringing great glory to your Father in heaven!
“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:15-16 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
#resolveforhim $47DaysOfJudgement
- araratchurch
- Jun 28, 2024
- 3 min read
“When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.”
Genesis 39:1-4 NLT
A few years ago I was allowing thoughts to occupy my mind having to do with certain injustices against me and against my family. Mainly, I was wondering at the contempt shown towards me by those against whom I had never raised a hand. That was the gist of the thoughts.
In the midst of this thought process about my being treated unjustly, the Lord clearly spoke that He was offended by my thoughts. The Lord went on to explain to me that the thoughts in which I was engaging, were actually an indictment against Him!
Now, I was surprised by the Lord’s reproof. I know that He only wants good things for me. I also know that He is just. These thoughts were about what other people were doing, not an accusation or complaint against God.
The Lord then helped me to understand that I am in His hand and no one can change what He will do for me. Therefore, dwelling on what others have done for me is like saying that they can alter my ability to fulfill His purposes for me. It was like saying that the Lord’s promises were thwarted by mere man. WOW! I had honestly never thought about it that way.
When we have been on the receiving end of an injustice, the enemy may try to make us use the injustice as a legitimate excuse to throw in the towel. But God has given each of us a work to do! No matter the injustices we may encounter, we must not let those injustices define who we are—much less—Who God is!
Additionally, we must not let those injustices be internalized to the point that we see ourselves as being a helpless and hopeless victim. Having put our trust in our Lord, we must keep our eyes on Him, following Him no matter what injustice may cross our path. Remember, the Lord is our Judge, our Lawgiver, and our King. Therefore, we are not victims. We are the children of God!
Now, if anyone ever had a reason to become embittered and despondent, it was Joseph. For sure, he had every reason (in the natural) to give up on the grandiose dreams he had. After all, he was sold into slavery by his own flesh and blood!
In our opening scripture we see that contrary to giving up, Joseph continues to be who God made him to be. Yes, he is a slave; but he is an excellent slave!
The ability to persevere through difficulty, mastering any situation thrown our way, was addressed by the Apostle Paul:
“Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
Philippians 4:11-13 AMP
In the above scripture we see the full context of the oft quoted, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Paul
wasn’t only referencing the ability, through Christ, to do whatever he needed to do, he was talking about continuing to do what the Lord has sent him to do, no matter what he must endure in the doing.
Now, back to Joseph. He is excelling—even as a slave—because the Lord is with him. Not only that, other people are beginning to notice!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!