When
we begin to look at Jacob the man, we discover how strikingly his
history is like our own. Before God has begun to deal with us we are
inclined to take a rather superior attitude to Jacob, and judge him as
self-willed and irresponsible. But when we begin to recognize the flesh
in ourselves and our own weakness and sinfulness and self-will, then it
is that we see Jacob in ourselves. And when we come to the last
seventeen years of his life, and watch his words and his whole
demeanour, we must praise God's grace in the man. It is hard to find any
in the Old Testament with an end like his. It can move us to tears to
see how wondrously God has worked in him and how grace has led him to a
place of usefulness. A seemingly hopeless man has been made into a most
useful vessel for God's purpose.
Yet the whole of this fruitfulness in Jacob was the result of God's
discipline of him. God touched his natural strength, and as a result he
became in due course a vessel unto honour. It is as the Spirit
disciplines us that He works Christ into us; they are not two separate
works. The life of Christ is wrought into the character of the disciple,
and fruit is born naturally, spontaneously. So we have much to learn
from Jacob.
We can recognize four stages in Jacob's life. First, the man Jacob as he
was (Genesis 25-27). Secondly, his testing and discipline through
circumstances (28-31). Thirdly, the dislocation of his natural life
(32-36). Fourthly, the `peaceable fruit' (37-50).
We begin by looking at the character of Jacob the man. By natural
instinct Jacob was a fighter from birth (Genesis 25.22-26).How different
he was from Isaac! Isaac did nothing; he accepted and received
everything. Jacob from beginning to end is a schemer, clever, wily,
confident that he can do anything. How is God going to bring such a man
to the place of being a vessel for His purpose?
It was not just that what he did was wrong; he himself, from before his
birth, was a man unsuitable to God by nature. Oh yes, He desired the
will of God. He wanted Esau to hold back and allow him, Jacob, to be the
eldest; and when that did not happen he would use every device, every
stratagem to make good the disadvantage. That was Jacob! Of what use to
God was such a man?
We cannot give a rational answer to that question. Only the grace of God
can account for His choice of this one. `For the children being not yet
born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God
according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that
calleth, it was said unto (Rebekah), The elder shall serve the younger.
Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated' (Romans 9. 11
-13). The election of God is the only explanation; there is no other.
God wanted to choose a man. We must believe in the choice of God. If He
has begun a good work in us He will not leave it half done. He is the
First and the Last. The work He has started to do in us He will finish.
If we trust to the election of God, we can rest in Him.
If you are inclined to say, `I am so difficult for God to deal with,'
then put your trust in Jacob's God. Jacob did not choose God first; God
chose Jacob. Before his birth He chose him, and the same is true of us.
Recognize God's elective grace, and we shall be freed from anxiety.
It was the will of God that Jacob should rule. Jacob had discovered
that. He learned of God's plan and recognized its true importance, and
that it involved him and not his brother. He saw God's election and
God's purpose, but he wanted to make sure of it for himself. So in their
youth, when Esau returned one day from hunting, Jacob bargained with
him for his birthright. `Let me be the elder, and you shall be the
younger,' he declared (Genesis 25. 29-34). His motive was right, but he
used his own wits to get what God fully intended to give him.
Then in chapter 27 Jacob cheated his father in order to secure his
father's blessing. We can, of course, see Jacob's problem. Isaac had
sent Esau to hunt, with a view to giving him his blessing. If that
happened, and Esau received the blessing of the first-born, then what
about God's promise? Jacob had seen the design behind that promise, and
so he saw the danger too. He must somehow contrive that God's will
should be done. From his point of view he was quite right, but his was
the reasoning of the natural man. Each thing Jacob did, we find, was
designed to accomplish God's will. He showed, however, that he could not
wait for God's time and look to God to do it but must himself devise
measures to bring about what it appeared as though God could not do.
Our natural man uses human strength and ingenuity to compass the will of
God. If God's throne seems in danger of falling, out goes our hand to
steady it. `Something must be done!' we exclaim. That is Jacob, the
able, scheming, clever, natural man. But the result of his efforts was
only that Esau felt himself cheated and determined to kill him, and
Jacob had to leave home.
Not only does man's uncleanness render him unfit, and therefore
powerless, to do God's will; man's very best is equally powerless. No
matter how perfect the heart's intentions may be, if it is man using his
natural strength to do it, the result is failure. Jacob had not learned
to know and quietly to wait for the God who says, `I will work, and who
shall hinder it? (Isaiah 43. 13). He was God's choice, God wanted him,
but he knew neither God nor himself. The blessing he attained by
cheating, he failed truly to realize. All he received was God's
discipline. Clever people get a lot of that!
Through discipline God gave him the blessing he had cheated to obtain.
Already at Bethel, before he had even left the land, his life of
discipline began (Genesis 28. 10-22). God spoke to him in a dream. He
could not speak to Jacob directly while he was trusting to his own
plans.
But now look what God says to Jacob! `I am the Lord, the God of Abraham
thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee
will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of
the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east,
and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall
all the families of the earth be blessed' (28. 13-14). It would not
surprise us if God had said these words at the end of Jacob's life, but
here they are at the very outset! The whole blessing is presented to
him, even while he is still his natural, contriving, crafty self. How is
this possible? Surely only because God knew Himself. He had great
confidence in what He Himself would do. He knew that this Jacob, so
committed to Him, could not escape His hands, and sooner or later would
become His vessel unto honour. `I will give it,' God said. There was
nothing for Jacob to do. How wonderful that God is a God of such
confidence! He knows He can carry out His own plans.
We might well think such a downright statement of intention rather risky
when dealing with a man like Jacob. But the end was already certain;
God's plans always are. For God's expectation is in Himself, never in
us. Oh that we might learn the undefeatedness of God!
Then we should notice also, at Bethel, that in spite of Jacob's
spiritual condition, God has not one word of rebuke for him. We should
certainly have had! Yet God made no mention of what had happened. He
knew all about Jacob and his deceit and his subtle contriving. Here was
this man, determined to reach his goal, no matter what means he used to
get there, and God knew he was like that. But for that very reason, God
did not rebuke him. It would have been no use; he was like that, he
could not change, and God did not tell him to. God knew that Jacob was
in His hands; and what Jacob could not do, God Himself could.
Twenty-one years later when Jacob came back to Bethel, he was a
different man, and God knew this would be so. What is not accomplished
in ten years, will be in twenty. At the end of that time God is still
holy. He has not forgotten, and He never approved of Jacob's action.
Jacob was foolish, but God had His plans. Time would work them out.
This promise to Jacob was greater and went further than that given to
either Abraham or Isaac. `Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee
whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I
will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee
of (28. 15). Praise God for this extra promise given to Jacob! It was
unconditional. There was no `if you . . . then I . . .'. Whatever Jacob
was like by nature, God had a plan; He would have His way. He has a way
to His goal for even the most hopeless of us. He cannot be defeated.
There is no means of bringing God to a halt half-way there.
From Bethel onward Jacob was in God's hand, and twenty years of
discipline wrought the change in him. But here, at the outset of his
journey, he as yet did not know the meaning of the promise. This
revelation to Jacob in a dream had not changed him one bit. To look at
him only draws from us the exclamation: `Lord, your work is indeed so
perfect, but how poor the material you have to work upon!'
From verses 16 and 17 it seems that, on waking, Jacob had forgotten what
God had said, and was only afraid because he had slept at the Gate of
Heaven. The promise was secondary. He was afraid of God. And the house
of God is indeed a terrifying place to those in whom the flesh has not
been dealt with. The house of God has the power of God, God's order,
holiness, righteousness, revealed in it. It is justly to be feared if
the flesh is still proud and active.
Then Jacob spoke to God. `And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, if God will be
with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread
to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house
in peace, then shall the Lord be my God, and this stone, which I have
set up for a pillar, shall be God's house' (20-21). What a contrast this
is to God's unqualified words to him. Jacob says, `If . . . if . . . if
. . . then.' We see here what Jacob's desires were, namely, food and
clothing. He had lost sight of God's purpose. But surely here we can
already detect God's discipline. For he was young, the beloved of his
mother; and now he was alone, knowing nothing of his future. Even in
this situation his chastening had begun. He wanted food and clothing,
and to return to his home! `And of all that thou shalt give me I will
surely give the tenth unto thee' (28. 22). That is Jacob! If you give me
all this, then I will give you a tenth! He wanted to do business, even
with God. Everything for him was on a commercial basis.
Yet this was also Bethel. Although Jacob could not rise to God's
promise, yet from that time, to Jacob He was the God of Bethel. A great
impression was made on Jacob there.
Now Jacob comes to Haran, and in Genesis 29. 9 - 11 we read how Rachel
was the first one of his relations to meet him. Again we see God's
discipline at work, for the first thing he did was to weep. She awoke in
him memories of his past, and of the way he had come. Before he left
home he had been hard; there had been plenty of ways of keeping himself
from tears. It is those who have no way out of their situation who weep.
Jacob's course had led him from riches to poverty. Again God had
touched and chastened him.
For one whole month Jacob was a guest in his relatives' home (29. 14).
After that Laban said to him, `Because thou art my brother, shouldest
thou therefore serve me for nought? Tell me, what shall thy wages be?
(verse 15). Yet verse 14 contains no suggestion that Jacob had been
serving Laban! His host was announcing a change of status.
The fact is, both Laban and Jacob had commercial minds. The natural man
and the worldly man are one in this. On Jacob there were a lot of sharp
corners to be rubbed off, and whereas Esau could not rub him, Laban
certainly could. There is plenty of friction when two of the same kind
meet and live together! First it had been, `my bone and my flesh'. Now
it is, `You work and I will pay you.' It was a polite way of saying,
`You can't live here for nothing!'
In his own home Jacob had been the son; all was his. Now Jacob was a
servant, a cattle-man, and his uncle was a harsh task master. Once more
God's chastening hand was at work.
But there was still more to come. Jacob served Laban seven years for the
hand of his daughter Rachel, his first love, and then Laban cheated
him! He gave him Leah instead. It is always very bitter to have to take
your own medicine! So Jacob served another seven years-fourteen years in
all for Laban's two daughters. He went out to keep the sheep, and Laban
changed his wages ten times. Thus Jacob was put through the fires of
discipline, tested and tried, but with the hand of God always upon him.
For God had promised to bring Jacob back home.
Laban could scheme and plan as well as Jacob; indeed, even Jacob had
difficulty in getting the better of him. Yet somehow he managed it. He
schemed long and carefully to increase his own flock and to enhance his
wealth at the expense of his uncle, and in his scheming he makes it
quite clear that he has not changed one bit!
Yet Jacob acknowledged the hand of God. Though through all the years he
had not mentioned God's name, yet at last, with the birth of Joseph, he
bethought himself of home and sought to return (30. 25). But now he
could not get away! He was in fact compelled to stay on with such a man
as Laban for twenty long years.
What God's hand does is right. Circumstances are His appointment for our
good. They are calculated to undermine and weaken the specially strong
points of our nature. It may not take Him as much as twenty years to do
this, or it may take longer. Yet God knows what He is doing. We see this
clearly at the end of Jacob's life. Earlier he had inspired little
affection in anyone, for everyone had to serve his ends; yet at the last
he became gentle and lovable.
`Now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in
manifold temptations, that the proof of your faith, being more precious
than gold that perishes though it is proved by fire, might be found unto
praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ' (1 Peter
1. 6-7). There is nothing accidental in the life of the believer. It is
all measured out to us. We may not welcome the discipline, but it is
designed in the end to make us partakers of His holiness.
Saturday, 3 May 2014
YOKES OF WOOD OR YOKES OF IRON?
If we are going through difficult times as a result of our
rebellion towards God should we not be sober,ponder over our
transgression,repent and give Him the offering that He requires. If
there are no breakthroughs,barreness and dryness in our lives as a
result of our rebellion ought we not to humble ourselves and seek God
with our whole hearts? Ought we not to put ourselves under His yokes and
learn of His righteous judgments instead of looking for escape
routes? When God calls one a son, He also makes His judgments clear to
him. He doesn't pamper spoilt children. He puts them at the right place.
If we are in a haste to escape from His chastening are we not making for ourselves yokes of iron instead of yokes of wood? Are we not edging closer to destruction. Many of God's people are crying for breakthroughs. Many are crying for blessings but they are not seeking it His way. Many want to escape their tribulations but are not willing to bear a lasting fruit.
Jeremiah 28:13-14
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus says the LORD: You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made in their place yokes of iron. For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him. I have given him the beasts of the field also.
If we are in a haste to escape from His chastening are we not making for ourselves yokes of iron instead of yokes of wood? Are we not edging closer to destruction. Many of God's people are crying for breakthroughs. Many are crying for blessings but they are not seeking it His way. Many want to escape their tribulations but are not willing to bear a lasting fruit.
Jeremiah 28:13-14
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus says the LORD: You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made in their place yokes of iron. For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him. I have given him the beasts of the field also.
GET CLOSER TO GOD AND LET HIM REVEAL YOUR IDOLS
Numbers 21:8-9
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
2 Kings 18: 1-4
And it happened in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
The people of God had rebelled against Him in the wilderness. God sent serpents among them to judge them. When they cried out to Him, He instructed Moses make a bronze serpent as a medium for healing. Many years later God’s people began to worship the bronze serpent. It became their savior. They began to worship the creation instead of their creator. They had soon forgotten how God bore them on His wings throughout their journey in the wilderness. Like the people of Israel, God still judges His people when they are in rebellion. He may cause famines, sickness, economic depression and many other forms of judgement to awaken His people from sin. Many of God’s people are deceived into thinking He no longer judges His people. Many may spend hours binding and casting out demons but they forget the root cause of their problem is their rebellion.
If God withholds His goodness from an individual or a nation then they should get on their knees and seek Him wholeheartedly. He says if we seek Him with all our hearts we shall find Him. During my rebellion I developed a health condition through a sinful habit which I blamed on other forces. I couldn’t discern until when I came back to Him then He revealed the cause of my problem. If God’s people set their hearts to seek Him wholeheartedly, He will heal them as promised in His word. He is faithful. If we fulfill our part of the covenant, He will also fulfill His own. God had instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent to heal His people. The serpent on the pole is a shadow of Christ on the cross.
John 3:14-15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Even in our time God uses mediums to heal and bless His people. Our God doesn’t operate dogma. The question is was the bronze serpent an idol? Today there are many tools that the people of God use. We use oil to anoint. We use water for many purposes in the house of God. One may use any medium as directed by The Holy Spirit but the issue is what is in the heart of God’s people? Is the anointing water a sin? Is the anointing oil a sin? Are the handkerchiefs, wrist band and other mediums a sin? One may say the blood of Jesus is all that we need. That is absolute truth but as I stated earlier God is not dogmatic.
Idolatry begins when God’s people begin to put their trust in the medium instead of putting their trust in their Saviour. Let’s say I have an olive oil which I use to anoint my head daily then one day I wake up and it is no where to be found and I begin to show signs of apprehension. It is now obvious that it has become my idol so the idolatry is not from the oil but I have made an idol out of it.
In the same manner any tool can be an idol. Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts can be an idol. It is not the object that is a sin but what we make out of it. Are phones and ipad idols? They are not idols but we can make idols out of it. If I spend countless hours on my phone and ipad and neglect my spiritual life then it has become my idol and I am an idolater. There are statues of our former heroes in the city. If I decide to go to a museum to take a look at these monuments does it make me an idolater? The Holy Spirit may personally convict me not to go there due to the weak faith of a brother lest he stumbles. This is what Paul was explaining in 1 Corinthians 8.
Glory To Jesus
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
2 Kings 18: 1-4
And it happened in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
The people of God had rebelled against Him in the wilderness. God sent serpents among them to judge them. When they cried out to Him, He instructed Moses make a bronze serpent as a medium for healing. Many years later God’s people began to worship the bronze serpent. It became their savior. They began to worship the creation instead of their creator. They had soon forgotten how God bore them on His wings throughout their journey in the wilderness. Like the people of Israel, God still judges His people when they are in rebellion. He may cause famines, sickness, economic depression and many other forms of judgement to awaken His people from sin. Many of God’s people are deceived into thinking He no longer judges His people. Many may spend hours binding and casting out demons but they forget the root cause of their problem is their rebellion.
If God withholds His goodness from an individual or a nation then they should get on their knees and seek Him wholeheartedly. He says if we seek Him with all our hearts we shall find Him. During my rebellion I developed a health condition through a sinful habit which I blamed on other forces. I couldn’t discern until when I came back to Him then He revealed the cause of my problem. If God’s people set their hearts to seek Him wholeheartedly, He will heal them as promised in His word. He is faithful. If we fulfill our part of the covenant, He will also fulfill His own. God had instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent to heal His people. The serpent on the pole is a shadow of Christ on the cross.
John 3:14-15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Even in our time God uses mediums to heal and bless His people. Our God doesn’t operate dogma. The question is was the bronze serpent an idol? Today there are many tools that the people of God use. We use oil to anoint. We use water for many purposes in the house of God. One may use any medium as directed by The Holy Spirit but the issue is what is in the heart of God’s people? Is the anointing water a sin? Is the anointing oil a sin? Are the handkerchiefs, wrist band and other mediums a sin? One may say the blood of Jesus is all that we need. That is absolute truth but as I stated earlier God is not dogmatic.
Idolatry begins when God’s people begin to put their trust in the medium instead of putting their trust in their Saviour. Let’s say I have an olive oil which I use to anoint my head daily then one day I wake up and it is no where to be found and I begin to show signs of apprehension. It is now obvious that it has become my idol so the idolatry is not from the oil but I have made an idol out of it.
In the same manner any tool can be an idol. Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts can be an idol. It is not the object that is a sin but what we make out of it. Are phones and ipad idols? They are not idols but we can make idols out of it. If I spend countless hours on my phone and ipad and neglect my spiritual life then it has become my idol and I am an idolater. There are statues of our former heroes in the city. If I decide to go to a museum to take a look at these monuments does it make me an idolater? The Holy Spirit may personally convict me not to go there due to the weak faith of a brother lest he stumbles. This is what Paul was explaining in 1 Corinthians 8.
Glory To Jesus
IDOLS?
Numbers 21:8-9
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
2 Kings 18: 1-4
And it happened in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
The people of God had rebelled against Him in the wilderness. God sent serpents among them to judge them. When they cried out to Him, He instructed Moses make a bronze serpent as a medium for healing. Many years later God’s people began to worship the bronze serpent. It became their savior. They began to worship the creation instead of their creator. They had soon forgotten how God bore them on His wings throughout their journey in the wilderness. Like the people of Israel, God still judges His people when they are in rebellion. He may cause famines, sickness, economic depression and many other forms of judgement to awaken His people from sin. Many of God’s people are deceived into thinking He no longer judges His people. Many may spend hours binding and casting out demons but they forget the root cause of their problem is their rebellion.
If God withholds His goodness from an individual or a nation then they should get on their knees and seek Him wholeheartedly. He says if we seek Him with all our hearts we shall find Him. During my rebellion I developed a health condition through a sinful habit which I blamed on other forces. I couldn’t discern until when I came back to Him then He revealed the cause of my problem. If God’s people set their hearts to seek Him wholeheartedly, He will heal them as promised in His word. He is faithful. If we fulfill our part of the covenant, He will also fulfill His own. God had instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent to heal His people. The serpent on the pole is a shadow of Christ on the cross.
John 3:14-15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Even in our time God uses mediums to heal and bless His people. Our God doesn’t operate dogma. The question is was the bronze serpent an idol? Today there are many tools that the people of God use. We use oil to anoint. We use water for many purposes in the house of God. One may use any medium as directed by The Holy Spirit but the issue is what is in the heart of God’s people? Is the anointing water a sin? Is the anointing oil a sin? Are the handkerchiefs, wrist band and other mediums a sin? One may say the blood of Jesus is all that we need. That is absolute truth but as I stated earlier God is not dogmatic.
Idolatry begins when God’s people begin to put their trust in the medium instead of putting their trust in their Saviour. Let’s say I have an olive oil which I use to anoint my head daily then one day I wake up and it is no where to be found and I begin to show signs of apprehension. It is now obvious that it has become my idol so the idolatry is not from the oil but I have made an idol out of it.
In the same manner any tool can be an idol. Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts can be an idol. It is not the object that is a sin but what we make out of it. Are phones and ipad idols? They are not idols but we can make idols out of it. If I spend countless hours on my phone and ipad and neglect my spiritual life then it has become my idol and I am an idolater. There are statues of our former heroes in the city. If I decide to go to a museum to take a look at these monuments does it make me an idolater? The Holy Spirit may personally convict me not to go there due to the weak faith of a brother lest he stumbles. This is what Paul was explaining in 1 Corinthians 8.
Glory To Jesus
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
2 Kings 18: 1-4
And it happened in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
The people of God had rebelled against Him in the wilderness. God sent serpents among them to judge them. When they cried out to Him, He instructed Moses make a bronze serpent as a medium for healing. Many years later God’s people began to worship the bronze serpent. It became their savior. They began to worship the creation instead of their creator. They had soon forgotten how God bore them on His wings throughout their journey in the wilderness. Like the people of Israel, God still judges His people when they are in rebellion. He may cause famines, sickness, economic depression and many other forms of judgement to awaken His people from sin. Many of God’s people are deceived into thinking He no longer judges His people. Many may spend hours binding and casting out demons but they forget the root cause of their problem is their rebellion.
If God withholds His goodness from an individual or a nation then they should get on their knees and seek Him wholeheartedly. He says if we seek Him with all our hearts we shall find Him. During my rebellion I developed a health condition through a sinful habit which I blamed on other forces. I couldn’t discern until when I came back to Him then He revealed the cause of my problem. If God’s people set their hearts to seek Him wholeheartedly, He will heal them as promised in His word. He is faithful. If we fulfill our part of the covenant, He will also fulfill His own. God had instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent to heal His people. The serpent on the pole is a shadow of Christ on the cross.
John 3:14-15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Even in our time God uses mediums to heal and bless His people. Our God doesn’t operate dogma. The question is was the bronze serpent an idol? Today there are many tools that the people of God use. We use oil to anoint. We use water for many purposes in the house of God. One may use any medium as directed by The Holy Spirit but the issue is what is in the heart of God’s people? Is the anointing water a sin? Is the anointing oil a sin? Are the handkerchiefs, wrist band and other mediums a sin? One may say the blood of Jesus is all that we need. That is absolute truth but as I stated earlier God is not dogmatic.
Idolatry begins when God’s people begin to put their trust in the medium instead of putting their trust in their Saviour. Let’s say I have an olive oil which I use to anoint my head daily then one day I wake up and it is no where to be found and I begin to show signs of apprehension. It is now obvious that it has become my idol so the idolatry is not from the oil but I have made an idol out of it.
In the same manner any tool can be an idol. Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts can be an idol. It is not the object that is a sin but what we make out of it. Are phones and ipad idols? They are not idols but we can make idols out of it. If I spend countless hours on my phone and ipad and neglect my spiritual life then it has become my idol and I am an idolater. There are statues of our former heroes in the city. If I decide to go to a museum to take a look at these monuments does it make me an idolater? The Holy Spirit may personally convict me not to go there due to the weak faith of a brother lest he stumbles. This is what Paul was explaining in 1 Corinthians 8.
Glory To Jesus
THE LORD OUR VINDICATOR
There is a popular saying that if one is taking his bath and a mad
man takes his towel and he in turn runs after the mad man for the
towel then he is also mad. If one claims to follow The Lord and he is
spited at every accusation and provocation then how different is he
from those who are not The Lord's? Many of God's people will be quick
to say they want to be like Him. Do we want to love just as He loved?
Do we want to be meek just as He was meek when He walked the earth? Do
we want to walk in authority and power just as He did when He walked
the earth? Do we want to share in His trials? Are we willing to love
the people who slander us? He says carry your cross if you want to
follow Him.
Your cross is saying bye bye to the world. Your cross is becoming more and more like Him daily. Your cross is saying yes to Him and nothing else. Are God's people called to defend themselves? Are God's people called to rant when insults are hurled at them? Are God's people supposed to curse those who oppose them?
1 Peter 2:23
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
Our calling as Christians goes with persecutions. Our master was persecuted. He was not loved by the world. Evil men spat on Him. The bible says He reviled not when He was humiliated. How about us? Do we have to go around seeking sympathy because others hurt us? Do we have to explain our hurts to people? Do we have to vent our spleen any time we are maltreated? Are we not supposed to trust Him to avenge on our behalf? Are we not supposed to pray for those who persecute us? Are we not supposed to see our persecutors as people who do not have His love? We have been called to endure just as He did. We have been called to be meek like Him. We have been called to commit ourselves to Him. He is the one who will judge our adversaries. Ours is to pray for them. Ours is to learn to keep our mouths shut. We have not been called to defend ourselves at any point in time.
Many people will spend countless hours telling people about how much they have been hurt. Are we not supposed to pray for strength to overcome bitterness? All grace has been made available for us to overcome. We must ask for His grace to overcome every obstacle. There is this popular song "I want more of You Jesus". Do we really understand what we ask for? Many times we are quick to join the chorus but let us ask ourselves do we fully understand what we ask for? Jesus was hated by the world. He was reproached by the world. More of Him means more of His reproaches. It is not only about His power at work in you.
Philippians 1:29
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Glory To Jesus
Your cross is saying bye bye to the world. Your cross is becoming more and more like Him daily. Your cross is saying yes to Him and nothing else. Are God's people called to defend themselves? Are God's people called to rant when insults are hurled at them? Are God's people supposed to curse those who oppose them?
1 Peter 2:23
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
Our calling as Christians goes with persecutions. Our master was persecuted. He was not loved by the world. Evil men spat on Him. The bible says He reviled not when He was humiliated. How about us? Do we have to go around seeking sympathy because others hurt us? Do we have to explain our hurts to people? Do we have to vent our spleen any time we are maltreated? Are we not supposed to trust Him to avenge on our behalf? Are we not supposed to pray for those who persecute us? Are we not supposed to see our persecutors as people who do not have His love? We have been called to endure just as He did. We have been called to be meek like Him. We have been called to commit ourselves to Him. He is the one who will judge our adversaries. Ours is to pray for them. Ours is to learn to keep our mouths shut. We have not been called to defend ourselves at any point in time.
Many people will spend countless hours telling people about how much they have been hurt. Are we not supposed to pray for strength to overcome bitterness? All grace has been made available for us to overcome. We must ask for His grace to overcome every obstacle. There is this popular song "I want more of You Jesus". Do we really understand what we ask for? Many times we are quick to join the chorus but let us ask ourselves do we fully understand what we ask for? Jesus was hated by the world. He was reproached by the world. More of Him means more of His reproaches. It is not only about His power at work in you.
Philippians 1:29
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Glory To Jesus
WHY THEY CHANGED THEIR MESSAGE
Have you ever come across preachers who were once on fire for God but
are now preaching a new gospel? A gospel of gratification, a gospel
that only satisfies the flesh, a gospel that takes man's focus of his
redemption in the blood? This is very common in our time and we should
expect to see more in the coming days. We are living in a time where it
will be very difficult for people to stand for the truth. In Matthew 24
when the disciples asked The Lord about His coming, the destruction of
the temple and the end of the age, He was not in a haste to tell them
about planetary alignments or any other cosmic reactions. The first
thing He highlighted was guarding against deception. "Take heed that no
man deceives you". Jesus knew deception had a direct effect on the soul
of any man so He forewarned. Then in Luke's account He also warns of
surfeiting(over eating and merry making)and the cares of this life.
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
He also talked about offences taking place because of the gospel.
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
If you study Matthew 24 critically there are so many things in there before the rapture. The rapture is an event that will happen suddenly as described in the bible. "In a twinkling of an eye" as the bible puts it but let us take a look at certain critical occurrences that precede the rapture. Before the rapture takes place there should be a great falling away.
DECEPTION
1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
So then the bible says in a time to come which is now there will be people who once advocated for the gospel will rather fall away. Demons will deceive them into thinking that they are speaking the truth. This will creep into the body of Christ furtively. The gospel that will be preached will not be a Christ centred gospel. People will be made to feel good for their sins. True grace will be misinterpreted.
PRIDE OF LIFE
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
This scripture most likely talks about a day where Christ's comes for His bride as a thief in the night. It can also be viewed from another perspective. A day or a time where men forget they are in a battle field and are overtaking by the cares of this world. Jesus wasn't saying we shouldn't eat good food or live good lives. The emphasis he lays is on the third foe of the kingdom of God which Apostle John mentions in 1 John 2:16 "the pride of life". If any man is caught in this then the devil is competing for his soul since such a person is operating in his economy. So The Lord warns do not be overtaken by these things forgetting you are on a battlefield. The Lord warns about lasciviousness i.e. inordinate affection for the things of the world.
Let us relate it to the days of Noah. Jesus said during those days they were eating, drinking and being given into marriage. Obviously none of the activities mentioned is wrong but they missed something. Their souls had cleaved to this corroded world so it was difficult for them to merge the message of righteousness together with their lust of a world that was about to pass away.
Matthew 24:38
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
In our days this is the state of many believers. Many believe in investing more of their time and resources in the world that is passing away. The issue is not the activity per say but the lasciviousness. We work for money to live good lives on earth. I don't know any individual who wants to sleep on the streets. We haven needs as humans but the problem begins when believers begin to crave for more and more of the material and less of the spiritual. Gradually such a one starts to believe that's all there is to life. It doesn't start in a day. You can go back and find old tapes of preachers who were once revivalist but have now turned the pulpit into a wheel of fortune. Why? Bit by bit they were taken aback by the cares of this life.
Jesus said your heart will cleave to where you keep your treasure. Gradually the devil has infiltrated them with such lies so the gospel has become a gospel of gain instead of the gospel of Jesus crucified.
OFFENCES
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Luke 12:49-52
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
If you ever loved something for 20 years and suddenly I tell you to leave it because it is not going to add any value to your life you will most likely retort. You believe its right for you. I might have used it and had side effects. Perhaps a few might have used it and complained about it. It may have even harmed you but because you covet it you wouldn't let it go easily. What will you do then? It is very likely I will lose you as your friend. When Jesus walked the earth he encountered a lot of religious leaders. Prior to his ministry, it’s very likely some of these scribes were good observers of the Sabbath, good observers of the moral law. It was very likely a staunch religious leader will not miss the morning and evening sacrifice for anything. It is also likely that they made a lot of prayers to God. Suddenly Jesus comes in and begins to preach hey, you have misinterpreted the law. I'm here to correct your errors. You know definitely they will get offended. They have built their own altars in their hearts. Their intellect has been challenged. Jesus has proven to them that they are in darkness. A religious teacher for over 30 years gets offended because a young man of about 30 years has touched something within which he wanted to protect. Now, the religious teacher has a choice either to continue in the commandments in which he followed faithfully and correct the errors or get offended by Jesus' teaching and continue to walk in darkness.
Matthew 23:3
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
According to this scripture, the Pharisees had good knowledge of the law. They could expound on it so Jesus encouraged his followers to observe what they teach from the law. Again Jesus warns His disciples not to do as they do. So the Pharisees had an outward form of piety but within they had gods that they had been protecting. They could quote the Pentateuch off head. Jesus comes in with a big bang. Now many of them are offended. Many rather fall into more error. The full gospel will always bring division. It will separate those who appear to love the gospel but are protecting idols within from those who are willing to be martyrs for the sake of the gospel.
Until that time, the religious leaders were seen to be good. They appeared to be people who taught God's people to keep His commandments. When Jesus touched the evil in their hearts, they began to persecute Him. Its quiet easy to shout Jesus on top of the roof but wait till God instructs you to give up on your idols. Are you going to preach the same Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Wait till God exposes your favourite preacher. Are you still going to go out for Him? Are you going to cry out and surrender to Him for His light to shine in your heart? Are you going to open your heart for Him to heal your wounds? He says, He has come to send fire on the earth, a fire that brings separation. Today His fire continues to burn within His faithfuls. A fire that brings separation. A fire that distinguishes the sheep and the goat.
You may say in your heart “LORD I will never get offended at Your WORD". Allow Him to reveal the condition of your heart. You may have countless idols. If you humble yourself He will treat you so you can speak His Word with all boldness. If you try to hide, you will stumble. Gradually you will begin to expose what is in your heart. You will begin to teach things you thought you once hated. Don't think in your heart that you cannot be deceived. Don't think in your heart you cannot be overtaken by the cares of this life. Don't think in your heart you will always defend the truth. Cry unto Him that you may stand. Cry out to Him that you may continue to walk with Him. Cry out to Him that He will help you embrace the fullness of His truth.
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 145:18
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Scripture says He is near to those of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He hears those who call upon Him in truth. Personally I have had The Lord reveal certain things in my life which I thought were trivial. There have been times I have felt like dying when He touches the wickedness in my heart. Cry out to Him in your closet. Don't be overconfident.
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, Your Word says the way of a man is not in himself. I cannot Direct steps myself neither can I make my heart pure. Fill me with your Spirit so that I will be able to walk in Your truth and discern every error that comes my way. Help me to serve you faithfully until Jesus appears to take His bride home. Amen!!!!!
Glory To Jesus
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
He also talked about offences taking place because of the gospel.
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
If you study Matthew 24 critically there are so many things in there before the rapture. The rapture is an event that will happen suddenly as described in the bible. "In a twinkling of an eye" as the bible puts it but let us take a look at certain critical occurrences that precede the rapture. Before the rapture takes place there should be a great falling away.
DECEPTION
1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
So then the bible says in a time to come which is now there will be people who once advocated for the gospel will rather fall away. Demons will deceive them into thinking that they are speaking the truth. This will creep into the body of Christ furtively. The gospel that will be preached will not be a Christ centred gospel. People will be made to feel good for their sins. True grace will be misinterpreted.
PRIDE OF LIFE
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
This scripture most likely talks about a day where Christ's comes for His bride as a thief in the night. It can also be viewed from another perspective. A day or a time where men forget they are in a battle field and are overtaking by the cares of this world. Jesus wasn't saying we shouldn't eat good food or live good lives. The emphasis he lays is on the third foe of the kingdom of God which Apostle John mentions in 1 John 2:16 "the pride of life". If any man is caught in this then the devil is competing for his soul since such a person is operating in his economy. So The Lord warns do not be overtaken by these things forgetting you are on a battlefield. The Lord warns about lasciviousness i.e. inordinate affection for the things of the world.
Let us relate it to the days of Noah. Jesus said during those days they were eating, drinking and being given into marriage. Obviously none of the activities mentioned is wrong but they missed something. Their souls had cleaved to this corroded world so it was difficult for them to merge the message of righteousness together with their lust of a world that was about to pass away.
Matthew 24:38
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
In our days this is the state of many believers. Many believe in investing more of their time and resources in the world that is passing away. The issue is not the activity per say but the lasciviousness. We work for money to live good lives on earth. I don't know any individual who wants to sleep on the streets. We haven needs as humans but the problem begins when believers begin to crave for more and more of the material and less of the spiritual. Gradually such a one starts to believe that's all there is to life. It doesn't start in a day. You can go back and find old tapes of preachers who were once revivalist but have now turned the pulpit into a wheel of fortune. Why? Bit by bit they were taken aback by the cares of this life.
Jesus said your heart will cleave to where you keep your treasure. Gradually the devil has infiltrated them with such lies so the gospel has become a gospel of gain instead of the gospel of Jesus crucified.
OFFENCES
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Luke 12:49-52
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
If you ever loved something for 20 years and suddenly I tell you to leave it because it is not going to add any value to your life you will most likely retort. You believe its right for you. I might have used it and had side effects. Perhaps a few might have used it and complained about it. It may have even harmed you but because you covet it you wouldn't let it go easily. What will you do then? It is very likely I will lose you as your friend. When Jesus walked the earth he encountered a lot of religious leaders. Prior to his ministry, it’s very likely some of these scribes were good observers of the Sabbath, good observers of the moral law. It was very likely a staunch religious leader will not miss the morning and evening sacrifice for anything. It is also likely that they made a lot of prayers to God. Suddenly Jesus comes in and begins to preach hey, you have misinterpreted the law. I'm here to correct your errors. You know definitely they will get offended. They have built their own altars in their hearts. Their intellect has been challenged. Jesus has proven to them that they are in darkness. A religious teacher for over 30 years gets offended because a young man of about 30 years has touched something within which he wanted to protect. Now, the religious teacher has a choice either to continue in the commandments in which he followed faithfully and correct the errors or get offended by Jesus' teaching and continue to walk in darkness.
Matthew 23:3
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
According to this scripture, the Pharisees had good knowledge of the law. They could expound on it so Jesus encouraged his followers to observe what they teach from the law. Again Jesus warns His disciples not to do as they do. So the Pharisees had an outward form of piety but within they had gods that they had been protecting. They could quote the Pentateuch off head. Jesus comes in with a big bang. Now many of them are offended. Many rather fall into more error. The full gospel will always bring division. It will separate those who appear to love the gospel but are protecting idols within from those who are willing to be martyrs for the sake of the gospel.
Until that time, the religious leaders were seen to be good. They appeared to be people who taught God's people to keep His commandments. When Jesus touched the evil in their hearts, they began to persecute Him. Its quiet easy to shout Jesus on top of the roof but wait till God instructs you to give up on your idols. Are you going to preach the same Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Wait till God exposes your favourite preacher. Are you still going to go out for Him? Are you going to cry out and surrender to Him for His light to shine in your heart? Are you going to open your heart for Him to heal your wounds? He says, He has come to send fire on the earth, a fire that brings separation. Today His fire continues to burn within His faithfuls. A fire that brings separation. A fire that distinguishes the sheep and the goat.
You may say in your heart “LORD I will never get offended at Your WORD". Allow Him to reveal the condition of your heart. You may have countless idols. If you humble yourself He will treat you so you can speak His Word with all boldness. If you try to hide, you will stumble. Gradually you will begin to expose what is in your heart. You will begin to teach things you thought you once hated. Don't think in your heart that you cannot be deceived. Don't think in your heart you cannot be overtaken by the cares of this life. Don't think in your heart you will always defend the truth. Cry unto Him that you may stand. Cry out to Him that you may continue to walk with Him. Cry out to Him that He will help you embrace the fullness of His truth.
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 145:18
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Scripture says He is near to those of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He hears those who call upon Him in truth. Personally I have had The Lord reveal certain things in my life which I thought were trivial. There have been times I have felt like dying when He touches the wickedness in my heart. Cry out to Him in your closet. Don't be overconfident.
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, Your Word says the way of a man is not in himself. I cannot Direct steps myself neither can I make my heart pure. Fill me with your Spirit so that I will be able to walk in Your truth and discern every error that comes my way. Help me to serve you faithfully until Jesus appears to take His bride home. Amen!!!!!
Glory To Jesus
Monday, 10 February 2014
WE ARE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD
The systems of our entire globe is virtually run by the world from the
political,social and all you can think of. One way or the other we use
the tools of the world in various ways. Many organizations in the world
are run by people of the world. The big question is how do we live in
the world since we are surrounded by the systems of the world?
We can relate our situation to Daniel in the kingdom of Babylon and
Joseph in Egypt. These men were saints of old who found themselves in a
system akin to ours. Daniel was in exile in Babylon. He saw the might of
Nebuchadnezzar. He saw the riches of Babylon but that didn't deter him
from following God wholeheartedly. He was promoted to a higher seat but
he still stuck to his faith. He had known God on a personal level. He
knew his reign in Babylon was just a transition.
Let us look at Joseph. His life was similar to Daniel's. Sold into
slavery, later rising to a position of a prime minister. Joseph also
lived among people who were worshiping false gods but he perfectly
executed his duty as a prime minister. Pharaoh and Egypt can be likened
to the world and its systems. Joseph as a prime minister can be likened
to any believer who has been put in charge of any of the reputable
organizations in the world owned by an unbeliever. His role could also
be managing the agricultural system,judicial,economic,sports and so on
and so forth. Joseph finds himself in a similar situation. He lives
among people mostly reprobate. He has been given the mandate to manage
such a system.
Genesis 41:35-36
And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming,
and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep
food in the cities.
Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of
famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not
perish during the famine.
Pharaoh had a dream about the future and Joseph interprets the dream to
him. The first seven years will be years of plenty and the remaining
seven years will be full of famine. The current situation of our globe
can be likened to the end of a sweet 7years. We are gradually entering
in the dark and difficult days. We are gradually stepping into the
spiritual and physical famines of the earth.
In such a situation what do we do? Will we still sit down and cross our
hands hoping things will get better? Will we continue to blame our
governments though the vision has been revealed to us?
Every passing generation need a Joseph and a Daniel to preserve God's
people during difficult and dark days. It is during moments like this
that God can preserve His children He can trust to take charge of the
systems of the world. Is it the world that God is interested in? He
wants His glory to be seen among the heathen. He wants His righteousness
to be known, His wisdom to overwhelm the world perhaps like
Nebuchadnezzar, the world will be humbled enough to praise The God of
Joseph and Daniel.
In a dispensation like this where are our judicial systems are not
exercising justice one may ask what role will a believer play if he is
in the helm of affairs? Conspicuously the system may be suffering from a
break down but we should understand that God rules the affairs of men.
He can appoint any of His children to bring sanity through His wisdom
and excellence.
In spite of the glory and honour Joseph and Daniel had they had one
thing in mind.
Genesis 50:24-25
And Joseph said to his brethren, I am going; but God will surely visit
you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to
Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.
Then Joseph took an oath from the children saying surely God will visit
you and you shall carry my bones from here.
Joseph had been successful in Egypt but that didn't change him into an
Egyptian. Even at the point of death he looked up to a legitimate
inheritance. God had used him mightily in Egypt but his heart was in the
promise God had made to his fathers. That was where his true treasure
was . He instructed his bones be carried along on
the day God visits his people so in essence he didn't want any thing of his
to remain in Egypt. He wanted to part with Egypt forever.
Daniel 12:13
But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest and will arise to
your inheritance at the end of the days.
Daniel was also promised of an inheritance in the resurrection. We may
find ourselves in the situation of these two saints. We should have the
same mind as they had. They had fame,honour and glory but they looked
beyond that. They were involved in the day to day affairs of these two
systems but they were not caught up in its obsession. They knew there
was always a demarcating line so they jealously guarded their hearts. We
have to know how we ought to live in this world. If we can stay closer
to God daily and be rooted in His love there wouldn't be a need to
fear the schemes of this world.
Glory To Jesus
political,social and all you can think of. One way or the other we use
the tools of the world in various ways. Many organizations in the world
are run by people of the world. The big question is how do we live in
the world since we are surrounded by the systems of the world?
We can relate our situation to Daniel in the kingdom of Babylon and
Joseph in Egypt. These men were saints of old who found themselves in a
system akin to ours. Daniel was in exile in Babylon. He saw the might of
Nebuchadnezzar. He saw the riches of Babylon but that didn't deter him
from following God wholeheartedly. He was promoted to a higher seat but
he still stuck to his faith. He had known God on a personal level. He
knew his reign in Babylon was just a transition.
Let us look at Joseph. His life was similar to Daniel's. Sold into
slavery, later rising to a position of a prime minister. Joseph also
lived among people who were worshiping false gods but he perfectly
executed his duty as a prime minister. Pharaoh and Egypt can be likened
to the world and its systems. Joseph as a prime minister can be likened
to any believer who has been put in charge of any of the reputable
organizations in the world owned by an unbeliever. His role could also
be managing the agricultural system,judicial,economic,sports and so on
and so forth. Joseph finds himself in a similar situation. He lives
among people mostly reprobate. He has been given the mandate to manage
such a system.
Genesis 41:35-36
And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming,
and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep
food in the cities.
Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of
famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not
perish during the famine.
Pharaoh had a dream about the future and Joseph interprets the dream to
him. The first seven years will be years of plenty and the remaining
seven years will be full of famine. The current situation of our globe
can be likened to the end of a sweet 7years. We are gradually entering
in the dark and difficult days. We are gradually stepping into the
spiritual and physical famines of the earth.
In such a situation what do we do? Will we still sit down and cross our
hands hoping things will get better? Will we continue to blame our
governments though the vision has been revealed to us?
Every passing generation need a Joseph and a Daniel to preserve God's
people during difficult and dark days. It is during moments like this
that God can preserve His children He can trust to take charge of the
systems of the world. Is it the world that God is interested in? He
wants His glory to be seen among the heathen. He wants His righteousness
to be known, His wisdom to overwhelm the world perhaps like
Nebuchadnezzar, the world will be humbled enough to praise The God of
Joseph and Daniel.
In a dispensation like this where are our judicial systems are not
exercising justice one may ask what role will a believer play if he is
in the helm of affairs? Conspicuously the system may be suffering from a
break down but we should understand that God rules the affairs of men.
He can appoint any of His children to bring sanity through His wisdom
and excellence.
In spite of the glory and honour Joseph and Daniel had they had one
thing in mind.
Genesis 50:24-25
And Joseph said to his brethren, I am going; but God will surely visit
you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to
Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.
Then Joseph took an oath from the children saying surely God will visit
you and you shall carry my bones from here.
Joseph had been successful in Egypt but that didn't change him into an
Egyptian. Even at the point of death he looked up to a legitimate
inheritance. God had used him mightily in Egypt but his heart was in the
promise God had made to his fathers. That was where his true treasure
was . He instructed his bones be carried along on
the day God visits his people so in essence he didn't want any thing of his
to remain in Egypt. He wanted to part with Egypt forever.
Daniel 12:13
But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest and will arise to
your inheritance at the end of the days.
Daniel was also promised of an inheritance in the resurrection. We may
find ourselves in the situation of these two saints. We should have the
same mind as they had. They had fame,honour and glory but they looked
beyond that. They were involved in the day to day affairs of these two
systems but they were not caught up in its obsession. They knew there
was always a demarcating line so they jealously guarded their hearts. We
have to know how we ought to live in this world. If we can stay closer
to God daily and be rooted in His love there wouldn't be a need to
fear the schemes of this world.
Glory To Jesus
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