A Guilty Conscience & Fear

"And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for behold, it was in his sack's mouth. And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and lo, it is even in my sack: and their hearts failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us? And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying, The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies: We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan. And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land. And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hands, and I will bring him to thee again. And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave." (Genesis 42:27-38)

A guilty conscience is a terrible thing. The brothers, having found all of their money restored to them, yet knowing that they had indeed turned that money over to the governor of Egypt (Joseph), felt instantly that this was God's hand at work; and because their minds were darkened with the guilt of that evil done so long ago, they immediately assumed God was out to have his vengeance on them. They were so fearful of God's impending wrath that their hearts nearly stopped working altogether. They were terrified.

Such are the thoughts of anyone who is living in the darkness of their sin. The darkness causes them to see God as a Judge only. They cannot draw near to God for fear of Him and of His great wrath that they are sure is about to fall on them at any moment. They live their lives in misery, forgetting the goodness of God, because the fear has consumed them….fear brought on by a guilty conscience. This misery and fear colors everything in their lives. They have become the most miserable of creatures.

But this same God whom they fear is the same God who says in Isaiah 1:18-20 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land…" Here is the same God, talking to sinners no different than Joseph's brethren, wanting them to come to Him; He is calling them to Himself, calling them to repentance. He is calling them to come out of the darkness and deception of sin, into the light of His mercy and grace.

Some folks, such as Joseph's brothers, harden their hearts and hold on to their sins for years and years. And because they remain in darkness (the darkness being the place where their sins remain hidden…or so they believe) their consciences speak to them in their unrepentant state of the wrath of God that WILL fall on those who reject the kindness of the Lord: "But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Isaiah 1:20)

Yet God's wrath does not come only because they have sinned, it comes because they have sinned and not repented of that sin. It comes because they will not receive the free gift of God's love and forgiveness. In fact, their rejection of an Almighty God's kindness and mercy is as though they spat upon Him. Thus, when such kindness and mercy is offered only to be venomously rejected, wrath IS all one has to look forward to; and misery descends.

In the case of Joseph's brothers, the years of guiltiness bear down upon them with a great weight. They have never confessed their sin to their father, the one (besides Joseph himself and most likely his younger brother Benjamin) who suffered so greatly because of their sin. And thus the fear of God's impending judgment for their unrepentant sin is so great that "their hearts failed them" at the thought that His wrath was imminent.

I believe this is why Joseph wept. I believe he wept seeing the anguish his own unrepentant brothers were suffering looking for the judgment of God to fall upon them.

Much as Jesus wept over unrepentant Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37)

Joseph could have blamed God for his hardship and affliction, just as most of mankind today wants to blame God and reject Him because of the death and destruction that sin-filled men in a sin-filled world bring to pass; along with the evil help of Satan, of course, who scours the earth seeking whom he can destroy: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

But that is not who God is. And Joseph knew that. He knew the goodness of God and he never forgot it through all the 13 years of his captivity, even though his brothers did not know God as well.

Our God is One who loves each of us in this world so much:

"…that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:16-21)

There is a quick solution to the misery of a guilty conscience: confess it to God, receive the gift of His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and LIVE in the light of peace with God.

Seven Years of Dearth

"And the seven years of death began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands." (Genesis 41: 54-57)

"Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan." (Genesis 42:1-5)

The word dearth, as used by the King James version, means: famine or hunger. Such an event of famine is normally brought on by prolonged drought, causing a failure of food crops, both for humans and for animals. It appears that the same lack of rainfall being experienced in Egypt, was also causing a lack of food crops in neighboring lands, including Canaan.

Thus, when Jacob hears that there is corn to be purchased in Egypt, he hastens to send his sons to go purchase it for their survival. Surely, the brothers of Joseph were not keen to go into Egypt. Surely, their guilty consciences prodded them severely at even the mention of that name, much less having to now go into the land. In fact, that guilt lies heavy upon them all still as will be seen by the next passage of scripture:

"And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies: Hereby ye shall be proved: by the life Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. And he put them all together into ward three days. And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live, for I fear God: If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: but bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. And they said to one another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? Therefore, behold, also his blood is required. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes." (Genesis 42:6-24)

Something in what the brothers were speaking about to one another, caused Joseph to turn and weep. Was it the remembrance of his distress, the anguish of his soul, when they sold him off into slavery? Was it that this was the first time he realized that at least one brother, Reuben, tried to keep the mob of brethren from harming him? Was it because he could see that the guilt of their wrongdoing had consumed them all these years, and his humble and compassionate heart was unable to bear their suffering? Or was it because he was overwhelmed with the goodness of God towards him and his family to have brought them to this place, just as his dreams had foretold? What we are told is that he harbored no grudge against his brothers, and did only good to them, in spite of holding Simeon ransom for a while; which was done only in order to assure he would see his brother Benjamin.

"Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them. And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence." (Genesis 42:25-26)

Seven Years of Plenty

"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended." (Genesis 41:39-53)

In an amazing turn of events that only God could have brought about, Joseph, former slave and prisoner of Egypt, at age 30 (13 years after being sold off by his brothers into slavery) is now elevated to a position of political power that is only one place lower than the Pharaoh of Egypt himself. Joseph is given a new name which can be translated to mean either "treasury of the glorious rest" or "salvation or savior of the age;" both meanings acknowledge the God who guides Joseph with such wisdom. How incredible that the Pharaoh entrusts his entire kingdom to Joseph's God by giving it into the hands of Joseph to manage.

Joseph is also given a wife, probably one who had quite a bit of status for she was the daughter of the priest of Heliopolis or On. Her name was Asenath, meaning "belonging to the goddess Neith;" none of which tells us that the Egyptians changed over to believing in the God of Joseph, even though they recognize His power in Joseph; but that instead, Joseph was hooked by marriage to one who worshipped another god, or in this case goddess: Neith, the Egyptian goddess of war and hunting. Or perhaps, she did come around to Joseph's way of thinking concerning his God? We just aren't told.

Now, here is the question: what was Joseph's reaction to all of this? We are not told whether he was in a state of shock, or elated, or horrified or what. At the time of Pharaoh's decision to elevate Joseph we are not shown any of the emotions of Joseph to know what he was thinking. It is not until his children are born that we are given a clue.

Joseph names his firstborn son Manasseh which means "causing to forget." By this we can see that Joseph still mourned for his lost family and homeland. This firstborn child eased that pain somewhat by supplying Joseph once more with a family. This child also caused Joseph to somewhat forget all of his labors, certainly his past labors and possibly his current labors as well which kept him from his true homeland.

Joseph names his second son, Ephraim, which means "double ash-heap or double land: I am doubly fruitful;" and says that it is because "God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." No matter his exalted position, Joseph does not recognize Egypt as his home; he is the Lord's pilgrim living in a strange land. Thus Egypt will always be the land of his affliction.

My take on all of this is that Joseph is still a slave; he is not really free to leave here and go seek out his family and homeland. When the Pharaoh of Egypt tells you what you will be, having just pulled you out of a prison that you have been in for anywhere from 2-10 years, you don't argue with him and plead to just be set free; what you do is what you are told to do while being grateful for being released from the dungeon and placed in a prison of a different sort even though privileges and comforts abound.

Yet in all of this, Joseph knows that God is sovereign and is in control of his situation; and he is willing to go where the Lord leads, even into the position of second highest ruler in all the land of Egypt. I believe he is grateful to the Lord for putting him into such a position, no matter how much he might long for his home.

And with the wisdom and administration abilities that God had gifted Joseph with, Joseph began to accumulate all the corn and food supplies that were available during the seven years of plenty and to lay them in store for the coming famine; a famine so severe that without the foreknowledge of the double dreams and Joseph's interpretations and management of food supplies, all of Egypt would have been lost, and many neighboring nations as well, including Joseph's own family. Yet all are saved…by God's own hand.

Such an amazing task could only have been accomplished by an amazing God…working through a humble and willing servant who trusted in his God…no matter where the circumstances of his life placed him. Joseph's trust of God throughout these circumstances should be a tremendous encouragement and inspiration to us all.

Pharaoh’s Double Dream, Part 2

"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: and, behold, seven other kind came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: and the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: and the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do, He sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" (Genesis 41: 17-38)

The significance of the double dream is stated by Joseph in this passage of scripture: it means that a thing has been established by God, it WILL come to pass. So, then if we look back at the dreams Joseph had, we see that his dreams also are established by God, for it was a double dream, and will come to pass as well.

Now in Pharaoh's dreams, a time is given…there will be seven years of plenty and seven years of famine to follow….and Joseph tells him that it is to begin soon. But in Joseph's own dreams, no time line is given. And it has been many, many years now since those dreams occurred. Still, there is no doubt that they will come true. The significance of Joseph's dreams have been established by God.

Joseph's response to the Pharaoh demonstrates several "giftings" from God. He is able to interpret the dreams, although as He says it is not himself that has that ability, but God who is giving him the words to speak. Then there is the gifting of wisdom, as Joseph lays out a plan that God has whispered in his ear. And finally, as has already been displayed by Joseph, both while in Potiphar's home and under Potiphar's guard in prison, is his gifting of administration, in which all that he lays his hand to in the ordering of someone else's affairs is blessed by God.

These giftings are from God for Joseph, but are not limited to the times of Joseph and the patriarchs. We see in the book of Acts that the disciples are given giftings as well, when they are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) and begin to speak in other tongues that are identifiable by many who heard them speak. Healing was in their hands (Acts 3). They received power to become bold where before they were weak and afraid (Acts 4:29-31). But these giftings are not limited to the disciples either.

Paul talks about the gifts that are in use by the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians chapter 12). So we know that not only the patriarchs received giftings from God, but also the disciples, and also the early church.

Here is something important for us to understand: Our God does not change from one century to the next (Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I change not..")…and thus, the gifting that He provides to His chosen ones remain the same as well…whether it is thousands of years ago with Joseph, or centuries later with the disciples and the early church, or right now today, with you and I.

The question is whether or not we will use the gifting that we have been given. There is no doubt that we all have them, although we might not all have the same ones at the same time. Still, what we have, will we use it? Will the world around us be caused to acknowledge God as Pharaoh was caused to acknowledge that the giftings Joseph had were due to God, whose Spirit was being displayed through Joseph?

This can only happen if we use the gifts which we have been given by God. He didn't give them to us so that we can consider ourselves to be special and leave it at that. We ARE special in God's eyes. We ARE His chosen ones. BUT, He gave us those gifts so that the unbelieving world around us would come to believe in HIM. He has not sent us out on a task that He has not equipped us for. But neither does He expect us to sit on these gifts and not use them. There is a world full of lost souls whom God will draw near to Himself through you and I and the gifts He has placed within us.

The time is long past to get out of our comfort zone and go to work serving our Lord and Savior, not in our own strength but in HIS.

Joseph was a man just like us. But he was a man who had a relationship with the Lord, who heard from the Lord because of the intimacy of his relationship with God, and who moved and served in the giftings God provided to him. So can we be if we choose to deepen our relationship with the Lord, and get up and serve Him.

Whether you are young or old, will you choose to fill your remaining years in using your giftings for the glory of God and for the benefit of those who are lost? Or are you too consumed with worldly things to serve the Lord with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength?

Choose well, recognize your gifts and choose to use them, and God will do amazing things through you, just as He did through His servant Joseph.

 

Pharaoh’s Double Dream, Part 1

"And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dreams; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker: and we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying it is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Genesis 41:1-16)

Because the King James version of the bible is used for these passages, it might be best to begin with a definition or two to help our understanding. For example, the term well favoured means "beautiful in appearance" while ill favoured means just the opposite of course; the word rank means "fat," and the word kine means "a young cow or heifer." And the term Pharaoh (according to Strong's Concordance) means "great house" and is the title given to the Egyptian kings. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary supplies for us the real name of this particular Pharaoh which was "Aphophis, one of the Memphite kings, whose capital was On or Heliopolis, and who is universally acknowledged to have been a patriot king."

We will save the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, both occurring in the same night, for the next posting where the interpretations appear in the scriptures, but for now we should note that Pharaoh has had what can be called a "double dream." We have already seen that Joseph himself, in earlier years, was also given a "double dream." [See Genesis 37:1-11] A double dream is one in which two dreams occur, both slightly different from the other but still having the same content or meaning. There is a significance to "double dreams" which will be defined for us in scripture as we continue. Meanwhile, isn't it interesting that it is because of Pharaoh's double dreams that Joseph is called up out of his long confinement in prison, since it was Joseph's own double dreams that caused his brothers to sell him off into slavery in the first place?

Pharaoh dreams that seven fat and handsome cows are feeding in a meadow, a scene of serenity that says "all is as it should be." But then, in his dream, seven other ugly and skinny cows come alongside the fat cows and devour them. All serenity is suddenly gone as something bizarre has occurred in what began as a pleasant dream. Understandably, Pharaoh wakes up, most likely trying to rid himself of the nightmarish feeling of evil that overcomes him; something we have all experienced at one time or another in our own lives.

But he eventually falls back to sleep and dreams a second dream in which he sees a nice green corn stalk filled with fat ears of corn. Again all is well with the world and the scene is pastoral and serene. Until, that is, a second corn stalk appears; the second one being so badly battered by a wind from the east, that the ears it has produced are thin and terrible. And yet, these weak and ill looking ears of corn are able to devour the fat healthy ears of corn. And once more Pharaoh wakes with a start.

In the morning, the dreams are still so real to Pharaoh that he can recall every detail and can still feel the evil that came upon him with the dreams; all of which leaves him troubled enough to call for his magicians and wise men, hoping one of them can make some sense out of his dreams and calm his disquieted spirit. But none of these men trust in God, so any "interpretations" they might have given in the past are either scientific, occultic (from Satan), or of their own imaginations. Why can't they now come up with something to satisfy the Pharaoh? I believe it is because God is orchestrating things, as He is known to do, and has caused them to be completely baffled and at a loss, making way for the introduction of Joseph to the Pharaoh.

The butler, not at all sincere in "remembering" his faults, tries to get in on the good side of Pharaoh by mentioning Joseph, whom he has deliberately forgotten for two long years.

When the Pharaoh calls for Joseph, Joseph changes his clothes and completely shaves his beard and most likely his head as well, as the Egyptians preferred a completely hairless look, and is presented to the Pharaoh wherein he immediately glorifies God by telling the Pharaoh that the interpretations of the butler's and baker's dreams back in prison two years ago did not come from himself, but from God. And Joseph tells Pharaoh that God is willing to give Pharaoh the interpretation that will bring peace to Pharaoh's troubled spirit.

Now, there is a lot being said in Joseph's simple statement to Pharaoh: "It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

Joseph has glorified God, rather than himself, indicating that he is still, after all these years of suffering, a humble man.

Joseph is testifying that his God is great and able to give Pharaoh the proper interpretation, and that God cares enough about Pharaoh to want to calm his disquieted spirit.

Joseph is stating that even though he has been held in Pharaoh's own prison for many years, he is not filled with bitterness and resentment towards Pharaoh, showing Joseph's heart to be not only humble but one easily able to forgive wrongs done to him. Joseph himself is willing to help Pharaoh.

And finally, Joseph is speaking in FAITH; trusting that God will do all that Joseph has said He will do. This is confidence that can come only when a man has such a close relationship to God that he can speak on behalf of God and know that God will not forsake him nor deny that which has been promised on God's behalf.

(To be continued tomorrow…)

The Butler and the Baker, Part 2

"When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: and in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him." (Genesis 40:16-23)

That poor baker! We can only wonder at what it was he did that caused him to receive capital punishment for his crime! We hope it was something worthy of death, but we also know that kings, when not under the influence of God, can be capricious at best and heads can roll with very little or nothing to justify it.

Meanwhile, the dream interpretations prove to be true as the baker is taken to his death while the butler is released and restored to his former life as chief butler and wine steward. But the butler does not remember to speak to the king about Joseph….it is apparently not in God's perfect timing for Joseph to obtain his freedom yet. When Joseph is released, God will be the one doing it, and the small world of the Pharaoh will KNOW Joseph's God.

Prophecy about Jesus is found in this passage of scripture, but to help you to see it I need to take a little side trip here in the posting. I happen to be in Texas hill country at the moment, but on Monday I was in Galveston and Kemah visiting those areas with my son and his family, and we stopped in to look at some Thomas Kinkade paintings in a shop there. We were told that the painter puts the letter "N" into his paintings in various places and there is a number by his signature that lets the observer know how many "N"s can be found in the painting. "N" is for his wife Nancy. He also might put in the year they were married or the names of his four daughters, among other details of his life. And, if you have ever seen an Alfred Hitchcock movie, you will know that this famous director also inserted some of himself into each of his movies. You can see him pass right in front of the camera usually somewhere close to the beginning of his movies, even though he never looks directly into the camera….it is called a "cameo" appearance, for you only see his profile briefly as he passes through. Thomas Kinkade is a great painter, maybe not a Michelangelo, but still he has fame. Alfred Hitchcock might not be a Steven Spielberg, but he is world-renown as well.

Well, the LORD our GOD is far above these men and others like them, and is, in fact, the MASTER of Glory; why wouldn't He be as the splendor of all of creation shouts His glory….the mountains, the skies, the oceans, the process of life…all of it shouts about the fame of our God. And as I have already pointed out, the Word of God, being inspired by God, also brings glory to God over and over and over again. The Old Testament is types and shadows (cameos you might say) of Jesus who leaves his heavenly place during New Testament times and is born a human to experience the same sufferings we experience, and the temptations that go along with being human, yet never sins, which qualifies Him to be the perfect blood atonement for our sin. The reason the Bible speaks to us so much of Jesus Christ is because God has chosen to glorify His Son because of His great sacrifice of His own life for our sakes and in obedience to God the Father, until the day arrives in which all of God's enemies have been made his "footstool." (Mark 12:36)

So, where do you see the prophetic "cameos" of Jesus Christ in the passages we just studied above? In the use of "the third day" and in the "wine" and the "bread" indicated by the butler and the baker.

The body of Jesus is symbolized by the bread while the wine symbolizes His blood:

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:26-29)

And after His death on the cross, Jesus rose from the dead (was restored or resurrected back to life never to die again) on the third day:

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words." (Luke 24:1-8)

It was not a coincidence that a butler and a baker ended up in jail with Joseph, nor was it an accident that the butler forgot Joseph when he was released. God orchestrates His entire universe down to the least dot on each letter "i" and the cross of each letter "t." While He is not the author of evil, he DOES make all things work together for our good. In this sin-fallen world, evil (Satan) prowls around seeking to destroy lives, but God is there to restore us and make things even better than before. We will see this divine principle very clearly at work in Joseph's life from beginning to end.

Knowing that God sees everything that happens in this great universe of His and is always one step ahead of it, and that He doesn't leave us alone to face the evil that it contains, should give us the same comfort that Joseph had even while enduring the evils done to him….evils done by man, not God….yet evils that will be turned to good for Joseph very soon by a God who loves him very much. We are not told that we will not suffer; we will all suffer one way or another, but we will never suffer alone: for the One who suffered the greatest, and who deserved to suffer not at all, will always be right there with us taking upon Himself once more the suffering that we suffer. I have seen it in my own life.

He is not a capricious God; HE IS A GOOD GOD! And next we will see what good He has in mind for Joseph!

The Butler and the Baker, Part 1

"And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly today? And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you." (Genesis 40:1-8)

Both the chief butler and the chief baker attended very closely upon the king of Egypt (the Pharaoh), particularly regarding his royal table. The chief butler was also wine steward, tasting each cup of beverage brought to the king, and then handing it to the king, showing that he was certain it was suitable to touch the king's own lips. The chief baker was responsible for all the breads and other baked goods, possibly even meats, that were served at the king's table. These two men had very important positions and would have been considered "nobles" or "princes" in the land. The fact that they were imprisoned in the same place as Joseph helps us to understand a bit more about this jail that he is in. It is not the jail used for all commoners; not just anyone was imprisoned here. Instead, it is specifically used (as mentioned in the prior section of scripture) for the confinement of the king's prisoners; and for those prisoners of the king's nobles, such as Potiphar's servant, Joseph.

Joseph, in spite of being a prisoner for such a long time now, displays his compassionate nature when becoming concerned with the sadness or depression of these two fellow inmates: the butler and the baker. Surely, he is suffering from his confinement, yet he has not turned inward and forgotten God or his fellow-man. And, of course, the fact that he has been entrusted with such responsibilities shows that he is making good use of his life to the glory of God, even while in prison; just as the apostle Paul many centuries later will also do.

Joseph then displays his great faith by telling his fellow-inmates that the One who interprets dreams is God Himself…and if they will just tell Joseph their dreams, he is sure that God will reveal the interpretation to him. That's quite a step of faith. But then, Joseph is familiar with dreams, isn't he? He has received dreams that he knew were from God; and he trusts that God who creates the dreams, can also reveal the understanding of them.

"And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; and in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: and Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou was his butler. But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: for indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon." (Genesis 40:9-15)

This passage of scripture confirms for us the extended duties of the butler in that it shows us he was also wine steward. It also confirms for us that while Joseph has not complained about his circumstances, still he greatly feels the loss of his freedom that has been taken from him twice now and so unjustly. And we see that the butler's dream bodes well for him, God revealing to Joseph that the butler will soon be set free and restored to his former duties. This gives boldness to the baker to ask for the interpretation of his dream as well, but unfortunately, he receives a completely different interpretation, as we will see when we continue tomorrow.

    

“And the Lord was with Joseph…”

Because the next passage of scripture (Genesis 39) is lengthy, regarding Joseph now sold as a slave in Egypt, I think it might be best to break up the passage and discuss it in sections.

"And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. " (Genesis 39:1)

So, Potiphar, an officer and captain of the guard, purchases Joseph as a household slave or servant. There are a couple of things we should know about this. The first is that the word "officer" is "cariyc" in Hebrew and can actually be translated as either "eunuch" (a man who has been castrated) or "officer." And it is apparently difficult to determine which usage should be applied in the various places that it occurs in scripture. Here, it is obvious that Potiphar has not been castrated as he has a wife. I mention it just to alert you to that fact because further along we will see that another Israelite by the name of Daniel also has this term applied to him which has been translated as "eunuch," but it is possible that it should also have been translated "officer" instead. The other thing to note is that Potiphar has the title of "captain of the guard." Now, "the guard" is the group of men whose job is to "guard" … the question is what were they guarding? Are they soldiers guarding the city or state, prison officials guarding prisoners, or bodyguards for the Pharaoh and those whom he wanted guarded? We aren't told exactly, but as we will see that Potiphar's house is attached to the prison, my vote is that they are prisons guards watching the Pharaoh's prisoners, political or otherwise, I suppose. That would make Potiphar the "warden."

"And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured." (Genesis 39:2-6)

It is interesting that scripture calls Joseph a "prosperous man" when we are told he has been sold into slavery. What is more interesting is that the more prosperous Joseph becomes, as a slave, the more Potiphar begins to trust his wisdom; and the more of his household Potiphar turns over to Joseph's care, the more Potiphar is blessed as a result. Potiphar trusts Joseph so much that he never even bothers to check up on things; so much so, in fact, that Potiphar arrives at a point where he no longer even knows what he owns anymore! And he isn't concerned…because Joseph has everything under control.

But Joseph is also a model to us of godliness. Joseph can't be happy that he is a slave…of course not! But we haven't heard one word of complaint from him. Perhaps he trusts God's sovereignty more than we sometimes do. Regardless of what his feelings are, he serves to his utmost and in doing so, he glorifies God; for Potiphar sees that it is GOD who blesses Joseph. That's pretty amazing for an Egyptian, I would think. I also think that Joseph becomes "well favoured" because he doesn't complain, he doesn't act like the typical down-in-the-mouth slave; instead he becomes a model trustworthy servant, and I imagine he is cheerful as well!

"And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:7-9)

Bad things happen to good people. It's a fact! And it's about to happen once more to Joseph! But what can he do to prevent it? Nothing honorable. Can he tell his master that his wife is messing around, or trying to? No. Not even if he ends up in prison. And he won't sin with the wife because it would be against God; a fact that Joseph clearly recognizes…there is no deception going on here. The devil has to have an open door into our heart (which can only come from our own lusts) in order to tempt us beyond what we can stand…such is not the case with Joseph who has been obedient to God in every way that we have been allowed to see.

"And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie now with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, that she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: and it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled." (Genesis 39:10-19)

Joseph is wrongfully accused, but like Jesus, we don't see him giving one word in his defense, for to do so would dishonor his master, Potiphar. Perhaps he is not given opportunity, but I think even if he had been given opportunity, he would not defend himself by ratting on another. Just doesn't seem like something a righteous man would do.

"And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But he LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper." (Genesis 39:20-23)

Psalm 105:17-22 tells us that Joseph was bound for a time in this prison, in fetters of iron that caused him pain; yet we still hear no complaints. And if we skip forward to Genesis 41:14 we will learn that the prison is a dungeon. But it is apparently a short period of time before the keeper of the prison (can't quite tell if this is Potiphar or not…perhaps not) sees something in Joseph that causes him to have mercy on Joseph, whose chains must then be removed in order for Joseph to do "whatsoever they did there" as Joseph was "the doer of it." And such a fine "doer of it" that once more the man who puts Joseph in charge, feels no need to even check up on Joseph. We are beginning to get an amazingly clear picture of the attentiveness and care that Joseph exercised in his duties no matter how small; and because of which he is obviously entrusted with even bigger responsibilities. Perhaps it is that diligence with which he works that displays so clearly for his masters that God is with him. Certainly, no matter what duty Joseph is given, he is blessed in such a way that all can see the blessing. That type of blessing must have been very uncommon if Egyptians are able to assign the cause of it to God.

Spend just a moment, if you can, trying to picture what being that type of employee really looks like (whether free, slave or prisoner). And then reflect upon whether or not you are demonstrating God to your masters (employers) by the manner in which you carry out your duties. I think many of us might fall short if we are honest about it, if for no other reason than our complaining…about the work, the hours, the other employees, etc., etc.

Oh, to be like Joseph!

Following the Scarlet Thread

Following that "scarlet thread" mentioned in Genesis 38 just a bit longer, I hope that you are able to see that if some time is spent in the Word, not just doing a quick daily reading to satisfy our fleshly sense of righteousness by works, but in order to receive ALL that the Holy Spirit is willing to reveal to us, there is so much depth to the richness of His Word. It is incomprehensible to me just how deep those riches will go if we are only willing to dig for them, or rather, wait for them, as we meditate upon God's Word. If we are only willing to spend the time in His Word that His Word is worthy of, I believe there is no bottom to be reached; for the owner of this particular mine full of rich deposits of gold, also owns the entire universe! His Word is such an amazing thing that only an amazing God such as He could inspire it and then preserve it for us to partake of. There is a pastor and biblical teacher by the name of Greg Laurie who puts it best in this way:

"While the world's greatest wealth lies within reach, it remains untouched by most."

The "most" he speaks of are those who are so busy chasing after worldly riches, that they will most likely miss out on the true wealth that could make their lives now and in the hereafter more abundant than they can imagine…that wealth lies right at their fingertips in the form of the Word of God: the Bible. The book that often remains unopened on their bookshelf, if it is even brought into their homes in the first place.

But, regarding the birth of the twins born to Tamar and Judah, I believe there is some significance to the fact that the hand of the second-born emerges and then is hidden back in the womb again before the first-born is actually born! And I believe it has something to do with what Paul speaks about in this passage of Romans:

"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men." (Romans 5:17-18)

Paul is talking here about two different men, the first man is Adam, the second is Jesus Christ.

I believe Pharez (the breach) is symbolic of Adam; the man who was formed by God, placed on the earth to keep it under his dominion, and who enjoyed the privilege and blessing of walking with God daily in the Garden of Eden. Until he sinned. At which point sin created a chasm (a breach) between man and God. Thus through one man, sin entered into the world, condemning all men.

But Zarah (the rising light) is symbolic of Jesus Christ; not just because of the name, but because there is significance to Zarah's hand emerging first, as though to show that he has pre-eminence over the first-born. Just as Jesus Christ has pre-eminence over Adam, even though in earthly terms, Jesus was born AFTER Adam.

This goes back to that mystery of a pre-incarnate Jesus Christ; to that truth of God's Word that tells us:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:1-5)

Jesus was WITH God at cration and IS God…God has no beginning and no end…therefore Jesus had no beginning and no end…and yet He was born as a human in order to save us. It was pre-ordained by God that Jesus would be the plan He would use to save all mankind, IF they would receive Him as their Savior and Lord.

So it was Jesus, the one who was born after Adam, but who had pre-eminence before Adam, who through His righteousness and obedience to God, reconciled US to God; as had been planned from the foundations of the world. "Before they call I will answer." (Isaiah 65:24)
Long before we recognized we needed a Savior, God had our salvation already ordained and worked out.

When Zarah's hand emerges from the womb, though not even born yet, we have a striking prophetic picture, I believe, of Jesus, not yet born as man, but alive (WITH the Father and OF the Father) in the eternity before His birth takes place on earth; pre-eminent Savior and Lord of us all, if we will but take Him to us as the gift our Father God intended Him to be for us.

The scarlet thread placed around this unborn baby's wrist is symbolic of the future binding of the hands of Jesus Christ as He is imprisoned and tortured, just prior to having those same hands pierced by nails that held him to the cross. The scarlet color of the thread is symbolic of the blood that pours from His many stripes and His nail-pierced hands and feet as He willingly gives His life for us, taking the punishment of our own sins upon Himself, even though He is the only One born without sin, in order to preserve us from eternal punishment that our sins of turning against and away from our God, our Creator, so well deserve.

What great love is this that can do such a thing for the object of that great love? The object of His great love being: US – whether we are Jew or Gentile. Do you receive that kindness from God, that gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, by which your sins are forgiven if you will only believe?

Paul tells us that the kindness of God leads us toward repentance, unless we have stubborn hearts…do not be as the Romans whom Paul had to be blunt with in order to get them to see what their stubbornness held for their future:

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." (Romans 2:4-11)

This wrath of God will be experienced ONLY by those who reject the truth: Jesus Christ. But to those who will receive that risen light, that truth of God that is Jesus Christ, there is life everlasting! It is a simple choice.

Judah and the Harlot, Part 3

We are still studying Genesis 38, specifically near the end of the passage where the twins have been born and named. It is not only their names, but also their illegitimacy that speaks to us prophetically of another who was born into a family as illegitimate.

But let's take a quick second glance at the scarlet thread, which at first seems of not much importance, but which reminds me of the blood of Jesus (shed on the cross for our sins); it was His taking upon Himself our punishment of death for our sins, that allows us back into intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, with whom, by the way, there has been a "breach" (Pharez) in relationship.

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!" (Romans 5:8-10)

Are you starting to see Jesus in Genesis 38?

Now on to Pharez. The name of Pharez is mentioned elsewhere in the bible; several times actually.

The first mention is at the marriage of Boaz (a descendant of Pharez) and a Gentile woman named Ruth. Here is the blessing that is given at their wedding:

"And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman."

Why would the blessing for this new couple include the name of Pharez, the illegitimate son of Judah, praying that this new family will be similar to that one? One of the Levitical laws seen in Deuteronomy 23:2 is very harsh on illegitimate sons:

"A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD."

The tenth generation away from Pharez leads us right to David, the anointed King of Israel; David is the tenth generation from Pharez and is described by God as a man after God's own heart. But David is not allowed to build God's temple; only his son Solomon will be allowed to do that. Interesting? Very, but still, why this blessing for the newlyweds, Boaz and Ruth?

Not much is recorded about the men between Pharez and David except for Boaz, whose story (recorded in the Book of Ruth) relates to us the importance of having a "kinsmen redeemer" ( a subject we will study when we get to the Book of Ruth). Just know for now that our kinsmen redeemer happens to be Jesus Christ…not only for Israel in whom there has been a breach in their relationship with God (and yet to whom the inheritance of the land will be restored); but also for us Gentiles who were not called or chosen by God in the first place as the Jews were, nor did we acknowledge God, yet for whom provision was also made from the foundations of the world.

The last mention of Pharez (aka Phares) is in Luke 3:33 in which the genealogy of Jesus Christ is given, showing Jesus to be a descendant of Pharez; not through His mother Mary's bloodline, but through His "adopted" father Joseph, whose genealogy Jesus can now legally claim as His own, since He is also the legal heir of Joseph, even though He was an illegitimate son of Joseph's marriage to Mary, by virtue of being conceived by the Holy Spirit of God. Let's let Matthew explain it in more detail to us:

Matthew 1:18-25 "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name of Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet [Isaiah 7:14]: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel …which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus."

Going back then to the wedding blessing of Boaz and Ruth, the question then is this: who is "the seed which the LORD shall give thee?"

The answer, of course, is none other than Jesus Christ, the One to whom ALL scripture points.

So, we see that the twins point to Jesus: to our need for Jesus because of the "breach" (Pharez) between us and our heavenly Father; and to the scarlet blood by which that breach is bridged by the death of Jesus Christ for us; and to life everlasting that we who believe in Christ will receive from He who was the "rising of light" (Zarah).

And we see that the birth of illegitimate twin sons, named Pharez and Zarah, points to the birth of the ultimate illegitimate Son, Jesus Christ:

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:6-11)

AMEN. Still more to receive from the twins tomorrow.

Judah and the Harlot, Part 2

"And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray three, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah." (Genesis 38:24-30)

Three months have now passed since Judah consorted with his harlot.

News gets around to Judah that his daughter in law has "played around" and is now pregnant, and so he does what any respectable Middle Eastern man of those times would do and orders her to be burned to death. But Tamar has life insurance in the form of Judah's own signet ring, bracelets and staff. And to Judah's credit, he acknowledges his wrong-doing while also acknowledging that, as deceptive as she was, she was "more righteous" than he had been in the whole incident.

But let's go now to the birth of the twin boys born to Tamar; for there is something important in the birth of these children. Remember that ALL scripture points to Jesus Christ, whether Old Testament or New Testament. It ALL points us to Jesus, if we are careful to look for Him there.

The first born son of Tamar is Pharez, whose name means "breach."

Yet, the hand of the second-born actually emerges from the mother's womb first, before Pharez is born, and the midwife ties a scarlet thread onto his wrist to identify that particular child. The second twin born ends up being the one with the scarlet thread on his wrist. The name given to Him is Zarah whose name means "a rising of light."

Now their births could just be additional information we are given, but I believe there is much meaning in God's Word and sometimes it takes us meditating on it for a bit, pondering it, for us to receive from it all that the Holy Spirit would have us receive.

There is a scripture in Isaiah that reads as follows: "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."(Isaiah 60:3) The word "rising" is the same Hebrew word Zerach, sometimes written as Zarah. However, Strong's concordance actually uses "a rising of light" as the definition of the word in Isaiah as well as for the word in Genesis that is written in Hebrew as Zarah.

So whose light is this passage in Isaiah speaking of? Who is most often associated with "light" in the bible? Jesus Christ, of course, who is the "light of the world":

"When jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

The light is Jesus, who also happens to have "risen from the dead":

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where he lay." (Matthew 28:6)

It all points to Jesus Christ, whose resurrection could certainly then be referred to as "a rising of light." Could it not?

The Old Testament is full of "types and shadows" of what is to come. I believe that the details of Zarah's birth points us to, and is a type or shadow of, Jesus Christ.

But we are not done with this passage in Genesis 38. There is still more to be gleaned from it.

To be continued tomorrow…

Judah and the Harlot, Part 1

"And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her. And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan. And she yet conceived again, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him. And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore He slew him also. Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, til Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adulllamite. And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep. And she put her widow's garments off from her and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown and she was not given unto him to wife. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me? And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, til thou send it? And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood. And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not. Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place. And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place. And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her." (Genesis 38:1-23)

The Holy Spirit-inspired scriptures are going to detour us away from Joseph for a bit, and cause us to focus on Judah for a moment. Actually the "moment" stretches over many years. In fact, during this detour period Judah will have three sons, and one of his sons will even marry.

Judah has already done a terrible thing in selling his brother Joseph in order to make a profit, AND in order to get rid of the pest that he is. Judah, along with most of his brothers, hates and envies Joseph. Selling him is a good way to get rid of him…forever…at least that is what Judah thinks.

But here in Genesis 38, we see Judah making a second bad decision when he decides to marry a Canaanite woman, just as his Uncle Esau had done many years before. We are never told her name; she is referred to only as the daughter of Shuah, a Canaanite. Through this nameless Canaanite woman, Judah is given three sons: the first-born is Er, the next is Onan, and the youngest is Shelah.

Er is just plain wicked, even though we are not told in what way, "and the LORD slew him." But then, Onan, the second-born son, is commanded by his father to go in unto Tamar and provide seed for her as was the custom of those times, so that his deceased brother Er will have descendants in his name (a custom which God ordained into Levitical law later on.) Onan decides not to accommodate either his father or his dead brother, and in evading his duty, he displeases God greatly…and so he is slain by the LORD as well.

And here is where Judah makes his third mistake. He lies to Tamar, his daughter in law. And he does so because, in his thinking, he has just lost two sons on account of this woman (not that she had any direct part in their deaths, it was simply their own actions that brought about their deaths); nevertheless, Judah has somehow associated their deaths with Tamar (rather than face the truth about his sons apparently), and is fearful that he might lose the third son as well. He promises Tamar his younger son as a husband, when he grows old enough, yet when the time come and the boy is of marrying age, Judah does not follow through with his promise; a promise he never had any intention of fulfilling.

Now for Judah's FOURTH mistake.

Tamar determines to trick Judah, disguises herself as a harlot (apparently she knew Judah would be drawn by a harlot which says not much for his character….as though we were thinking he was of good character to begin with?) and sure enough, Judah takes her up on her offer. He doesn't recognize her. And when he goes in to her, she conceives immediately.

But before this encounter takes place, Tamar shrewdly demands payment, which being a kid goat, Judah doesn't happen to have on him right then. So she asks for collateral, a bond, to be held by her until payment arrives. Judah, doing an even more foolish thing than being with her in the first place, gives her his very personal and unique signet ring which contains a mark or symbol that belongs to Judah alone, along with bracelets and his staff. He thinks nothing of leaving all of this with Tamar, until the kid goat is given to her, at which time he expects to get all of these things back from her.

Now that the moment of lust is passed, however, Judah is obviously aware of the shame involved in visiting this harlot, for instead of revisiting her to give the payment himself, he sends a friend to pay her, and when she cannot be found, he must choose between trying to pursue her in order to get back his very personal things, or dismiss it altogether rather than draw attention to the fact that he used a harlot. He decides to avoid further shame; which tells us he knew it was wrong to go into her in the first place.

To be continued tomorrow…

The Abduction of Joseph

"And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren, tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks. And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them, shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; and they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver; and they brought Joseph into Egypt. And Reuben returned unto the pit; and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, wither shall I go? And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; and they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard." (Genesis 37:1-36)

This passage of scripture is easily understood. We can see clearly the evil being plotted against Joseph by all the brothers (excluding Reuben, and Benjamin who, being the youngest was still at home); a plot, that at first, was to murder Joseph because of their great hatred and envy of him. And perhaps, the brothers feared that Joseph's dreams might be prophetic and might indeed come to pass one day; in which case the most expedient way to stop that from happening was to kill Joseph.

An interesting note here is that the pit into which Joseph is thrown had a further descriptive that tell us "there was no water in it." We might wonder why that bit of information would be considered important for us to know; other than it is clear Joseph could not have drowned in it? Yet there is another similar descriptive in Zechariah 9:11 which says "As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water." Again it is mentioned that "there is no water." If you have time, it would be an interesting study to find out what the "pit wherein there is no water" really is. But I haven't the space for that study right now. We will, however, get into it when we get to Zechariah. In the meantime, just remember that ALL scripture points to Jesus Christ. Even this passage we are studying in Genesis concerning Joseph. The Holy Spirit never lets us forget about Jesus Christ; that is after all His job: to glorify Jesus.

Now let's get back to Joseph. It was only Reuben's quick thinking that prevented Joseph being immediately murdered; if Reuben hated Joseph as well, then his intervention was possibly because Reuben knew the grief his father would suffer and did not want to bring this on his father.

Judah agreed with Reuben, finally, in not killing Joseph; but it was his idea to have Joseph sold into slavery. The Ishmeelites (the Arabians, descendents of Ishmael, Abraham's son) besides being well-known in Egypt for their merchandise of spice, balm and myrrh, all of which were used for embalming, also trafficked in slavery. Judah sought a "profit" from this violent act against Joseph, which was a terrible thing, but we are thankful for Joseph's sake that it was not murder. It is interesting that a man named Judah sells Joseph for twenty pieces of silver, while it was a man named Judas who negotiated the deal to sell Jesus to the High priest for thirty pieces of silver.

What is not told us here is what Joseph's reaction to all of this violence against him was. We can only imagine what Joseph was going through until we get further into the scriptures which will at one point mention his "agony and despair." We can be sure that he was terrified of what was happening to him at the hand of his brothers. His innocence was badly abused and perhaps lost that day! For many in his place, bitterness might take over and last a lifetime. But we will see this will not be the case with Joseph.

One other thing we will not be told until further along, is that God had things in HIS control. This does not mean that He inspired the brothers to do such evil; instead He took what the brothers meant to be for evil and He used it for good, not only for Joseph, but even for the brothers. Reuben had in mind to deliver Joseph from the evil his brothers intended, although most likely not for Joseph's sake, as much as for Jacob's sake. But God had in mind that HE would be the One to deliver Joseph. Somehow, Reuben was re-directed away from the group just long enough for the selling of Joseph to take place; for if Reuben had been there he would have tried to stop the selling. Perhaps he might even have been killed by his own brothers in the process as well, we don't know. But God knew. And God's hand perhaps was in Reuben's temporary absence from the scene at a critical moment.

Now, we have to note also, that Jacob (who doesn't yet know he has been deceived) has actually been deceived by his sons in much the same manner in which he once deceived his own father, Isaac. In this case the blood of kid goats was used to deceive Jacob; while Jacob defrauded his father using the skin and fur of kid goats.

Jacob's grief is shown by the traditional Middle Eastern response to the death of a loved one: to rent his clothes (tearing the front of his long dress up the middle more or less long, depending on the amount of grief felt) and wearing sackcloth (a black coarse material worn as a belt to indicate that he is in a mourning period). But in this particular case, Jacob's despondency is so great that no one can comfort him. He is determined to mourn this favorite son until he himself is dead.

In the next posting, we will leave the brothers and Jacob behind and follow Joseph into Egypt, where he is now a slave in the household of Potiphar who is an officer of Pharaoh.