Forgive And Stay Focused On Saving Lives

The news soon reached Pharaoh’s palace: “Joseph’s brothers have arrived!” Pharaoh and his officials were all delighted to hear this. [Genesis 45.16]

Questions, questions, questions...

As it turns out, Pharoah finds out his slave, Joseph, now #2 man in all Egypt, has a family! As Pharoah would find out, they were a wealthy and significant family too.

From Pharoah's position, does it not beg to be asked how Joseph ended up a slave? And, whose character flaw caused Joseph to become a slave, his, or his brothers'? Would not Pharoah, at some point, ask himself these questions?

And then, Jacob is delighted to find that Joseph is alive! But wait, was he not "attacked by wild animals?" Why then was his coat covered in blood? How did he end up in Egypt?

As "real life" would play out for most of us, given we were in this same situation - whether from the perspective of Joseph, Pharoah, Jacob, or Joseph's brothers, it is certain these questions came up and were answered at some point or another.

This brings significance to what Joseph told his brothers when they left to go get Jacob and bring him to Egypt:

So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, “Don’t quarrel about all this along the way!” [Genesis 45.24]

Did the brothers ever "come clean" to Jacob about what happened? Even if Jacob did not question his sons when they returned to get him, it is highly likely he asked Joseph what happened once they were reunited.

The opinion of Jacob and Pharoah both could have changed greatly upon learning of Joseph's story... but the record we have simply does not address such a thing... We are left to understand that what Joseph told his brothers was what (and how) he explained it to both Jacob and Pharoah:

So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. [Genesis 45.8]

No doubt, had Joseph's attitude not been what Genesis 45.8 reveals, he could have made life very uncomfortable, if not intolerable, for his brothers. No doubt, Jacob and Pharoah both would have supported whatever punishment Joseph demanded. The likelihood that Joseph defused Jacob's and Pharoah's immediate response to hearing Joseph's story is high. Joseph was convinced, by his dreams, and God who gave them, that his life was chosen to preserve life, not to destroy it.

Once again, we are given Jesus-like actions in the Old Testament pointing us early-on to the coming Messiah and how He would forgive.

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. [Luke 9.51-56 NKJV]

Jesus remained focused on His mission to save lives just as Joseph prophetically demonstrated many years before Jesus' Advent! 

The lesson for us is simple: Forgive and stay focused on saving lives. Don't get entangled in the details of life's emotion and bitterness by rehearsing or repeating offenses. Constantly and decidedly look for and see God's hand in every circumstance. Any time you hear or think the words, "they treated you wrong," be sure to reject and rebuke those words because they are the dictation of Satan himself attempting to trip you up! Understand what Spirit you are of! You are sent by God's Holy Spirit on mission to bring the Good News to all (as did Jesus).

There is no time or place for resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness at any level.

Father, help me to remain mindful of the lesson to be learned from Joseph as he mirrored Jesus Christ well in advance of Jesus' Advent. May I be found forgiving as the segue to saving souls... So be it.

Looking Back? Or, Looking Ahead?

So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. [Genesis 45.8]

If only we could have such insight - such faith in God! The spiritual depth of Joseph's declaration in Genesis 45.8 is at a level few today can even comprehend, let alone walk in. And yet, we have what Paul the apostle wrote in confirmation that this spiritually deep condition is indeed possible:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [Romans 8.28]

I want to explore how this insight happens in a person... And, this is in confirmation and continuity of all God has been showing me for some time now.

The only way to "move forward" with what God is doing in our lives is to only "look ahead." There is simply no time for, or profit in "looking back."

Forgiveness is "looking ahead."

Unforgiveness is "looking back."

In terms of physical movement from point A to point B, the only sure footed way to get to point B is to "look ahead" in the direction of point B. 

"Looking back" jeopardizes any sure footedness, let alone accurate direction toward the goal (point B). While "looking back" there is no way to see and avoid obstacles that might cause a stumble and fall, or worse, be a dead end. In spiritual terms, "looking back" is unforgiveness.

In contrast, "looking ahead" keeps the goal and the path to it in clear view. Although obstacles may present themselves, "looking ahead" reveals the quickest and best way to navigate those obstacles with the least impedance, avoiding tripping over them or being stopped altogether by them. In spiritual terms, "Looking ahead" is forgiveness.

Although Joseph clearly struggled with obstacles that made him want to "look back," he ultimately forged his way through to the goal - the goal he had come to understand from his dreams - the goal of preserving countless lives. Yes, he had a real struggle against "looking back," a real temptation to inflict pain and suffering, but he regained his composure and refocused on the goal.

The goal Joseph achieved was indeed to preserve life. It is of no small significance that one of the lives he saved, one who was responsible in part for Joseph's hardships, was his brother Judah. Jesus is known as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!

And, speaking then of Jesus, what did He do? He "looked ahead" to His Cross. And, what did He do on the Cross? He said "Father, forgive them..." He did not "look back" at the people responsible for His crucifixion, but "looked ahead" to His resurrection so that they might be preserved in eternal life because He would sit at God's right hand to intercede for them. But, Jesus' story does not end there...

In His time on earth, Jesus very sternly instructed any and all who would follow Him that they too MUST necessarily take up their own cross and follow Him. As is clearly portrayed in today's passage above, there is a reason - a goal Jesus laid out this mandate: that we might "look ahead" (forgive) so that, "in Christ" we might preserve lives for eternity.

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.21-23]

There is neither time for, nor profit in "looking back" (unforgiveness). Joseph had obviously come to the conclusion that his dream was NOT about him, but about preserving lives - even the lives of those who treated him the worst. Joseph recognized that those who treated him the worst actually served to put him in the position where he could save the most lives! Joseph recognized that saving lives was indeed God's will and doing....

Dear reader, if you have not seen Jesus in Joseph's story by now, please read it until you do!

Jesus did not "look back" in unforgiveness, but forged ahead looking to the Cross where He would secure, for all who believe, eternal life. He welcomes all who will believe to join Him on His blessed Cross so that in Him we too might "look ahead" and preserve the lives of many.

Jesus offered sober warning against any other arrangement:

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? [Luke 9.23-25]

Why did Jesus call us to our cross? Because our cross is the only place (as was His) that demonstrates 100% pure forgiveness without "looking back." 

And, why is that important?

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [Matthew 6.14-15]

Unforgiveness is "looking back." "Looking back" will not get others to the goal - eternal life with God. In preventing others from getting to the goal by "looking back," we effectively prevent ourselves from getting to the goal...

Father, forgive me for "looking back." I have "looked back" more than I have "looked ahead" and I am ashamed of it - I have not helped others toward the goal of knowing You. These words mean nothing. But I know my actions of forgiveness mean everything. May my life show that I am only "looking ahead" to You and the goal of preserving lives - Your goal of preserving lives. May I be found in Christ on the Cross not looking back but seeing that every offense against me only further qualifies me to bring salvation to the lives of my offenders and the world. So be it!

About Dreams...

And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.” [Genesis 40.8]

The fact that Joseph attributed the interpretation of dreams to God makes me believe Joseph had indeed known God for some time and had experience in God's interpretation of dreams. There was no evident pride in Joseph's claim, but certainly no lack for confidence.

It must be remembered at this point in Joseph's life that is was his own dreams that caused his family not only to question him, but, for some, to despise him. Some of his brothers so resented Joseph's dreams that they wanted to kill him but only sold him into slavery instead.

With this in mind then, it is paramount to understand that Joseph, while not only a slave, but a slave sitting in prison, still believed that God gave interpretation of dreams. Joseph, with his own dreams yet unfulfilled, was still accurately interpreting the dreams of others in full confidence it was the work of God.

Two things may be learned from this: (1) Joseph's unfulfilled dreams did not stop or discourage him from interpreting the dreams of others, and (2) Joseph focused on others in a time he could have just been focused on himself.

Joseph's unfulfilled dreams can easily be translated into "faith." Just because Joseph's own faith had not yet become sight was no deterrent to him exercising that "faith" over the lives of others. This is a significant point to understand!

Similarly, Joseph's focus on others in the midst of his own time of need is, in pure form, what Jesus would later walk the earth teaching and demonstrating. Joseph could understandably have refused to interpret others' dreams until his own were fulfilled, but he selflessly did not.

The fact remains that interpreting dreams is God's business and it is indeed a worthy business in which to engage! There is much to be learned and understood from our dreams, but it will take focus to do so. In our busy world today, I fear most of us will miss pertinent insight into our lives simply because we shrug off dreams as some unexplainable anomaly.

Father, help me to give the time and attention necessary to dreams. May I remain mindful that interpreting dreams is Your business and give it appropriate priority as such. So be it.

A Dream To Be Fulfilled

The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. [Genesis 39.2]

Why? Why was the LORD with Joseph so that he succeeded in everything he did?

While we don't necessarily have exhaustive character descriptions about Joseph other than his obedience, we do, in fact have very negative character descriptions of his brothers. His brothers collectively intended initially to kill him but eventually sold him to slave traders instead (Reuben was the exception). Joseph's brothers all conspired together and lied to their father Jacob about Joseph's disappearance. They just weren't good people!

So, why Joseph? He was Jacob's favorite son, but is that enough for God to make Joseph succeed in everything he did? I don't think so. 

Again, all we really know about Joseph to this point is that he obeyed without question and without impudence. Joseph was obedient to his father. 

Later, as a slave, Joseph was not only obedient to his master, Potiphar, but was recognized for his success in everything he did and was promoted accordingly.

Joseph was obviously a "glass is half full" kind of guy. Even in slavery, Joseph excelled. And, mind you, it was his own brothers who sold him into slavery. Such treatment would render most of us as incapacitated, insufferable or hardhearted. But not Joseph.

Joseph got knocked down when he told his family his dreams.

Joseph got knocked down when he was sold into slavery.

Joseph got knocked down when he was unjustly imprisoned.

But every time Joseph got knocked down, he took the "lemons life gave him" and he made lemonade!

It would seem, in light of all the catastrophes Joseph experienced, that he must have had some underlying idea that God was on his side regardless. Joseph's story is more than just others recognizing God's favor upon his life - he had to recognize it too, looking beyond family rejection, looking beyond being sold into slavery, and looking beyond being unjustly imprisoned.

Joseph didn't just dream dreams - he embraced those dreams and lived for their fulfilment. Joseph never lost sight of his dreams. Joseph never lost focus on his dreams just to look upon his troubles. Joseph never looked at what was missing from the glass of his life, but only looked at what was in it - the dreams God had given him.

While Joseph's story certainly has an emotional effect upon many, how do we make it spiritually motivating? How can we take Joseph's story and translate it into our own lives? We do so by understanding that every promise made in the Bible is every bit our "dream" from God! No matter what life throws at us, that dream keeps our glass half full and we can anticipate, with our life, our words, and our actions that that glass will eventually be filled to overflowing as the dream indicates!

To be clear, Jesus is the Living Word of God, and, as such, IS the dream to be fulfilled in each of us. What's more, Jesus predicted the trials and temptations we would face and furthermore prescribed betrayal of ourselves by taking up our cross each day. But Jesus promised to dwell in us carrying us through it all filling our glass to overflowing as kings and priests in His Kingdom! Now, that's a dream worth pursuing!

Father, I don't think it is poetic liberty to believe Jesus is our dream to be fulfilled. We've seen Jesus as a lot of things, but help us today to accept Him as our dream to be fulfilled and to live accordingly - in Him, and Him in us. So be it!

What About Inconsistencies In The Bible?

Esau took his wives, his children, and his entire household, along with his livestock and cattle—all the wealth he had acquired in the land of Canaan—and moved away from his brother, Jacob. There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired. So Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir. [Genesis 36.6-8]

This passage and Genesis 33.13-17 (from yesterday's One Year Chronological Bible reading) give distinctly different stories of where and why Esau and Jacob lived where they lived at this time in history:

But Jacob replied, “You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.” “All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you.” Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!” So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day. Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”). [Genesis 33.13-17]

Genesis 33 indicates that Joseph deceptively settled away from Esau and, in contrast, Genesis 36.6-8 indicates that Esau openly agreed to settle away from Jacob. Is there any way to reconcile these obviously conflicting accounts?

As history goes, its record is highly susceptible to the viewpoint of the one(s) recalling, reporting and recording it. The events in Genesis occurred a long time ago and most of its stories were passed down verbally for generations before anyone ever attempted to record them (Moses being a key figure in this, who, as of today's reading, hasn't even been born yet).

While this "discrepancy" might indeed be problematic, those who reject all of the Bible based on this discrepancy should consider the deficit of other non-Biblical ancient writings chronicling this time in history... We just don't have much to work with, let alone 100% understanding of what little is conveyed by what little we have. It was indeed pure inspiration of God's Spirit to miraculously get these stories recorded at all in what we know as the Bible!

What is amazing however, while some (trivial?) details don't quite coincide, is that God's character and eternal plan are undeniably consistent from beginning to end in the Bible.

My experience validates nothing, however, reading the Bible through each year for many years has affected in me greater confidence in the Bible with each year I read it. And while I still see conflict in the passages above, I am confident that, in time, with more repeated reading of the Bible, I will find understanding (if it is truly necessary). Compared to what I am learning about God and myself, these inconsistencies are inconsequential as the overriding message of the Bible shines brighter to me year after year. Quite frankly, whether Jacob moved away from Esau, or Esau moved away from Jacob does not affect God's story of His redemption of mankind in any way. Today, I am quite satisfied with that!

Father, may my testimony here have no ill effect on anyone - believer in You, or otherwise. May I and all Your people accept the challenges associated with the Bible without doubt or discouragement. May we instead demonstrate faith in You by continually perusing its pages, learning more each time we read it (as we realize it so consistently provides more with each reading). So be it.

Fight Or Believe?

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” [Genesis 32.28]

Was it a good thing that Jacob was renamed, Israel?

Where did Israel come from? In a genetic word, Abraham. The only "way" to Israel is Abraham. The way of Abraham was faith.

With that in mind, consider the following passage in Hebrews:

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. [Hebrews 11.6]

Much of Jacob's story has to do with God's promise and fulfillment of blessing upon his life. To be sure, Jacob repeatedly fought for it. He manipulated Esau, struggled with Laban, and even wrestled with God. Jacob's fighting for blessings gained him the name, Israel.

We should understand then, that the Law came through Moses, an Israelite. The struggle (fight) to keep the Law quickly became synonymous with the name, Israel. Unremarkably, Israel has been involved in skirmishes and wars all through history. "Israel" eventually crucified Jesus in a war-like effort to preserve their Law.

But, Jesus did not teach "Israel." Instead, Jesus taught "faith." In this way, Abraham became more important than Israel.

The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. [Galatians 3:7]

We must each decide whether we want to be identified with Israel, constantly fighting with God and man to prevail, or with Abraham, who simply believed God and prevailed. Abraham did not fight or argue with God regarding offering Isaac, but instead, simply obeyed in faith.

For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” [Romans 4.3]

Jacob (Israel, Moses, the Law) exerted a lot of effort. But we don't see such in Abraham. Is it any wonder that Jesus taught and demonstrated faith instead of meticulous compliance with the Law? 

It might be worth at least considering that Jacob being renamed Israel might not have been a good thing.

Father, help us to further study and understand the importance of Abraham's demonstrated faith as compared to Israel's demonstrated struggle. May we be found in faith. So be it.

The Vows Surrounding Tithing

“The angel said, ‘Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you. I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.’” [Genesis 31.12-13]

Let's look again at the vow Jacob made to God as was found in yesterday's One Year Chronological Bible reading.

Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will certainly be my God. And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me.” [Genesis 28.20-22]

In Genesis 31.12-13, it can be understood that Jacob kept his vow to God which would be the vow found in Genesis  28.20-22. Jacob's articulated vow was to honor God as his God and to give a tenth of all his increase to God in exchange for God's protection, provision and placement.

Because of all the religious ideas surrounding the practice of tithing today, it seems too many people are only mindlessly engaged in tithing if they are engaged at all. The sad implication of this condition is the absence of relationship.

Let's discuss expectation for just a moment in terms of a vow. Most everyone is at least somewhat familiar with the vow of marriage. In marriage, promises (vows) are made by both bride and groom to solicit expectations measured by fulfillment as lived out thus establishing relationship. The relationship consequently suffers without the mutual fulfillment of vows. If the relationship is struggling, the first place to troubleshoot is for the fulfillment of expectations born of known vows.

It is a well-known fact that unspoken expectations kill relationships. The significance and importance of articulated (spoken or written) vows therefore cannot be ignored whether it is in marriage or working for pay or any other promise or vow.

So it was with God and Jacob. And, so it is with God and us.

As it relates to tithing, God articulated a vow to us equally as significant as He gave Jacob.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! [Malachi 3.10]

The vow God gives to solicit our expectation is, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!" We are invited to vow in return to "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse..."

It is right then, that specific expectations arise from these respective vows. God's expectation is fulfilled when we tithe and our expectation is fulfilled when we live in abundance for having done so. This mutual fulfillment manifests in relationship.

So, how is our relationship with God relative to tithing? Has God made a vow to us? Yes. Have we made a vow to God? 

Each of us must answer the second question above between us and God... however, as with marriage, it should be understood that our vow to God to tithe could very possibly involve a public declaration. I am not talking about declaring, "Here's how much I tithe" (stating an amount), but instead, "I am a tither! I have entered into covenant with God Who entered into covenant with me!" From there, the relationship between us and God then should speak for itself!

The problem we run into then is unfulfilled promises. Whether it is in the matter of finances, health, or any other area of need (it should be understood that Malachi 3.10 does not limit God's "blessings" to finances only in exchange for our vow to tithe).

There is great divide today in the Body of Christ about unfulfilled promises regarding physical and material blessings. The most dangerous response the Church can have is to pass the responsibility for the unfulfilled promises (vows) onto God because it is impossible that God should lie. When promises (vows) on which expectations are based go unfulfilled, it is and never will be because God did not hold up His end of the bargain!

So, shouldn't we wonder then, just who might have failed to live up to expectations resulting in unfulfillment signaling a relationship in jeopardy? We really have no option but to look in the mirror (unless of course, we are prepared to declare God 'at fault' and consider the ramifications that our faith was placed in someone incapable of fulfilling all His promises (vows) as delivered). Do we really want to go there? I should think not.

When I feel distant in my relationship with God - when I feel like covenant vows that led to expectations have gone unfulfilled, I MUST consider myself as the only candidate for having not met expectations. Any idea that God failed is pure pride.

The tithe is significant to relationship with God as seen in Jacob's vow and as made a contingency in Malachi 3.10 as we expect God's blessings. If we are not realizing God's blessings, are we prepared to stop tithing (as we should)? Are we prepared to demonstratively declare that God has not held up His end of the bargain? While I cannot answer this for you, I can say for myself, "I cannot." Now the question arises, is my response one of religion or relationship?

My conclusion is that we need to give more consideration to our tithe. We need to have expectations upon God as we do. We need to see fulfillment of those expectations. And, we desperately need the relationship that results from our doing so.

Father, help me get it right with the tithe. I have tithed for most all my adult life and yet, I experience ongoing insufficiencies where I need Your blessings. This is not Your failure, but mine. Forgive me for my default indoctrination to blame You instead of looking in my mirror. So be it.