The news soon reached Pharaoh’s palace: “Joseph’s brothers have arrived!” Pharaoh and his officials were all delighted to hear this. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘This is what you must do: Load your pack animals, and hurry back to the land of Canaan. Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces.’” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt to carry your little children and your wives, and bring your father here. Don’t worry about your personal belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” [Genesis 45.16-20]
As I read today's entire One Year Chronological Bible reading, a "big picture" was obvious confirming how God accomplishes His will while still working with man. Where I am coming from on this day has everything to do with my previous article from the day before, January 16, 2025, Still A Slave.
If we simply back away from the sub-stories of this event and look at it as a whole, there is a terrible trap being laid for Israel. That trap is slavery and bondage. And, as should be expected when the trap of slavery and bondage is set, idolatry is the bait.
Idolatry is trusting in man for things God promised.
How far back do we need to go to understand that God promised to make a great nation of Israel? Certainly back further than Joseph. Certainly back further than Jacob. God's promise to make a great nation was originally made to Abraham.
I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. [Genesis 12.2]
Again, we must "back away" to see what is taking place in today's OYCB reading. The subject passage above is the beginning of the trap of slavery being set even though it seems like a marvelous example of family restoration. In a movie setting, this would be the place where tears might flow. Emotions are high and, instead of sticking with Abraham's mantra, "Israel" chose to allow Egypt to be their supply.
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ [Genesis 14.21-23]
The rest is documented Bible history.
But wait! Didn't God give Jacob the okay to go to Egypt? Indeed He did... but we must not overlook an important fact in that matter!
So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac. During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called. “Here I am,” Jacob replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.” [Genesis 46.1-4]
In the emotion of his sons' report that "Jacob is still alive!" Jacob set out for Egypt and, only after having set out, heard from God on the matter. Say it isn't so, but it is right there in Genesis 46.1-4!
So, now we have two major factors weighing in on Israel's decision to go to Egypt: 1) need, and 2) emotion. Need and emotion are pivotal to idolatry. (There could possibly be a third factor in this decision if we consider that God had perhaps not yet allowed the sons of Israel to experience the just reward of their sin against Joseph...) Nevertheless, God reiterated the "great nation" promise to Jacob (Israel), but with modifications (allowing the freewill of man to run its idolatrous course in Egypt...).
We actually witness the freewill of man running its course in at least one other story of the Bible: in Balaam's tragedy. God was not endorsing man's disobedience, but maintaining His Promise in spite of man's disobedience!
And here is where an important New Testament scripture should speak to us...
“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. [Acts 17.30]
In Acts 17.30, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the leaders (high council) of Athens. The subject of that sermon is nothing less than the subject of idolatry! We should understand that God might indeed have allowed Jacob to go to Egypt - God might have winked at Jacob's emotion (not to mention the need). But, today, in the Light that is Jesus, we have no excuse for following need or emotion... We are to purposefully give up and turn away from (repent for) our ways driven by need and emotion, put those things to death, and follow Jesus:
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]
Paul confirmed the immense gravity of this subject immediately following Acts 17.30:
For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” [Acts 17.31]
Jesus' demands for persistent and undivided faith, even in situations of need and emotion, are well-documented. There is indeed a day of judgment for the world. Jesus, in a story about persistent faith (the woman and the unjust judge), made clear what that day of reckoning will be about:
I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” [Luke 18.8]
Does God, as some suppose, just chalk it up to our ignorance allowing us to trust in debt, insurance, medicine and technology (man's popular idols today)? Do we dare risk thinking so when Jesus so clearly told us to give up our own way (the ways of man - the ways of idolatry) and to singularly follow Him?
Idolatry is the enemy of the Cross. For this reason, idolatry spans the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Idolatry represents man's misplaced trust that God exclusively and jealously demands for Himself (in the person of God With Us - Jesus).
How did we get here from the story of Joseph? We got here by informed understanding (not ignorance) of idolatry's trap that always leads to slavery ...and ultimately, to hell. Jesus is returning to take to heaven those of His definition of faith. What we call faith (regardless how religious it sounds) is of no value to Him. He, with the jealous blood of His Father flowing in His veins, will determine what is and what is not God-pleasing faith!
Truly, it is time for God's people to repent. That means to "turn away from" their sin and the idolatry that bears it (beginning with idolatry to "self" - ground zero for need and emotion). That means to trust Jesus alone, purposefully giving up the ways of man (our own way to deal with need and emotion), taking up our cross (with no fear of consequence, even to the point of death), and following Jesus ALONE.
Father, Your Word is clear on the matter of our faith. May we have the presence of mind, inspired by Your Holy Spirit, to see and hear what Your Word has always said... May we be found genuinely repentant for our idolatry evidenced by our intentional turning away from it. So be it.
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