Tag: love

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Joseph, Son of Israel

The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.  (Genesis 39:2-6,NASB)

So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.  (vv. 20-23)

Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Israel (formerly known as Jacob) was hated by his brothers.  They were jealous of him because their father loved him more than them.  When they had the opportunity, they sold him into slavery.  He wound up being slave to Potipher, the captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguards.  We see in the first passage above, that “The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man.”  His master saw that God was with him, so Potipher put Joseph in charge of his household.  Potipher’s household thrived under Joseph’s charge, because God was with him.  Not bad for a slave! 

Today, a phrase that describes this may be, “Bloom where you’re planted!” God expects us to do our best whether at work or play.  We are to work as if God is our Boss, because He is!  This applies so long as our employer is not violating God’s laws and precepts.  When we work and play for God, people see that, and are attracted to it.  They may inquire further.  We’re to be prepared to give our testimonies! 

“Joseph in Prison,” by Gerbrand van den Eckhout, 17th century.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_(Genesis).

The story of Joseph continues:  Mrs. Potipher made a play for Joseph.  Joseph refused her advances, so the jilted Mrs. Potipher lied to her husband that Joseph attacked her, so Potipher threw Joseph in prison.  As we see in the second passage above, Joseph again bloomed where he was planted, and the chief jailer put him in charge of all the prisoners.  This is what happens when God is with us! 

Worship:  “You Alone,” by Kim Hill 
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Jacob/Israel

Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.” Thus He called him Israel. God also said to him, “I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you. The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you.  (Genesis 35:9-12, NASB)

The Bible passage above from Genesis 35 tells of the second time that God changed Jacob’s name to “Israel”.  The first is in Chapter 32, when Jacob wrestles all night with God:  “[God] said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.'”  (v. 28)

Now this time, God told Jacob to go to Bethel (“house of God”), where God first appeared to him.  There, God again states that his name is Israel, and reiterates the Abrahamic Covenant, which God had previously made with Israel’s grandfather Abraham, and his father Isaac.  Among God’s promises:  “A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you. The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you.”

Jacob wrestler with God, found at The Scripture Says, 
https://thescripturesays.org/2015/01/11/genesis-32-34-you-shall-no-longer-be-called-jacob-but-israel-for-you-have-striven-with-god-and-with-men-and-have-prevailed/

God does not, and has not, failed on any of His promises.  The Nation was and is named after Israel.  Abraham was told that all the nations of the world would be blessed by him.  A line of kings descended from him, beginning with King David, and ultimately to culminate with the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The sons of Jacob, the sons of Israel, indeed inhabited the land after a long captivity in Egypt, and returned in 1948. 

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel is a Promise Keeper.  Many of His promises are yet to come.  One of His promises is that “whoever believes in [Jesus] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)  We can count on this! 

Worship:  “Lord God of Abraham,” by Paul Wilbur
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Isaac

The LORD appeared to [Isaac] and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws” . . . Then he went up from there to Beersheba. The LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.” So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.  (Genesis 26:2-5, 23-25, NASB)

God appeared to Isaac twice in Chapter 26 of Genesis, with much the same message:  “I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.”  

Why was God so gracious to Isaac?  “Because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.”  God didn’t show favor to Isaac because of anything HE did, but it was because of what his father Abraham did.  God reiterated the Abrahamic Covenant upon Isaac because his father Abraham was righteous in God’s eyes. 

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Genesis 26:24 image.  Found at New Covenant Baptist Church, https://www.newcovenantgj.org/gods-presence-with-isaac/. 

Reading this reminded me of myself.  You see, God has shown me favor in my own life.  It’s not because of anything I’VE done, but because of what Jesus did.  Jesus, God’s Son, came to this earth as God’s plan of salvation.  He died as a substitute for me, to take the punishment I deserve for my sins.  Nothing I could ever do would be acceptable to God to make up for my sins, EXCEPT–to place my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is my Hope for this life and the next! 

Worship:  “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” by Phillips, Craig & Dean
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Abraham

Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”  (Genesis 22:15-18, NASB)  

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.  (Hebrews 11:17-19, NASB)

The Bible passage above from Genesis takes place after Abraham had bound his son, Isaac to an altar on Mount Moriah.  His intended sacrifice of Isaac had been ordered by God as a test, and was interrupted by “the angel of the LORD (commonly believed to be Jesus)” when he had gone far enough.  Because Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son at God’s command, God pronounced him to be righteous, and promised blessings, a great Nation, and “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

In the passage from Hebrews 11, the “Faith Hall of Fame,” the author repeats the story of Abraham and Isaac, “and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.”  The parallels between Isaac and Jesus are many:  Isaac carried the wood for his sacrifice up the hill; Jesus carried the wood for His sacrifice as well, the cross.  They were both the only begotten sons of their fathers.  God provided a lamb in both situations:  A substitute lamb to take Isaac’s place, and a substitute Lamb to take my place on Calvary’s Hill. 

“Abraham and Isaac,” by Rembrandt, 1634.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binding_of_Isaac. 

Abraham had faith that God would deliver on His promises.  God had told him that he would be father to a great Nation, and that Isaac would carry on his line.  God promised him where this Nation would be.  Abraham demonstrated his faith in God by carrying out God’s command to sacrifice his son.  The Hebrews text says that Abraham “received [Isaac] back as a type.”  That is, Isaac was a model to be compared to Jesus.  

God gave us His Son Jesus, to take our place on the cross, to die as a substitute to take the punishment we deserve for our sins.  Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son based on God’s command.  God’s plan of salvation mirrored what Abraham was willing to do because of his faith.  Oh, that I had the faith of Abraham! 

Worship:  “God Will Provide a Lamb,” by Michael Card 
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Male and Female

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” . . . God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them . . . God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.  (Genesis 1:26-28, 31, NASB)

We read the story of Creation in Genesis chapter 1.  On the sixth day, “God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.'”  The use of the pronouns “Us” and “Our” suggests the Trinity.  We know from the first chapter of John that Jesus was there.  The Holy Spirit was there as an active participant (Genesis 1:2), the same Spirit that indwells believers in Jesus Christ!  

So “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them.”  Furthermore, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was VERY GOOD (emphasis mine).”  The point is, we’re ALL created in God’s image.  God saw all that He created, and called it “very good,” including the males and females He made.  If it’s good enough for God, it should be good enough for us!  God made us who we are to fit His divine purposes, to fulfill His plan. 

Genesis 1:31 God Saw All That He Made And It Was Very Good (yellow)

Genesis 1:31 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Genesis/1/31

Yet we know better than God.  Some boys want to be girls, girls want to be boys.  This is yet another symptom of how far we’ve strayed from God.  Call it what you will, hubris, folly, or pride, but we think we know better than the One Who created us!  We must repent and return to Him!

Worship:  “Everlasting God,” by Chris Tomlin
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New Year 2023

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  (Romans 12:1-2, NASB)

The New Year is a time for reflection, a time for change, if required.  Actually, each day is a chance to do this.  The New Year is a chance to review, refresh, reboot, and renew.  Yet the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Roman church, seems to say that this is an ongoing process, when he says, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

I don’t know about you, but for me, I have to renew my mind each day.  I pray that God would give me a new heart, one in which the Holy Spirit will be comfortable; a whole heart for God, like King David’s and King Josiah’s; and an undivided heart for Him.  And why is it important to renew our minds?  “So that [we] may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  It’s a process that doesn’t end. 

Inspirational Image
Romans 12:2 image.  Found at King James Bible Online, https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-12-2/

My Bible study resolutions for 2023 are to read through the Bible once; to study the major prophets; and to study the New Testament letters of John, Peter, James, Jude, and the letter to the Hebrews.  I’ll also write these essays as long as my eyes allow.  

Happy New Year to you all.  God rest ye merry! 

Worship:  “Welcome to Our World,” by Amy Grant 
“Sleigh Ride,” by Amy Grant 
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Simeon

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”  (Luke 2:25-32, NASB)

Eight days after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary took their Baby from Bethlehem to the Temple in Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord.  The Law of Moses mandated that the firstborn of all creatures belonged to the Lord.  The firstborn of people, however, could be redeemed by a sacrifice.  Since Joseph and Mary were poor, their sacrifice could be “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”  (Luke 2:24)

While at the Temple, they met a man named Simeon, who had been sent there by the Holy Spirit.  Doctor Luke describes Simeon as “righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel.”  “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

74.9 x 102.2 cm
“The Circumcision,” by Giovanni Bellini, approximately 1500.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus

When he saw Jesus, Simeon “took Him into his arms, and blessed God.”  Simeon knew this Baby was the Messiah, his Savior! Luke attributes the poem at the end of the portion above to Simeon, and the sentiment is replicated in the Michael Card song below.  Simeon could now die a happy man, now that he had met his Savior! 

Simeon was seeking “the redemption of Israel,” the Messiah.  When he saw Jesus, he worshiped.  The purpose of the Advent season is meant to prepare our hearts for the arrival of the newborn King.  Simeon was prepared!  Everyday should be Christmas.  Everyday should be Resurrection Day.  We must prepare our hearts for when Jesus returns, the Second Christmas! 

Worship:  “Now that I’ve Held Him In My Arms,” by Michael Card
Worship:  “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” by Rod + Rose
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Christmas Eve

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  (1 John 4:9-10, NASB)

Christmas is a love story.  The Apostle John wrote several books of the New Testament, and two of his main themes are “love” and “light.”  “For God SO loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him SHALL NOT PERISH, but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16, emphasis mine)

Jesus loves us so much that He left the majesty and comfort of His heavenly home on the greatest rescue mission in history.  After all, He came to rescue ME!  Jesus was born in the humblest of all circumstances, in a stable, and was laid in an animal’s feeding trough.  God came down from heaven, took on flesh, and became like us–subject to the same discomforts of life that we feel.  What other god would think to do that but our God? 

“Adoration of the Shepherds,” by Matthias Stomer, 1632.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_of_Jesus

When the Father’s timing was right, Jesus submitted Himself to horrific torture and crucifixion.  He did so willingly, and He did so for us.  Why?  Because He loves us so much that He was willing to take the punishment we all deserve because of our sins.  

If you don’t know Jesus, will you place your trust and hopes in Him this Christmas? 

Worship:  “Stille Nacht,” by Mannheim Steamroller
Worship:  “O Holy Night,” by Jesus Image
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Mary

“. . . And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  (Luke 2:31-38, NASB)

Doctor Luke writes the account of Mary’s encounter with the archangel Gabriel.  This is the one time I can think of when an angel did not lead off with “Be not afraid.”  Instead, “Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you.”  God’s servant continues, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”  (Luke 1:28, 30)  We continue with the portion above. 

Gabriel tells Mary that she will give birth to a boy, whose name will be Jesus.  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”  Can you imagine what was going through Mary’s mind?  She was most likely in her mid-teens, because that’s the age young ladies married then.  She, not being married, faced shame from the townspeople; from her family; and from her fiance, Joseph.  According to the Law of Moses, she faced possible death by stoning.  Mary wondered how she could be pregnant, since she was a virgin.  Gabriel told her that she would be visited by the Holy Spirit. 

“The Annunciation,” by Salomon Koninck, 1655.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annunciation. 

Mary replied with the most impressive statement imaginable:  “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”  This is incredible!  Despite all that could happen to a young girl in her position, Mary gave herself up in total surrender to God’s will.  Oh, that I had that kind of faith! 

O Lord my God, please let me learn from Mary’s example.  Please help me to see Your will, and then do it, no matter the consequences.  If You are with me, then who could possibly stand against me?  Please help me remember this.  In the matchless name of Jesus I pray.  Amen. 

Worship:  “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song),” by Point of Grace
Worship:  “Bethlehem Morning,” by Sandi Patty
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Shepherds

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  (Luke 2:8-14, NASB)

Isn’t it interesting that God would choose to announce the birth of His Son to the shepherds?  These men were on the bottom of the social and economic scale.  I guess God was being consistent:  The Bible says that God humbles the proud, and exalts the humble.  

The angel starts with the traditional greeting:  “Do not be afraid . . . ”  He then goes on to tell them of the miraculous birth of “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  The shepherds undoubtedly knew to expect, at some point, the Messiah.  “Christ” is from a Greek word, meaning “Messiah.”  We can imagine their excitement when they heard this news from an agent of God! 

christmas-according-to-the-angels-luke-21-15
“Christmas According to the Angels–Luke 2:1-15,” found at HubPages, https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Christmas-According-to-the-Angels-Luke-21-15

“When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.'”  (Luke 2:15)  The shepherds went straight to Bethlehem, found Joseph, Mary, and the Baby, and they worshiped their newborn King.  

While we most likely will not have an experience like the shepherds did, we’re called to worship the King.  God’s Christmas present to us was given in perfect love.  It’s up to us to either accept the gift or to reject it.  I pray that as we celebrate the Advent of Jesus Christ, those of us who haven’t trusted in God’s gift, will call upon the name of the Lord, and be saved! 

Worship:  “Noel,” by Chris Tomlin, ft. Lauren Daigle, w/ scenes from “The Nativity Story”
Worship:  “Oh What a Glorious Night,” by Sidewalk Prophets

Quiz:  According to the song, “Rudolph the Red – Nosed Reindeer,” name all the reindeer. 

Answer:  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph, and . . . 

. . . Olive.  Olive was a mean one.  “Olive, the other reindeer, used to laugh and call [Rudolph] names . . . “