Genesis 43, Genesis 44, Genesis 45, Matthew 22:23-29

God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:5

Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

 Please read at: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2043,44,45;%20Mt%2022:23-29%20&version=NKJV

Passing the test the second time!

           The brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery, deceived their father, and showed no remorse, thus failing the first test.

             Many years later God presents a second test. The brothers go to Egypt because of famine, not knowing that Joseph is ruling. Joseph, still unrecognized, has Benjamin given five times their portion of food and commanded to be a slave. The brothers show no envy or jealousy during their meal and refuse to forsake Benjamin in Egypt, choosing to serve as slaves beside him. Their motive? “since (their father Jacob’s) life is bound up in the lad’s life, … For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”  Now they show compassion and protection for their father. What a vast difference!!

           It took15 + years for them to learn love and sacrifice for one another. The steps taken were acknowledging their sins against their father and Joseph, regret, sorrow and repentance. Producing right actions in times of testing.

Now the Reward: Joseph revealed! The Family Reunited in Love and Joy!!

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, … Joseph made himself known to his brothers.  And he wept aloud, … Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.… I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.”’

And back home… when they told (Israel/Jacob their father) all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Can’t you just hear the cries of delight and relief from each of them!? The grabbing, touching, exclaiming, and rich conversations! Vindication and intimacy! Now they will live with each other in the rich land which the Lord God Almighty provided for them!

             How much this is like the prodigal son!  But what if the brothers hadn’t changed? How would the family have functioned then? Continuously disjointed, dysfunctional and pain serving, yet with the added judgement by ruler Joseph? I think so.  

              I see this in my life today. My family, extended family and others. Self pride and centeredness causing injustice, neglect and abuse; Signs of perpetuating blindness and famine spiritually, and poverty in many areas. Yet a quick, deep and thorough surrender to the Supreme Lordship of the Ruler of the universe, the Lord Jesus Christ fixes it all with a Fabulous, Permanent Reunion!! Sin confessed, repented and given to Jesus allows for the Great Exchange, the receipt of forgiveness and the indwelling Holy Spirit forever!

             Oh, how hard it is to bend the knees of my heart to You sometimes. This is required for change, for reunions with You and Your body! I exalt You Jesus in my view so I know how foolish I am without You. Please Lord Jesus, enable, equip and empower me to See Your Hand in All things. I choose to implement Your wisdom, understanding and patience. Keep me alert to Your Scriptures and Your Power Lord God, so that I may know specifically Your way for me, not sin against You, and move by Your Power alone. Make me effective everywhere I am for Your Kingdom purposes and glory. And have me to not look elsewhere to condemn, but to myself for Your discipling and healing me simultaneously, which is Your method. Lord God Almighty, thank You for reunions! The promise of permanent salvation, the eternal home of Your Presence, fantastic fellowship with believers and tangible mansions!!!  

Further reading –    Genesis 37:12-36; Genesis 39-41; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Luke 3:8; Luke 15:11-24; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1 John 1:9; Luke 5:24; Luke 23:43; Psalm 51; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13; 2 Timothy 1:7; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 6:12; Galatians 6:8; Psalm 25:4; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:33; Isaiah 2:3; Isaiah 48:17; Proverbs 3:5-14; Psalm 119:11; John 8:31-36  

AND Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:3; John 14:2-3

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)

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Genesis 45; Mark 15; Job 11; Romans 15

 To Be Known.  (and To Know God)

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, … , “I am Joseph!  – “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. – “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? – preach the gospel where Christ was not known …  join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.  Genesis 45,  Mark 15, Job 11, Romans 15

Found at Bible Gateway –  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2045;%20Mark%2015;%20Job%2011;%20Romans%2015&version=NIV1984  

I want to be known and understood! Valued and Loved, just as I am!

God wants me to know Him! Valued and loved by me! God-man Jesus (Hebrews 1:3) lived, died and rose for me to know Him. Then Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to keep me knowing Him more intimately (John 15:26)!

Genesis 45 –             Joseph is known! After 22 years Joseph finally reunites with his brothers! No more living in obscurity as “lord of all Egypt.” v.9. Joseph bursts to reveal himself to his brothers. Great conversation reveals Joseph wants to be known and to know his family intimately again. “he threw his arms around his brother… he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. … Now hurry back to my father and say to him … Come down to me; don’t delay.” v.14-15, 9 A spectacular reunion!! 

Mark 15 –                    How was Jesus known? “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. v.2 Others mocked Jesus before He took the punishment for their sins. v.16-20, 29-32. “The centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus… said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” v.39  The Lord God knew Jesus as the only acceptable and permanent sacrifice for all sins (v. 33-34, 37-38, Hebrews 10:5-6,10,19-23). So I can approach God’s Holy of Holies through Jesus Christ.     

Who is Jesus to me? A historical person? A friend? Lord, Master and God? A Savior saving me from eternal hell? Do I relate with Him personally, intimately, and dependably? Or is Jesus just another stranger who is really strange?

Job 11 –                      How is Job understood? How is God understood?  Job was not known by his friend. Zophar wrongfully accused Job (Job 11:1-6, Job 42:7-10). Yet Zophar knew the Almighty’s character: “Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—” v. 7-9  Zophar knew sound advice for a sinful man to heed: “Yet if you devote your heart to him … if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell … you will stand firm and without fear.” v. 10-20  

Romans 15 –             Are other Christians known? Do I know their walk and heart, their struggles, strongholds, and freedom victories which the Lord Jesus Christ did for them? Do I studying them through the lens of God’s Word? Do I “bear with the failings of the weak and not to please” myself, but “for his good, to build him up” in Christ Jesus? v.1-2  Do I accept and serve them just as Christ accepted me “in order to bring praise to God”? v.7-8

Do I make Jesus known? How do my heart and actions prove that I am “a minister of Christ Jesus… proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit”? v.16  Do I boldly “not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me… through the power of the Spirit”? v.18-19

How do I come to my siblings in Christ with “the full measure of the blessing of Christ” and in His Joy? Do I join in the struggles of my fellow Christians by praying to God for them? v.29-30 Do I pray for their success under Christ Jesus for the salvation and maturation of souls?

Do I study people not yet regenerated in Christ Jesus (2Cor 5:17)? Do I learn of their needs in order to bring them to Christ through prayer and action? Do I invite the Holy Spirit to show them Christ through me and His Word? Is my heart broken for those heading for hell? Do I yearn to make Christ known? v.20  

            I am Soooo grateful that You know me LORD!! I bask in Your Presence as I rest in You! Nothing is sweeter or more medicinal than You!! I treasure Your Word and Holy Spirit. Continue to show me Yourself and how You can live through me more and more! Please reveal Yourself to those who are deceived (Matthew 7:23). Please reveal to me any harbored resentment or unforgiveness so that I can embrace more people with Your unconditional Love as Joseph did. Show me my blind spots of sin so I can hate them as You do, turn away from them, and live without shame, standing firm without fear and being secure with hope. (Job 11:15-18) Give me Your heart of compassion for those perishing so when my life is done, my joyous reunion with You in heaven will be to Your Glory alone!! Matthew 25:14-30

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)