Exiting Genesis- On to Exodus

Studying Genesis has been a wonderful experience. I have learned much and there is a whole lot more to learn. I have been so thrilled to see the grace of God in His foundational book. Yes, Genesis is the 'Old' Testament, but it is still about a God who is faithful and loving in a world that is much less than perfect.

God's people never have to be static. Gaining entrance into different avenues of learning is important in life and knowing when to move on is even more important. Sometimes we find ourselves involved in something that we enjoy, so we stay awhile. Nothing stays the same and if we are too dug in too much it is hard to see beyond the limits.  God's blessings are dynamic and He will help us rearrange and remove limits.  That is part of life. It is our opportunity to grow. The resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ blew open 'the sky's the limit' cliche.

After Joseph and his generation died in Egypt and other rulers rose up that had not known Joseph and the good that he did for Egypt, things got quite a bit tougher for the Israelites. God was still around but the environment became more pressurized and unfriendly. God could still work in that setting as evidenced in Exodus chapter 1:12:

¹² But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

Things in and of themselves are not necessarily ruts, but they can become one easily if we don't watch it. One man's run is another man's rut. We all have different needs and paths for growth. When the telltales signs of the winds of change start to blow we need to pay attention and listen to God for direction. Trusting in Him in our prayer life and learning, He will provide 'plain path'.

In chapters 1-2 of Exodus, the record of the birth of Moses is illuminating. The ruler of Egypt had asked the midwives to kill all the male babies that were born in that time period. Moses was born at a dangerous time. Mose's mother hid him for 3 months and then set him afloat on the Nile with sister Miriam looking on. Pharoah's daughter happened to find Moses when she heard him crying. Mose's tears in the reeds that day on the Nile meant big things for the Israelite nation and the Christ line . She decided to take Moses as her own and even hired Mose's mother (unbeknownst to Pharoah's daughter) to be the nanny. Moses was then safe from the slaughter that was going on.  Moses was educated and brought up in the privileges of Pharoah's house. Eventually Moses would be the man who would lead the children of Israel out from under the bondage of the Egyptians and back toward the land of God's promise.

Fruitfulness

Yesterday, I went looking for raspberries and found many arching boughs of those little red gems. They are so pretty when still attached to the plant. It doesn't take long however that, once they are collected,  

they start to look different, not having the sustenance of the plant. Some of the more invisible creatures (mold, bacteria etc) of this world start to take over and they don't last long.

The word 'fruitful' appears 15 times in Genesis. As I started reading in Exodus, I noticed in the 7th verse of chapter one, the word 'fruitful' again in reference to the children of Israel after the Joseph generation had died off. They abounded even when the pressure was on. The more they were pressured, the more they multiplied and grew (Exodus 1:12). 

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:7

In Genesis 1:28, Adam and Eve are told to be fruitful, to multiply, to replenish (fill), to subdue (must have had some things to subdue), and to have dominion over the earth. They enjoyed fellowship with God and life was great. Then they were seduced by another entity away from trusting in God and in doing so transferred authority to  God's adversary. Things did a 180• turn. They lost their connection to God and became subject to a problematic world with all the pressures of evil. They then needed more help with subduing things and having dominion.

Having lost the connection of spirit with God, God only could communicate to those whom had the spirit upon them (Check out numbers 11! for some interesting examples) The spirit mostly came upon those who were to speak for God to others.  Joseph was a great example in Genesis as he walked with God and became the fruitful bough of Jacob's family. It is interesting to read about Abimelech in Genesis 20 who spoke reproving words to Abraham because of a conversation he had with God. If he hadn't had that conversation would Abraham have eventually obtained the  fulfillment of God's promise of fruitfulness in Genesis 17:6? Take a look at Noah (Genesis 9:1) and Jacob (Genesis 35:11).

The world is still full of pressures and downright evil. There is no change in that. However in this day, the spirit of God is poured forth to everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and his resurrection from the dead after having the full thrust of evil put on his shoulders. We have the gift of holy spirit. We are connected to the branch and we have all the benefits of his sustenance.

Colossians 1:10-13That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

'Male and Female Created He Them"

In the first chapter of Genesis, in a general description of creation, there is a reference to the creation of man:

²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

God created Adam out of the dust of the ground. God then took some of Adam and made Eve. These days everyone is worried about equality. God had no problem with equality. The first two humans were made out of the same stuff. This is reflected in the New Testament also:

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 

We are all made of the same stuff.

God is spirit (John 4:24) not flesh. When God was talking about creating man in His own 'image', He wasn't referring to physical flesh. 'Image' is something that represents something else; it is what is perceived.  When God created male and female he meant that they would reflect Him. They would be the image of Him. God is love and man or woman can represent God's love. God is light and man or woman can represent His light. God is powerful and humans can represent His power.

I John 4:16,17 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

In Genesis chapter 2 verse 24, God fills in the details of His human creation and says they were to become 'one flesh'. What does God mean when he says 'shall be one flesh'? It must mean something more than just producing an Eve from a piece of Adam.

Genesis 2:23-24 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 

Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 

Two shall move as one. Men and women are not alike in the sense that they have characteristics that are distinctly male or female. God designed Eve as a help meet for Adam.  The word 'meet' is 'suitable'.  Eve was Adam's complement.  To become 'one flesh', a relationship must develop based on love and respect in order to move as one.

In the garden of Eden, things got messy when the whole incident with the serpent occurred. The consequences of that mess had it's affects on the male/female relationship. Conflict, blame and pressure were added to the mix. This always happens when someone adds, subtracts and changes God's Word.

God didn't change and His word doesn't change. Humans have a choice: to believe or not to believe.

Simple Evangelism

At the risk of over simplification, the success of Joseph boils down to 3 factors. Since God is no respecter of persons, this holds true for for us today.

First, God is real and is number one. Without anyone else He still exists. He is the all in all, the creator, the mighty one, the master of the universe. Without God nothing good happens. God existed back in Joseph's time, as he exists for us today.

Second Joseph had a relationship with God.  He accomplished amazingly good things. He took care of  that himself and in doing so put him in a position to help others. He took care of his own relationship with God despite what was going on around him.

When we neglect our own relationship with God we suffer. Nothing ever should stand in the way of freely associating with God. There is no altar rail, no veil, no condemnation by others, education, position, ethnic background, gender, overloaded schedule or anything else in this life that should get in the way of our approach to the throne.

Finally, once we know how much we are loved by God, then we can begin to really help others. It is beautiful the changes in Jacob's family as Joseph rose up. Jacob's blessing in Genesi 49:22-26 says it all:

22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) 25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: 26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

A fruitful bough runs over the wall! The reason Joseph 'was separate' from his brethren was that he knew God and listened to Him. It was evident in Joseph's life that he listened to God from the very beginning of the record on Joseph. It is that simple!

Entering Into His Rest - The Promised Land

Up in the North woods of Wisconsin, life is a little more simple than in the hustle and bustle suburbs. The sky is so blue, the trees are so green and sunlight just loves to dance through through the leaves as they move in the breeze.

There is no high speed internet. We do get dial-up through the phone but it is so-o-o-o-o slow. It is just enough to write the blog and publish it. If I want to spend more time on line, I can run into town and go to a local cafe that has wifi. I did just that once this week and ended up having a wonderful conversation with a beautiful Christian. I am reminded that there is fruitful living outside the walls of my own firewall.

We do have television, but we only get 4 and all of them are local channels. Local channels don't provide the speculation and theories that cable TV provides with non-stop news coverage.

In Genesis, the great men and families of God had places of rest, places like Beersheba, Bethel, and initially the garden of Eden. These were places of serenity because these men were able to enter God's rest because of what He revealed to them.  Wherever God is is a place of rest.

Throughout Genesis, the topic of migration comes up several times with the patriarchs. Abraham went to Egypt due to a famine. Egypt was not the promised land God spoke to Abraham about. Isaac was also faced with a famine and God told him not to go to Egypt and he prospered. Jacob asked God whether he should join Joseph in Egypt during another famine and God gave him the nod and they ended up settling down in Goshen for quite a while. Israel's families prospered there for a while.

Places are a temporary provision of God at various times. Goshen was ideal. The Israelites were shepherds, they needed ample fertile land for their livestock. Goshen provided that. It is located on the Northeastern side of the Nile. The Nile river flowed northward into the Mediterranean Sea. It provided a rich delta at its outlet. Egyptians looked down on the shepherding profession so by camping out in Goshen, the two cultures were kept separate. There had been problems with this in Canaan as some of the children of the patriarchs took Canaanite wives. The rich heritage of Israel was preserved living there.

Goshen was located closer to the land God promised the Israelites than any other part of Egypt. Egypt afforded the new young Israelite nation protection against marauding kings of other lands. God's promise to Jacob that He would make them a great nation could bud into fruition.

"Location, location, location" is not an absolute.  Eventually, things changed in Egypt and there came a time to exit. God has no specific place, but He can utilize geography to bless His people at various times.

For us today, we have truly entered into his rest when we we accept His grace. In Acts 7:49-50 it is recorded:

Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?

One can be in the midst of hustle and bustle and be in God's rest. It can also be said that quiet and stillness can be restful, but it can cause unrest too.

Hebrews 4:9-12 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

It seems like a contradiction to read 'hath ceased from his own works' and 'Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest' but when the Word of God is read and worked by a spiritually-minded person, rest is the result even if you are in the middle of a busy life. God is the place of our rest wherever we are.

Happy Father's Day Everyday!

Recently I was listening to a great podcast about how simple it is to develop a relational connection to God. A person had sent in an email asking how. He was frustrated saying it was his experience that the average person has about the same chance of developing a relationship with God as winning the lottery. I stopped to think about how someone could ever think that, but actually it's quite easy given the world we live in.

How many religious systems even agree about how God communicates to us? There are systems that actually judge and shun and people who don't think the same way. There must be more than 25,000 Christians sects in existence. This is pretty confusing if someone is looking for God in one of these groups. How confusing and misleading! It is discouraging to people looking from the outside in. That type of thinking can even discourage those on the inside looking around. Zealous Christians do some very human things and separating into groups is tops on the list. So much for human design. There is one Lord, Jesus Christ, not a bunch of human mini lordships.

God provided one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ. The simple answer for access to God is to accept the finished work of Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

There were many things going on in Corinth at the time this was written. Paul had to address some very basic concepts. Remember the people who lived during this time had no ipods, TV revivals, ezines, Kindle, or even Bibles! paul walked into town and talked to them about Jesus Christ.

What separates people, denominations and groups of all types? It is not always a section of the Bible doctrine. I have seen groups that exist within miles of each other who believe exactly the same thing and yet remain separate, not approving of each other. Even in a very tight knit group and families, people will not see eye to eye on all things. I Corinthians 1 addresses division.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I Corinthians 2:2

Jesus Christ is a simple truth. Jesus walked this earth doing God's will and teaching all who would listen about God's love, not only in words, but in powerful works that were available to all. It is not complicated. As God's son, when he was crucified and buried, God, the maker of the heavens and the earth, the God of all power, got His son up from the dead and made him lord over those who would believe.

I John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

As sons of God we belong to a great family. I am so thankful when a brother or sister in Christ shares the heart of God that is timely and full of love. I am not really looking to see where we differ in doctrine. It is my own responsibility to read the Word and  trust God to give the increase. We have so much to offer each other when we understand and believe God works in our hearts through the spirit and His Word.

Some Things Just Don't Cut It!

The generation in which I grew up in (and by the way am still growing up in) is a curious one. Many of us tried to reject the  "plastics" mentality (The Graduate) and became truth seekers. Everywhere in culture 'truth' is touted, lauded and attested to. Journalists, politicians, and even theologians rally under the 'truth' banner, but more so than not they all disagree. Where is the 'truth'?

Having stepped in the mud in all these categories, I've learned that ultimate truth is very difficult to find in the 'thoughts and intents' of the human mind. Even in the categories of religion, truth gets mired. A beautiful case in point popped up in my last blog.  I got to a place on one verse where I just couldn't understand its meaning. I checked many sources and worked the verse and ended up more frustrated. So I stepped back out of the verse and looked at all of Genesis and the context and frustration was replaced by joy. 

I read the Bible with two major premises in my mind: first, God is absolutely good and in him is no darkness (not even a cloud or shadow), and second he wants us to have the whole truth. I make all decisions based on these two points. It's a great filter for what I read, people I associate with, and things I become involved in.

The Bible or rather the Word of God written in the Bible, is the ultimate truth. God created the universe; He is the authority. The Word is not a lifeless book, it is vibrant, alive and life-changing. God reveals who He is through the Word. Since God is spirit, he utilizes holy spirit in the individual to bring the Word to life. (Romans 10:9-10 is the access code that activates it)

It is our choice where to look for truth. So many things in the world vie for the position of being the ultimate source of truth. There is only one truth because there is only one Creator. All men are liars, howbeit intentional or unintentional. We created nothing! How many of us have ever designed a leaf, flower, tree or a blue sky? The greatest of God's works is His Word!

Hebrew 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Fear not: For am I in the Place of God?

In the eyes of many scholars and ministers, when going over Jacob's family album and the deliverance God brought through Joseph, forgiveness is the big theme. Joseph is honored for his great forgiveness.  I think forgiveness is a little easier than people think.  It relies on God. For me the Joseph record is the story of God's great love and provision.

The true exercise and action of man is trusting and believing God. Genesis is filled with records of people that sojourned through the wilderness of life, physically, mentally and spiritually, to ultimately find the wellspring of grace that was really right there all the time. Jacob's sons were no exceptions.

Genesis 50:14-21
And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.  And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

After all the ways God showed His love during hardship and famine, despite the poor relationships, envy, strife, evil intentions, immorality and lack of trust; Joseph's brothers still in the end thought they were in big trouble and fearful of what would happen to them. Have you ever thought this way? Joseph reminded them how God meant all of it for their good. God is what resided and kept Joseph's heart. God was available to them too.

It is interesting listening to ourselves when we talk about God.  We may talk in chapters, verses, formulas and quotations, pontifications and special language. We talk fast, slow, loudly, quietly, intensely or cautiously about God. If we listen to ourselves long enough the 'trust factor' starts to become visible. It shows in the above conversation in Genesis 50. The 'trust factor' is not that we've proved every jot and tittle of the Bible. It is about our relationship with God. Bottom line is just what Jesus Christ told us in the gospels:

Matthew 22:35-41 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Living Larger

"This world ♪♫♪♫ is not my home, ♪♫♪♫ I'm justa passin' through.." seem to be the lyrics Jacob was fond of singing in the later part of Genesis. He mourned the loss of his son Joseph and from that point

on he seems to waiting to for life to be over.

In Genesis 45:27-28, his reaction to the news of finding out that Joseph was alive and sending for him is recorded:

And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons (not yet used in Israel according to E.W.Bullinger) which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die. (Genesis 45:27, 28)

Imagine Jacob's reaction when he saw the wagons and all the wonderful things provided for a comfortable trip to Egypt. As they set out for Egypt, Jacob stopped at Beersheba and had a conversation with God (Elohim).

And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God(Elohim) of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God (El), the God (Elohim) of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. (Genesis 46:1-4)

Instead of life ending, it was beginning anew for Jacob. Jacob was 130 years old when he moved to Egypt, not an easy thing to do at his age. He would be well-taken care of in Joseph's domain and  under his watchful eye. Joseph's care and wisdom came from God. Joseph's heart reminds me of the verse in Timothy where Paul writes about Timothy:

Philippians 2:20-21 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Jacob actually lived to be 147 years old. God blessings always extend beyond human vision. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us of that:

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20)

Confessions of a Grassroots Activist

The news is a abuzz over scandal after scandal. When the facts are revealed it becomes clear that every situation is complex and chaotic.  It seems impossible to get to the truth! It also seems that the closer one gets to the answers, the spin starts to accelerate at a greater speed. Some of the problems were very evident from the beginning and my sense of justice started to roar when some of the recent revelations came to light. Then I remember:

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

In the Greek, the word 'vengeance' is the greek word 'ekdikesis' ('ek'-out from, dike - justice =Link in 'Digging Deeper')

 In Romans 12:19, the responsibility for justice is squarely on God.  God's justice is the only true justice. He is all good. He is all light. There is absolutely no darkness in Him at all. He is love. Vengeance is not a dark word. When we are walking by the spirit, we are all that too. We don't have to get indignant for God! This world is full of  so many things we could get irritated about. We would be on edge all the time. Did Jesus Christ walk around indignant all the time? He could have, the world threw everything at him. The Joseph record in Genesis shows he didn't either.

God's word says we are to 'rejoice in the truth'. I absolutely love it when something that is not right is exposed. It is part of rejoicing in truth. However, we must stay out of the mud.  We speak the truth in love!

Looking on the Things of Others

In chapter 45 of Genesis, Joseph finally reveals who he was to his brothers. It is a story of great deliverance for Jacob's family.  In addition Joseph was able to protect his family further for the remaining five years of the famine by moving them to Egypt. Joseph really was looking out for things that were so necessary for their lives. Joseph not only blessed his family but many many more people saw deliverance because he looked out for them. God helped to elevate him to the right hand of Pharaoh so that he was free to put all that he needed to do in motion.

In Philippians chapter 2 there is a great record of Jesus Christ:

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Jesus had undoubtedly read over and understood the record of Joseph in the Old Testament. He understood how God through Joseph had brought deliverance to his people. It must have been a very encouraging record for him. Jesus 'thought it not robbery to be equal to God'. He knew he would carry out God's plan for deliverance as God's son. He didn't have to worry about what everybody thought about him, he simply served. Jesus Christ has a name that is truly above every name.  God has put everything under his feet. It is through him we now can walk for God and and have the same equivalent value to help others.