Jesus Born To Be King

 Jesus Was Born as a King

 Book of Matthew Chapter 1

 

 The Book of Matthew. Nowhere in the Bible nor in this blessed book does it say the Matthew was the writer, but the evidence is very strong.

 Before the year 100 A D,  the early Church historians had already accepted that Matthew was the writer by the Holy Spirit of this great book.

 Remember:

 2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 The key word in this passage is "ALL" which includes the Book of Matthew and the writer Matthew.

 Matthew wrote in the Hebrew tongue also using the Hebrew dialect so the early Christians which before 100 A D were mostly Jews could completely understand.

 In fact we can say that the Book of Matthew was written to the Jews the Hebrew children.

 We can also say the Book of Matthew was written to the Church because Matthew was a Christian writer.

 Matthew was claiming the Messiah who came to save the entire world.

 The Lord can save anybody, anywhere, anytime!

 The Great Deliverer had arrived just as God had promised!

 The purpose of the Book of Matthew is to show us the Lord Jesus Christ is the true Messiah but also Savior, and soon returning King of kings and Lord of lords.

 Matthew begins by proving that the prophecies of the Old Testament will be fulfilled by the Messiah who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Book of Matthew is built around the teaching of the Gospel in a way that is not complicated and easy to be understood.

 The Lord keeps salvation simple. You come to Him with a repentant heart and ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive!

 Matthew teaches us of our soon coming King.

 Matthew begins with the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 *****Mat 1:1  The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

 Matthew begins with proof of the reality of the humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 We see the genealogy that was extracted from public archives which were carefully preserved and placed under the special care of the Sanhedrin.

 The Sanhedrin are the supreme council of the Jewish people  in the time of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Sanhedrin Council can be traced, in the Mishna, to the seventy elders whom Moses was directed to establish with him making seventy-one.

 Num 11:16  And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

Num 11:17  And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

 We see that this council was directly established by the Lord.

 The one main question that would be asked by ordinary Jews was "Is He Of The House Of David".

 The name most used by the Jews and by foreigners was: "thou Son of David" used 16 times in the "Gospels".

 Mat 15:22  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

 Matthew proves that the Lord Jesus is the Son of David and also the Son of Abraham, being then also the son of Adam.

 This genealogy extends from father to son whereas, in the Book of Luke the genealogy extends from son to father.

 Say what we will about the differences in these two genealogies, the fact remains they both trace the Lord Jesus back to King David, therefore making the Lord Jesus the rightful heir to the throne of Israel according to the commandment of Jehovah God.

 The "Virgin Birth" was the means used our Heavenly Father used to cause this to happen!

 Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 The doctrine of the humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ is equally important as the doctrine of the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

 Our Heavenly Father gave to King David the promise of eternal government!

 2Sa 7:12  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

2Sa 7:13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

 This is the Lord Jesus that fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies!

 *****Mat 1:16  And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

 If we read closely this line of genealogy, we cannot help but see the "begats" stopped at Joseph. We see that Joseph had a father who was named Jacob after his forefathers, but Joseph did not begat the Messiah. By the power of the Holy Ghost, Matthew simply states that the Messiah was born of Mary just as the prophecy had stated and Joseph had to adopt Jesus placing Him next in line for the throne of Israel that did not exist at that time, as Israel was a conquered nation under Roman power. Rome was very cautious of anyone claiming to be King especially of the Jews.

 *****Mat 1:17  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

 We should understand that Matthew divided the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ into three sets, each containing fourteen steps of descent because it was a practice familiar to readers of Jewish antiquities.

 1) The first period of Israel's history symbolizes God giving birth to Israel through Abraham and giving dominion through King David.

 2) The second symbolizes Israel losing its dominion and being enslaved as a result of God's judgment upon sin.

 3) The third period of Israel's history symbolizes Israel's ultimate triumph through the Messiah and and God's liberating power, still in our future.

 Matthew continues by the Holy Spirit to the birth of the Messiah.

 *****Mat 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

 The Bible explains in great detail the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ according to prophecy.

 Remember what the Prophet had said:

 Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 This precious young lady had been admired by many and yet slandered and abused by many more in her time and in our day.

 An espousal in the time of Christ was betrothing by promise. Today we would say engaged. An engagement can be broken at any time, but an espousal could only be broken by divorce.

 Both the man and the woman, because a true marriage can only take place by one man to one woman according to the Scriptures, would promise to stay pure, they both being "virgin" until the time of the wedding.

 This Scripture says it so plainly.  Mary being espoused to Joseph, "before they came together", she was found to be pregnant with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Even today the world just refuses to believe such a thing even when in our day any virgin can become pregnant by artificial insemination.

 Adam was born without a mother or a father and so was Eve.

 These things are not hard to understand if we just trust the Word of God.

 If we are to be believers, then we must believe!

 The birth of Christ was by the Holy Spirit!

 Never before had a man been born "through the Holy Spirit"!

 It is important that we trust the truth of the Word of God!

 It is also important that we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was 100% man but also 100% God.

 Jesus was born of a virgin by the Holy Ghost.

 Our Messiah was not of man but of God.

 Emmanuel means "God with us".

 The Greek word for Christ and Messiah is the same word "Christos".

 Messiah is the Hebrew word and Christ is the Greek word and both refer to the same person and they both mean the exact same thing!

 The "Anointed of One". The Anointed One of God!

 When the Lord came to this earth as the Messiah "Christ" the Hebrew people were praying dearly for Him to come because of the oppression of Rome.

 We know the God always hears the cries of the oppressed!

 Life was hard in those days!

 People felt that God could not wait much longer.

 This is the same feeling we have today!

 In fact the believers knew the prophecies of Daniel and knew that time was near,

 Many claimed falsely to be the Messiah.

 Even Barabbas was an insurrectionist who was leading a rebellion against Rome before he was captured, though we do not see where he claimed to be the Messiah.

 He was certainly a murderer as was the government of Rome!

 Many believed that Christ would come by the line of King David and free the Jews from the oppression of Rome.

Many believed the Messiah would be a great military leader.

Many believed the Messiah would be the great Spiritual leader who would bring righteousness to all the earth.

Many believed the Messiah would be the One who would bring Peace to all the earth.

 All these things are true, but we must wait upon God's timing.

 Jesus the Christ is the Messiah!

 Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 Mar 14:61  But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

Mar 14:62  And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 Joh 4:25  The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Joh 4:26  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

 The name Jesus shows that He was a man.

The name Christ shows that He is God's "Anointed", God's very own Son!

 He is the true Prophet:

 Deu 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Deu 18:16  According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

Deu 18:17  And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.

Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

 Compare:

 Luk 7:16  And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

 He is the Highest of High Priest:

 Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

 Compare:

 Heb 7:23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

Heb 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Heb 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Heb 7:27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Heb 7:28  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

 He will be King of Kings and Lord of lords:

 2Sa 7:12  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

2Sa 7:13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

 Compare:

 Joh 12:13  Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 Joh 18:36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 Joseph, not understanding at this time, but still loving Mary did not intend to make her a public example.

 *****Mat 1:19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

 As men, we can understand the predicament of Joseph, but not many of us would be as understanding as Joseph.

 I can tell each of you though, until you have had a visit with the Holy Spirit, you will never understandthese things.

 Joseph was certainly a righteous man and he did not want an ugly divorce to be with Mary all her days.

 Joseph did not want to expose her to a public disgrace!

 You see, an espousal was so important that Mary would have been exposed to authorities and she would carry this the rest of her life.

 Joseph struggled with his decision. Joseph was in a predicament!

 The birth of Christ Jesus was a predicament for Joseph.

 Joseph loved Mary dearly and he did not want to see her hurt, but like most men he lost his trust in her being a faithful wife.

 As a man of God, Joseph was not Mary's judge, God was.

 We must understand that love covers a multitude of sins!

 1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 In the Jewish marriage there were three steps.

 1) There was the engagement. The parents usually determined who their children would marry.

2) The betrothal. At a certain time, the couple would agree or disagree with the engagement. If they agreed the betrothal was legally binding.

3) The marriage. The consummation of the couple would take place.

 We know that Joseph did not consummate his marriage to Mary, until after the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 We all wish our young people would take more time in their decision to marry and to live together before marriage is sin!

 While Joseph thought on these things, he had a visit from on High.

 *****Mat 1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 We should understand that when the Lord has something for us, he will not leave us in the dark about it.

 Joseph was born in the line of King David.

 Joseph thought of nothing else but about his marriage which showed his great love for Mary his espoused wife.

 Joseph went to the Lord seeking answers and the Lord responded by sending the angel Gabriel.

 We know Gabriel as one of the three archangels of God.

 Gabriel spoke to Joseph as in a dream and gave Joseph the answer to his thoughts.

 Maybe not the answer Joseph thought, but the answer that was the right thing to do!

 Joseph did not feel like a king, but he might be king of Israel if not for Rome.

 Joseph would not have claimed the throne because it would have caused his death.

 Joseph was awakened to the fact the Messiah would come and come to his own household as a babe born of Mary.

 At this time Joseph was just a carpenter.

 We must get alone with God when the decisions we are trying to make, go beyond us and we need help.

 We might be surprised at the message we hear from the Lord as was Joseph.

 The Messiah would be born JESUS. (Jehoshua) which means Savior, Deliverer.

 The Messiah would first come to save, but not first as King, though He would be born as King once Joseph adopted Him.

 Since Jesus cannot die, he will be King forever!

 He will save His people from their sins!

 The Hebrew form Joshua means Jehovah is salvation. Jesus would be this Savior!

 Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 Why was this done? To fulfill prophecy!

 *****Mat 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Mat 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 When God says something is going to happen then we can trust that it will happen!

 The Lord Jesus Christ came first to save.

 He returned to Heaven as the High Priest to those who believe!

 This same Jesus will return as King!

 Act_1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 Just because most of the world rejects this truth does not make it any less true!

 Prophecy is the Word of God, not the words of men!

Prophecy is the future revealed by God Himself!

The prophet is a messenger of God and not the spokesmen of God!

Prophecy must come true or God would be a liar!

 It is impossible for God to lie!

 Heb_6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

 Matthew began by saying this is way the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about.

 a) Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit.

b) What is conceived inside her came by the Holy Spirit.

c) All this was done according to prophecy. Isa 7:14

d) All this took place to fulfill prophecy.

 Matthew did not give us the details of the birth of Christ.

 It is important for us to know that the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah are fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. (Jesus Christ)

 The Jews needed to know the Messiah was born of a virgin just as proclaimed by the prophets!

 The Lord Jesus Christ was not born out of wedlock as proclaimed by the naysayers.

 Joseph took Mary to be His wife even though he did not consummate his marriage to Mary until after the birth of our Lord and Savior.

 *****Mat 1:24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Mat 1:25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 You know when the Lord gives you something then you can be at peace of mind as you go about life.

 Joseph was going to Marry the love of his life and raise a family and none of that had changed.

 There would be one addition to the family that Joseph had not planned on, but it would not change his responsibilities.

 Joseph already obeyed God as did Mary, and none of that would change.

 When we trust the Word of God it is not important what the world thinks!

 Not many people would ever believe what the Angel Gabriel had told them both.

 Mary had some assurance from her cousin Elisabeth who had also received a great miracle.

 Joseph was merciful and gentle toward Mary even though the child she carried was not his own, but He would be raised as his own.

 Joseph forgave as he was forgiven, and he had the attitude of a believer.

 We know Joseph raised his son well as any father would because the Lord Jesus was also known as a Carpenter, which showed that Joseph loved his son and was preparing Him!

 Mar_6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

 His family also considered His brothers and sisters!

 Oh what a Savior!

 Amen

The Promises of God Are Sure

 Promises For the Future

Book of Genesis Chapters 48 through 50

One of the greatest things we have learned from the Book of Genesis, the Book of the Beginnings is, that God has a plan for this world.

God's plan is to bless those who love Him and who are in His will, and the greatest blessing is for those who love Him to spend eternity with Him.

God had promised Abram a promised land, but though Canaan Land is that "promised land" to the Jews, for many of us, it is not the place God was talking about.

Our "Promised Land" is Heaven itself!

The Hebrew people were a small people that needed to multiply until they became a great nation.

God used this time in Egypt to make this happen.

God had placed Joseph in Egypt to prepare for and then care for his family.

They were given the best land with one job and that job was to take care of Pharaoh's herd.

Remember there were only 70 of Jacob's family and Pharaoh had a large herd.

Joseph provided all their needs while the Egyptians paid dearly, some all they owned, to receive the food that they could eat until this famine was over.

The land then belonged to Pharaoh and they became tenants on the land they had at one time owned.

The children of Israel had prospered during all this time.

It was reaching the end of Jacob's time and he knew it, and there were some things he had not accomplished before he died.

He had not yet placed the blessing of Abraham on one of his children and he had not yet chosen the blessed son.

He had, but he had not formally told this to his children.

Joseph had always been the son the Jacob loved the most, but he was now Governor of Egypt.

So Jacob puts his plan together and he begins to explain these things to Joseph.

We must realize that El Shaddai had spoken to Jacob many times in visions and dreams, so Jacob (Israel) was also a prophet, at least to his family.

Jacob began recalling the experiences of his early days.

*****Gen 48:3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Gen 48:4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.

Remember to Jacob, Luz was "Bethel", even though it had not been named that at this time. Bethel meaning the "House of God".

Gen 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.

Gen 28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

To the Church, the House of God is truly the gateway to Heaven but by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Without the Lord Jesus there is no "House of God"!

The promise of Abram had been passed down to Israel, but it would not be passed to Joseph who was the first born of Rachel but not the firstborn son of Jacob.

The birthright claim would be given to Joseph but only through his two sons. Jacob (Israel) would adopt those two sons and make them his own.

But the genealogy that came by Abram, through Isaac, and to Jacob, would be passed down to Judah.

1Ch 5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

1Ch 5:2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)

We should understand that these things were against the future Jewish laws.

Deu 21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

Deu 21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

Deu 21:19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

Deu 21:20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

We must understand that El Shaddai does not limit Himself to man's laws!

Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

We should understand, though it would seem the King David would be that chief ruler to come from Judah, and he was that earthly ruler for a time, but the true chief ruler is the Lord Jesus Christ, who came by the tribe of Judah.

King Jesus, the Messiah, has not yet come to rule this earth for 1000 years.

We know this is true but at first Shiloh(The Messiah) will come, Jesus the Messiah who came to save!

Joseph would receive the birthright, but not in the normal fashion.

*****Gen 48:5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

Jacob had been deprived of spending 20 good years with Joseph his beloved son.

Jacob could not give Joseph and inheritance in Egypt because Pharaoh had already done this.

Jacob could adopt those two boys and by doing so, he would be giving a double portion of inheritance to Joseph.

They would be treated as the sons of Jacob and therefore the sons of Israel and they would receive equal portions according to their numbers, in the division of the land of Canaan.

Reuben, the firstborn son, would not receive the double portion because of his incest with Jacob's concubine.

Gen 35:22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:

1Ch 5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

When we get to the Book of Revelation, we will see where the name Ephraim is replaced by Joseph though Manasseh remains.

Rev 7:8 Of the tribe of Zabulonn were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

We are not required to understand these things, but the Holy Ghost did require that these words be written for us to learn from.

It was Jacob's last moments in his flesh, and he had more things to say to all his children.

We can understand these things as prophecy just as these twelve men should have.

*****Gen 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

Now Jacob becomes a prophet to his own sons.

We should understand that we will reap what we sow in this life.

If we are good, we will reap good but if we bad, we will reap bad!

We can see that many seem to do good in a life of sin and never seem to suffer for it, but we must also remember that they will spend eternity in Hell suffering greatly.

God will have a true "judgment" no one will be judged for things they did not do!

Jacob had been ill most of his last years and on this day, we could say the family was called into the bedside of Jacob.

On this day, all twelve sons of Jacob were together with him in one room and not one would be quarreling with the other.

They knew their father was about to die and they wanted to hear what he had to say.

Since the time of Adam, God had dealt with the individual but after the time of Jacob, we will see the birth of the nation of Israel and we see God begins to deal with nations, especially the nation of Israel.

The time of the patriarchs comes to an end and in a short while the time of the Law will begin!

Much time will pass until the Birth of Jesus Christ and God will begin to deal with the Church.

In reality, God will go silent while Israel grows into a nation and this will last just over 400 years, when God will hear their cries because of a wicked and evil Pharaoh and God will send them a deliverer by the name of Moses and the period of the Law will begin.

Jacob gave each of his sons a prophetic warning and then he blessed each one of them and Jacob then made them promise not to bury his body in Egypt.

A brief look at these things will be something like this!

Reuben the firstborn son of Jacob should have received the birthright(the double portion) but he had proven to be weak and unstable and the tribe of Reuben would be the same. Reuben did not possess the discipline to control himself.

Simeon and Levi, the sin of these two brothers was anger, cruelty, and vengeance. Their behavior was inexcusable.

They would be divided and scattered throughout the "promised land". They would never again be able to band together in an evil plot of anger and cruelty.

We know how the tribe of Levi was used of God and Simeon was given land in the midst of Judah.

Judah. We know that Abraham and Isaac had passed the birthright of the first born and that of the "Promised Seed' both to the same son but in Jacob's case, it would be Judah that Jacob passed the genealogy of the "Promised Seed" and it would be Joseph who would get the birthright of the firstborn son.

We could see how the life of Judah was being transformed into a leader and a spiritual leader.

Judah was a picture of the Christian growing spiritually.

To Judah was the blessing of Shiloh.

We also see as we study the Scriptures that once King David had the leadership of Israel it stayed in the family.

The scepter never departed from Judah.

Zebulun was to dwell toward the sea but not on the sea as Asher would dwell on the sea.

Issachar was to be like an animal of strong strength. The tribe of Issachar was a strong and sturdy people who were on occasion complacent.

In fact they could become so complacent in their comforts they were willing to be enslaved rather than lose their comforts.

Sounds a lot like the America of today!

Dan. The tribe of Dan would produce capable rulers and the most well-known was Samson. What a story he had.

Dan also could be like a snake a deadly opponent for his enemies.

Dan had to always be on guard against treachery, double dealing, and dishonesty.

Dan was the first to take up idol worship.

Not many realize it, but Jacob actually used for salvation, the word (Yeshuah) the Hebrew name for Jesus.

Gen 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation(Yeshuah), O LORD.

Jacob may could not have known about the Lord Jesus Christ, but he did know where his salvation came from!

Gad would be successful in struggling with his enemies.

1Ch 12:8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

Asher was the tribe that sat along the seacoast. Asher gave into luxury and wealth and never really helped the other tribes.

They loved worldly pleasures.

We are warned against worldliness in the New Testament!

Naphtali was known for their swiftness in combat.

Notice also they were known for speaking and singing songs of beauty and in the time of Jesus, He spent a great deal of time in this area.

The most beautiful words ever spoken are the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ".

Joseph was awarded the family birthright through his two sons.

This tribe produced Joshua, Gibeon, Abimelech, Jair, Jephthah, and Samuel came from the heritage of Joseph through his two sons.

Benjamin was the tribe to be like a ravenous wolf. The tribe of Benjamin was courageous and bold. At times, these same traits were used for evil.

Jacob told his sons to be on guard for the bad traits and try to excel in the good traits and then he gave up the ghost.

*****Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

Gen 49:29 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

Gen 49:30 In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

Jacob remembered his forefathers Abraham and Isaac and at his death he wanted his body to be laid with their bodies.

Many today have similar wishes.

Sons want to be buried next to their father, wives next to their husbands, husbands next to their wives but we see today these things changing as the families are not as close as they once were.

Abraham had bought a cave with a piece of property in the field of Ephron from the Hittites.

He was buried there along with Sarah and Isaac and Rebekah and Leah was also buried there.

This where Jacob wanted to be buried and later, we will see where the preserved body of Joseph would also be buried.

Of course when we say buried, we know that in a cave a spot would be carved in the sides of the wall and the body would be laid there much like the burial of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This place is called Machpelah.

Through the years an ancient Christian Church was located at this place but sadly this church has been converted into a Mohammedan Mosque but a sacred enclosure at the entrance of this cave it is still looked upon as a relic of Jewish architecture thought to be built in the time of David and Solomon.

*****Gen 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

After all these things on the mind of Jacob he died. The phrase "gathered up his feet" indicates the Jacob was dead.

This phrase gathered has another meaning.

We know that God had said He is not the God of the Dead but the God of the Living, therefore the Hebrew people felt that their Patriarchs were therefore still living in another form, so Jacob was gathered together with them.

We know that as the “Born Again” children of God we will certainly be gathered together with all our brothers and sisters in Christ because the Christian will never die though this body goes back to the dust it was made from.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

This is the difference that comes by the "Grace" of God only to those that love Him!

*****Gen 50:7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,

Gen 50:8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen.

Gen 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.

We read this and then pass right on by it, but this funeral procession had to travel more than 250 miles one way and it could have been 500 miles depending on which way they traveled.

The Patriarchs of Israel would have had the same standing as a Pharaoh of Egypt or any other national ruler even before Israel became a nation.

We might understand that God was much closer to Jacob than we understand by the Scriptures.

Jacob the last of the Patriarchs and the father of the nation of Israel.

Jacob had always thought he would die without his children, but now all his sons and so many more, accompanied his body to be buried with his own fathers.

We should remember the Egyptians had no love for the Hebrews, in fact much hatred even at this time, the main reason the family of Jacob was kept separated from the Egyptians and most of that hatred was over a cow because the Egyptians worshipped the cow.

In many ways Jacob had prepared his own funeral and had given specific instructions for his burial.

This was a great procession with all the sons of Jacob all Jacob's house except the small children but all the elders of Egypt, including the council to Pharaoh.

We can be sure there was a great military presence also with chariots and Calvary.

This thing did not even begin until after 72 days of mourning were over. This thing was treated as a royal funeral.

Much different from the three-hour rush to get the Lord Jesus Christ, the true King, into His grave, but He did not need it but for three days and the bones of Jacob are still in his grave.

The body of Jacob was embalmed so he could make this trip as was Joseph's.

Jacob was buried with his fathers because they all had the same hope of the "Resurrection"!

Gen 50:13 For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

And Joseph and his family returned to Egypt.

Gen 50:14 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.

The brothers of Joseph did not know what would happen to them after the death of their father, so they confronted Joseph on this issue.

*****Gen 50:18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

Gen 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

In these last few lessons we have followed the life of Joseph and it can be said the Joseph had integrity.

Integrity can be said to possess a sound mind, moral soundness, purity, in-corruptness, uprightness, and of sound moral character.

We can see that God knows those who will stick by Him no matter what happens in their personal life.

Joseph was bold when he said he belonged to God and he was just a man as they were.

As Christians we can say we belong to God and any goodness others see in us, is because we belong to God.

Joseph was not in the place of God nor did he mean it this way as he tells them.

*****Gen 50:20 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.

Gen 50:21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Joseph said do not brag on me but brag on our Lord and Savior.

Psa 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:

Psa 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

Psa 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Psa 105:20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

Psa 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

Psa 105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

We, as Christians, are not better than any other human being, but by the "Grace of God".

Act 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

We are still dirty rotten sinners saved by God's "Grace" and only then because we have accepted the work of the Lord Jesus Christ toward our salvation.

We are nothing without Jesus!

Joh_15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joseph felt exactly the same because he knew this truth. He was nothing with the Lord!

What are our instructions?

1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord makes it simple for us, when He says, His disciples obey His commandments!

Joh_8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Again Jesus Keeps it very simple!

Joh_13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

What is wrong with us today? We need more Jesus!

Amen

God Has A Plan and A Purpose For Each of Us

 Jacob Moves To Egypt

Book of Genesis Chapters 46-47

The safest place we can be is in the "Will of God"! This is much more important than our physical location.

During this Covid 19 plague we have forgotten this!

As Christians we must learn how to prosper in these last days. Even during the times of plagues as we see right now.

Many of God's people have given up and lost their faith but the Lord will not ever leave us to battle these things alone!

Jacob the patriarch of Israel would have never left his homeland if not for the providence of God.

What had God told to Abram?

Gen 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 

Gen 15:14  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

There were many reasons that Joseph as a teenager was taken away from his father by his own brothers by evil and wicked means and had made it to Egypt.

We all get caught up in the reason Joseph gives which is true!

Gen 50:20  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.

Though this was a very good reason and very true, there was another reason Joseph was taken away from his father all these years.

His father Jacob would never have left his homeland if not to go see his son Joseph.

Gen 45:28  And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

If Joseph had remained in Hebron, Israel would not be the nation that it became and as it still exists today!

In chapter 45, it was Jacob's heart that fainted for his lack of belief, but it was Israel that decided to go to Egypt!

*****Gen 46:1  And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. 

We should never begin any journey before we spend some time with the Lord!

In fact, in these last days we need to spend more time with the Lord and every time, just before we leave the house, as we step out into this evil and wicked world that is now also full of plagues.

These things may not ever change before the Lord takes us home!

In fact the Holy Ghost states that things are going to get worse.

To remain in the will of God, we cannot just hide from these things and be too afraid to go out as the world will have us to believe.

We keep forgetting that we are not afraid to die! Jesus Christ took the fear of death away from each believer!

This does not mean we can step out in front of a speeding train, but it does mean that continuing in the work God has given us to do, is the safest place to be.

God still says to be obedient to our leaders as best we can without going against the Word of God!

God still says to be at peace as long as we are able to be at peace with the enemy!

To prosper during these times is to manage these things guided by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Israel took this journey to see his son Joseph!

We must continue on our Christian journey to see our Lord Jesus Christ!

We must stop and make some sacrifices along the way!

We must commit all we have to the work of the Lord remembering the Lord wants "Living Sacrifices"!

*****Gen 46:2  And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. 

Gen 46:3  And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: 

Gen 46:4  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. 

God does not ever ask from us bits and pieces God demands our all!

When we give God our all, then He will go with us.

He is still God our Father in fact He is Abba Father!

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

We have gotten so used to compromising our faith, that we just give up far too easily in the path of the storm before the storm even arrives!

The Lord says, to fear not, to Israel just as the Lord tells us to fear not!

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Just why are we so afraid?

Good Christians say, "I am just so afraid I will catch this plague".

Someone offers a vaccine that may stop you from catching this plague and the first thing out of these Christians mouth is, "well I am not taking no shot, not matter what".

This exactly the position our wicked governments want us in, afraid to do anything, afraid to make the right choices so the government can make our choices for us!

I can imagine Joseph with his fears, after all his great grandfather Abram had been run out of Egypt.

God had stopped Isaac from going to Egypt, but now this same God was speaking to Israel in visions in the night.

Israel was listening. We must always be open to hearing what God has to say!

God said listen Israel, "I am going down there with you"!

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

God promised Jacob (Israel) that Joseph would be with him until the day he died, if he would just take all he had and go on down to Egypt.

Israel took all his family and everything he owned and listened to what God had to say.

Jesus is telling us the same exact thing today! To give Him all we have and stay on our journey to Heaven.

It will still be sweeter every mile of the trip and as God said, "and Jesus shall put His hand upon our eyes".

*****Gen 46:5  And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 

Remember we truly do not need to go anywhere without knowing God is with us, but there are many places God will not go!

God had promised to make Israel into a great nation. It would not happen unless Jacob went to Egypt.

God had promised to go to Egypt with Israel. This will not happen unless Israel was in the Will of God.

God had promised to bring Israel back to the promised land.

God promised Israel that he would not be separated from his son Joseph again before his death.

With all these promises from the Lord, how could Israel say no?

Look at all the promises the Lord has made to us, how could we ever say no to the Lord Jesus Christ?

Our faith is based upon the promises of God!

Jacob (Israel) now traveled free of fear of what laid ahead of him.

We seem to forget this from time to time! We already know our future and have no reason to fear the things of this world!

If God is traveling with us, just what should we be afraid of?

This may be the most important thing to remember as we go through these plagues and this new administration!

Israel (Jacob) did not leave anything behind, he took all his possessions with him and he took all his family with him.

*******Gen 46:6  And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him: 

Gen 46:7  His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt. 

We should understand that we should be quick to do what God has told us to do!

There is no benefit to being disobedient to God!

We must understand that when God speaks to us, it is for our benefit!

God is able to do all that He says He will do!

God warns us because He loves us, and God will never lead us to do the wrong thing!

When God warns us, then we need to move quickly!

There was no longer a benefit for Israel to remain in Canaan land at this time.

God did not want a godly presence left in this land and God had His reasons!

Gen 15:16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 

God had determined that the Amorites, the inhabitants of Canaan Land, had not reached that degree of iniquity that He would cause their destruction.

You see this is what God is waiting upon today!

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is

longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God removed Jacob and all his possessions so he could not influence Canaan Land in his absence.

God will remove the Church from this world so the world cannot be influenced by the Church! This is called the "Rapture of the Church".

So when God tells the Church to do something, then we had better listen and, then do what God has told us to do without hesitation, for we are not going to Egypt, we are going to Heaven!

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

God moved this family all in one group and they would remain in one group while they lived in Egypt.

It was just 215 years since God made His covenant with Abram.

We know it would be over 400 more years the time they would spend in Egypt.

God's promise would still be true, and His covenants are still real, and they are still true!

*****Gen 46:28  And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. 

It was Judah who had the idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites and it would be Judah who would lead Israel to the land of Goshen.

Goshen was a district of Egypt where Israel would settle in and remain until it came time for the Exodus.

Before Israel left Goshen, it was called the "Land of Rameses".

Gen 47:11  And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 

It was not Rameses when Israel first came to Goshen.

Goshen was a place of some of the best land in Egypt suited to the raising of animals and was not far from the herds of Pharaoh and probably not far from his residence.

Gen 47:5  And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: 

Gen 47:6  The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.

After the plagues God placed upon Egypt, the land of Goshen is now no more than a desert.

*****Gen 46:29  And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. 

Gen 46:30  And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. 

It was a wonderful thing to not have to worry about that famine, but Jacob would have never left the land of Canaan because of this famine.

It was a wonderful thing that there was food in Egypt, but Jacob would never have left Canaan because the only food source was in Egypt.

The only reason Jacob left Canaan land was because he could see his son Joseph, and God promised Jacob he would be near his son the remainder of his days, which were 17 more years.

Jacob was not concerned very much about the future because he knew the future lie in the hands of God.

Jacob was only concerned with the time he would spend with his son Joseph!

We should feel these same things about Jesus!

It is not important how much time we have left in this flesh because we know we will live eternally in the presence of the Lord!

The messenger of Jacob was now Judah.

It was Judah's plan to sell Joseph and now it would be Judah who would lead his father Jacob back to Joseph.

Judah would remain in the forefront of all Jacob's children, the tribes of Israel.

It is amazing the irony of all these things that happened. 

It seems Judah had seen a dramatic change in his ways.

Jacob was a Godfearing man, so he felt great pride in seeing how God had worked through his son Joseph.

What do we know? God can work anywhere to see His Will progress upon this world!

After 22 years the entire family was in one place at the same time.

The whole land of Egypt was suffering from a famine but Joseph who was in charge of all the food, took the time to welcome his father and his family.

Joseph was now a prince in the land of Egypt, but he was not ashamed of the shepherd, his father.

We can see typology all through these passages of Joseph in the Book of Genesis.

Jacob was now at peace with his life and assured of Joseph's happiness, he had nothing else to live for, he considered his life fulfilled.

When we know the promises of God and the salvation brought to us by the Lord Jesus Christ, we can be at peace with this world and God would have taken us home to Heaven except for the fact that He has things for each of us to do. 

We must be witnesses to this lost and dying world!

When we meet Jesus, we will then get the best of God's creations!

*****Gen 47:11  And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 

We should see that Israel was not just allowed to live in Goshen, but they were allowed to own the land, and this was a command of this Pharaoh.

This land would not be known as Rameses for probably at least 300 years.

Exo 1:11  Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 

What we see is that while most all Egyptians were perishing in their own land, God supplied Israel and his family with the food of the Egyptians.

God will make the His enemies supply the needs of His children!

Isa 65:13  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: 

Isa 65:14  Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. 

Isa 65:15  And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

God proves over and over that He knows how to take care of His children!

*****Gen 47:12  And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families. 

Gen 47:13  And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 

As we read through this passage, we will see that these children of Israel were given the best land to settle in and Joseph provided all their needs.

Doing this, while the people of Egypt were getting poorer, in the end having to sell themselves to the government to buy food for their families.

We will see that by the time this famine ended, Pharaoh had control of all the money in Egypt and all the land except for the land of the false priest and the land of the children of Israel.

Hunger will cause many things to happen and many of those things are not good and hunger will drive the people of the Seven Year Tribulation after the Rapture of the Church.

To the Egyptians, Pharaoh was more like a god for what he had accomplished.

Gen 47:25  And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.

This is the way Governments operate today. This is the way the Antichrist will operate!

Saying this, no doubt tight controls were needed for Egypt to survive at this time in history, but the people should never have to give up their land.

Pharaoh could have fed his people without taking all they had from them!

What were the children of Israel doing all this time, multiplying! All their needs were met!

Joseph was operating under divine guidance!

We should remember it was God who interpreted Pharaoh's dream!

It was God who saw that Joseph was exalted!

Pharaoh the pagan ruler was used of God to care for God's children even better than he did his own!

Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 

God does make use of unbelieving leaders like this Pharaoh and He still does this thing today for His own purpose.

We should remember how God used Cyrus.

We should remember how God used Nebuchadnezzar.

How God used Pilate even with him knowing Jesus was innocent of all charges!

God still uses unbelieving leaders today to get His will done!

If we need to know more, all we need do is study the Scriptures!

*****Gen 47:27  And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. 

Even during a long famine we see where God will take care of His people if we just do as He says.

We may have to move as did Jacob to a foreign land, but the results were that a nation was formed according to the will of God.

God was fulfilling his promise to Jacob and as He had promised Abram and Isaac.

Gen 46:3  And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: 

Gen 46:4  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.

We might ask ourselves, why did the children of Israel not leave after the famine was over, but we must see that it was not in the will of God at this time to do so.

We know that the children of Israel continued to grow until they may have outnumbered the Egyptians.

The problems came to Israel when they began to spread themselves throughout Egypt, where they began to learn the ways of the Egyptians who worshipped many pagan false gods. They all should have remained in Goshen until God called them home!

Again they forgot the promises of God.

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 

Jacob the old man now Israel as a nation grew at his feet died in peace!

*****Gen 47:28  And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. 

Jacob may be the last of men to live for such and age as 147 years.

As he raised Joseph, he felt he was in his last years.

For 17 years Joseph had cared for his ailing father until he was sold into slavery, but the Lord was with him.

Twenty-two years passed and Joseph reappeared as Governor of Egypt and Jacob got to spend the last 17 years of his life with Joseph still taking care of his dad.

Jacob died in peace after 22 years of mourning for his son and 17 more years learning the truth!

A couple more things we see is, how a government operates with a 20 percent flat tax on its subjects.

One more thing we see that the government owns all the land, and the people are only tenants on that land.

Our own government is leaning this way today.

Egypt still operates with a system close to this today.

Amen

God Has A Plan For This World

 Providential Provision for Israel (God Has This Plan)

Book of Genesis Chapters 41 through Chapter 45

We do not have to study the Scriptures long, until we will realize that the Lord is working behind the scenes in His created world to make sure there is a positive ending.

The plan of God is amazing!

The plan of God is sure!

The plan of God is unstoppable!

God knows what is best for each of us and He will actively work in our lives if we are willing to allow Him to do so.

Why does God do these things? Because He cares!

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

If something is bothering you, then you need to go to the Lord!

He wants to hear about it even though He already knows what is going on in your life.

You want to be in the family of God? Then you need to be in the will of God!

Mar 3:35  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

We cannot be a part of this world and be in the will of God!

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Lord will never give you something to do without He goes before you to prepare your way!

We know that Jehovah had told Abraham that Israel would spend 400 + years in a foreign nation and leave that nation with a great substance.

We now know that these things began when God moved Joseph into position.

Now we may not agree with everything Joseph had to go through, but we do know the Lord was with him and kept him safe while He trained Joseph to be second in command of Egypt the most powerful nation of that day.

Joseph is now in prison because he would not give in to temptation from the wife of Potiphar.

These things began with dreams and it would be dreams that would bring Joseph before Pharaoh.

*****Gen 41:14  Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. 

If we do not see anything else, we had better see the power of God behind the political world and the governments of the world.

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

God never puts rulers in place to do bad things! 

Joseph had now waited a long time for his deliverance, but he knew it was coming, he just did not know when.

It is the same for the Church today. We are bought and paid for by the blood of the Lamb of God. We are awaiting on the Lord to take us home!

We should also be able to see that it was not for Joseph's sake that he was called out of prison, it was because a mighty Pharaoh had a need that he did not understand.

Joseph recognizing this made himself presentable. As God's children we should never look like the world.

Joseph was not recognizing the Pharaoh's power he was recognizing God's power!

The world of that day needed the blessings of God to survive just as it is for the world today. We live in a dying world!

Pharaoh does not beat around the bush, he needed answers to these dreams that he did not understand.

Notice also Joseph is just as calm in the presence of Pharaoh as he was in the prison.

*****Gen 41:15  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 

Gen 41:16  And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 

Joseph listens calmly as Pharaoh make his case, and the reason he had asked to see Joseph.

There was no one in all of Pharaoh's council who could interpret this dream of Pharaoh and this man had enough sense to not let it go.

To Pharaoh this thing seemed too important to let go and he was right. 

In this dream was not just the plan to feed the family of Israel, but to feed all of Egypt and much of the world of that day.

We should understand that there is never a day that God does not make sure there is enough food to feed the world.

It is the governments and rulers who allow for people to starve to death!

Joseph takes only a moment to tell Pharaoh that he does not have the ability to interpret dreams, but it is the God of the Hebrews, who only can interpret these type of dreams!

In other words there was no false god that could have such an ability!

Psa 25:14  The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 

Pro 3:31  Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 

Pro 3:32  For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. 

The world simply cannot see nor understand the truth!

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

2Co 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 

Joseph clearly understood things that many Church members do not understand today!

Pharaoh then tells Joseph his dream and the Lord gives Joseph the proper interpretation.

*****Gen 41:28  This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. 

This message was for Pharaoh not Joseph or the children of Israel.

It would be Pharaoh who would have to make the right decision after he heard the interpretation of his dreams!

By showing Pharaoh the answer to these dreams, Joseph is now accepted as a Prophet of the Hebrew God, Elohim.

It was only later that God said He was the Great "I Am".

We must also understand that there is no "science" in interpreting the Word of God.

God says what He means, and God means what He says!

This is the message Joseph gave to Pharaoh as did Daniel.

Dan 2:27  Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 

Dan 2:28  But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 

No government leader should be swayed by his councilors until he knows he has the truth. If he is not satisfied with their answers then he will need to go outside that group of people and there is no better man to go that the true man of God.

I do not need to know what my government says, I need to know what my God says!

For all those who think that "science" must confirm or agree to the Word of God for the Word of God to be true are only foolish. 

Just accept a literal translation of the Word of God, "rightly divided"!

Science changes as time goes by but the Word of God never changes because the truth will always be the truth.

*****Gen 41:29  Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 

Gen 41:30  And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; 

Gen 41:31  And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. 

Remember how Moses became God's Prophet to Pharaoh well we see that Joseph had set the example as Joseph was now God's Prophet to Pharaoh.

It is a fact that God has the power to give His servants understanding and insight! 

God still does this today, but He uses His written Word to tell us of our future so there is no need for prophets.

God tells us to study the Word of God.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

If our new president needs some insight of the things of our world, and he does, then he should just study the Bible just as God told all the kings of Israel and all rulers then and today.

It is not enough to swear upon a book you have never read!

What was soon coming to Egypt? A famine such that has never been seen by the people of Egypt and the surrounding lands but before this occurred there would be seven years of plenty above what was normal.

Decisions have to be made in the good years because bad years always come.

In other words, we need to prepare for that bad day because it is certainly coming!

Again God had to get Jacob and his family to come to Egypt and it would never have happened without this famine! 

Did God cause this famine? No, God does not do bad things! He does allow them to take place!

We must repeat this over and over. God does not do bad things, but He does allow many of them to take place!

It is Satan the Deceiver who caused this bad thing to happen.

Now do not get me wrong, God does have some rules as God told the children of Israel.

Deu 11:16  Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; 

Deu 11:17  And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. 

Could God have stopped this thing? Yes, and He will explain it all to us one day!

Again, it was Satan trying to destroy the path to the Messiah and he will try many more times before the Lord is born in Bethlehem.

Seven years is nothing in the plan of God and remember God has written it all down for us to see that the only path to eternal life with Him is through and by the Lord Jesus Christ!

When God takes the time to tell us what is about to happen, He does this so we can prepare for the worse.

Today God tells us what will happen if we do not believe what He says, and we are fools if we do not take the Word of God serious!

When God repeats Himself, then we can expect things to happen soon!

The famine that was coming would wipe away all the good thoughts of those years of plenty.

These things were certain!

*****Gen 41:32  And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. 

Notice how the Holy Ghost now gives us a Biblical study tool.

When God has to repeat Himself then we can be sure these things will happen soon!

God repeats Himself because of His "Mercy". If God warns us one time then that is enough, but because God loves His creation, He repeats Himself many times.

Joseph could speak boldly because he was speaking the truth!

It is the same with every true Prophet in the Scriptures. They speak boldly because they speak the truth! The Word of God is that truth!

Joseph was so sure he then goes on to teach the most powerful man in the world of that day just what to do.

We will see that this Pharaoh was a pagan, but he did have some intelligence.

*****Gen 41:38  And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 

Joseph had told Pharaoh that he needed a man who knew how to get Egypt through these 14 years.

Obviously, this wisdom came by the Lord, but we can see this young man named Joseph was certainly a special young man.

This man in charge would buy up one-fifth of all the grains that were harvested in those seven years of plenty.

Remember these were seven years of plenty so the crops would be greater than in a normal year.

All this grain would be stored in many cities safe and secure from the elements and with the seal of Pharaoh.

It would be much easier to handle the distribution of this food when the time came to do so.

This food would be held in reserve, unused for anything else, but those seven years of famine.

By this Egypt would be secure from economic collapse during the coming famine.

God has the power for our voices to be heard at His timing!

God will provide the wisdom that we need as He promises!

Psa 104:24  O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Pro 2:6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

If we belong to the Lord and are following in His Will, He will give us understand and wisdom and speak through us, but we must have "faith"!

if we make ourselves available to the Lord, He will use us! God loves volunteers, ask Isaiah.

Joseph did not shy away though he stood before the earthly ruler of the world on that day.

Joseph knew that it was Elohim who was the God of all power and we are all puny in any power we think we have.

*****Gen 41:39  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 

Gen 41:40  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

Gen 41:41  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 

This free advice, given to Pharaoh was sound advice, in fact, so sound that even if the famine did not come the government of Pharaoh could not lose have control of such a valuable commodity.

Joseph was a man with the gift of God, the spirit of wisdom.

Joseph was free of selfishness.

Joseph was not plotting for advancement.

Joseph was pure used of the Holy Spirit.

Pharaoh was the sinner.

Pharaoh was rich and had need of nothing, or so he thought. (Reminds us of the last Church Age)

Pharaoh began to see that there was a God that he did not know about.

If Joseph had just interpreted the dream and said nothing else, Egypt would not have survived because Pharaoh lacked the wisdom to do the right thing.

If Joseph had not been selected to make sure these things were handled properly then Egypt would not have survived.

God was not so much set on the survival of Egypt as he was the survival of Israel, and this will never change.

The world needs to wake up to this fact today!

God knows what will take place at all times now and all future times, as long as time last!

Joseph had come out of the prison one day because he was requested by the Pharaoh of Egypt.

Before this day was over Joseph was wearing the signet ring of Pharaoh that was used to for signing public documents.

Joseph then began to wear a coat of fine linen. See even the coat made by his father Israel was a picture of prophecy!

He also wore a gold necklace, a badge of rank, indicating his rank and authority.

Joseph also had the privilege of riding in the state chariot.

A Pharaoh would have two chariots. One the state chariot, the other a war chariot.

There would be someone crying before him which said, "bend the head, bow the knee".

Joseph would be treated as royalty, as long as this Pharaoh lived and maybe longer as long as the family of this Pharaoh lived.

We know it was over 400 years before a wicked Pharaoh wanted to destroy Israel by making them all slaves.

*****Gen 42:6  And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. 

Joseph was now Governor over all the land of Egypt.

All merchantmen from every nation had to appear in person before Joseph to buy or to sell.

Remember Israel (Jacob) was a very rich man, who sent his sons to do business in Egypt, but Joseph had no responsibility to sell them anything.

After 22 years Joseph and his brothers were again face to face and according to the early dreams of Joseph, they bowed the knee with their faces toward the earth.

Gen 37:6  And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: 

Gen 37:7  For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. 

Gen 37:8  And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. 

Gen 37:9  And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. 

Gen 37:10  And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? 

Gen 37:11  And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. 

His brothers did not yet know this was Joseph and they did not recognize him with his new coat and position.

And Joseph did speak roughly to them as they had to him.

We see that nothing can stop the plan of God for He influences many rulers of this world and sets them all in power, though we may not understand why certain men become rulers or why they do what they do.

The survival of the nation of Egypt and maybe many other nations depended upon Joseph, but also the survival of Israel and his family was now in the hands of Joseph.

The world thinks things just happen by accident because this is the teaching of evolution!

The pure fact is, that all the things of this world happen according to the "providence of God working in our lives"!

There are no accidents!

Very seldom if any at all, does things happen to people unless someone breaking some law or someone involved was breaking a law.

Even trips and falls happen because we are reckless and stubborn.

Think about it and you will know this is true.

It is God who holds all life in His hands, and He knows what will happen to each of us daily and in our future.

God is under no obligation to extend the life of any of us!

God and God only, knows those who will return to Him!

Isa 55:6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 

Isa 55:7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 

Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 

Isa 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

God knows those who will return to Him just as well as He does those who will never turn to Him!

Joseph finally had to tell his brothers the truth.

*****Gen 45:3  And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 

When you have been concealing the truth for 22 years and the reality of that truth confronts you, you will not know what to say.

Num 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

It is by the providence of God that the truth will surface and lies will be exposed.

Yes, it will happen in our own government sooner, or later, not because I say so, but because God says so.

Joseph could no longer hold back his emotions.

Joseph had received "Grace" so now he offered "Grace".

Joseph understood why all things that happened to him, happened.

Joseph never took his eyes off of the Lord God Almighty.

Joseph understood what forgiveness really means!

Rewards can happen upon this earth, though most of our rewards will take place when we meet Jesus in the clouds.

Joseph's rewards were not his position nor his riches in Egypt.

Joseph's reward was being reunited with his family!

In this instance, by typology, Joseph is a type of our Heavenly Father!

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

God did not create Hell for humans, Hell was created for the Devil and his fallen angels.

Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 

2Pe 2:4  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 

Jud 1:6  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

If you end up in Hell, it will be because you have rejected the truth! There is a place called Hell!

Joseph must yield to his love for his family.

*****Gen 45:4  And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Joseph had always loved his brothers and never understood why they did what they did.

It took 22 years and a great distance for these 10 men to know love for their brother.

Joseph forgave his brothers because Joseph realized that the hand of God was involved in his purpose.

Joseph was treated badly by his brothers because of envy, jealousy and hatred because that this is what they had seen all their childhood days.

They had now spent 22 years seeing how this thing had affected their father and they were more mature.

If we study the Scriptures, we see that Joseph had reacted with love toward his brothers just as the Bible teaches.

God had not caused these men to mistreat their brother Joseph.

God had not caused Joseph to be sold into slavery, but God used it to further His plan for Israel.

God had not caused all the things that had happened to Joseph while he was in Egypt, but God had been with Joseph every moment of his life and caused him to prosper in all the things he had done.

Joseph wanted his brother to come closer to him because there were some things the Egyptians did not need to know, and Joseph wanted to put them at ease.

God wants us all to be just as forgiving as He is!

Mar 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

Mar 11:25  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 

Mar 11:26  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 

Joseph had forgiven them.

They knew what they had done and after reminding them just to show he was Joseph, not much more needed to be said.

Forgiveness shows love!

*****Gen 45:5  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 

When we realize that we are in the plan of God, and He has His hand upon us, we get to see the bigger picture. Somewhat like God sees His plan in action.

These brothers needed to establish some trust now that they had been reunited and the first step was forgiveness.

Jealousy, envy, bitterness and hatred had to be put aside for God's plan to become real.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

When we look back at all the foolish things and serious sin, we have done all our lives, we can become discouraged, but Joseph did not want his brothers to feel this way.

God can bring good out of every mistake and God has more forgiveness than we have error.

But we must repent and repent still means much more than saying "I am sorry".

There must be some action in our repentance.

These ten brothers were forgiven by Joseph and it was time for them to get together and save this family that God intended to build a nation from.

They were just a small part of the nation of Israel that exists today.

Joseph was sent before his family to make preparations, by the hand of God!

Psa 105:16  Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. 

Psa 105:17  He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 

Psa 105:18  Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 

Psa 105:19  Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. 

Psa 105:20  The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 

Psa 105:21  He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 

Psa 105:22  To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. 

Psa 105:23  Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 

Psa 105:24  And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. 

One of these days we will wake up and see that God knows what He is doing.

He has given us a purpose.

He has given us commandments.

Our one and only duty is to obey!

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 

Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

Lets let God be God and stay out of His way, while we are obedient to do what He has called us to do!

Joseph told his brothers that this famine had just begun, and it was going to get worse.

This is the same message we have today.

The persecution we see today is going to get worse before the Lord takes us home!

Amen