Nov 29 (Genesis 44) Love and Forgiveness

We see the characteristics of a true Christian through Joseph. Among the characteristics, a prominent characteristic of a Christian is forgiveness. One of the greatest acts of Joseph is forgiving the brothers who tried to kill him. Forgiveness makes one’s life complete. One who can forgive his or her enemy is a completely mature person. Another characteristic discovered through Joseph is love. The gospel is love. I pray that you would become like Joseph and be a forgiving and a loving person. What kind of love did Joseph have? We all love; we love our brothers, we love our parents, and we love our country. We want to love. However, our love has many tensions. We love when we feel good. When others are good to us, we are good to them. However, when others are bad to us, we are not good to them. Many spouses love similarly. If the spouse is not good to the other spouse, they get a divorce. This is the love of the modern spouses. We have so many conditions to love. Because our love is conditional, love creates tensions and limitation. We are touched by Joseph’s love. Loving the brothers from another mother is not easy. They tried to kill him and sent him as a slave to Egypt. However, Joseph loved and forgave his half brothers. The Bible does not say that Joseph struggled in loving his brothers. Joseph loved his brothers without a doubt even though Joseph was not in the situation to love his brothers. No one would think badly of Joseph for hating his brothers. However, he loved them and we are shocked by Joseph’s love. We must not ignore the message of Joseph’s love for the love has power. A pastor wrote: “My love as a pastor is fake. I am patient. I try to love. At times I succeed, other times I fail. Because I’m a pastor, I do not outwardly reveal. On the outside, I seem to be victorious. However, it is the not reality. I am a disgraceful pastor.” It is the same for me. This is the love humans have. However, God is not human. Joseph’s love was like the love of God. Joseph’s love is shocking because the love was unconditional. Joseph did not love his brothers because they were good to him. Joseph was hated by his brothers and his brothers were envious of him. The brothers hated Joseph to a point to sell him off as a slave. Still, Joseph did not have bad feelings toward his brothers. Even when he was sold off, even when he was in jail, Joseph never had a bitter feeling towards his brothers. The Bible does not record a single complaint of Joseph to his brothers. Instead, Joseph missed his brothers.
When Joseph met his brothers for the first time in 20 years, he wanted to call them, “brothers” instead of overpowering his brothers with his authority. However, because he had a greater purpose, Joseph did not reveal his identity. So Joseph, with overwhelmed emotions, turn and secretly wept.
Joseph was a person of love. This love is the love of Jesus and the love of God. Being good to those who are good to me-this is not love. Getting mad at those who get mad at me-this is not love. Love those who do not do good to you, those who make you made, and make you face a loss; this is true love. I desire this love. I hope we would grow this love inside us. We must be able to love and pray for even those who have harmed us. This was Joseph’s love. Luke 10 tells a parable: A person fell into the hands of robbers and he was about to die. A Levite and the priest just passed him by. However, a Samaritan saw him and saved him. The Samaritan was able to care for the man because of love. The Samaritan did not ask who the man was. The Samaritan was not interested in who the person was but the fact that he was harmed by the thief; the Samaritan was not interested in the compensation for being good to the man. People often times love more depending on who the person is. However, God loves us all. God does not calculate love with us. I hope you do not calculate love or love based on who the person is. The Samaritan was able to help the man who fell into the hands of the thief because the Samaritan did not calculate the loss and benefit for helping the man. The Samaritan did not wonder whether he would be paid or gain anything for helping the man. The Samaritan simply helped because the man needed the help. If the enemy needs help, we must be able to nurse the enemy. The Samaritan continued to show love to the man. The Samaritan did not help the man only in the scene but the Samaritan took the man to an inn and took out two silver coins, gave them to the innkeeper, asked to look after the man, and said that extra expense would be reimbursed. The Samaritan’s love is similar to the love of Jesus, and to the love of Joseph. I hope we would stop calculating the gains and loss before helping others. God wants love that sacrifices. Romans 5:5 says, “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us”. The Holy Spirit fills our heart with love. We cannot do it by our own strength. The Holy Spirit must fill us with the true love; this is the only way we can love unconditionally. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you love. The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love. Love completes the law. Jesus’ greatest message was “love the neighbors as yourself”. Pray to God so your neighbors would be blessed. Pray so that you would be able to truly love. God must overflow you with love for you to love without calculations. Remember Jesus’ love. Do not love by your own methods and with your own emotions and feelings. The love will fail. Be determined to love like God loves. Love without conditions and despite their actions towards you.
Joseph in today’s passage tricks his brothers with a great purpose. The brothers persuaded their father to sending the youngest Benjamin to Egypt. In Egypt, Joseph treated them with a feast and with grains they were about to head home. Joseph put a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. It is written in verses 4 and 5: 4 They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil? 5 Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.' "
Joseph’s plan led his brothers to become mature. The brothers who always complained to their father now loved their father deeply. They made efforts so their father did not get hurt. The brothers who were jealous of one another now tried to help and encourage one another. We can see that the brothers tried to protect Benjamin. It is written in verses 7-9: 7 But they said to him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! 8 We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house? 9 If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."
In verse 11, the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. The brothers did not do anything wrong. However, they could not think of an explanation. Have you ever experienced a similar situation? An unjust situation where there were no ways you could justify yourself. The brothers could only give up now. There was no one to help him. The brothers were in a completely different circumstance than the circumstances they were in 20 years ago. I hope you are different now from 20 years ago. Some people do not want to change because of pride. However, faith makes you change. Personality is the frame of faith. No matter how much you try to put in a new picture, if the frame does not change, only the old pictures would be able to fit in. Verse 16 says, “"What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt. We are now my lord's slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.” Even though they have not sinned, Judah said “we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup”. The brothers truly changed. They used to only think of oneself. They said that they would equally receive the punishment. Verse 17 says, “But Joseph said, ‘Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave.” Joseph declined Judah’s request. Judah could go home and say to his father, “I have tried my best but there was nothing I could do.” However, Judah continuously made a request to Joseph. Verse 18 says, “Then Judah went up to him and said: "Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.” From verse 18-34, Judah continued to make an appeal to Joseph. In summery Judah said, “You have asked us to bring the brother my father loves the most. So we persuaded our father to send us his son. Now this has happened to Benjamin and how can we go back home and see our father without him?” Judah thought of his elderly father. He did not think of a way to survive first. I hope you have the same attitude towards your father. Think of your weak and elderly father. When we were young we followed the powerful father. However, when our fathers are old, we can obey or disobey him. Judah thought of his father. He said that he would rather die than to disappoint his father. God raised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the ancestor of faith, and Jacob’s 12 sons were raised as the 12 tribes of Israel. However, up to chapter 42 of Genesis, Jacob’s sons were pitiful. They slept with the wife of their father and they even murdered. God still used them to raise Israel. Now the sons were starting to change. God was waiting for this moment.
I believe we can change. We may have lived by our own methods in the past. But God does not give up on us just as He led the 12 pitiful sons to become the tribes of Israel.
I believe that you can become God’s tools despite your past. Even though you have made a mistake and was immature in the past, God revives you little by little. This is the message we need to receive through the brothers. Judah continued to make an appeal in verses 32-33: 32 Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!' 33 "Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
Judah says that he cannot hurt his father once again. So he made an appeal to be taken as a slave so Benjamin could return home. Judah’s appeal by risking his life made Joseph reveal himself. This is the secret to prayer. We try to pray without facing a loss. However, the prayer has no power. True prayer is praying with your life. Abraham truly prayed. Abraham’s prayer interfered God who was about to bring judgment upon Sodom. We must have this cry of desperation in our prayer. Real prayer is holding unto the cross and dying on the cross. This prayer saves the nation, church, and family. I pray that your true love and prayer would be blessed. Remember Joseph’s unconditional love and characteristics. Remember Judah’s prayer. Then we will change and become a proper Christian.

Nov 15 (Genesis 43) Deeper Faith and Greater Grace

Long time passed since Joseph’s brothers returned from Egypt. The food they brought from Egypt was reaching its bottom. Livestock probably died out of hunger. Jacob was filled with pain by the destructive sight. Jacob’s sons knew they had to go back to Egypt for more food. However, they could not bring up the subject. Instead, the father brought up the subject.
It is written in verses 1-5: 1 Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” 3 But Judah said to him, "The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”
Judah represented his brothers and repeatedly told their father that they must bring Benjamin to Egypt in order buy more food. The brothers were in dilemma. If the brothers did nothing, they would starve to death. If they went to Egypt without Benjamin, they would be killed by the second-in-command. What would you do in this situation?
It is written in verse 6: 6 Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?”
The father held a grudge against his sons for telling the truth. What an absurd father! He passed his responsibilities on his sons and when problem arose, he blamed them. The sons replied to their father in verse 7.
7 They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’ he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’ We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?
The brothers told their father that they would not have told the truth if they knew the intentions for asking the questions. The brothers probably were frustrated too. There was nothing they could do. An important message here is this: God’s providence is there when unintended circumstances arise. Do not hold a grudge on your neighbors when unexpected circumstances arise. God is at work.
Verse 8 says, “Then Judah said to Israel his father, ‘Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.’” Judah made a decision for they did not have much time.
It is written in verses 9-10: 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. 10 As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.”
We discover Judah’s sacrifice and determination. He promised to be responsible for Benjamin; if Benjamin was harmed, Judah will carry the blame for the rest of his life. Just as Jesus’ sacrifice saved humanity, Judah’s sacrifice resulted in the happiness in the family. Judah surely changed. Judah suggested selling Joseph as a slave instead of killing him. We were able to glance at Judah’s loyal side. However, he was not able to demonstrate complete loyalty; he sold his brother and took the money. He prevented Joseph’s death, but at the same time, he played the lead role in selling Joseph as a slave. However, in the end, Judah was rewarded with blessings because of his sacrifice. 1 Chronicles 5:2 says, “and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)” Even though Joseph had the rights of the firstborn, Judah became the highest among his brothers and was blessed with the throne. Instead of becoming the leader among the family, he became the leader of a nation. Through Judah, David was born, and in the future, Jesus was born. Genesis 49 says that Judah will be praised by his brothers and that the ruler’s staff will not depart from him. Judah’s sacrifice to guarantee the safety of Benjamin led to a great blessing. For this reason, I think God is pleased when we guarantee our life to God. I pray that you would sacrifice your body, your heart, and your soul to God.
Let’s take a closer look at the attitude of Jacob. Jacob had to depend his son Benjamin to his sons.
Verse 11 says, “Then their father Israel said to them, ‘If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift— a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.”
Jacob’s way of survival was bribery. Whenever circumstances swift Jacob to meet someone, he always took a bribe with him. He did so when he had to meet his brother; he took 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 female sheep, 20 male sheep, 30 camels, their offspring, 40 female cow, 10 male cow, 20 female donkey, and 10 calves to his brother. Bribery was Jacob’s conduct of life. In other words, Jacob was accustomed to the way of worldly life.
Verse 12 says, “Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake.”
Not only did Jacob send them silver they were returned but he told them to take double the amount of silver. Instead of depending on God, he used worldly methods. Immediately living by God’s method is difficult after living many years by the world’s method. It is understandable. However, this behavior becomes the barrier in fulfilling God’s will and living the life of faith. We must get down on our knees and pray that we would change. We will not experience the work of God if we continue to live our life by worldly methods. Verse 13 says, “Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.” Jacob eventually gave bribes and his son Benjamin. Sending Benjamin away was a great determination for Jacob that gave him tears. In the perspective of salvation theology, giving up brings salvation. Many people still have not accepted Christ or have a misty faith because they do not give up and sacrifice clearly and definitely. Giving up is difficult. Giving up the life of the past is especially difficult. However, faith is giving up. One must give up in order to gain. To pick one woman to marry means to give up the rest of the woman on earth. If you still have an eye on another woman, then you bring destruction to the family. How can you make a choice and gain without giving up? We commonly try to hold onto both God and the world. However, this worldly thought makes us lose both. People suffer living a sinful life of the world, but they cannot entirely give up the world. They will not be able to gain anything. What happened to Jacob who forcefully gave up his goods and his son? Jacob discovered God. Then he finally gained emotional freedom. It is written in verses 14-15: 14 And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” 15 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph.
Jacob finally began to pray. He finally says that the God Almighty wants to grant them grace. Jacob learned to pray when he gave up Benjamin. The statement coming out of Jacob’s mouth is unimaginable, “If I am bereaved, I am bereaved”. Jacob was entrusting Benjamin on God; he was confessing the fact that he cannot determine to kill or save Benjamin. Queen Esther made the same confession and prayer. She trusted God and the faith saved God’s people. It is written in verses 16-17: 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house.
Queen Esther made the same confession and prayer. She trusted God and the faith saved God’s people. It is written in verses 16-17: 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house.
Unimaginable events were occurring. Joseph saw Benjamin. If the brothers did not bring Benjamin with them, he had to send his brothers to jail. Joseph was so happy, he ordered feast for his brothers. However, the invitation brought fear to his brothers. It is written in Genesis 43:17-18: 17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph's house. 18 Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house.
They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.” The sinners are always filled with fear whether they are greeted with good or bad news because they fear their sins have been revealed. The innocent are upright. I pray that you would be one of the people who are upright. I hope you would have freedom rather than the heart of fear and uncertainty. The brothers did not know Joseph was the second-in-command. Joseph knew his brothers did not steal the money. If the brothers did not steal the money, they had to be upright, but they were uncomfortable in the situation because of the sins they committed in the past. Human’s nature is fear and uncertainty. Fear of death and future. Verse 18 teaches us that if we do not depend on God, we will be in fear. When we are anxious, we have ominous imagination. In verse 18, the brothers react with fear. The brothers thought they were being taken away for stealing the money. They go further and think they will be seized and taken as slaves. Misfortune is not given but created by oneself. Negative thoughts block one’s own future. Do not have negative thoughts; it is not real. The truth is you did not depend on God. Depend on God and your future will brighten up and be blessed. Joseph’s brothers were in fear and confessed that they did not steal the money. It is written in verses 19-23: 19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “Please, sir,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.” 23 “It's all right,” he said. “Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
Suffering brings truth out of people. Adverse circumstances make people innocent. Joseph’s brothers in the past murdered, they were jealous, and they argued. However, when they faced death, they confessed the truth. When we are progressing favorably and are at peace, we do not confess our sins. In the other hand, when people encounter circumstances that are difficult to resolve with their own hands, they become honest. They reveal their weakness. This is the reason for suffering and trials. God is interest in making us honest, righteous, and clean. God works with us through trials and sufferings. In those moments, we become honest and speak the truth. The problem of Christians today is superficial faith. They live by their own desires as they simply come to church without much meaning and lightly believe in Christ. True and deep confession is important.
Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” Why did God make 600,000 Israelites suffer for 40 years instead of leading them to the Promised Land flowing with honey directly? God had 2 purposes. First, God wanted to make them humble through their sufferings. Second, God wanted to teach them obedience; God wanted to test their obedience. Test is not bad. We must be tested so we can reach the next level. God tested us so we can take another step forward in our faith. Making us prosper and healthy is easy for God; God does not make us suffer because He is not capable. God wants us to be humble and obey.
23 “It's all right,” he said. “Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24 The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.
This is the blessing as a result of humbleness and obedience. The second-in-command told them that the money was theirs and not to fear. God compensates us for our honesty. God gave them the money, returned Simeon to them, and they feet were washed. I pray that we would experience the grace from being humble and obedient.

Nov 08 (Genesis 42) God-centered Circumstances

Joseph, the man of dreams and the man of faith, finally became the second-in-command at the age of 30. A miracle occurred. Bible calls it grace. I pray that you would experience this grace and miracle.
Thinking of Joseph make us have a higher expectation of our own dream and faith. Joseph faced death at the age of 17 by his own brothers. Overnight, Joseph became an orphan. Then he was accused of a crime by a woman and spent 20 years in jail. How was Joseph able to become the second-in-command in the midst of all these unfortunate circumstances? Why was Joseph blessed?
The reason is not Joseph’s intelligence, but he was blessed because God was with him. When God was with him, his wisdom and intelligence shined and his life was filled with blessings. We must only depend on God. God was pleased with Joseph. Joseph was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was honest in all circumstances and he grew in his dreams.
He did not carelessly accept the dreams given to him by God. Keep the word of God in your heart. You must be touched by God. You will be touched when you read the Bible, when you listen to the sermon, or when you pray. Do not consider being touched by God as a passing event, but keep it in your heart. Learn from Joseph that one day the dream will be fulfilled.
Joseph experienced many changes in his circumstances. However, he never had a bitter feeling towards God. We also experience changes in circumstances; at times we face trials and at times we face a loss. Joseph was blessed when he did not hold a grudge against God even in the difficult moments. God blessed Joseph with intelligence and wisdom because Joseph’s spirit was clear and pure.
Those who are close with God have a clean spirit. I met many elderly people in Korea who were not educated. However, when I talked to them, I was surprised. They spoke with wisdom and intelligence because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. People with clear spirit make the right judgment because God gives them the wisdom the people of the world does not have. This wisdom allowed Joseph to interpret the dreams of the baker, cupbearer, and the Pharaoh. I pray that you would be filled with the intelligence and wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
After becoming the second-in-command, Egypt had seven years of prosperity. Storage was built to store crops over the years of prosperity. Then after the 7 years of prosperity, 7 years of famine followed. The storage was opened and supplied Egyptians with crops. The dangerous famine was not a problem for Joseph. The danger is not a problem to those who pray and are prepared. Disaster greets the unprepared. The famine did not occur only in Egypt. The nearby countries also faced famine; Jacob and his family faced famine in the Promised Land also.
It is written in verse 42:1-2, 1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
The people in the Promised Land ran out of food and had to risk their lives in search for food in the foreign countries. God’s providence begins here through famine-God created an opportunity for Joseph to meet his brothers through famine.
It is written in verses 3-5: 3Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. 5So Israel's sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.
Those who went to Egypt to buy food were the ten brothers who wanted to forget Joseph. However, we later realize that they were not able to forget Joseph. Like Joseph’s brothers, some people drink, do drugs, or have other habits to forget about their guilt.
Jacob was afraid to lose, Joseph’s brother, Benjamin, so he did not send Benjamin to Egypt. We see the fear of the father who lost a son. Jacob was still filled with pain of losing Joseph. It is written in verses 6-7: 6Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” Then brothers came before Joseph and bowed down;
Joseph’s dream at the age of 17 was being fulfilled. Joseph’s brothers did not know the dream was being fulfilled. This is God’s providence and His method. Joseph immediately recognized his brothers. However, his brothers did not recognize him. We see God’s hands at work; he allowed Joseph and his brothers to meet. They did not meet out of coincidence. Joseph’s brothers lived their lives pretending to have forgotten, but their hearts were fixed on the moment when they sold their brother Joseph as a slave. Time had passed, but they were not able to forget. Sin does not go away after a while. Guilt does not fade. One who is not forgiven is filled with fear and pain. Still, the brothers did not try to resolve their sins and search for Joseph. So, God opened an opportunity for them.
There was famine and the brothers headed for Egypt in search for food. Unexpectedly they stood before Joseph. This event cannot be planned by humans; it occurred by God’s interference. Verse 8 says, “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.”
Joseph immediately recognized his brothers. However, he pretended to not know them not because Joseph was angry at them. Joseph already forgave his brothers. Salvation’s secret is hidden in Joseph’s behavior towards his brother. If Joseph spoke up to his brothers, the brothers would not have the chance to repent their mistake.
It is written in verses 9-13: 9Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 10“No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. 11We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.” 12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 13But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”
Joseph called his brothers spies so the brothers would tell the truth. It is written in verses 15-16: 15And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth.
The brothers faced a difficult situation. They were in distress because they could not make the request to their father. However, Joseph made that specific request. Joseph sent nine brothers into jail and sent one to bring Benjamin. Then he put them in jail for three days. It is written in verses 18-20: 18On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. 20But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
Joseph changed his mind in three days. Instead of nine, he put one in jail and sent the rest with crops back home for the starving households.
Verse 21 says, “They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us.’”
The work of the Holy Spirit is revealed from verse 21. The reason for suffering began to reveal. They thought they were being punished because of Joseph. The more difficult the trials, the more they revealed their sins. This is God’s purpose; this is suffering. The suffering made them remember their sins. I hope you remember the sins you committed in the past. Even though you forgot, I hope you remember and resolve it. Hatred, bitterness, and grudge must be broken. Then God’s blessing will flow and you will bear fruits. The brothers think their current suffering was to compensate for the suffering Joseph faced because of them. They knew the meaning of suffering. God used not just Joseph but the rest of Jacob’s sons to build Israel. God was opening the brothers the chance to repent so they can be lifted up. I hope you would know the meaning of your sufferings. Have you ever harmed others in the past? It is easy for people to be dull towards the harm we bring to others. However, we must remember them. If Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, the brothers would not have repented. They would not be able to deepen their faith. The superficial faith is a problem today. Many people only think of the grace and seek romantic faith. Therefore, they commit sins. Their faith is shallow. The depth of repentance is the depth of faith. Those who shed tears because of their sins do not commit the same sin. Without completely revealing sins, great blessings do not follow. Without repentance, complaining to God becomes easy when experiencing difficult circumstances. David was one of God’s people, but he committed great sins against God. His repentance and suffering is written in Psalm 32:1-4. 1Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
To David, the experience was like bones wasting away. Whenever David committed sins, he felt the heavy hands of God upon him. David is not great because he defeated Goliath, but because of his repentance.
It is written in verses 24-25 in today’s passage: 24He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. 25Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them,
Joseph loved his brothers. He turned away and cried but he dealt with his brothers harshly in front. Joseph seemed scary to his brothers. Joseph put Simeon in jail, but he gave them grains. But that was not his intention.
It is written in verses 26-28: 26they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. 27At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. 28“My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.” Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”
Joseph secretly gave them their silvers back. The brothers discovered the silver on their way back and responded, “What is this that God has done to us?” In their perspective, they could be accused of stealing from Egypt during famine. They began to think clearly. They began to think of all the circumstances God-centered.
In verses 29-34, the brothers explain to their father Jacob all that happened.
It is written in verses 35-38: 35As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 36Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” 37Then Reuben said to his father, "You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.” 38But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”
Even though Jacob is one of the ancestors of faith, we see the side of him without spiritual discernment. He was not able to see God’s providence. So he thought everything was against him.
I pray that you would look at all circumstances in the God-centered perspective. Do not look at the circumstances in your own perspective.
If you believe in Jesus Christ and became God’s child, all circumstances are blessed circumstances. If you look at the times you have been wrongly blamed and harmed in God’s perspective, you will be greatly blessed like Joseph. God does not bring ruin to his own people. Look towards the great blessings God will bring. Remember that God will even use your failure to bless you. I pray that we would only look at God’s providence in our lives. There is no coincidence in the lives of Christians. All occur according to God’s plans.

Oct 04 (Genesis 39:1-6) Christian's Perspective on Life

The story of Joseph continues today. Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt by his brothers. Before he was sent off, Joseph was loved the most among his brothers by their father. He had a dream and was filled with hope. At home, he was treated like a prince. Then all of a sudden, he was sold and became a slave in someone else’s home-he must have been shocked. One who experience sudden change in status or environment face a great shock. Some people faint, become paralyzed, experience insomnia, or get diagnosed with a mental problem due to the sudden great shock. However, I believe that those who truly believe in Christ become stronger not weaker in the sudden change in circumstance. Because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. We shared a story on Thursday during Bible study: There was a man who was blind from birth. People asked Jesus, “Why is the man blind? Is it because of his sins or the sins of his parents?” We tend to think that an accident occurs or one is ill because of someone’s mistake. However, Jesus said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life”. Difficulty brings an opportunity to see God’s work. This is Christian’s perspective on life. If we truly look at life as Jesus did, we would not be filled with distress and give up on life when difficulty face us.
Let’s take a look at verses 1 and 2: 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
There was no one to help Joseph. He had no future. He could not predict his destiny. In this situation, we can ask two questions: First, “Why did this occur?” What did Joseph do wrong to face this kind of distress? Joseph is not the answer. The cause of your suffering is not you. The answer to the question is God. Difficult circumstances as this occur in our lifetime. In those moments, we want God to explain the reasons for the sufferings. How grateful would it be for God to tell Joseph ahead of time that His plan was to raise him up higher than Pharaoh’s officials? If God gave a hint, 13 years of pain would not have been so difficult. However, Joseph did not know that God’s plan was to raise him to become the second to highest in power of Egypt within 30 years. Bad things seem to happen to good people. Believe that God’s providence is there. We can escape from fear and suffering when we believe that God’s hands are on us. This leads to the second question.
The second question we may ask is, “Out of all the houses, how did Joseph end up in the house of Pharaoh’s official?” The answer to this question is not Potiphar but God. Potiphar’s house was chosen so Joseph can meet the Pharaoh. Here we see God’s invisible providence. Know that God works and leads His people even in times we cannot feel or see Him. Joseph seems to be unfortunate to be sold off as a slave by his brothers before the age of 20. He could have cried after being sold by his brother. However, the Bible does not state that he cried or lamented. Joseph endured the suffering as the slave. Few moments ago, he used to wear a colorful robe. Now he wore a slave’s clothes. He did not own any possession. His life and death was determined by the owner. In this difficult and rough situation, verse 2 of today’s passage says that Joseph prospered. No matter how much I read this verse, I cannot understand this statement. How can Joseph’s current circumstance be the form of a prosperous person? If Joseph was really filled by God’s grace, shouldn’t he have been able to escape and return back home? How can someone who prospered be suffering? If Joseph was prosperous, instead of Pharaoh’s official, he should have met the Pharaoh himself or not work as a servant but be served. However, he was a servant. The Egyptian became Joseph’s owner. God wanted to do something through Joseph while he was there. God does not like seeing his people being stuck in a corner, shaking, and being anxious. God also does not want us to eat and play.
You have probably heard about Warren Edward Buffett, the second wealthiest man on Earth. When he gave 85% of his possession, about 31 billion dollars, to the community, news reporters asked him, “Why did you invest your money on the community instead of passing it down to your children?” Then he replied, “I gave to my children. I gave enough for them to eat and live; I did not give them enough to eat and play.” He is a wise father. Many children of wealthy family fail because they only eat and play. Warren’s children probably will not fail. God does not give us so we could eat and play. We need to make an effort; we need to sweat and be tense in our life. This way we can be a proper person. One does not gain a built body without sweating and exercising. Muscles do not form without carrying something heavy. In this aspect, suffering is beneficial to our faith. We need to endure the suffering. This is the reason God left Joseph in that situation.
The Bible repetitively says that God was with Joseph (verses 2, 3, 21, 23…) This is the secret to life of faith. You are pitiful if you are in church but not with God. In the other hand, you are victorious even if you are in the corners of Africa as long as God is with you. If one lives as one pleases in the Promised Land, one’s life will be unfortunate. Oppositely, even if one is in Egypt as a slave, if God is there, he or she will be blessed. God did not prevent Joseph from becoming a slave of an Egyptian. The sound of thunder from the sky to kill the slave owner and sending a tornado to blow Joseph back home seems good. God did not do that. Instead, God was with him. The Bible repetitively says that God was with him in Canaan, in Egypt, when he was at peace, and when he was suffering. Do not let go of this. Even more important fact is that a foreigner Potiphar saw that God was with Joseph. This is the hope of our prayer. The world must know that I love God and that God loves me. The Bible says the Egyptian knew that God was behind that foreign slave. God filled him with grace and made him prosper.
Change your perception on prosper. When people say, “Make me prosper,” they think of business doing well or having a healthy body. However, it is not so. Overcoming suffering, this is truly becoming prosperous. We often sing the hymn (pg434), “All the way my Savior leads me; what have I to ask beside? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell; for I know whatever befall me, Jesus do all things well.” Do not be mistaken. Doing all things well does not signify being healthy, making a lot of money, and not becoming a servant. You may become a slave like Joseph, work abundantly, and be in the lowest social status but be prosperous. When God is with us, we will gain the strength to overcome the suffering. We do not fear even when death approaches. Joseph was sold into the house of Potiphar, but God went with him, and despite the status of a slave, he lived like the owner. This is becoming prosperous; God was with him. God being with us guarantees victory and grace. There are many sports team in the United States. There are two ways to win the game. First is to become the best player. Then one would win. However, someone with a poor physical body cannot win. There is a limit to one’s capabilities. Then what can be done? The one with a poor physical body could join the team with the best players. If I was in the same team as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neil, I would win. We must be on Jesus’ side. Proverbs 3:6 says, “in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” No one who walk with God is lost. Moses led 1.5 million Israelites out of Egypt. He was not able to do this because he studied well or because he was physically strong. He did not learn magic. God did it. Exodus 33:14 says, “The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” God is with us; this is the best thing we can ask for. As long as we depend on God, He is with us.
It is written in verses 4-6 of today’s passage: 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
Remember this: If Joseph tried to run away and did not obey, he would not have been able to fulfill God’s work. Even in the unfortunate circumstance, he did his best as the slave. His job as a slave must have been difficult. He did not work only when Potiphar was seeing, but he sincerely worked hard. He was honest. Potiphar eventually entrusted Joseph of everything he owned. The Pharaoh’s official probably had many slaves, and entrusted everything he possessed shows great trust in Joseph. Surprisingly, afterwards, Potiphar’s house was blessed by God. Not only his house, but he harvested more crops than usual. The Bible says that Potiphar was blessed because of Joseph. If you want to live a life of a successful Christian, worship God properly. No one who carelessly and simply worships by form live a proper life of faith. Successful Christian are influential at home and at work. Serving God at church is important, but that is not all; you must not live as you please outside church. Preaching, evangelizing, and praying, it is all important. But do not think little of the work you do outside of church. Even though Joseph worked as a slave, when he worked in the name of the Lord, it became the work of God. Do not think that working at church only counts. For this reason, the Bible says that whether you eat, play, drink, or go on a vacation, do it all in the glory of God. Those who live a proper life as Christian do not use others but others are blessed because of me. There were two deacons who did not have a good relation. One deacon prayed to God, “Please, let me do well in all I do.” Then God replied, “I will give you what you ask. But I will give the other deacon twice as much as you ask.” After thinking, the deacon prayed to God, “Lord, take one of my arm away.” How terrible. The characteristic of true blessing is seen when others are blessed through you. When we all live like Joseph, the world will change. I pray that we will be renewed and the world we live in will be renewed.

Sept 27 (Genesis 38:12-19) Despite All Flaws

God did not make any mistake when making humans. Take a look at each other. No one is exactly the same; it is not a mistake. God does not make a mistake. If human cloned a man, he or she would be proud whether the cloned man is flawed. However, it is God who made us and he never makes a mistake. Do any of you wonder, “Celebrities in TV are pretty, but why did God make me look like this?” God made you the way you are for a reason. Everything changed after the people God made in Eden committed sins. Relationship between humans and God ended and the earth was cursed. Humans created in the image of God became sinners and bore sinners-for this reason, Cain who never learned to kill murdered his brother. When flaws are revealed, we become enemies with God and live in sin. Jacob had 12 sons. The eleventh son was Joseph. His brothers envied and hated him. When they plotted to kill him, Judah, one of the brothers said, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him.” So Joseph was not killed but sold as a slave. Judah seems loyal as a brother compared to others. However, Genesis 38 reveals a great flaw. Bible is an honest book; it does not only record good stories. The Bible records the truth. As Joseph’s story is opening up, today’s passage about Judah seems unrelated. Furthermore, today’s story concerns shameful and immortal behavior between father-in-law and daughter-in-law. However, the story contains a personal message of redemption that reveals God’s grace, promise, and His fulfillment. Today we will see Judah’s terrible mistake and flaw.
Judah’s first flaw was disobedience and leaving his brothers. It is written in verses 1 and 2: 1At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah. 2There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and lay with her;
Judah was suppose to live with his brothers; however, he left them. Jacob’s daughter Dinah once went out into the world out of curiosity, and the consequences were being raped and risking going into a war. Judah went out; this is where the problem began. He went to Canaan, met the daughter of a man named Shua, married her, and lay with her. Her name is not even recorded in the Bible. Throughout Judah’s life, he never prayed concerning his marriage. Judah knew who Israelites must marry through Jacob, but without thinking, he married the Canaanite girl because of her beauty. Because he left his brothers, there was no one to rebuke him. If you leave the church, no one will correct you. At times, you may feel like you are being rebuked or scolded when you listen to sermon. So some people leave the church. The thought of no one correcting you sound pleasing. Some call the church an ark. Just as Noah’s ark saved him and his family, some pray that their church would become an ark that saves many people-it is a good prayer. Remember this: Noah’s ark was not silent and quiet. The animals created a lot of noises and smells. Still, the family came into the ark and lived there because it was the only way to life. If we leave the community of faith, we will face a crisis. Without doubt scandals, jealousy, and envy arise in church. For this reason, at times people leave the church in despair. Still, we must stay in the church. If you leave the community of faith, you may make a similar mistake as Judah. Even though Judah’s brothers had problems, the land where they lived was the Land of Promise by the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. However, Judah ran away from that. He gave up the community of faith, community of family, and the land of God’s promise and went to a foreign world in order to look for happiness on his own. At that moment, Judah’s spirituality hardened. Judah seems to make the wisest choice, but in fact, he made the stupidest choice.
Judah’s second flaw is written in verses 3-5: 3 she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er. 4 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan. 5 She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him.
Judah gave birth to three sons; he must have been happy. However, Judah was not spiritually mature enough to raise the children in spirituality. He could not even control himself. As a result, when the first child grew up, he gave a Canaanite woman for marriage. Her name was Tamar. They must not marry Canaanites for they worshipped idols and did not fear God. Without asking God, Judah married a Canaanite and allowed his first son to do the same. God did not leave them alone.
It is written in verse 7: 7But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death. God put the wicked son to death.
As soon as they married, before even bearing a son, Er died. Tamar suddenly became a young widow. Instead of coming back to his senses, Judah took his second son Onan and told him to lie with his brother’s wife to fulfill the duty as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for his brother. Onan was also a young man. The custom back in those days was for the younger brother to fulfill the duty to produce offspring if the older brother died before bearing a child. However, Onan simply satisfied his sexual desires but did not bear any child for his children for they would not be his child-this attitude displeased God.
It is written in verse 10: What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so he put him to death also.
Two of Judah’s sons suddenly died. Tamar was left alone and Shelah, the third sons, was still in his teens. The deaths of two sons were the consequences of their evil behaviors. Judah did not raise their children properly; he did not properly teach them faith. The children’s behaviors were passed on by their father. How did Judah live? This is the topic parents must pay attention to. Many parents say, “Do not become like me.” However, this is not easy. Because children grow based on what they see. Judah’s poor parenting led his children to misbehave. Children tend to learn more from actions than words. Children see how parents overcome a financial crisis. They see how parents spend their money. Children see who their parents turn to and depend on; children never forget seeing their parents getting on their knees and praying to God. Someone came into the store and caused a commotion to the owner. The owner’s son was so angry he wanted to shoot him if he had a gun. However, the father walked behind the store. When the son followed behind, he saw his father praying. The father prayed, “God, give me the strength to overcome this. Lord, I depend only on you”. The son never forgot seeing his father pray. Children know when their parents smile in front but curse from behind. Judah’s children died for living as their father did; this was Judah’s flaw.
His third flaw was lying. It is written in verse 11: 11Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, just like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.
The third son must grow and bear child with Tamar because his two older brothers died. However, Judah thought his third son would also die. So he told her to go back to her father’s home until his son grew. He lied to her. Judah never called Tamar after Shelah grew. It is written in verse 14: 14 she took off her widow’s clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife. He did not keep his promise; he lied. Judah did not think about God’s will but his own thoughts came before that of God and he did not pray to God.
Verses 15 and 16 reveals another flaw: his incapability to control his sexual desires. It is written: 15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “And what will you give me to sleep with you?” she asked.
Judah’s wife died; he became a widower. He traveled far to Timnah to shear his sheep-at that time people gathered and celebrated as they sheared their sheep. He was away from home without a wife and all alone; he was lonely, a perfect moment to be seduced. Those who go on business trips: be careful. Temptations can rise where there is no sibling or family. Judah was in that moment. After shearing his sheep, Judah was bored. When he came out, he saw a woman who looked like a prostitute. The woman covered her face, so he did not recognize her, but she was his daughter-in-law. When she heard that Judah was coming, she got in disguise. Judah’s process of sinning began when he stood in the streets alone where he could be lured. Then he locked his eyes at the wrong things. I hope you would be careful in where you lay your eyes for even those who believed in Christ all their life can commit sins in just a moment. Your position in church does not matter. We can fall if we do not stay cautious. Judah is an example. If the wife died, is it okay to sleep with a prostitute? He knew he would be committing adultery for he learned from his father. Judah approached the woman. The woman did not lure him. Judah did not commit the sin because of the prostitute. He promised her a goat for a night with her. Because he did not have a goat with him, Tamar asked for Judah’s seal and its cord, and the staff as a pledge until she received the goat. He gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant. Remember this: Judah was wrong, but Tamar also was wrong. The purpose for Tamar was to bear a child to continue the family line of God. However, the process was embarrassing and disgraceful. The process must be proper. The Bible recorded this terrible story. Proverbs 16:8 says, “Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” Be thorough concerning the problems of sexual desires. Many Christians fall because of sexual desires. Afterwards, Judah sent his friend Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman. Do not have a friend like Adullamite. Instead of rebuking Judah, he obeyed. Make a friend who would tell you the truth. However, the friend did not find her. Judah probably thought his sins would be hidden. Luke 12:3 says, 3What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. The dirty words spoken silently are heard loudly in the heaven. After several months, in verse 24, Judah’s sins were revealed. It is written, “About three months later Judah was told, ‘Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.’ Judah said, ‘Bring her out and have her burned to death!’”
He hears the news that Tamar who was at her father’s home was pregnant. Judah immediately judged that she made a mistake. Leviticus 20:14 says that one who commits adultery must be burned to death. Judah was angry. However, he was not worthy to be angry at her. Judah knew God’s laws so he yelled at Tamar. He acted as if he was righteous for the truth was hidden. It is written in John. A prostitute was caught and brought before Jesus. “She must be stoned” people cried, but Jesus said that those who did not sin could throw rocks at her. The Bible said that the eldest left the area first- probably because the adults committed more sins.
It is written in verse 25: As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”
Judah was finally shamed because of his sins. Tamar was brought before Judah. As soon as Judah saw the seal, cord, and the staff Tamar laid down, Judah’s face probably turned pale. He was shamed before many people. How should you behave in this embarrassing situation? You must kneel down and repent. When David saw a woman, he planned the war so her husband would be killed, then he married her. Then the prophet came to David. The prophet said, “A rich man had many sheep, but when he had a guest over, he took a sheep from a poor man and served his guest.” David was angry and was determined to punish the man. When the prophet said that the man was David, he repented immediately. He got on his knees and cried. Judah admitted the items belonged to him. Know that your way to life is to confess and repent to God. Then he did not sleep with her again. This is not the conclusion to the story. A twin is born from Tarmar: Perez and Zerah. It is recorded in Matthew 1:3, “Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,” Long after in that linage, Jesus was born. It is surprising that Jesus was born from a improper relationship. They had flaws and acted like prostitutes. Do you think we are better than Judah? We may have not slept with a prostitute. However, we spiritually committed adultery many times. We are no better than Judah. Still, God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall have eternal life. Ephesians 2:1 says, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins”. But God saved us. This is true grace. No one here is worthy to stand before God. Those who believe they are worthy are not worthy because of the belief they are worthy. Jesus was born through Judah, even though Judah had many flaws. Why was Jesus born from someone like Tamar and Judah and not someone righteous? It is to include someone similar to them, someone similar to us. God wants to save us even though we are filled with flaws. We thank God because even though we have more flaws than Judah, God still love us; we live by God’s grace. Because you believe in Christ, I pray that you would not live a worthless life, but life a worthy life being used by God.

Sept 20 (Genesis 37:12-36) God's Work in Midst of Suffering

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
It is written in Psalm 62:1-2: 1My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
It is written in Psalm 121:1,4 1I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? 4indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Whoever looks up to God with faith will be helped by God and will be granted success. However, whoever looks only at circumstances and the problems will be overcome by the circumstances, fall deep into the problems, and ultimately fail. The Bible says that God’s knowledge is higher and deeper than ours. Therefore, Christians must depend on God and lean on God’s assistance. This is faith.
Joseph is a man of dreams. His life was deeply related to dreams. In Genesis 37:5, Joseph spoke of two of his dreams. His nickname was the dreamer. However, because of his dreams, Joseph was hated by his brothers-it was the start of his sufferings.
It is written in verses 12 and 13: 12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father's flocks near Shechem, 13 and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” “Very well,” he replied.
Do you remember Shechem? It was the land where Jacob’s daughter Dinah was raped. Because of the accident, Jacob’s two sons tricked Hamor’s family and all the men in getting circumcised to kill them. Jacob who feared revenge met God as he fled. However, Jacob’s sons were grazing the flock near Shechem. They were grazing the flock in a dangerous region. For this reason, Jacob told Joseph to see how his brothers were doing. Some say Jacob’s favoritism is revealed here also; while Joseph’s brothers were tending sheep in a dangerous land, Joseph and his father was home. Anyway, Joseph obeyed. Obey whether you want to do the job or not. “I don’t have time”, “I don’t have the money”, “I am unhealthy” - do not make excuses. Take a look at Joseph. Through his short reply, his holy, obedient, honest, and pure character is revealed. God can easily use those who obey but it is difficult for God to use those who complain often. I pray that you would be among the people God can easily use. According to Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah replied to God’s calling, “Here am I. Send me!” Take a look at Acts 20:23-24. Saint Paul was in journey to death. Paul knew death was waiting for Paul in Jerusalem. However, Paul confessed, “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Paul was determined to not back down and turn back when it came to God’s work. Joseph also had this foundational characteristic of a person of faith.
It is written in verse 14: So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.
Through Joseph’s obedience, I want to share three different prayer topics with you: “Give me the honest spirit”, “help me live my life dreaming Your dream”, and “help me live in obedience towards you for the rest of my life”.
It is written in verses 15-17: 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?” 16 He replied, “I'm looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?” 17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan.
Joseph did not return home and tell his father, “I did not find them, but I heard they are headed to Dothan.” He looked for his brother. However, this message confuses us. Shouldn’t good things happen when one obeys? The end of Joseph’s obedience was not blessings. Joseph’s brothers did not welcome him. Instead, they plotted to kill him.
It is written in verses 18-20: 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
The brothers were not concerned with the message Joseph could have brought. They plotted to kill him as soon as they saw him. We see the extent of the hatred of Joseph’s brothers. How did the anger get this far? First, Jacob’s favoritism led for the brothers to have Joseph. If the father does not take his part properly, tensions will rise between the children. Second, Joseph’s dreams led his brothers to hate him. The brothers said to each other, “let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams”. The brothers held a grudge against Joseph. Here we see the one with a dream colliding with trials. Christian who truly try to live by God’s will face these trials. Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him. They planned to throw him in the cistern and lie to their father. However, the brothers’ opinions conflicted.
It is written in verses 21 and 22: 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him.”
Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. The eldest brother held a different position. He agreed to punish Joseph but to not take his life. However, if Joseph’s life was spared, wouldn’t he tell on them to their father? For this reason, some argued that they should not spare his life. There was nothing else Reuben could do but agree. That is the characteristic of a large group of people. If the atmosphere is set, there is not much the minority can do. However, Reuben argued to spare Joseph’s life.
It is written in verses 23-24: 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing- 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
How shocked Joseph must have been! This is the shock an innocent person has in the dark world. However, it is strange that an evil person live a better and healthier life than a pure person. A psalmist sang concerning this matter. Wouldn’t the innocent be tempted by God when things do not work well on top of living a lonely life?
It is written in verses 25-28: 25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. 28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
As the brothers were eating, they met tradesmen. So Judah made a suggestion to sell Joseph to the tradesmen. The brothers agreed and Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver. When Reuben returned, Joseph was already sold.
It is written in verses 29-30: 29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”
Reuben lamented; he stopped eating and drinking.
It is written in verses 31-35: 31 Then they got Joseph's robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe.” 33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him.
This was Joseph’s destiny and tragedy. Why did these things happen to someone with an honest dream? We believe in Christ, but there are many times when we are unable to clearly explain the reasons to a certain situation. Do not forcefully analyze the situation by forcing relation to the Bible. Leave the situation unexplained. Some go see a fortuneteller. This is wrong. Time will reveal. We cannot understand God’s will fully with our human knowledge. Do not make a disturbance to understand everything. Pass if you cannot understand. Verse 36 says, “Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.” Those who do not know God and deny him say it is destiny. However, if God is with them, it is providence; there is a hidden secret in God’s eyes. It is surprising that Joseph was sold to Pharaoh’s officials. We must learn to look at God’s providence and God’s hands that appears in the midst of suffering. The suffering may be great and God’s movement seems small. However, the secret is there. When God’s moving hands are revealed, the sufferings are explained. Joseph was wiped away by the wave of suffering. Future was dark. He lost everything. He lost contact with his father. He did not know where he was being sent.
Pay attention to four things that occurred in these situations. First, why didn’t the brothers kill Joseph in the first place but instead throw him in the cistern? Second, why did the tradesmen pass the brothers at that time? Third, why was Joseph sold for 20 pieces of silver through Judah? Fourth, why was Joseph sold to Potiphar? While Joseph suffered from great sufferings, these events occurred by God’s will. This is God’s providence. Are you suffering? I hope you do not look at your sufferings but put your interest in God and how He may provide, bless, and solve the problem. When Joseph was thrown into the cistern, there was no escape for him. No one heard him cry for help. Have you ever been in a situation where no matter how loud you cried, no one would hear? Did no one really hear? No, people may not hear or help, but there was God who heard Joseph’s cry. Believe in the God who sent Midianites to save Joseph. However, the problem is, the process of God’s salvation is frustrating in Joseph’s perspective. Joseph could be killed soon, but God only sent Midianites, slave traders. However, faith is depending on God despite circumstances. One can be bold because of dependence on God. Midianites were prelude of grace to Joseph. He did not die. Christians do not die, you do not fail. Do not worry. God’s plan for Joseph was to make him the highest leader of Egypt. For this reason, he was sent to the house of pharaoh’s officials. For this reason, Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver. I hope you see how God intervenes to comfort, protect, and encourage us to bring us from the worst circumstance to the glorious seat through Joseph’s life. Praise the amazing God. Praise the God who lends us a hand in the midst of suffering-the God who does not let us fall, but lifts our weaknesses and renews us. I pray that you would experience God’s hands and grace and be victorious.

Joseph Grew in Honesty and Faith (Genesis 37:1-11)

Thus far, we shared stories about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They all had flaws but they became the ancestors of faith. We will share the story of Joseph in the next few weeks. We are encouraged, comforted, and be touched when Joseph turns the worst circumstances to his best. We all face a crisis. Crisis is not a problem. Turning the crisis into a blessing is important. Through these crises, Christians end up experiencing God’s presence.
There is a certain characteristic in Joseph’s life: Joseph does not blame his environment or his ancestors. Our common characteristic is blaming our environment and our family line. Joseph never blamed God even in unfair circumstances. He also did not hold a grudge against those who wronged him. We are touched by this. Joseph was an honest person. Loss of honesty in our society is a crisis today. I pray that your children will have this temperament and character. Some people are born with characteristics of being fraudulent. No matter the amount of effort, they have a hard time changing their characteristics of being fraudulent. Joseph’s father Jacob was fraudulent. How can someone like Joseph be born from someone like Jacob? It seems impossible. The name “Jacob” had an underlying meaning of the deceiver. Jacob stole his brother’s birthrights and blessings. He fled from home spent and wandered in the wilderness. The fact that someone like Jacob came from someone like Isaac and the fact that someone like Joseph came from someone like Jacob is surprising. For this reason, we cannot blame our parents for our characteristics. We can be like Joseph. Even if you suffer because of your parents’ bad example, remember that you can overcome. Take a look at Joseph; he overcame his circumstances. Joseph had a completely different characteristic from his father. God must have given him the characteristics of honesty.
It is written on Genesis 37:1-2 1 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the account of Joseph. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
The Bible does not introduce Joseph at a young age but when he is in his youth, at the age of 17, and in his most sensitive age. According to the Bible, Joseph lived in the land of promise with his father and brothers. This probably built the foundation of faith in God’s promise in Joseph’s heart. The environment children grow up in is important. Joseph lost his mother at a young age. His mother Rachel died when giving birth to Joseph’s brother Benjamin. Joseph had many brothers, but they were all half-brothers. In this environment, he grew up to the age of 17. However, Joseph did not have any scars. When the circumstances are dark, people tend to get hurt. For example, if the parents are not the ideal parents, the children tend to get hurt. For this reason, they develop unhealthy personalities; they act impetuously, display jealousy, and lie. Take a look at Joseph. Even in his circumstance, Joseph grew up straight; this is a miracle. His father did not raise him this way for Jacob was a deceiver. Even if the circumstances are difficult and the parents are bad models, children can grow innocently without harm.
Recall verses 1 and 2 of today’s passage. One of Joseph’s characteristics was not being able to tolerate dishonesty and lie. Joseph tended sheep with Bilhah and her sons. One day, he saw their dishonest behaviors and was unable to ignore them. So he told his father. In one aspect, he is a tattletale and not loyal to his brothers. I wondered whether Joseph did the right thing. Eventually, I realized that Joseph was born with the nature of not being able lie. Tattling would bring harm to him, however, he could not lie. There is evidence that Joseph did not tell on them because he did not like his brothers. When Jacob told Joseph to take food to his brothers, he obeyed. If Joseph did not like his brothers, he would not travel far for his brothers. When he did not find his brothers, he asked around in search of his brothers. Joseph told on their brothers because of characteristics of being honest. We face crisis when we are dishonest. We tend to think that we will face a loss when we are honest. For this reason, even though we know we pretend to not know and even though we see we pretend to not see. The greatest crisis in the churches is not in believing in Christ improperly but in dishonest Christians. For this reason, non-Christians comment that Christians are no different.
The second factor we find in Joseph’s life is his father’s extreme love towards him.
It is written in verses 3 and 4: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Joseph was not the problem, his father was the problem. Jacob favored Joseph. When he dressed his son in richly ornamented robe, Joseph’s brothers envied and were jealous of him. They did not speak kindly towards him. Jacob favoring Joseph is understandable. Among his four wives, Jacob loved Rachel the most. Jacob loving the son born from the woman he loved is understandable. Since Rachel died early, as the father, he especially took care of Joseph. For this reason, the Bible said that Jacob loved Joseph more than any other sons. However, the consequences were jealousy of Joseph’s brother and disharmony in the family. Jacob wanted Joseph to be loved. However, his behavior led Joseph to be hated by Joseph’s brothers. We learn two things here. First, favoritism leads to tensions among children and disharmony in the family. Because parents are also human, they can specially love one more than the other. However, parents must learn from this verse to not favor children. Parents must give equally. In the perspective of Joseph’s brother, Jacob’s favoritism made them unhappy. However, in Joseph’s perspective, it is a surprising event. Joseph was treated specially. Joseph probably thought he would be forgiven if he ever made a mistake. Joseph was certain of and never doubted his father’s love. This is very important. Parents must give their children the belief that they will be forgiven and that they will always be loved. Nothing is more important than knowing that one is being loved. Our tragedies are result of feeling rejected. One’s personality faces a crisis when he or she is not loved by parents, when nobody trusts him or her, and when one believes he or she is being used. In the other hand, when one believes that he or she is loved, he or she grows to be special. Joseph was certain that his father loved him. Joseph was loved as he grew but, Joseph’s brothers grew up with distrust in their father’s love. This can be seen symbolically to salvation. God’s love is favored. Even though we are not worthy to be loved, God one-sidedly loved us enough to kill his one and only son. Even when we declined God’s love, He waited until we turned back. God’s love never ceases. For this reason we melt before God’s love. Do you know that you came this far because of God’s favored love? Believe in this. God overflowed us with immeasurable love. I pray that your children will grow up with your love and depend on you.
Third, Joseph grew up with his dreams. This is a characteristic of youths. Joseph’ grew up honestly, with love, and with dreams.
It is written in verses 5-10: 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”
Joseph’s greatest characteristic was being a person with a vision. He lived with dreams. When he was 17, he dreamt a dream he would never forget. He was able to survive his crisis and troubles because of this dream. Those with a dream have a future. There are two types of dreams. One type of dream, humans make up. The other is a dream of God. There is a great difference between my own dreams and dream from God. Joseph’s dreams were not his own dreams but a dream by God. First, Joseph and his brothers were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly Joseph’s sheaf rose and stood upright, while his brothers’ sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it. The dream does not fit with common sense. However, it is the truth; the dream turned into the truth 13 years later. People generally cannot understand God’s dreams. It foretells the events of the future. Joseph’s second dream consisted of stars. The sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to Joseph. What nonsense! In the perspective of Joseph’s father and his brothers, his dreams are difficult to understand and difficult to take in. Dreams given by God sometimes seem nonsense. Joseph was at the age of understanding common sense. He was able to judge for himself whether he will be harmed or gain benefits for telling his dreams. He knew he would be rebuked. However, Joseph honestly told his dreams.
God’s dreams are difficult to hold inside. Take a look at Jeremiah. When he received a revelation that his nation would be destroyed, he spread the news. Jeremiah did not want to prophesy because of the pain he would receive. However, the fire inside him prevented from being silent. This was the dream similar to that of Joseph. This is the Gospel. It is the story of Jesus. If you believe in Christ but are okay not talking about Christ, you did not meet Christ. If you are able to sleep comfortably without spreading the word of the Gospel, you did not receive the Gospel. You must not be able to stay silent. You must cry out “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can go to heaven except through him” even if you know you will be persecuted. When Joseph talked about his dreams, his father and brothers rebuked him. Then the brothers began to hate him. People with God’s dreams are lonely for they are rejected. Still, they live with the dream. Noah had the dream to build an ark. No one would rebuke Noah if he built an ark by the ocean. However, because he built an ark on the mountains people did not understand. Noah only held onto the dream and built an ark for several hundreds of years. What is your dream? What is the dream given to you by God? We do not live by food but by dream. A characteristic of animals is the lack of dreams. If we do not have dreams and visions, we are no different from animals. Even in moments of death, people who can talk about the dream, people with faith, and people with revelations open their future. They change the world. Jesus had the dream to carry the cross. Jesus did not protest when he carried the cross. He stood boldly in front of it. Because he carried the cross, he saved humanity.
There is a reason for not being able to hear God’s voice. If one’s own voice is loud, listening to other’s voice becomes difficult. Those with their own thoughts, own dream, and own plans cannot hear God’s voice. However, if you let go of yours, you will be able to hear God’s voice. I pray that you will live by God’s dreams.

Path of Obedience and Change (Genesis 35:1-15)

Jacob trusted God, was filled with grace, and was helped by God. However, Jacob did not change. By God’s grace, Jacob was able to reconcile with his brother Esau. Then he settled in the land of Shechem. Now Jacob seemed happy; he seemed to be filled with blessings. However, unexpectedly, unfortunate circumstance greeted Jacob. Jacob’s one and only daughter was raped. Happiness was torn into pieces. Jacob’s sons were unable to overcome their anger and committed a cruel revenge. They did not only kill Shechem and Hamor, but they also killed all the males of Shechemites and destroyed everything. The situation turned into a great affair. Genesis 4:30 says, “Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.’” At first Jacob seemed to show sadness in his daughter’s rape, but he was consumed by fear of losing his happiness. Jacob’s sons became angry after hearing their father, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” In fact, Jacob brought the situation upon himself. Jacob’s sons saw their father living a life as a deceiver to not face a loss. Also, Jacob was supposed to go to Bethel, but just because he reconciled with his brother and things seem to be better, he settled in Shechem.
When Jacob was filled with fear and despair, God intervened. Whenever Jacob faced a crisis, God intervened. Genesis 35:1 says, “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.’” In Genesis 28, Jacob ran away from his brother and wandered around the wilderness; he faced the darkest moment of his life. In that situation, he had a dream of a latter where angels ascended and descended on it; there Jacob met God. In the darkest moment of his life, Jacob met God for the first time. When God first met with Jacob, He said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When God said this to someone without anything, Jacob was shocked. Jacob was touched and at that moment, he got up, took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. Then Jacob promised three things. First, he promised that God will always be his God. Second, the stone that he set up will be the house of God. Third, he promised to give the tenth of what he received from God. This was the oath and promise of Bethel.
God was telling Jacob to rise up. Rise up from the darkness he was experiencing. To go to Bethel signified remembering Bethel-remember God and hold unto the God who blesses. God said to Jacob, “Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau”-this means worship.
It is written in verse 2-3 of today’s passage: 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”
As soon as he heard God’s words, Jacob’s eyes opened. His spiritual eyes opened and his dark future brightened. We are in despair because we forget God’s promise. There will be miracles when God’s promise is revived. As Jacob reflected on God’s promise, the power of the Holy Spirit began to work-similarly to the one who only attended church for a long time one day discover the cross and change. I hope you would experience these changes today. As soon as Jacob heard God’s words, he gathered his family and proclaimed to get rid of all the foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their clothes. Then Jacob proclaims to head towards Bethel. Then Jacob said that he will build an altar to God, who answered him in the day of his distress and who has been with him wherever he had gone. I hope you would make a similar proclamation.
It is written on verse 4: So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.
Interestingly, Jacob’s family obeyed. The foreign gods probably was important to them. However, they gave it up. Rachel had stolen a household god from her father. She got rid of all idols in her home and returned to God. Jacob buried all idols under an oak. The consequence is written in verse 5: Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. When Jacob headed towards Bethel, God prevented other tribes from harming Jacob. The enemies Jacob feared were unable to attack him. God prevented them.
It is written in Genesis 35:6-7: 6 Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is Bethel) in the land of Canaan. 7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Jacob immediately obeyed God’s words. He gathered his family and made a decision. Nothing shows greater faith than obedience. For this reason the Bible says that obedience is better than burnt sacrifices. Those who change by faith begin to obey. Jacob led his family to Bethel, where he had met God. Jacob called the place El Bethel, meaning God of Bethel. We see the change in Jacob. Based on today’s message, I want to encourage you to discontinue living your life as you please. Here is an important truth. We cannot change the past. However, if we seek God’s help, our future changes. Jacob’s blessing was breaking away from his past. As soon as Jacob heard God’s voice, he escaped the past, fear, and anxiety. I pray that you would rise up from your struggles.
As Jacob gained faith, the changes that took place in him is surprising. It is written in verse 8: Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So it was named Allon Bacuth.
Jacob’s mother Rebekah whom he loved, had a nurse. Her name was Deborah. The Bible introduced the story without any other explanation. It seems like an unnecessary story. However, we can learn something important about Jacob here. Rebekah already passed away. And Deborah was elderly. Because of her status, Jacob did not have to look after her. However, Jacob helped Deborah live her final years happily. Then after she died, he earnestly buried her under an oak and named the place Allon Bacuth, meaning ‘oak of weeping’. Jacob grieved over Deborah’s death. Through this event, we see that Jacob matured because even though it is easy to nurse one’s mother, it is not easy to take care of the nurse of one’s mother. Mature people love and take care of those who are in lower status. Those who are mature take care of those who are pitiful and worthless. In the other hand, those who are immature only take care of self. They only associate with popular people or people who will bring benefits to them. One with faith must show maturity. Jacob was growing into a mature person. He used to be selfish and trick others so he may gain benefits.
It is written in verses 9 and 10: 9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob’s name signified a deceiver or one who makes others fall. Jacob could not prevent the difficulties in life carried by his name. Then in front of Jabbok, he was renamed Israel by God. He discontinued living by the name of the past and started to live by his new name. Our problem is continuing to live as we did in the past even after we believe Christ. True salvation is not the development of our faith but it is in change. Even if we are born again and believe in Christ, we do not change because we do not discontinue living by our old self. I pray that you would truly be born again. God gave Jacob a new name Israel. Israel means “he struggles with God”. Jacob was approved by God. God acknowledged Jacob’s existence and faith. The most unfortunate people are those who are not acknowledged. The husband not acknowledged by his wife and the wife not acknowledged by her husband are unfortunate people. I hope you acknowledge your spouse. Then will there be happiness in your family.
It is written in Genesis 35:10: God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob did not rename himself. God renamed him. God must use the new name for it to be a blessing. Do you know the fact that God changed your name? We were a sinner turned into a righteous person. God called us, who used to be the Satan’s children, His children. God said that we will not inherit this world, but inherit heaven.
It is written in verses 11-13: 11And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.
God who changed our named described himself in three ways. First, he said that he is God Almighty. A promise can be fulfilled by one who has the ability. God is able to keep the promises he made with us because he is God Almighty. Being almighty means that nothing is impossible for God, He does not lack, and His powers are eternal. Second, God blesses us to be fruitful and increase in number. God wants to bless us. Being fruitful and increasing in number is the original form of blessing. God promised abundance to all Christians. Third, even if the one to receive God’s promise is not fit for the blessing, God changes him or her to fulfill the promise. God promised Abraham a large nation. Isaac inherited that blessing. Then the blessing had to pass on to Jacob, but Jacob was not fit to be blessed. However, God did not give up on him. God changed Jacob so he would be fit for the blessings. God keeps His promise and He planned to bless us. If you are not fit for the blessings, God will change you to bless you.
Finally, Jacob kneeled down before God. It is written in verses 14 and 15: 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.
Jacob set up a stone pillar, poured out a drink offering on it, and worshipped God. The place was called Bethel. Where ever you get down on your knees before God, whether it be home, workplace, or church, look unto the God of Promise. Depend on Him.
Change starts from obedience. I hope your obedience towards God’s promise and your heart of worship and praise to God will rise like fire.

Fellowship

8-23-2009
~권사님's birthday