From the beginning, when God created man, He desired to have a loving relationship with him. Therefore, God did not create robots; instead, He created humans with the capacity to love. Man was also given free will, which allowed him the freedom to choose whom he would love and how he would love.
The Bible does not tell us how long Adam and Eve had an unfiltered relationship with God, which unfortunately ended in the Garden of Eden when Adam disobeyed God’s instructions, causing a rift in their loving relationship.
Adam’s action introduced sin into the world, which increased, and Genesis 6:5 described that time as, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” For this reason, God destroyed all of the people via a flood except Noah and his family.
After the flood, as the earth became populated, God chose a man named Abram and his future family to be the people He would bestow His love upon. In time, Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, and his posterity was known as Israel.
Due to a series of events, Israel ended up in Egypt for 430 years and became slaves to the Egyptian. God, using a man named Moses, delivered Israel out of the hands of their oppressor and took them into the wilderness. It was there He gave them His statutes, laws, and commandments. He also had Moses build a tabernacle, and in it was a compartment called the Holy of Holies where God’s presence abided. This compartment was separated by a veil, which functioned as a protective barrier keeping sinful humanity from a holy God. Furthermore, it was only once a year, on the Day of Atonement, that entry to this sacred place was permitted, when the high priest was permitted to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the nation.
This practice continued in the tabernacle and in future temples built until the crucifixion of Jesus. Supernaturally, the veil was torn from top to bottom, as described in Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, and Luke 23:45, symbolizing the removal of a barrier and the establishment of a New Covenant between God and man.
We now, at any time and any day, can come boldly to the throne of grace for ourselves. The loving personal relationship God desired from the beginning is available to all who want it. We are free, with no blockages, veils, or chains holding us back. And even when we sin, we can ask for forgiveness and obtain grace and mercy from our compassionate God.
I usually read through the Bible annually, and I recently completed Jeremiah and am now reading Ezekiel. One of the things that pains me as I read these books is Judah’s rebellion and disobedience. God continually rehearsed Israel and Judah’s history with them; however, they refused to listen.
For forty years during the last period of Judah’s apostasy, Jeremiah, the son of a priest, was chosen by God in his youth to prophesy to them. And Ezekiel, who was a captive in Babylon, was called at age thirty to be a prophet and did so for twenty-two years. Despite the constant Word from God, the people would not believe, repent, or serve God as He required. They could do so, but they chose to disregard the warnings they received.
As it was from the beginning with Adam and Eve, God created them and gave them free will. He did not force them to follow His instructions, but He warned them of the consequences of disobedience. God could have made them robots who followed his every command, but then their love for Him would have been manufactured. God wanted men to love and serve Him with all of their heart because they knew Him as a loving God who took care of His creation.
His same love has been for everyone down through the generations. He has given us all free will to choose the path we will take, to accept His love or to reject it. I aim to learn from others’ mistakes. Not just to read the Word as if it were a book of fiction, but rather to use it as a guide and instructional book that will assist me in pleasing God. I refuse to knowingly follow in the footsteps of disobedient Israel and Judah. Instead, I gladly, freely, and willingly choose to serve God.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
While on his third missionary journey and during his stay in Corinth, Paul wrote to the Roman believers about the experience of suffering. By this time he had been ministering for approximately twenty-four years and had experienced many adverse situations. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul attested to being in prison numerous times, whipped, faced death at the hands of man, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, caught in storms, experienced flooding, sleeplessness, hunger, overheating, thirst, cold, sickness, and treachery.
Despite all the hardships, Paul declared that he would not allow anything to keep him from the love of God. Paul understood that this life is fleeting; it is just a moment, but eternity is forever. Those who choose to enter into a relationship with God will experience untold blessings, things unimaginable to our human minds.
It is vitally important that believers remember Job 14:1, “Man that is born of a woman is a few days old and full of trouble. Everyone, from infants to senior citizens, faces life issues; no one is exempt. In this life, we deal with mental and emotional struggles such as fears, depression, and loneliness. We deal with relational problems such as abandonment, divorce, marital discord, parent-child conflict, and broken friendships. Economic and financial problems such as unemployment, debt, housing issues, poverty, and food insecurity are also experienced. We deal with physical problems such as injuries, deformities, disabilities, chronic pain, aging concerns, and unknown diseases. We are confronted with social problems such as war, lawlessness, racism, political conflict, homelessness, and crime. All of these areas have led individuals who felt the undue weight of problems to commit suicide because they could not see their way out, and they lost hope. Believers, we must not give in; we must not lose hope; we must not become overwhelmed with life issues. The more we feel oppressed, the more we must confess the Word. We can’t lose sight of the promises of God and that which He has in store for those that love Him. We must remember that in His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand there are pleasures for evermore, and there is nothing that can compare to that.
Galatians 5:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (KJV)
Galatians 5:9 And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. (TLB)
So many of us are being bombarded with life issues that have made us exhausted. As the saying goes if it is not one thing it is another. The tactic of oppression by the enemy is to crush, trample down, send one crisis after another, which is palpable continually.
And yes, we are getting tired and praying for a season where all that we experience is peace, joy, and prosperity. However, that is not how our life on this earth is planned. As recorded in the Word, man’s fragility is emphasized in the scriptures.
Job 14:1 “Man born of woman is a few days old and full of trouble”
Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Despite the problems that accompany life, these verses reveal God is present to help, comfort, and deliver. Our task is to continue faithfully serving God and others. We can’t throw in the towel. We can’t turn our back on God. We can’t stop doing that which we know is right and pleasing in God’s sight. We can’t listen to the voices that would try to discourage us, and this includes our own head voices.
We must take one day at a time, knowing that if we hold on and continue, the time of reaping will come. Why do we believe this? The answer is that the Word of God does not lie.
At the close of Genesis 49, the death of Jacob was shared. He lived in many places throughout his 147 years, and the last seventeen years were spent in Egypt with his family, particularly his beloved son Joseph, who was very emotional upon his father’s demise.
Jacob had instructed his sons of his desire to be buried in Canaan, in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the same cave where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried. Notably, Joseph was in charge of the funeral arrangements; therefore, he had the Egyptian physicians embalm Jacob. The process of embalming took forty days, plus thirty more days for mourning.
In Egypt, during mourning, you were prohibited from meeting with the Pharaoh; therefore, Joseph requested another official to speak to the Pharaoh on his behalf. Not only did the Pharaoh respond favorably to Joseph honoring his father’s burial request, but he also honored it. He allowed his counselors, his assistant, and all his senior officers to accompany Joseph, his brethren, and their families to honor his father’s request, and he buried him in the cave with his ancestors.
Finally, when the caravan arrived at Atad, seven days of mourning and lamentation occurred. The Canaanites were so impressed by the magnitude of this event that they renamed the area to Abelmizraim. Then Joseph and his brothers carried Jacob’s body into the land of Canaan and buried him as he had instructed them.
When they got back to Egypt, still feeling guilty for what they had done to Joseph and the possible repercussions that they could experience now that their father was dead, the brothers sent a message to Joseph. It said, “Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father.” This caused Joseph to weep. He once again assured them that he was not going to retaliate, but he would continue to care for them and their family, which he did until he died.
Here are additional information and nuggets for this last blog on the Jacob series:
Weeping over the death of a loved one is a normal emotional response.
When everyone who matters was previously informed of your wishes, there is no reason for future disagreements.
The Egyptians, known to surpass other nations in the art of embalming, did so over a forty-day process, with an additional thirty days for mourning.
Being a top official in Egypt, Joseph needed permission to leave his post to bury his father.
Because Joseph was highly respected in Egypt, Jacob was given a stately funeral.
When your deemed protector is gone, other provisions must be made for your safety.
There is a strong possibility that Jacob did not tell his sons to ask Joseph for forgiveness; therefore, their request for forgiveness was made out of fear and guilt.
Sometimes it takes years before forgiveness is requested.
This concludes the series on the life of Jacob. I pray that, as you read the blogs, they were meaningful to you and that you were able to apply the principles they contain to your life.
Knowing his time on earth was coming to an end, Jacob gathered his sons to his bedside to speak prophetically, under the inspiration of God, to each of them, his blessing and prediction concerning their future and their descendants.
Here is a summary of what he said to them:
Though Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn and entitled to a double portion in the family, his sexual encounter with Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant, due to his unbridled nature, denied him that privilege.
Simeon and Levi were condemned for their cruelty and murderous actions, and consequently, their descendants would be scattered throughout Israel.
Judah was promised a place of leadership and prominence among his brethren, and out of his lineage would come our savior and king. Also, they would live in a bountiful vineyard that would meet the needs of the people.
Zebulun will be known for his maritime efforts and seaborne trade.
Rather than be a nomadic tribe, Issachar did not mind laboring agriculturally and becoming a servant for others so he might dwell in peace.
Dan, being perceptive and cunning, would be known as a judge in Israel.
Gad would be defeated at first but eventually become victorious.
Asher would be known for making delicacies and serving royalty.
Naphtali would be known for its agility and eloquence.
Joseph would be known for his fruitfulness despite the difficult phases of his life. And because Jacob felt Joseph was a prince, he heaped additional blessings on him.
Benjamin was known as a warring tribe that was both successful and cruel.
After speaking to all of his sons, Jacob shared in detail the burial instructions that he previously shared with Joseph: lied down, breathed for the last time, and died.
Here are a few nuggets:
When you speak to everyone at once, no one can question what was said.
Share under the inspiration of God.
Your words can guide others’ futures.
Your negative actions can hinder your blessings.
People recognize your good and bad qualities.
When possible share your funeral wishes with the whole family.
Chapter 48 of Genesis opens with Joseph being informed that his father was ill, and, as a dutiful son, he went to see Jacob, accompanied by his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
When told of his son’s arrival, Jacob sat up in his bed and conversed with Joseph. Jacob apprised Joseph that God Almighty, El Shaddai, had appeared to him years before in Luz and blessed him, decreeing that He would make him fruitful. multiply his family and eternally give the land of Canaan to his descendants. Additionally, Jacob adopted Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born in Egypt, and they would be considered his sons; however, if Joseph had other sons in the future, they would belong to Joseph. Jacob also spoke about the death of his beloved Rachel, whom he buried on the way to Ephrath.
Unable to see clearly but sensing others were present, Jacob inquired who they were, and when he found out they were Joseph’s two sons, he had them come to him so he could bless them. First, he kissed and hugged them and emotionally declared he thought Joseph was dead, but God allowed him to see that Joseph was alive, and also had sons. Then Joseph bows down in response to his father’s words.
Joseph brought his sons before Jacob to be blessed, thinking that his elder son, Manasseh, would receive the firstborn blessing; however, Jacob crossed his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head and his left on Manasseh’s. Then Jacob blessed Joseph, saying that the God of his forefathers, who had taken care of him, along with the angel of God who had protected him throughout his life, would bless these sons.
Joseph protested his father’s actions; however, Jacob assured him that he knew what he was doing, for though Manasseh would be great, Ephraim would be greater, and his descendants would become numerous. Additionally, Jacob gave Joseph the land he had won in battle from the Amorites, reiterated that he was dying, and assured Joseph that God would be with him and that he would return to the land of Canaan.
Here is additional information and nuggets from Genesis 48:
Concern for elderly parents should not be just in words but also in actions.
God can turn years of grief and sorrow into tears of joy and comfort.
In accordance with Egyptian custom, Joseph bowed down in reverence before his father.
The right hand was used to convey the highest blessing on an individual.
The will of God can override the law of primogeniture.
As God took care of you, believe Him to do the same for your family.
Sometimes in life, what we think will happen does not.
What God means to bless will be blessed.
Whereas Jacob stole his brother’s blessing in secret, he now openly gives the firstborn blessing to his grandson, Ephraim, who was not the firstborn in his family.
Genesis 47 tells the story of Jacob meeting the Pharaoh. As the story unfolds, Joseph first brought five of his brothers to Pharaoh, and he concurred that the best place for Joseph’s family to stay was Goshen. Pharaoh also instructed Joseph to place his brothers who were capable over His cattle.
After this meeting, Joseph brought Jacob to meet Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. The Pharaoh inquired about Jacob’s age, to which Jacob gave a brief summary of his life experiences. He was a hundred thirty years old, which he considered a short time; his life had been calamitous, and though yet alive, he had not lived as long as his forefathers. At the end of their conversation, Jacob once again blessed Pharaoh, and Joseph settled his family in the land of Goshen and provided for them.
Jacob lived in Egypt for 17 years, and after the famine ended, he and his family continued to live there. At age a hundred forty-seven, being feeble and death imminent, Jacob met with Jacob to ensure Joseph would, upon his death, take his body back to Canaan and bury him with his forefathers. The chapter concludes with Joseph solemnly swearing to do as Jacob requested, and Jacob bowed his head in appreciation and reverence.
Here is additional information and nuggets:
Jewish tradition reports that Zebulon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher were the five brothers whom Joseph introduced to Pharaoh.
Following wise protocol, Joseph obtained Pharaoh’s approval before finalizing his family’s residence.
The accomplishments of your children can benefit you in numerous ways.
Speak a blessing over the people you meet.
Like his forefathers, Jacob considered his life a pilgrimage.
God provides employment and nourishment for His people.
There was a reversal of caretaker roles for Jacob and Joseph. For the first seventeen years of Joseph’s life, he was under the care of his father, Jacob, and for the last seventeen years of his life, Jacob was under the care of his son, Joseph.
Make your funeral wishes known while you are yet alive.
Choose a reliable person to handle your burial arrangements.
Chapter forty-three of Genesis recounted the return of Jacob’s ten sons to Egypt to purchase food, as famine had spread to Canaan. On this trip, Jacob had reluctantly allowed Benjamin to accompany his brothers. Upon their arrival, they met Joseph, whom they still did not recognize, and he had them brought to his house, where he served them a meal. Genesis 44 stated that the following day, he tested them to see whether they regarded Benjamin the same way they had treated him. At the conclusion of the test, Judah pleaded for the life of Benjamin, who had been innocently framed.
Chapter forty-five opened with Joseph becoming overcome with emotion when he witnessed his brothers’ response, and he revealed who he was. If you are interested in a more detailed account of what transpired between the brothers, it can be found in the archives of theteacherspick.com in the posts titled, “JOSEPH SERIES: SECOND ENCOUNTER WITH BROTHERS,” “JOSEPH SERIES: THE TEST,” and “JOSEPH SERIES: THE REVEAL.”
Happily, Joseph assured his brothers that he was not angry with them but that he realized God had sent him to Egypt to preserve their lives. He told them, “Tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.”
Pharaoh was excited for Joseph and told him to bring his father and his household to Egypt, where they would be nourished. Pharaoh provided wagons to transport the families, and Joseph gave them food to eat along the way. Joseph sent ten donkeys carrying the best products of Egypt and ten donkeys loaded with grain and bread for his father to eat on his journey to Egypt.
When the brothers returned to Canaan, they said to their father, “Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” The scripture does not say, but I believe the brothers had to finally tell their father that they had sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites, and they deceived him into thinking a wild animal killed Joseph. At first, Jacob was stunned and in disbelief, but when he saw what Joseph had sent for him, he was revitalized and said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.”
Genesis 46 shares the joyous reuniting of Jacob with his favorite son. At the beginning of their journey to Egypt, they came to Beersheba, where Jacob offered sacrifices to God. That night, in a vision, God spoke to Jacob and told him not to fear; He would be with him in Egypt, his family would become a great nation, when he died Joseph would be present, and eventually the family would return to Canaan.
A genealogical table of Jacob was shared, listing his sons and their children. Together, including Joseph’s family, there were 70 family members who went down to Egypt. Upon arrival in Egypt, Judah traveled ahead of them to announce their presence and to get directions to Goshen. Hearing the news, Joseph rode to Goshen in his chariot, and when he saw his father, he fell on his neck and wept. When Joseph stopped weeping, Jacob said to him, “Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.”
The chapter concluded with Joseph informing his family that he would tell Pharaoh of their arrival, their occupation as shepherds, and that they brought their flock and herd with them. He instructed them to inform Pharaoh, when they met with him, that they were shepherds.
Here is additional information and nuggets:
God has a plan for your preservation.
The favor that you have acquired can be extended to your family.
That which is done in darkness will eventually come to light.
Jacob had come to accept the painful fact that his son Joseph was dead, and to hear after twenty years that he was living and had become a great leader in Egypt was mind-blowing.
The statement is true, “Seeing is believing.” Jacob believed Joseph was alive when he saw the provisions that he sent for his journey to Egypt. Evidence of existence can assist your belief system.
Beersheba was the place where God met with Abraham in Genesis 21, Isaac in Genesis 26, and now Jacob in Genesis 46, before he went to Egypt. This visitation of God with him in a vision was the seventh and last recorded time of a Godly encounter.
Jacob was 130 years old when he went down to Egypt.
Being a shepherd was an abominable and loathsome occupation to the Egyptians. Further, noted that the animals Israel ate and sacrificed were the ones the Egyptians held sacred. So, locating Jacob’s family in the land of Goshen, which had the best fertile pasture in Egypt and was close to the Nile delta, would provide the separation needed for both the Egyptians and Jacob’s family.
All of Israel went to Egypt, and 430 years later, God brought all of Israel out of Egypt as He had promised.
As recorded in my last blog in this series, Jacob and his sons did not know that the governor of Egypt was Joseph. From their encounter with him, they felt he was cruel and believed they were spies. He also gave them an ultimatum concerning their return visit.
Genesis 43 records that the famine continued to ravage the land, and that Jacob’s family had eaten all the corn they had purchased in Egypt. Jacob’s hesitancy in allowing Benjamin to go with his brothers prevented them from returning to Egypt to purchase more food. Judah reminded his father of the words of Joseph to them, “Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.” Ultimately, if Benjamin did not accompany them, the brothers would not go to Egypt.
Jacob once again lamented the brothers’ revelation that one of them had stayed home with their father. However, the brothers told him they were simply answering the governor’s questions, and they did not know he would require them to bring Benjamin when they returned. Additionally, Judah volunteered to take responsibility for caring for Benjamin and bringing him home safely.
After their unpleasant exchange, Jacob relented and instructed his sons to take a gift of balm, a little honey, spices, myrrh, nuts, and almonds for the governor, and to double the money they took with them. That way, they would be able to repay the governor for the food they had previously received and purchase more.
Reluctantly, Jacob sent them on their way with these words that acknowledged they need God’s intervention, “And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
After their discussion, Jacob relented and instructed his sons to take a gift of balm, a little honey, spices, myrrh, nuts, and almonds for the governor, and to take double the money so they could repay for what might have been a mistake.
In order for me not to repeat a previous detailed blog for those of you that are interested in the detailed account of this second encounter with Joseph, it can be found in the archives of theteacherspick.com in the posts titled, “JOSEPH SERIES: SECOND ENCOUNTER WITH BROTHERS,” “JOSEPH SERIES: THE TEST,” and “JOSEPH SERIES: THE REVEAL.”
Here is additional information and nuggets:
Due to Jacob’s reluctance to allow Benjamin to travel to Egypt, the family was on the verge of starvation. In the time they waited, they could have traveled back and forth twice.
The loss of loved ones can cause you to hold on tightly to others.
Your decisions can impact your family’s future.
Possible starvation will cause you to make some painful decisions.
In the Orient, when approaching a person of authority, it was customary to do so with a gift; therefore, Jacob directed his sons to take the best fruits of Canaan for the governor. No doubt he felt that, as he had been able to placate Esau with gifts, his sons could do likewise with the governor.
Some old practices are hard to break.
When in doubt concerning financial transactions, seek answers.
By instructing his sons to take double the money with them, Jacob demonstrated honesty in business transactions.
Jacob’s prayer request was to El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, the almighty God, to soften the governor’s heart so that he would release Simeon and protect Benjamin.
Though he desired a different outcome, Jacob realized this return visit to Egypt could result in the death of Simeon and Benjamin.
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