A voice in the wilderness

Here are thoughts and commentary on what I happen to be studying; this may include references to Islam and how it fits into Biblical prophecy. Education-wise, I have two AS degrees, one being in Horticulture, but no bachelor's degree. The longest time spent at any one job was 15 years. Sadly, I have not been the great success I had dreamed I would be, but I find that I am becoming more content as my relationship with the Father God grows. God's word is my passion.

Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts

Monday, September 21, 2020

This is my response to a Christian brother, on his post, “Why the Antichrist is not a Muslim.”

It is not clear to me how or why the brother picked this topic, but I happen to believe that the Antichrist will be Islamic and not a Roman, as so many adhere to.

You opened by saying, “Obadiah, among others, tells us that the Muslims will be wiped out and that 'Esau will be left with no descendants;'” and you appear to have quoted from Obadiah 1:18 when you italicized the following words.

'The progeny of Esau shall be delivered only into the hands of the progeny of Joseph.'

If that was the end of it, this is a hopeless situation for the descendants of Esau.

Allow me an attempt at addressing one issue at a time.

I looked through the 40+ translations of the bible that I have in my computer program, and none of them use the term progeny in association with Obadiah 1:18. I am not asinine, and I understand what progeny means; however, many do not. I can see that Obadiah refers to descendants; subsequently, I can substitute the term progeny in place of descendants, but I do not have to do that as I can follow scripture.

I might add I do not believe that you got your 'scriptural' looking reference from any source which we would be aware of. I feel strongly about my assertion because you placed a link in the middle of your post that directs us to Chabad.org. There I found a somewhat cryptic article by Rabbi Immanuel Schochet. I also learned that he is “a renowned authority on Jewish philosophy and mysticism.” Call me narrow-minded if you wish, but his resume - especially the part about mysticism, which probably displeases God and helps to put Israel into the category of the wicked harlot, means nothing to me. I would never have written to my “non-Jewish” audience using his information.

That said, you did not quote scripture; you quoted the Rabbi, who tells us in his post that he also draws from the Targum and Midrash, writings only a Jewish scholar would use and understand. The Apostle Paul saw no need to quote from the Targum and Midrash in his writings, although he was well versed in them, as he wrote,

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (9) As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”
Galatians 1:8-9 NASB

Rather harsh words, wouldn't you say, and yet Paul seems to allow some margin of grace if the speaker holds to Jesus Christ as Lord.

“It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached—different spirit, different message—you put up with him quite nicely.” (2 Corinthians 11:4 MSG)

That being said, let's get back to Obadiah 1:18, and we will use a reasonable translation.

“"Then the house of Jacob will be a fire And the house of Joseph a flame, But the house of Esau will be as stubble. And they will set them on fire and consume them So that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau," For the LORD has spoken.” (Obadiah 1:18 NASB)

I often enjoy what Dr. J. Vernon McGee has to say. He often comes across much like a country Doctor trying to explain a vicious disease to people who will not understand elaborate medical terminology. Immediately Dr. McGee says, “There will be an ultimate, final judgment of Esau.” Italics mine.

Even I understand that statement, but the question that popped into my head is, when does this happen? Perhaps Dr. McGee has an answer to this question in his next statement.

“'I believe that "the house of Esau' is a kingdom that will not enter into the eternal kingdoms of this earth which will become the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Straightaway my mind goes to the initiation of our eternal kingdom, the millennial reign.

So Dr. McGee does not seem to think that Esau's progeny will enter the thousand-year reign and therefore be excluded from God's mercy. Now don't get me wrong, I take issue with Dr. McGee's assertion, much like I disagree with yours, but I'm afraid I have to disagree with some good reasons.

First, this ignores the complete work of the cross – the forgiveness of sin, as He was the sacrificial lamb offered up by the Jewish high priests that day. This forgiveness does not directly apply to Jesus' statement, forgive them, they know not what they are doing, as that happened before He died; that and, He was speaking specifically of those who put Him there on the cross. A piece of scriptural proof for this forgiveness can be found in Romans chapter six.

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. (Romans 6:10 NASB)

We are all very adept at sinning, and this is not just in the big flashy stuff; this is things like taking an attitude toward your wife, things you think can be ignored. So, His dying to sin is something other than some physical change in us; this is a change in how God sees us and how we get judged.

Secondly, since an intelligent look at Obadiah would require an understanding of the context. The person studying this would also have seen that Obadiah is referring to the day of the Lord, a period that falls at the end of God's wrath.

"Will I not on that day," declares the LORD, "Destroy wise men from Edom And understanding from the mountain of Esau? (Obadiah 1:8 NASB)

“On that day” has several possibilities, but the primary one happens when He returns in Revelation 19 as the warring Messiah, and the wise can certainly refer to those who thought they could kill the Messiah sitting upon the white horse.

“From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.” (Revelation 19:15 NASB)

I get it. Obadiah 1:18 with its question “will I not on that day... destroy wise men from,” compels your argument. The problem with such logic is that the verse does not imply a complete obliteration as you have conveyed; that and, there are other instances of God/Jesus dishing out justice, which indicates that He only destroys those who fight against Him.

"Therefore her young men will fall in her streets, And all her men of war will be silenced in that day," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 50:30 NASB)

Yes, I am well aware that Jeremiah speaks of Babylon, but Babylon was virtually gone by the time Daniel died. So, in reality, God is not speaking to Babylon, is he? If that is the case, then God is talking to and about those who still maintain the hatred and ideology of Not just Babylon, but of Nimrod and those who participated in the idolatrous ways associated with that tower, that came to be known as Babel.

In Revelation 19, we see the battle at the end of God's wrath.

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him, the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:19-21 NASB)

Note what the passage says: “ the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war.” After seizing the beast and the false prophet, and throwing them into the lake of fire, He kills the rest.

Who is getting killed here “in that day?”

Only those who came to fight. The general idea is that these are Esau's descendants, and yet NOT all are killed.

To continue on the side of mercy for a moment, the Apostle Paul said,

“... I would that all men were even as I myself am...” (1 Corinthians 7:7a MKJV)

What was Paul referring to? Sickness, the beatings, poor eyesight, or being a pharisee – an aspect of his life of which he was particularly proud? Hardly. He wanted all men to have the same deep, lasting relationship with the Messiah that he came to understand, and to know that Christ, because of this relationship, lives in them - this is the mystery that Paul speaks of in Ephesians.

“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.” (Ephesians 1:7-9 NASB)

It was Jesus who said,

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." (John 12:32 NASB)

Did that happen?

It did, as he was lifted up on that cross; that and, because He rose victoriously from the grave. God honors His Word, and we see that there is a massive effort by the Holy Spirit to draw ALL men to Himself.

Along that vein, I will tell you what happened to me several years ago on Halloween night. The wife, her mother, and I went to the Halloween festival in a nearby town. Mom was a bit feeble, and the crowds were typically rude, so I began to part the crowd with my walking stick, so mom would not get knocked down. A few seconds into this, a voice said, you are to be commended for helping her. I turned to see who was talking. He looked middle eastern, but then, so do a lot of people. I said I feel as if I am parting the waters like Moses. Well, that initiated the most amazing conversation, and I learned that this former son of Esau, a former Muslim, had Jesus come to him in his dreams many years ago while he lived in Iran. Jesus shared the gospel with him from a specific verse. This man found it so amazing that he told his brother, the Imam, who told him to keep his mouth shut or he would be killed. Many years passed, and he finds himself in France. There a person gave him the bible in Aramaic. Imagine that, the first verse he turned to and read was the same scripture that Jesus spoke to him about in the dreams. Right there, on the sidewalk in France, he accepted Jesus Christ into his life. Do you know what happened in that moment on the sidewalk? He changed teams and became a part of the body of Christ. He was no longer responsible for the sins of his forefathers, and no longer under the curse of Obadiah 1:18. He is NOT the only one this has happened to, and all those who have turned to the Lord will enter the eternal kingdom and be loved by the Father.

I feel impressed to point something else out at this juncture. One of those thieves being hung next to Jesus that day was admitted into the kingdom upon death. Why? Because of the simple words, he said, “do you not fear God?” “this man has done nothing wrong;” and “remember me.” These progeny of Edom/Esau have and will continue to make the simplest of acknowledgments, while the Father, on the other hand, will respond with, enter into the eternal kingdom.

Obadiah is only one chapter and opens with a command to the nations, calling them for battle against Edom.

“The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom--We have heard a report from the LORD, And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, "Arise and let us go against her for battle"-- “ Obadiah 1:1 NASB.

It is a vision given to Obadiah;
concerning Edom;
and, it commands those who have been sent among the nations
who say, 'Arise and let us go against her for battle.”

Why would God command the nations to come against Edom?

The obvious factor is that Israel, once again, will sustain a grave and deadly attack. As of this moment in time, 09/16/2020, has Israel sustained such a fatal military attack? No, yet many will go back to June of 1967 and the Six-Day war and claim that this was just such a military operation. While Israel sustained losses, that war was much more deadly for others. In the process, Israel gained the Golan Heights, the entirety of Jerusalem, and the Gaza strip (although Israel later complied with the U.N. and relinquished the Gaza strip to the Palestinians. Another dominant war was the Yom Kippur War (October of 1973.) This war was led by a coalition of Arab states, which included Egypt and Syria, and ended in sound defeat for the alliance, so it does not answer the question.

Does scripture substantiate a deadly attack against Israel?

Absolutely and we can see this in Ezekiel.

“One-third of you will die by plague or be consumed by famine among you, one third will fall by the sword around you, and one third I will scatter to every wind, and I will unsheathe a sword behind them.” Ezekiel 5:12 NASB

In Zechariah chapter 12, we learn that all nations will be gathered against Israel.

"It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.
(Zechariah 12:3 NASB)

Zechariah 14:2 tells us that the city shall be taken, and half the city will go into captivity once again.

“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished, and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” Zechariah 14:2 KJV

I want to address one more point before I leave this thesis.

You indicated that Edom is the comprehensive designation of the enemies of Israel. Comprehensive by dictionary standards means the quality of comprising much, or including a great extent, extensive; or comprehending many things at once.”

I would venture to say that your use of the term, as it applies to Israel, says that all of Israel's enemies can be envisioned as Edomites. While your reference to Obadiah, where it says, “Will I not destroy wise men from Edom And understanding from the mountain of Esau?” is a question, it does imply that God will destroy, at least the wise-men, from Edom. If I must consider the rest of the statement as demonstrating a mass killing, then I would have asked, do all men have understanding? The answer is seen in our government today. The riots that allegedly started because of George Floyd began on May 26, 2020, and yet here it is September 18, 2020, and speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi just announced that riots are a bad thing and the people who are causing harm should be arrested and jailed. Do you see any understanding in that? I don't, especially since she waited months to make the statement.

If you were to look at The Historical Map of the Assyrian Empire and the Eastern Mediterranean about 750 – 625 B.C., what will you see is Assyrians blanketing Edom.

Since the days of Jonah, the Assyrians, or in Jonah's case, they were called Ninevehites, have been attacking, killing, and torturing the Northern and Southern kingdoms of the Jews. Wikipedia indicates that the Ninevehites were an ancient Assyrian city of Upper Mesopotamia, located on Mosul's outskirts in modern-day northern Iraq.

Where do we find Edom?

Out in the Negev desert, about as far south as you can go. Edomites were descendants of Esau, but so were almost all of Israel's enemies.

The Quora search website and Garry de Vries, a former expositor/teacher of scripture, say this about Esau.

“Esau had many descendants. Five sons and ten grandsons are mentioned (Please read Genesis Chapter 36). Teman, one of the descendants of Esau, gave his name to a district and a tribe of that name in Edom. The inhabitants of Teman were renowned for their wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7). Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends was called a Temanite (Job 2:11). He was a wise man who had a great respect for God. Job was instructed by God to offer sacrifice and intercede for him (Job 42:7–10). This is surely one example of people who did not belong to the line of promise (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), but who nevertheless participated in the spiritual blessings of the original promise to Abraham. One of Esau’s sons, Eliphaz, had a concubine, or secondary wife, called Timna. She was the sister of one of the leaders of the Horites in Seir (Genesis 36:22), and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz (Gen.36:12). Because Amalek did not have the same mother as the other sons of Eliphaz, it may be that he was ostracized by his brothers and that it was this that led him to live in a separate area (identified as the nation of the Amalekites). The Amalekites were the first nation/tribe to wage war on Israel after they had left Egypt (Exodus 17:8–13). As they ‘did not fear God’ but attacked a weary, defenseless people, Israel was directed to blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven (Deuteronomy 25:17–19).”

The last portion of this paragraph is the sole reason we see God ordering the Edomites' destruction. I am not here to argue whether they deserve to be wiped out or not. It is the realization that we all deserve to be wiped out because of sin, and that is why Jesus Christ came and paid the debt for us all. Jesus' blood was shed for the Edomites as well, and we seem to forget that fact.

In the prophecy of Daniel, we are told that the descendants of one referred to as the prince that will come, come and destroy the city and temple, just as it was destroyed in 70 A.D. Sadly, many have misled us into believing that this prince was Titus, the Roman general. It was not.

Daniel 9:26 NASB "Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.”

This prince, the one who will destroy the city and the temple once again, has many names, and the Assyrian is one of them.

Isaiah 31:8 NASB And the Assyrian will fall by a sword, not of man, And a sword not of man will devour him. So he will not escape the sword, And his young men will become forced laborers.

This man will fall by a sword not of a man, then what else is left?

The sword of the Lord and we have that picture in Revelation 19.

If Esau is the father of the Arabs, and he is, and, by oppression, the Arabs pretty much all became Muslims, then we, by extrapolation, can see where the Muslims will become the final and fitting players in the end times. These people do not listen to anyone that is not a Muslim, and therefore the only one who can get their attention and call for peace will be a Muslim; hence, the Islamic Antichrist.

Now you don't have to buy into any of this, nor do I expect you to. But when I found this information in Joel Richardson's book The Islamic Antichrist, my understanding of end-times events became very clear.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Judas Iscariot, a character study. Part 3.

Some might ask why I am defending such a man. Primarily it is because an aspect of what we have learned inside the brick walls we call the church, has imposed bad teaching and skewed traditions upon us; in doing so we have developed into some of the most judgmental people you will ever meet. Do we as Christians run around with swords and guns imposing our will on people, as some groups do, hopefully not, but our words and teachings have a comparable effect.
Secondly, the question itself demonstrates a horrendous judgmental attitude by the one doing the asking, but I suppose, to some degree, it is a legitimate question.
I guess you can say I am standing up for Judas-Iscariot because I am a lot like the man. I too am Sick of my government lying to me; I am annoyed to tears about “law enforcement” bullying good people, while no one seems to care about the drug dealer next door to me; I am fed up with most organized religion, as it is no different today than when the chief priests and elders corroborated to kill Jesus; It grieves me that within the church body I scarcely find anyone willing to focus on and talk about the Word of God (I am excluding those who, as one brother experienced, think they are learned, and therefore think they have the right to say whatever they want, including opinion, as they push some skewed teaching on us.) Oh sure, the men will talk sports, cars, and how important they are at their jobs, but God and the reality of life has no place in their lives, and most of these men, whether they have money or not, have credit cards and therefore put their faith in the credit card instead God – they are thus enabled to actively pursue their idols. So when it comes to “men” who will talk about Godly things I am only aware of a handful, and I sit regularly with two of them.

There is a point to most of this ranting; I am painfully aware that the things going on around us are a part of the birth pains, known as Jacob's troubles depending upon the translation you use. (You will find the reference to Jacob's troubles in Jeremiah 30:7.) All this is a lead into the time of God's wrath; the seven-year period we so foolishly call the “Tribulation.”
We, as followers of Christ, have been given the power and authority to stand against much of this onslaught, and it is coming in many forms. Most recently France, with the yellow vest protests, has withstood some ridiculous taxation and it seems, for the moment, they won that battle. Sadly, some of us will die (Matthew 26:52.)

Judas-Iscariot was no worse or better than any of the disciples. Are we not told that “all have sinned and come short”? (Romans 3:23)

I have made comments in defense of Judas-Iscariot below the bulleted points. The original document has, for the most part, been turned into bulleted points and paragraphs are highlighted in bold type.

In fact, Judas was empowered to do what he did by the devil himself: “As soon as Judas took the bread [that Jesus had given him], Satan entered into him” (John 13:27).

Let's take this verse one step further.
John 13:25-27 NIV Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" (26) Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish."Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. (27) As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly."
The "he" in this passage is Peter; so can I assume that Peter knew who it was that was going to betray Jesus. The inference is reasonably direct, and yet John 13:28 tells us that NO ONE understood what was happening.
One other thing I noticed as I read John 13:27, “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” We always assumed that Jesus was talking directly to Judas-Iscariot, but what if He wasn't? What if the statement, “what you are about to do, do quickly,” was directed at Satan? Think about the interactions Jesus had with Peter and the demonic. How did he speak? He spoke directly to the demon(s) and ordered them to come out. Anyway, it's just a thought.

If I stick with the NIV, I get a point-blank inference that Satan entered into Judas. So let's examine that and see if it is a true statement.
The Greek word for entered is eiserchomai and means (According to Thayer'sDefinitions) 1) to go out or come in: to enter; 1b) of Satan taking possession of the body of a person.
So, yes, it is true that Satan entered Judas.
What does Satan entering Judas do to the previous three years and events in Judas' life? Nothing. Get serious; there is not a man on the face of the earth that is immune to Satan's deception unless they have accepted Jesus as the Lord of their life, receive the power of the Holy Spirit, and get firmly planted in God's word; then, you stand a chance.

It seems like being a follower of Jesus Christ would be firm and common ground, but spend a little time in recovery and you will see that people fall off the wagon with regularity. Every few months they come dragging themselves back to meetings, not understanding what they did, or what happened in their religious moment at some altar or a church bench. This lack of understanding opens the door for Satan to run them ragged.

How about those who think they are the pillars of the church; can they be deceived and battered about? Absolutely. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, instructs the young man about moving in gentleness and wisdom toward people who seem to betray their salvation, when in fact, they have been taken captive by Satan at his will.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 NASB The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, (25) with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, (26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

If Satan can snare a believer, then he can catch Judas as well.

The other disciples had no clue that Judas Iscariot harbored treacherous thoughts.

This idea that the other disciples had no clue seems to be a contradiction to most everything the authors of this treatise have conveyed. It is, however, a true statement, because, as I said moments ago, when I pointed out John 13:28, that none of them understood what was going on.

When Jesus mentioned a betrayer in their midst, the other disciples worried that it was they who would prove disloyal (John 13:22).

True

No one suspected Judas. He was a trusted member of the Twelve.

True

Even when Jesus told Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly,” (John 13:27), and Judas left the Last Supper, the others at the table simply thought Judas had been sent to buy more food or to give something to charity (verses 28–29).

True

Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord with a kiss, perfectly in keeping with his brazen duplicity (Luke 22:47–48).

Again, that word betrayal. Luke indicated a kiss most likely because it was dark (I say this because they had tried or wanted to kill Jesus on several occasions. The Jewish council knew who he was and what he looked like. They may not have known precisely where he was that night,) who Jesus was.
Judas-Iscariot's actions fulfilled several prophetic words that night; and, played precisely into a Godly timeline that was to be achieved only a few hours from this moment.

After committing his atrocious act, Judas “was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders” (Matthew 27:3). But we learn that remorse does not equal repentance—rather than make amends or seek forgiveness, “he went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5).

The Complete Jewish Bible translation tells us that “he was seized with remorse.” Few other translations treat Judas so kindly. Most read something like this, Matthew 27:3 NASB Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,”

Saw is the Greek word eidō and means to perceive with the eyes, notice, discern, and discover, among others.

Condemned is the Greek word katakrinō and means judged worthy of punishment.

Some questions: if Judas truly wanted Jesus to die because of this so-called “betrayal,” why would he care what became of Jesus?

We are told that Judas-Iscariot saw (perceived) that he had been condemned. From whom and how did this perception come? Did it come from Jesus? I don't think so, and we never see any interaction between the two after the kiss in the garden.

Did the condemnation come from the other disciples? Quite possibly, however, only those who were in the upper room and then the garden would have been aware of what transpired.
Could the condemnation come from the chief priests and elders, the same ones who lured Judas in, that they could have Jesus killed? This type of behavior would have been a common occurrence for them.

Felt and remorse are merely the same Greek word used twice. It is because of conjunctive words, that the meaning can be ascertained as “feeling remorse.” Old English, however, can occasionally be a poor translation and it mandates that we pursue the alternative possibilities from a concordance.
The Greek word is metamellomai and means to care afterward, regret, and repent, denoting a change of place or condition, and mélomai, mid. of mélō (n.f. see mélei[G3199], to concern), to be concerned.
So when we talk of repentance in the Christian community, aren't we talking about 180 degree turns from that troublesome thing or a change in condition?
All these words are religiously applied to repentance, and yet we can't find any room for that in Judas-Iscariot.
So I could read Matthew 27:3 as, when Judas Iscariot determined what the Jewish council's real intent was, he had a deep concern about delivering Jesus over to the Jewish council; as he has now learned their hidden agenda was to have Jesus killed.

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Friday, November 10, 2017

It is not according to man. Galatians 1:11

Months ago, buried deep in the books of Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation, I began to feel the desire to go back to the richness of Paul's letters. In all honesty, I love God's word, but when I think about the concepts Paul was sharing with the new believers, and how radically different they were from anything the recipients had been taught, and knowing that this was the case with Paul as well; let's just say, I am drawn to them.

In the book of Acts, we find Saul/Paul reciting his resume if you will. This description of himself includes: Being born of Pharisees; raised a Pharisee; confidently boasting that he was surpassing many of his peers in knowledge of the Torah, Talmud, and supplementary teachings; so zealous was I for what I understood to be God's word, that I defended it violently, incarcerating those of the way, and, if necessary, having them killed. At the martyr of Stephen, we find a young Saul holding the cloaks of those who wished to throw stones.

Certainly, Saul was well-educated; we could probably say, he knew the law and prophets inside and out. And yet, Saul knew little of grace and mercy – conspicuous characteristics of God and His son Jesus. At some point in time - we know where this probably began, Saul began to be taught by Jesus himself.

(Consider for a moment, how that could happen outside of a personal revelation? As an example, we have Abram who described God's movements as He walked between the halves of the bloody carcass. As God walked He described all that He would do for the man that followed Him. It was all a revelation; a dream. In Saul's case, much of it may have happened instantaneously, as the men who traveled with him heard the noise that Saul heard, but could not distinguish it from thunder.)

What was Saul taught in his revelation of Jesus? The very things that Jesus demonstrated as He walked this earth.

Something else to keep in mind as you study: Jesus set aside His majesty and became a man, that means he was voluntarily on His own, as learned the Torah and Talmud, just as Saul did. And yet, something was distinctly different; Jesus found the grace and mercy in those words, not the legalism. Yes, I have heard the same traditional discussion that is spread around the church; talk that implies Jesus had God's power inherent in him simply because of who He was (The argument can go much deeper and complicated, but that is essentially the ruse.) Given, He was born of Godly seed but that still makes him half man, and this entire process was for a specific reason – to redeem man through the blood sacrifice of a man, the God-man. Here is another of those intricate details that few latch on to. Yeshua, born of God's seed, bypasses the one thing, apparently passed through genetics, that motivates us to do things our own way, therefore He was sin free. If he were to sin, it would have been through some serious temptation, much like Adam went through. We, in our simple little minds, love to call this motivation to do our own thing, sin.

Through Paul's writings, we come to understand that we have goals to meet, such as: walking in love; these are referred to as the perfect law of liberty. And yet, we, almost daily, come short of fulfilling those goals, as we try to hit the mark. According to some, our missing of this mark means we have failed, and therefore subjected ourselves to the threat of hell's flames. Our religiosity then categorizes our sins, forgetting that the price, large or small, was permanently paid on the cross and all sin was set aside. The circumvention this process is in direct contradiction to the laws of the universe. You see man/Adam, had given up the title deed to the earth, which God had put under his control. You wish to argue this point, then consider that Jesus was taken to the pinnacle of the temple and shown, by Satan, all the kingdoms of this world. Jesus did not argue that he was a fool for even saying that because Adam had given it away. But, a man, a sinless man, was going to take it all back in time. (All this is spelled out in veiled language, some of which we see almost immediately after man selfishly partakes of the forbidden fruit when God/Yeshua tells Eve, your seed will crush the serpents head.)

And yet, religion still compels all to come for forgiveness. Yes, this too I get, as the apostle, John informs us that we all sin daily.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:6-10 NASB)

So, what then does this act of continuously asking for forgiveness look like? Perhaps forgiveness is enveloped in this idea of fellowship that John speaks of. In fellowship, there is something close what Adam had in the garden, where he walked and talked with God. It is also something our hearts long for, relationship restored.

The NASB entitles this next section - Paul, called by God,

and thus begins our look at Galatians 1:11

Galatians 1:11 MKJV And, brothers, I make known to you the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.

At this point he is not indicating what that gospel is; a gospel which he “preached” as he passed through the region on his missionary trips. However, he is making a distinction in that the message is not man's message.

He received this message directly from the Father himself. For the skeptic, and there are always skeptics, I will ask the question for you, when did that happen? Quite possibly on the road to Damascus, as Saul was traveling with others; traveling, with the express purpose of bringing harm to any followers of “the way.” These were what the new “Christians” were called. Since Jesus informed all, who would listen, that he was “the way.” It stands to reason that new believers might take on the identification, “followers of the way.”

Since we know that Saul/Paul conveyed a message of “good news,” then it also makes sense to understand what the message was.

In a nutshell, the message is this:

Galatians 1:3-4 NASB Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Some, as I have experienced, do not believe that the message, upon which we base our hope, is necessary or effective. This is especially true if one's goal is to beat people into submission verbally. If you think about it, that was never God's technique; He merely presented the options to Abram and said, “as for me.” This delivery method seems simple enough, doesn't it? God telling man, regardless of what you do, I will carry out my plan.

Now, because we have invested time in God's word, and understand His plan of redemption, we also understand that life here on earth functions more effectively when we follow God's formula for success (The word formula is easily perceived as law. But as believers, under grace, are we under the law? No, it is now referred to as, “the perfect law of liberty,” and it works well when followed.)

James 1:25 NET. But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out -- he will be blessed in what he does.

Our freedom of choice was never removed; in many, like some wild stallion, there is a refusal to submit to the reigns. Jesus said, take up the cross and follow me. How do you exempt yourself from a submission to the one who gave his all for you? So yes, there is a “law of liberty;” and, I have chosen to submit myself to it. In doing so, I have found that it works for me, not against me.

I keep emphasizing that the Apostle Paul spoke to Jews first and foremost.

You might think that the modern “Christian” community would understand this by now. I know this is not the case, as I recently sat in an adult Sunday morning class that chose to use approved literature from a “Christian” vendor. The books used were misleading and inaccurate in their presentation and questions. Sadly, no one challenged the text, and when I did, many angrily disputed with me. In time the Apostle Paul modified his approach and took the message to the Gentiles; he did this because he was repeatedly and violently attacked by the religious, and traditional Jews.

The startling revelation here – is that the Gentiles would not have heard the words of the Torah and therefore would not have known of God's promise to Abram and how there was to be a restoration of all things. Paul is working with blank slates and needed to bring the Gentiles up to speed.

Information about Paul's audience plays a critical role in our understanding of the things Paul is writing; for the reasons, I explained. So, when he says, “I made known to you the gospel which was preached by me,” he is not telling the Jews something new, they already understood the far-reaching aspects of Paul's message.

I have bounced around the edges of this message for two posts and now a third, so, what was the message that Paul shared with the Jews as he entered the Synagogues?

Common sense tells us that it had to be one that was pertinent. An aspect of those pertinent messages came from the law, but as Gentiles, we see little redemption in those restrictions. If that is true, and they are merely restrictions and not a pattern of the good things to come, then how or why would the Jews see the redemption and restoration of all things in them? Other writings, that pointed to salvation from this present evil world, could be found in the works of David and the prophets: Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel jump to mind.

King David said, “.. You were a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds. Psalm 99:8

Was he only talking about a momentary, present forgiveness, or is this a reference to some future time when all things will be set aside?

Isaiah prophesied, “Thus I will punish the world for its evil And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless.” Isaiah 13:11 NASB

The context of Isaiah 13:11 puts this at the end of time, as He is punishing the world for evil. This theme is also spelled out in the writings of the prophet Joel and in the Revelation, but we cannot count the Revelation yet because we are focused on a message that would have been relevant to the Jewish community.

As a matter of fact, the message was so relevant that many believed, while others, conspired to have Paul beaten and stoned. In the Revelation, this punishment upon the earth is the judgment and wrath of God being poured out.

The Christian community should be rejoicing as we are not subject to wrath because we are in Christ (There are always exceptions and the parable of the ten virgins spells that out for us. If I take this parable literally, the ratio is 50 percent who will be left behind when the catching away of the church comes.) Israel, on the other hand, has reason to be concerned, as they kept chasing idols and turning their backs on God.

One of the proofs of God's anger against Israel is found in the words of the prophet Jeremiah:

“Yet you said, 'I am innocent; Surely His anger is turned away from me.' Behold, I will enter into judgment with you Because you say, 'I have not sinned.'“ Jeremiah 2:35 NASB

So, God will enter into judgment with Israel, but when? The prophet Joel tells us that God will enter into judgment with the nations. He does this for the way they treated His people, Israel.

“I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land.” Joel 3:2 NASB

Some would say, but Israel is no longer scattered? Is that true? No, and though the reasons may have changed, the vile hatred coming from the nations is still there.

Isaiah tells us of new heavens and earth, along with so much more; when does that happen?

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. 18) "But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. 19) "I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.” Isaiah 65:17-19 NASB

The obvious answer to the question, “when does that happen?”, is some obvious future date; a hope anchored on something. The Jews understood that something, to be the coming of the expected Messiah.

When you read the story of the Magi, you find Herod questioning the Magi as to why they had come. In a panic, Herod calls upon the chief priests and scribes, demanding when and where this Messiah was born, that the Magi were looking for. The information they give him is taken in part from Micah the prophet.

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." Micah 5:2 NASB)

Yet Israel was looking for the Messiah; one who would come conquering and rule with an iron fist over Israel's oppressors. They did not want this:

A child?

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB)

"Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him?" This was the exact opposite of what they saw in “king” Saul.

“For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:2-3 NASB)

And yet that is how God opted to bring Him into the world. Now comes the hard part. How do you show the Jews that the God-man, who had the flesh stripped off his back, was God himself, and now reigns with the Father until the day He returns as the sword-wielding conqueror Israel expected?

I do not know if this applied during the time of Paul but it certainly is true today, Isaiah 53 is a forbidden section of scripture in the Synagogues. A Messianic rabbi, a street evangelist if you will, shows Jews Isaiah's words from Isaiah 53 in the Talmud, and has them read it aloud. Many recognize and admit that this could have only been Jesus the Christ, and accept Yeshua as the Messiah they have longed for.

“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging, we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5 NASB)

There it is, the good news. Perhaps, in a way, more for the Jew than the Gentile, but the common ground is that there will, someday, be a relief from this evil world; a relief from this sin infested body I cannot shake, and a peace that I have never known or comprehended outside of relationship with Christ. The Jews knew this was coming but judgment hung over their heads. The Gentiles knew nothing of this hope and that is one of the reasons we and Israel, have been so infested with idolatry. We have all been seeking peace and a hope. All of that and more is found in Jesus/Yeshua when you come to Him.

What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

Saturday, January 7, 2017

New Years day and this is what you preach, the institution of the Lord's supper? Mark 14:22 – 42

Yeah, I know, burning your bridges gives you limited access back across the river, and that, unfortunately, is where some of the humans are, but I have done just that on several occasions. One of the problems this act creates is that I lose access to new material. What do I mean? It is in conversations and or, in listening to a sermon, that the Holy Spirit gives me new stuff to about which to write. This last Sunday morning was one of those.

The sermon title, as listed on the clean note sheet we were handed was "Happy New Year." That makes sense because it was January 01, 2017. However, the scripture passage that I assumed would be the main topic source was Mark 14:22 – 42. This is where Jesus tells the guys, “I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of

: The hands of Jesus holding wine cup, symbol of communion

God,” and, where Peter, as Eugene Peterson's Message states, "Even if everyone else is ashamed of you when things fall to pieces, I won't be." I find neither of these scenarios to be motivators for some immediate happiness.

I cannot stand people who through rose colored glasses, try to get you to ignore the pain enveloping you and look to the future goal as your constant source of feelings. If there was a person qualified to do that it would have been Jesus. Seeing as Jesus, the creator of eternity, the one who knows the end from the beginning, was standing there in front of them, and He did not say anything like that then maybe just trying to divert people from their momentary reality is not the answer. He tried to cheer them up knowing full well the anguish He was feeling in his soul, and we see the evidence of that anguish a few minutes later when He takes the three with him into the mount of olives.

Jesus, being greatly distressed said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” And He went a little beyond them and fell to the ground.

New Year's day, and this is what you preach?

We did take Communion this morning, and that being significant could well have played a role in theme, Happy New Year. However, communion was also one of the things we find Jesus doing with the disciples in Mark's gospel, but none of this engendered happiness in them. Jesus, well aware of the forlorn looks on their faces tried to cheer them up a bit with this:

John 16:6-7 NASB "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7) "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

But this did not and would not bring hope to their hearts, for none of them understood what was happening. They anticipated Jesus taking a commanding role in overturning the rule of the Romans. So the sorrow and grief filled the faces of every one of them as they were faced with the thought of losing the best thing that ever happened to them. In that moment looking to a future hope, you do not understand borders on the impossible. Where is the happiness in this?

I point this out, and yet pastor spent more time focused on Jeremiah 29:10,11 than anything else. As I read the words of Jeremiah, over and over that morning, the pastor was acting out how excited (and presumably happy) he believed Jeremiah might have felt as he heard these words. That prompted me to make some quick notes so I could do a little background investigation on Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 29:10-11 NASB "For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11) 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

These words, "When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place," may not have had the exciting impact we presume. Why would I say that? While it is possible that Jeremiah understood the threat that Assyria and the Babylonian empire posed; Israel, it would seem, had yet to be taken into Babylonian captivity. Allow me to demonstrate with this timeline.

: Jeremiah's-time-frame

As you can see Jeremiah, born before 630 BC, did not experience the reign of Nebuchadnezzar until somewhere around 605 BC, some twenty-five years later.

What then would Jeremiah have had that would have given him "a world view"?

This catch phrase "world view" came into my hearing several years ago as I began to pay attention to apologetics teachers. Focus on the Family – a radio ministry, has this definition for world view:

A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. "[It's] any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world and man's relations to God and the world," says David Noebel, author of Understanding the Times. For example, a 2-year-old believes he's the center of his world, a secular humanist believes that the material world is all that exists, and a Buddhist believes he can be liberated from suffering by self-purification. Someone with a biblical worldview believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God.

Lacking nonstop televised news and high-speed international travel we could be surprised to find that Jeremiah believed the world was anything other than flat. Fortunately, news, travel adventures, and history were passed along by mouth (oral history.)

One of the people who lived at the same time as Jeremiah and may have played a huge role in Jeremiah's formation, is Jonah, a man with an intense hatred for the Assyrians, most specifically the Ninevites and their king. Nineveh was the city God had told Jonah to go to with a message of absolute destruction should they not repent. Sadly, as far a Jonah was concerned, they did repent; therefore, God relented - no he did not forget but set aside his judgment temporarily, and they were spared destruction.

Now mind you this is merely a logical speculation but it has potential; and, it is intended to make you think differently about the human side of Godly events.

So again, what did God say to Jeremiah?

What of this though?

"When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place."

To put this in perspective we need to consider the captivity that we were in prior to accepting Christ. Some aspects of this life as I understand it, is:

There are wealthy people in the world, and even though there is no apparent Christ in their lives they have little comprehension of captivity. Why is that? In spite of the pain, which is great – although they will never openly tell you that; the pleasures they seek are never enough. They can never be satisfied, and that alone brings them a captivity.
Many, followers of Christ, neither have nor will they have anything other than the misery they live in (we see so much of this in third world nations and the Middle East.) Our considerations of this are horribly tainted by the various worlds we live in. I will use myself as an example: Having never lived in a third world nation I have no idea yet (I say this because the global agenda to bring all nations down to the same level) what it is like to scrounge through the trash piles hoping to find something to eat. Because of this I only comprehend the discomfort of others by watching it on television while stuffing my face with cheesy chips. Hopefully, you get my point?

If you had been a captive and received this word as Jeremiah did, you may have had reason to rejoice or be happy. And yet there is that phrase "when seventy years have been completed" to put a damper on your rejoicing and happiness, because, at this point, we have no idea how long Jeremiah had been a captive if that was the case. However, there is another way of looking at this prophecy which says, you will be going into captivity, and it is going to last for seventy years. This conclusion probably brings no joy with it. Let me point out (the prophet) Daniel. It is alleged that he was taken captive at a time when he should have been getting married; the prime of life, so to speak. Once a decision was made as to what to do with him, he would have been castrated – a strong demotivator in your decision to attempt to return to the girl of your dreams. By the time Daniel figured out that Israel only had a short period left in captivity, he was already an old man. Keep in mind that Daniel ascertained this information by reading the scroll/prophecy of Jeremiah.

Are we captives?

If I accept Christ's life in me, and the understanding that my act of faith moves me immediately into His kingdom and family, then I affirm that I have been released from (Satan's) captivity.

What is the scriptural backing for our being released from captivity?

Revelation 5:9 ESV (b) ... for you were slain, and by your (Jesus) blood, you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

Acts 20:28 ESV (b) ... the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

In visualizing this ransom scenario - something I constantly do with scripture, I see an old picture from American history of slaves on an auction block. Jesus, having the one resource that meets all the demands, pays the price and sets all civilization free – past, present, and future. And yet it seems we are still captive, while others come off as though they have no clue about what I am saying. People were never meant to be items for trade, and yet, through the act of choice, Adam made us all slaves. In CS Lewis's book, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, the White “witch”/ ice queen refers to all of the humans as “Sons of Adam.” Why? Because the damage it seems was a genetic predisposition to act selfishly.

This release is entirely independent of feelings and circumstances and is fully wrapped up in God's promises and His ability to carry them out. Plainly stated, placing our lives in Christ has removed us from captivity, no questions asked. Are there those still trapped in the grasp of Satan's captivity; certainly, but only because their actions caused addictions and habits. We will always be responsible for our actions while we are here on this earth. It is only by God's mercy that we occasionally escape due punishment. To recognize God's mercy and grace in my life brings me great joy and happiness.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Jacob has died, now what will Joseph do? Genesis chapter 50

Genesis 50

09/14/16

Osmer Harris

Prelude: Chapter 49 of Genesis has Jacob giving the official blessing to his sons and then his death. One of the things we see is Jacob calling Joseph to his side and telling him not to leave his bones in Egypt.

So, when Jacob dies what does Joseph do?

Pharaoh, the king of ancient Egypt, is often depicted wearing the nemes headdress and an ornate kilt. Based on New Kingdom tomb paintings. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He goes to Pharaoh and requests permission. Now, why would the number two man in Egypt need to ask Pharaoh for the leave to bury his father? We are not given that answer, though the answer may be right before our faces. The idea that dominates my thinking on this is respect; not only for the man but his position. And, why not? Didn't Pharaoh give Joseph a tremendous amount of grace and leeway when he extracted him from prison and placed him in the position of number two man in Egypt? The one stipulation to Joseph's job and position is that he has to answer to Pharaoh and none other.

One other thing. After telling Pharaoh his intent, Jacob is given the full Egyptian burial treatment, and all of Egypt's leaders and dignitaries join in the travel and mourning for Jacob. This scene, entirely played out, is reminiscent of what we saw when President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest. There was horse drawn carriages, full-color guard, and dignitaries from all over the world.

It is a time of mourning. And thus begins chapter 50.

Genesis 50:1 NASB Then Joseph fell on his father's face, and wept over him and kissed him.

From Gill's commentary: “Laid his own face to the cold face and pale cheeks of his dead father, out of his tender affection for him, and grief at parting with him; this shows that Joseph had been present from the time his father sent for him, and all the while he had been blessing the tribes, and giving orders about his funeral:”

I think the obvious factor is that Joseph held a deep affection for his father.

Genesis 50:2 NASB Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.

From the IVPBBC: “embalming. Although it was the usual practice in Egypt for everyone who could afford it, the embalming of Israelites is found only in this passage. This was an elaborate and ritual-filled procedure performed by a trained group of mortuary priests. It involved removing the internal organs and placing of the body in embalming fluids for forty days. The idea behind this is based on the Egyptian belief that the body had to be preserved as a repository for the soul after death.”

Ägypten, Sakkara, Stufenpyramide (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the things I have contended is that Joseph had become well integrated into the Egyptian culture. Working for Potiphar required that he understand the Egyptian culture to do the household ordering. Learning the language would have been necessary for him to expand into the management of the “ranch.” This comprehension would have included an understanding of embalming and why. Before we get all judgmental, there is no established law from God and therefore no condemnation.

Genesis 50:3-4 NASB Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. 4) When the days of mourning for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, "If now I have found favor in your sight, please speak to Pharaoh, saying,

“Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.”

Suppose you only read this part, “Now forty days were required for mourning.” Where would we have found this command? We don't, and so we are left to assume unless we have some verifiable information such as historians provide for us.

Typically we do not get this level of information from the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge but this is good, and so we will use it here:

“We learn from the Greek historians, that the time of mourning was while the body remained with the embalmers, which Herodotus says was seventy days. During this time the body lay in nitre, the use of which was to dry up all its superfluous and noxious moisture, and when, in the space of 30 days, this was sufficiently affected, the remaining forty, the time mentioned by Diodorus, were employed in anointing it with gums and spices to preserve it, which was properly the embalming. This sufficiently explains the phraseology of the text.”
“When the days of mourning for him were past, Joseph addressed the household of Pharaoh, saying, "If now I have found favor in your sight, please speak to Pharaoh, saying,”

Joseph, while his father's body is being addressed by the Egyptian embalmers, is apparently weeping. Because we know that the length of time played into their ritual-filled procedures, it is easier to envision Joseph stepping aside to weep – we already know that he is capable of deep emotion.

Mourning is such a personal thing that it is unfair to designate a behavior pattern to a broad populace.
“When the days of mourning for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, "If now I have found favor in your sight, please speak to Pharaoh, saying,”

If we use the information from the TSK, then designated time of mourning is about 70 days. Joseph having had more than enough time to weep and lament the loss of his father is ready to get him buried, and so he approaches Pharaoh.

Why would the second most powerful man in Egypt go to Pharaoh, giving the appearance of asking Pharaoh's permission? Maybe the answer to this is as simple as one word, respect. Do you believe Joseph was a man that would forget what brought him to this position? Pharaoh brought him out of prison; gave him a prestigious position; a home; a family, and his dignity was restored. It is not irrational to have a love for the man.

Genesis 50:5 NASB 'My father made me swear, saying, "Behold, I am about to die; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me." Now, therefore, please let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.'"

Previously, “ Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh.” Perhaps they chose to restrict access to their father, as everyone is getting older and wished to protect him. Who knows? Joseph passes along the information knowing that it will get to Pharaoh. That is trust with confidence.

Genesis 50:6 NASB Pharaoh said, "Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear."

We make the assumption that Pharaoh spoke directly to Joseph, and that may not be the case. Picture the scene from the Ten Commandments, when Yul Brenner (as Pharaoh,) disgusted, leans his head on one hand and says GO! And take your people with you. But this is different, for this Pharaoh, as we will see, has a deep and loving relationship with Joseph.

Genesis 50:7-8 NASB So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8) and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father's household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen.

“So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh.”

I hate telling you this because many will say, it makes God look stupid or something similar, but there is no way that all the servants of Pharaoh went because someone has to mind the household.

Scripture is trying to convey that this is an overwhelming majority and a display of respect coming from the house of Pharaoh. We might compare what is taking place to the death of a well-respected national dignitary, like say, former President Ronald Reagan. World leaders came to pay their respects to the man.
“and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father's household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen.”
- all the household of
  
  I am not sure why we see such a distinction here. One of the things that stand out to me is how distinctly different all these brothers are. It seems the only sane one is Joseph. Is it possible that God had to remove him from the family to keep him sane? If you wish to challenge the concept of normalcy, go back and reread Jacob's blessings and cursing over his sons. You find things there you did not expect, and they should challenge your thinking. Examples of this come from Levi, who grouped together with Simeon, are deemed to be irrational with their anger and violent men. And, the hope of Joseph once he learns he has another brother, Benjamin. We wanted to assume that Benjamin, now the apple of his father's eye, is out of control as well.
  - Joseph
  - his brothers
  - his father's household
    
    Ask yourself a question – who is writing this history for us? The answer, we assume and rightfully so, is Moses. But how did Moses come to know all this? Go back and read Exodus 2: 1-11. The point here being that Joseph, and man of only one wife, may not have approved of Jacob's “wives”/handmaids and their offspring. After all, did not many of them cause Joseph so much of his grief?
- “they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen.”

So there was no one left at home except for four to eleven-year-old children to take care of everything. You know that is not right, and therefore, the functional concept is that trusted servants and slaves stayed to take care of the home front and children.

Genesis 50:9 NASB There also went up with him both chariots and horsemen; and it was a very great company.

“chariots and horsemen; and a very great company.”

What did we see when Pharaoh said, go get your family when they first came to Egypt? “chariots and horsemen; and a very great company.”

Does that mean that all these chariots and horsemen were the property of the Pharaoh? No, because we observed that the Hebrews began to amass great wealth in Egypt. They were, after all, the guests of Egypt, given the best of the land and plenty of food. And, not forced to sell off everything they owned, including themselves, to survive. What they were given was the job of being the ranchers for the Pharaoh/Egyptian government. They may have been the only ones, for quite some time, that had jobs.

“a very great company.”

Israel brought many with him, and now, seventeen years later, Joseph has grandsons. The Hebrews have possibly grown to the third generation.

Genesis 50:10 NASB When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he observed seven days mourning for his father.

From the Bible Knowledge Commentary: “Along the way the mourning of the bereaved for seven days at a threshing floor.… near the Jordan River gave rise to naming the place Abel Mizraim, meaning “meadow (’āḇēl) of Egyptians,” but by a wordplay it suggests “mourning (’ēḇel) of Egyptians.” The Canaanites recognized that this was a great event. The trip back to Egypt was the fourth time the majority of the brothers made that journey to Egypt, and it was Joseph’s second trip.”

There is something about this that is grabbing my attention.

“ they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan,”

A blatantly obvious fact is that to be beyond the Jordan is to be west of it. They are in Canaan's land.

The IVPBBC tells us: Abel-Mizraim - ā´bel-miz´rā̇-im (אבל מצרים, 'ābhēl micrayim, “meadow of Egypt”): A name given to “the threshing floor of Atad,” East of the Jordan and North of the Dead Sea, because Joseph and his funeral party from Egypt there held their mourning over Jacob (Gen_50:11). The name is a pun. The Canaanite residents saw the 'ēbhel, “the mourning,” and therefore that place was called 'ābhēl micrayim.

Others say it is west of the Jordan. I can find nothing to back me up on this, but I feel strongly about it. What if this was the area where Christ was crucified? Long before Israel was a nation Abraham was led to Mount Moriah, a place West of the Jordan. The result of his act of faith was to offer a sacrifice. King David found significance in this area for several reasons:

2 Samuel 24:16 NASB When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, "It is enough! Now relax your hand!" And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

As you can see, here too, it is a threshing floor.

Why here? Why did the Angel of the Lord stop here?

Even the name ('âṭâd / aw-tawd - From an unused root probably meaning to pierce or make fast; a thorn tree) carries significance, for that is what they did to Jesus.

With nothing to back me up, it is just a thought.

Genesis 50:11 NASB Now when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a grievous mourning for the Egyptians." Therefore it was named Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

Often scripture is blatantly self-explanatory.

Genesis 50:12-14 NASB Thus his sons did for him as he had charged them; 13) for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field for a burial site from Ephron the Hittite. 14) After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers, and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

“his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field for a burial site from Ephron the Hittite.”

You can find the details of this story in Genesis 23. Sarah had died in the land of Canaan and Abraham barters for some land to bury her. At this point the conversations were respectful. Obviously, attitudes can change.

Genesis 50:15-22 NASB When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!" 16) So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, 17) 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18) Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19) But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20) "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21) "So, therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 22) Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father's household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.

“When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!" 16) So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, 17) 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father."

While scripture leaves us to figure some aspects out, such as – where did Cain find a wife, we have nothing that indicates that Jacob felt a need to address this issue. Certainly, Jacob has been apprised of their lies, especially since he was the target of the lie about Joseph being dead (that would be a tough one to forgive.) So, we are left to assume that this is a lie as well.
“And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18) Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants.”

We have come to discover that Joseph can be very emotional; why now?

If Joseph had a need to get some payback that could have easily happened 17 years earlier when they came looking for food. What a perfect opportunity. Joseph did squeeze them a little when he cast Simeon into the prison until they brought Benjamin back for him to see.

Another thought on this. The brothers have had 17 years to see what Joseph is made of, and it is not vengeance. After all this time, how could you possibly think I would do that to you?
“But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?””

A personal commentary: When we do not forgive, holding those who have offended us in the imaginary prison in our minds; what are we doing? We are trying to set ourselves up as God and judging those people.

Here is the problem with not forgiving:

Judgment is not our job or place.

Oh sure, I have heard the excuse that we are to judge and therefore have the right. When you say that, you prove your lack of understanding of scripture. , for the verses you are misusing have more to do with assessing a situation to determine its safety.

When I do a search for the word judge, staying within the writings of Paul, beginning with the letter to the Romans and include the book of Hebrews, I only find 22 instances of the word judge. The application of this word falls into two categories, with one exception. Those categories tell us that we are not to judge or that all judgment is given unto Christ. The one exception is found in 1Corinthians 11:28-29 NASB, and it reads like this, “But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”
judge = Gk: diakrino; to separate thoroughly.

So, this judgment is an act of acceptance in contrast to the world that chooses not to believe in the new covenant in my blood. In doing this, you are judging yourself. To not judge yourself correctly, or disbelieve, brings the decision or effect against yourself.

Assuredly, not everyone in this world is safe.

Oh sure, they may look okay, but their minds are darkened, sometimes by the damage they have sustained in life, and they will spew that damage upon you. After repeated efforts on your part to address their boundary stomping patterns have failed, it is time to put some distance between those people and their ability to hurt you. An example for this is when the disciple asked Jesus how many times do I have to forgive? Jesus response is a ridiculous number considering that no one would keep track like that. So what does that tell us? Go to the extreme in giving people grace. Trust me, (I speak from experience here) the day will come when you have had enough. In recovery, we make amends for the wrongs we have committed when it is safe. That means, if I offended you, by stomping on your boundaries, then I would go you individually, or sincerely to the group, and own by lousy behavior and ask for forgiveness. If someone does that sincerely, then give them the grace to be a momentary idiot. I am not saying allow them to slash at you with a knife, or hit you again. Patterns tend to remain patterns, and some things demand law enforcement. But you, need to remain a forgiving person. That merely means they do not owe you, and therefore do not take up free rental space in your head, wasting your time as you maintain the prison cell you keep them in.

If they have committed a crime against you or someone else, then we have a legal system, designed by God, for our protection. Use it, but don't judge. Keep in mind that we have the admonition that says, we will be judged in the same manner we judge. The question then is, do you want mercy from God or judgment?

“"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21) "So, therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

If you only garnered one thing out this reading, let it be this: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

I lead an anger group in Recovery. One of the men who attends is doing what I did and drags those who harmed him around with him, locked in the shackles and bars his mind has developed. He has been doing this for over fifty years. Now, I am not saying this to diminish the horror of what happened to him, but you will are the one in prison, not them.

Joseph got it. Perhaps this was a lesson learned in prison, for it is in Psalms, by the mouth of David, that we learn what the Hebrews understood, that the iron of the shackles or bars or both, cleaved to his soul.

Psalms 105:16-19 KJV Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. 17) He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18) Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19) Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Psalms 107:10 KJV gives us such a picture, but, you will not see it until you look up the meaning of the word affliction. It is the Hebrew word ‛ŏnı̂y/on-ee' and means depression, that is, misery. It becomes tightly defined the ways in which Joseph suffered, and depression was one of them. He knew full well how this came to be, and yet he set all vengeance and anger aside.

“So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Look up the word comforted in the Strong's concordance and you find this: nâcham 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted.

It would be so easy to apply those aspects to oneself, and I cannot say that Joseph did not do some of that. But when I consider the context, I see that he is using repentance and regret to stir his brothers. Why? We already understand that he wept when he the sewage they spewed from their mouths, and, considering the time frame, 17 years, you would think they knew him better than that. They did not, and sadly, they were the same people who threw him in the well and then sold him into slavery.

Kindly is Hebrew word lêb/labe and means the heart. Because he had found recovery over depression and could recognize it in them, he was able to speak healing words to his brothers. He did this by speaking to their hearts. He talked to them on an emotional level.

Genesis 50:22 NASB Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father's household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.

This idea that Joseph remained in Egypt seems so unimportant; hardly worth the mention. So why did the Holy Spirit bring it up?

Let's do a quick timeline as see what we find.

Sold to the Egyptian, Potiphar at age seventeen.

An interesting aspect of this is that scripture surrounding this event, describe Joseph as a youth. As though he should not be respected, or not having maturity. Telling his brothers about his dreams may have proved that out.

We do not know how long it was before Mrs. Potiphar tried to seduce him. Long enough for him to grow into a muscular young man, who happened to manage the entire ranch for Mr. Potiphar. Regardless, Potiphar, we learn from history, was the executioner and toyed with no man. Fortunately for Joseph, his life was spared, and he merely went to prison.

At age thirty he is called out of prison to stand before Pharaoh. Potiphar, if he is still alive, has no say in this. Pharaoh puts him in charge of managing the kingdom and makes him second in command over the kingdom. It suddenly occurs to me the impact that could have on Potiphar and his lovely wife. Interesting, because we never hear of them again.
Five years of plenty and two years of severe drought has forced the brothers to seek for the grain like everyone else. That would make Joseph now 37.
The whole family comes, and Jacob finally dies 17 years later. That would make Joseph 42. At 42 Ephraim, the second of his sons has made him a grandfather at least twice, while Manasseh apparently only had one son. The family, stemming from Jacob, has grown exponentially in the second and third generation.

But we have more information from scripture: Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father's household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.

Since we know that Joseph was 42 when his father died, and he is now 110 years old, Joseph has lived for another 68 years, in Egypt, as an Egyptian, perhaps a Hebrew.

Genesis 50:23 NASB Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim's sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph's knees.

My how time flies.

Genesis 50:24-26 NASB Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob." 25) Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here." 26) So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

This is comparable to what Jacob had made Joseph swear to, with a minor exception - he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt. There is more to this story, and I believe they, the Hebrews, took Joseph's bones out of Egypt when they left.

A voice in the wilderness

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