Walking in the Light of Christ – Genesis 41-42

“Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So, Pharaoh awoke. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So, Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.” Genesis 41:1-8

“People born blind don’t ‘see’ darkness or black. They experience nothingness, an absence of visual sensation, similar to what you might perceive with your elbow, relying instead on rich sensory details like touch, sound, smell, and spatial awareness to understand the world. They describe objects by their tactile properties (shape, texture, weight, temperature) and auditory cues, forming mental ‘pictures’ based on non-visual information.” [1]

Vision is a wonderful gift from God. Pharoah was gifted by God to see while awake and while asleep. While sleeping, the Lord took him to a riverside and showed him 14 cows. While he watched, seven skinny cows ate seven fat cows. Imagine that! That had to be disturbing. He woke up, realized it was a dream, and went back to sleep. The Lord showed him seven sickly stalks of grain eating seven healthy ones. He woke up again. The imagery of sickly things consuming healthy things unsettled him. He asked his magicians and wise men for an interpretation. They had nothing to offer him.

“Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: ‘I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.” Genesis 41:9-13

Pharoah’s previously incarcerated butler was able to give Pharoah a lead. The Lord brought Joseph to his mind. Joseph had accurately interpreted two dreams before.

“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.’ So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.’” Genesis 41:14-16

The Lord summoned Joseph from his prison to a kingly court via the Pharoah. I’m so glad that one day, the Lord will summon me and all who believe in him from this sinful dark world into His glorious kingdom of light and love. Joseph was cleaned up and had a new garment to put on. When Joseph stood before the most powerful earthly king of that day, he testified for God, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharoah an answer of peace.” By God’s grace, Joseph was saved. Joseph believed that God would give him the interpretation of the dream before he even heard it because he was trusting in God’s power not his own.

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: ‘Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So, I awoke. Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So, I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams are one. And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.’” Genesis 41:17-32

“God will shortly bring it to pass.” Jesus spoke a similar word to the world through his servant John. Revelation 1:1 says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must soon take place.” Revelation 22:6 says, “And He said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.” As sure as Pharoah’s dreams came to pass, so shall the visions revealed by Jesus in the Book of Revelation come to pass.

“’Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect 1/5 of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.’ So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.’ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’” Genesis 41:33-41

Joseph did not stop speaking after he finished interpreting the dream. The Lord revealed to Joseph the interpretation of the dream and the plan to rescue the world from starvation all in a moment. He got a spiritual download from God. The Pharoah knew it. The Pharoah told his servants that the Spirit of God was in Joseph. He told Joseph, “God has shown you all this.” The Pharoah placed a former overseer of his dungeon in-charge of his palace and of his people.

“Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, ‘Bow the knee!’ So, he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.’ And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So, Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:42-45

The signet ring was the ring with which Pharoah stamped documents and decrees as approved by him. He clothed Joseph in royal garments and decorated him with gold. His chariot followed Pharoah’s chariot during public processions. The Egyptians bowed their knees to him. Joseph had absolute authority over all activities in Egypt. Pharoah gave Joseph an Egyptian name and wife to indicate to all his citizens that this man was one of them and approved by him.

What a beautiful picture of salvation! At one moment, a soul is in a dark dungeon. Bound by sin! No way out! Then, a great king calls the soul out from the darkness into his marvelous light. He gives the soul a new garment and enriches his supplies. He tells everyone that this soul is now one of His. God gave Joseph the power and opportunity to give the right answer, and then, rewarded him for it. God is good!

1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

“Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt and laid up the food in the cities. He laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.” Genesis 41:46-49

Joseph was 30 years old when his worldwide ministry began. Luke 3:23 says that Jesus was 30 years old when He began His earthly ministry. God anointed Joseph to feed hungry people. Jesus was anointed of the Holy Spirit to feed thousands of people at a time. Jesus provided bread and fish for their stomachs and the bread of life and living water for their souls.

“And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: ‘For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.’ And the name of the second he called Ephraim: ‘For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’

Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.’ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.” Genesis 41:50-57

Joseph experienced God’s favor, so much so that he gave his sons names to reflect his gratitude towards God. His own brothers betrayed him and made him suffer greatly. But God turned what was meant for evil into a blessing for Joseph. God’s blessings during the latter days of Joseph’s life far outweighed the pain his brothers afflicted on him earlier in his life.

When people cried to Pharoah for bread, he told them to go to Joseph and to do whatever Joseph told them to do. This is the kind of witnesses we should be for Jesus. When people cry out for help, say to them, “Go to Jesus Christ. Whatever He says to you, do it!”

“When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, ‘Why do you look at one another?’ And he said, ‘Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.’ So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, ‘Lest some calamity befall him.’ And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.” Genesis 42:1-5

Jacob had 10 sons looking at each other for someone to be the first one to do something about their ever diminishing food supplies. Jacob tells them that the food is in Egypt. Go to the store. Get some groceries. He withheld Benjamin from going with them. Benjamin was Rachel’s son.

“Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, ‘Where do you come from?’ And they said, ‘From the land of Canaan to buy food.’ So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” Genesis 42:6-8

Now, Joseph had the opportunity to destroy his evil brothers. What would Joseph do?

“Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, ‘You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!’ And they said to him, ‘No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.’ But he said to them, ‘No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.’ And they said, ‘Your servants are 12 brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.’ But Joseph said to them, “It is as I spoke to you, saying, ‘You are spies!’ In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!’ So he put them all together in prison three days.” Genesis 42:9-17

The Lord reminded Joseph of his previous prophetic dreams about his brothers bowing to him. Now, he would follow the Lord’s directions to see that prophetic dream through to the end.

Joseph’s brothers were ranchers on the verge of starvation. His dress and living space was that of a king. What’s more, he had the authority of a king to charge them with suspected crimes, imprison and execute them. Their trip to the grocery store turned into a nightmare.

“Then Joseph said to them the third day, ‘Do this and live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. And bring your youngest brother to me; so, your words will be verified, and you shall not die.’ And they did so. Then they said to one another, ‘We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore, this distress has come upon us.’ And Reuben answered them, saying, ‘Did I not speak to you, saying, do not sin against the boy; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.’ But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.” Genesis 42:18-24

There’s an allusion to the three days of Jesus in the tomb and of the resurrection in the fact that Joseph imprisoned his brothers for three days and then, said to them on “the third day, ‘Do this and live.’”

Joseph witnessed to his brothers saying, “I fear God.” His goal was to help them to do the same.

Joseph was led by God’s Spirit to convict his brothers of their sins and to lead them to repentance. This is the work that Jesus (the Word of God) and the Holy Spirit do in the lives of sinners to save them from sin, and from the consequences of sin. Reuben was convicted of sin and confessed that conviction to his brothers. Joseph did not delight in their sorrow, but he did want them to repent of their sins, as he did, and experience God as he did.

“Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus, he did for them. So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. So he said to his brothers, ‘My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!’ Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, ‘What is this that God has done to us?’” Genesis 42:25-28

In 2 Corinthians 12:14, Paul told his readers, “For I do not seek yours, but you.” Joseph was not interested in what his brothers could do for him. He wanted to do something for them. He had their money placed back in their sacks. How does this impact them? Their hearts feel like they are about to stop beating they are so afraid. They asked, “What has God done to us?”

“Then they went to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying: ‘The man who is lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. We are 12 brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan.’ Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. And bring your youngest brother to me; so, I shall know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will grant your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’ Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said to them, ‘You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.’ Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, ‘Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.’ But he said, ‘My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’” Genesis 42:29-38

Reuben offered the lives of his two sons in an exchange for the lives of Joseph and Benjamin, that is, if anything happened to Benjamin during their trip to Egypt. This act relates to one’s debt of sin being paid off by the sacrifice of another who doesn’t deserve to die.

In a sense, Joseph died, resurrected and became lord over his brothers. He is a type of Christ because God chose to anoint him to be such a person. God called Joseph into His marvelous light and in God’s light Joseph’s spiritually blind eyes could see God’s purposes.

1 John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light, as He [God] is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Amen!

Anointed to do Good Works in Christ – Genesis 39-40

“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So, Joseph found favor in his sight and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.” Genesis 39:1-6

Have you ever been taken somewhere against your will? Was it to a place that you had never been before? Joseph’s life was in the hands of foreigners. He went where they took him. He ate the food they gave him. He learned the language they spoke. His days were ordered according to their needs.

Amidst all the injustices that Joseph experienced, the Lord was with him. The Lord helped Joseph to adapt to a life that he never wanted to live and still succeed.

Joseph was only 17 years old when his freedom was taken from him, yet he was quickly promoted to the position of overseer of his master’s estate. The Scripture says that the Lord made everything that was entrusted to him to prosper. The Lord blessed everything the Egyptian had for Joseph’s sake, and the Egyptian recognized it. He let Joseph run everything.

God anointed Joseph to be a type of Christ to his generation. Joseph was anointed by God to do good works. In Mark 7:37, people said of Jesus, “He has done all things well.” Potipher’s wealth increased under Joseph’s supervision. The Heavenly Father’s kingdom grew under Jesus’ care.

One difference between Joseph and Jesus was their outer appearance. Joseph was handsome. Genesis 29:17 says, “Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.” Joseph inherited his mother’s good looks. Isaiah 53:2 says of Jesus, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.” God chose to give His Son a non-astounding appearance. The beauty of Christ on earth was His inner being. Inwardly speaking, Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus is the express image of God’s person.

“And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’” Genesis 39:7-9

Good looks can be a blessing and a curse. If you live among sexual predators, good looks may draw the kind of gazes that you don’t want.

When a sexual predator attempted to lure Joseph into her trap, he made it clear to her that she was tempting him to do great wickedness and sin against God. He refused her. Joseph was not greedy for something more. He was grateful for the kindness, generosity and trust that her husband had shown him. Thus, Joseph did not succumb to temptation.

In Matthew 4:1-11, the devil tempted Jesus to sin. Jesus used the Word of God which is also called the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17 to defeat the devil’s lies. In Matthew 4:10, Jesus rebuked the devil, saying, “Away with you Satan.” Matthew 4:11 says that angels ministered to Jesus after this encounter.

Remember! “All that shines is not gold!” Proverbs 5-7 warn against adultery. Proverbs 7:21-23 compares the person who yields to adulterous temptations to an animal taking a hunter’s bait and being destroyed by the trap.

In Matthew 5:28, Jesus declared lust an act of adultery in one’s heart. James 1:14-15 describes the process, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Lust and adultery begin with a thought, progress to a desire, and then become a sin when acted on, and conclude with death.

In John 15:4 Jesus said, “Abide in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” The key to victory over temptation is to abide in Christ. Keep your soul well-fed with Scripture, prayer and obedience to God’s will. Don’t go to places where temptation exists. Beware of TV shows, movies and commercials! Like the devil, many want to reach out to you as though a friend, but in reality, their goal is to deceive, rob and enslave you. 1 John 2:17 says, “The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

When temptations come my way, I tell myself, “Abide in Christ. Abide in Christ.” 1 John 3:6 says, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin.” The King of kings keeps my heart from the heartbreaker.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” If our mindset is to serve our sinful flesh, there are endless opportunities to do that. But then, what will we have? Shame! We can make choices but we cannot choose the consequences. Jesus urged us to deny ourselves and follow Him. Live by the law of love! Love for God and love for neighbor. It is hard to limp between two positions. In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah said to all the people, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him.”

“So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me.’ But he left his garment in her hand and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, ‘See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.’” Genesis 39:10-15

The devil is relentless. You didn’t fall to a particular temptation today? Great! Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life.” 1 Peter 5:8 compares the devil to a roaming and roaring lion seeking for someone to devour.

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the Lord urges us to put on the full armor of God. When I lived in China, I was very aware of spiritual forces of wickedness. There were people who wanted to arrest, humiliate, punish and destroy Christians. One wrong step and I would have been destroyed. In the USA, the devil is destroying souls via lust and pride, but few seem to see any danger in it.

Many nations lack witnesses for Christ. The mission field needs laborers. We should be raising up and sending missionaries not indulging our flesh with endless feasts and entertainment.

When the devil could not bag Joseph via a seductive temptation, he resorted to violence against him. The same predator who sought to defile Joseph, sought to destroy him when he refused her advances. In Revelation 17, Jesus reveals to us a harlot who uses seduction to allure unsuspecting souls into her service. In Revelation 13, Jesus reveals to us a beast who uses deprivation and pain to bend people’s knees to him. In both cases, we need Christ to prevail. James 4:7 says, “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

“So, she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, ‘The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.’ So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, ‘Your servant did to me after this manner,’ that his anger was aroused. Then, Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison.” Genesis 39:16-20

Potipher’s wife bore false testimony against Joseph. In the Gospel’s, the Pharisees suborned false witnesses to testify against Christ. Both Joseph and Jesus were unjustly arrested. They paid a price for someone else’s sin. Thankfully, both were anointed by God to be good witnesses.

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.” Genesis 39:21-23

The Lord was merciful to Joseph. Psalm 103:13-14 says, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.” The Lord blessed Joseph with a supervisor who looked upon him favorably. The Lord also blessed Joseph to manage the prison well. Most managers appreciate people on their team who can carry the burden of overseeing day to day operations. And God was using Joseph’s current circumstances to prepare him for the next phase of his witness for God.

“It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler, and the chief baker. So, he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so, they were in custody for a while.” Genesis 40:1-4

God moves in mysterious ways. In a sense, the Lord brought Pharoah’s court into the prison for Joseph’s sake. The Pharoah’s chief butler and baker were now under his care. He was able to learn insights and information about the Pharoah of Egypt from these men.

“Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man’s dream in one night and each man’s dream with its own interpretation. And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them and saw that they were sad. So. he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, ‘Why do you look so sad today?’ And they said to him, ‘We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.’ So, Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.’” Genesis 40:5-8

But the Lord was not done yet. He gave the butler and baker dreams that they wanted interpreted. Joseph knew that he could interpret their dreams with God’s help.

The 17 prophetic books from Isaiah to Malachi are almost entirely made up of visions. In the case of Obadiah and Nahum, entirely made up of visions! Isaiah and Ezekiel begin their books by stating that the Lord gave them visions. The Book of Revelation came to John as a vision. There are also numerous passages of the Bible that stem from dreams that God gave to people.

Even Joseph’s witness for God was set in motion after God gave him dreams.

“Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, ‘Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then, Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.’ And Joseph said to him, ‘This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. Now, within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me. Make mention of me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also, I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.’” Genesis 40:9-15

The Spirit of God, who gave to the butler his dream, was also able to give to Joseph its interpretation. John 1:18 says that Jesus declares God. The Greek word for “declared” in this text is “εξηγησατο.” The word “εξηγησατο” is from the Greek verb “ἐξηγέομαι” (exégeomai), which means to explain, interpret, or declare in detail. Jesus is the interpreter of God for us. He helps us to understand God. He helped Joseph to interpret the butler’s dream.

“When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, ‘I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.’ So, Joseph answered and said, ‘This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.’” Genesis 40:16-19

The baker not the butler committed the crime. The baker was executed. The butler exonerated.

“Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then, he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph but forgot him.” Genesis 40:29-23

Joseph had hoped that the butler would advocate before Pharoah for his release from prison, but he forgot Joseph. However, two full years later, Pharaoh had a dream and needed an interpreter. In Genesis 41:9-13, the butler confessed his error to Pharoah concerning Joseph. He told Pharoah about Joseph. In Genesis 41:14, Pharoah released Joseph from prison. In Genesis 41:25-36, Joseph told Pharoah the interpretation of his dream. In Genesis 41:42-44, Pharoah made Joseph second in command over all Egypt.

Genesis 41:46 says that Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Luke 3:23 says that Jesus was about 30 years of age when He started His ministry. The Lord anointed Joseph to save the people of the world from starvation during a famine. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus announced, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

The people of Joseph’s day looked to Joseph to meet their earthly needs. We look to Jesus, and He richly provides for our temporal and eternal needs. Plus, 2 Peter 1:4 says that He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them we may become partakers of the divine nature... anointed to do good works in Christ. Praise the Lord!

Seeing Messiah in the Scriptures - Genesis 37-38

“Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being 17 years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also, he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.” Genesis 37:1-4

The deeper meaning of Jacob’s special love for Joseph was not revealed to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. Joseph’s tunic of many colors was like a prophetic message to them saying that one day he would serve and in a sense save people from many nations including them. Joseph was a type of Christ amidst his brother for through his life they would be saved.

Ask Jesus Christ to reveal Himself to you in the Bible. He is there. Luke 24:27 says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Jesus Messiah is the theme of the entire Bible because only in Him is there redemption for Israel and for all people.

Joseph’s brothers hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. Perhaps each one asked himself, “Why can’t I be the one loved of my father more than my brothers?” The world cannot tolerate the fact God has One Beloved Son in whom all people must be saved. How can you say that Jesus is the only way to the Father? I say it because I believe in Him. In John 14:6, “Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 1:18 says of Jesus, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” The word for “declared” Him is the Greek word from which we draw the term for interpreting Scripture, which is to exegete. Jesus is the exegete of Scripture. He is it’s interpreter. We need Him to help us understand the Bible.

“Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, ‘Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed, your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.’ And his brothers said to him, ‘Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?’ So, they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” Genesis 37:5-8

God gave Joseph prophetic dreams. As he told his brothers his dream he was prophesying to them. They felt toward Joseph what others felt toward Jesus in Luke 19:14, “We do not want this man to reign over us.” They were shortsighted. The Lord anointed Joseph to save them and their children from death and bring them into a rich inheritance. The reign of Christ saves believers in Him from eternal death and brings believers in Him into an eternal inheritance.

“Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, ‘Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.’ So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, ‘What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?’ And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” Genesis 37:9-11

This passage speaks to those who would think to deify Mary or Joseph. They were the earthly parents of Jesus Christ, but they still needed to believe in Him just like every other sinner needs to do to be saved. Joseph’s father, Jacob, would need to come to Jospeh later in life to be saved from the famine that was ravaging the world at that time. God was using Joseph as a type of Christ in that era to teach people about faith in God.

“Then his brothers went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.’ So, he said to him, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said to him, ‘Please go and see if it is well with your brothers and well with the flocks and bring back word to me.’ So, he sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem.” Genesis 37:12-14

While Joseph’s brothers shepherded their flocks, the father of Joseph sent him to see how they were doing and report back to him. Here, Joseph serves as a mediator between the father and his children. 1 Timothy 2:5 says of Jesus Christ, “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” So, Joseph is a type of Christ in this way as well.

“Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, ‘What are you seeking?’ So he said, ‘I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks.’ And the man said, “They have departed from here, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ So, Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.” Genesis 37:15-17

This passage expresses the humanity and humility of Joseph. Though he had an anointing on his life from God, he was not divine. He was human like you and me. At times, he needed to ask for help from others to accomplish his mission.

“Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. Then they said to another, ‘Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” Genesis 37:18-20

Joseph’s brothers thought they could overthrow the plan of God for his life. Lamentations 3:36 says, “To subvert a man in his cause — the Lord does not approve.” The Pharisees got Jesus crucified, but they could not keep Jesus in His tomb. On the third day, He resurrected from the dead. Jesus has also ascended to the right hand of the Father, and from there He will return.

“But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, ‘Let us not kill him.’ And Reuben said to them, ‘Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit, which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him’—that he might deliver him out of their hands and bring him back to his father.” Genesis 37:21-22

Reuben, like the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, was Joseph’s stepbrother, but he did not want to see harm come to Joseph. He feigned agreement with them to get them to lessen their sentence against Joseph from death to imprisonment. Later, he would rescue Joseph.

“So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.” Genesis 37:23-24

They stripped Joseph of his garment and cast him into a pit to die. In a sense, the Gospel was being preached to Joseph’s brothers through his life. In the future, other descendants of these brothers would have Jesus stripped of His outer garment, crucified and placed in a cave of the earth... a tomb. Men stripping off the clothes of Joseph and of Jesus demonstrates what was in their hearts. They wanted to rob God’s servant Joseph and God’s Messiah Jesus of the royal positions that God had designated for them. Their victories were short-lived.

“And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. So Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.’ And his brothers listened. Then Midianite traders passed by; so, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes. And he returned to his brothers and said, ‘The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?’” Genesis 37:25-30

Joseph’s hateful brothers heeded Reuben’s advice, but while Reuben was gone, Judah advised them to sell Joseph to slave traders. This Judah’s betrayal prefigures another Judah’s betrayal.

Judas Iscariot, a disciple of Jesus, betrayed Jesus to the priests of Jerusalem for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus referred to His disciples as brothers. So, His “brother” sold Him for 30 pieces of silver. 30 pieces of silver was the going price of a slave. Old Testament Judah got silver for Joseph. New Testament Judas got silver for Jesus. Judas is the New Testament name for the Old Testament name Judah.

“So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, ‘We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?’ And he recognized it and said, ‘It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.’ Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, ‘For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.’ Thus, his father wept for him. Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.” Genesis 37:31-36

Joseph’s brothers dipped his tunic in the blood of a goat to make it appear that an animal had killed him. It is no coincidence that a goat was slain. Its blood symbolized Joseph. A goat is the closest related animal to a sheep. Jesus of Nazareth is the Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world.

Jacob mourns for Joseph for many days and refuses to be comforted. Revelation 1:7 says of Jesus, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

Next, we have the story of God preserving the bloodline of Messiah.

“It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her. So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. And she conceived yet again and bore a son and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.” Genesis 38:1-5

After Judah’s betrayal of his brother Joseph for 20 pieces of silver, he marries a Canaanite woman. They have three sons together.

“Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him. And Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her and raise up an heir to your brother.’ But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore, He killed him also.” Genesis 38:6-10

Judah loses two of his sons by Shua his wife. Both of these sons were considered wicked by the Lord to the degree that He killed them, meaning they went to their graves early due to the bad choices they made. Judah deprived his father Jacob of his son Joseph and God deprived Judah of two of his sons. Tamar, the woman that Judah acquired for Er his firstborn son, was now a widow and childless. She would have no inheritance in Israel unless she could have a son.

“Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, ‘Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.’ For he said, ‘Lest he also die like his brothers.’ And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.” Genesis 38:11

God’s Law for Israel was that a brother needed to impregnate his sister-in-law if his brother, her husband, died childless. This was done to preserve his brother’s family line. Judah did not give Tamar, the widow, to his third son when he was of marrying age. He said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

“Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah’s wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And it was told Tamar, saying, ‘Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.’ So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. Then he turned to her by the way, and said, ‘Please let me come in to you; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.’” Genesis 38:12-16

Judah lost his wife. His time of grieving had passed and he was busy shearing sheep. His daughter-in-law, Tamar, was still without a son to secure an inheritance for herself. She had a plan to resolve the problem. She posed as a prostitute. Would Judah bite on the bait? He did.

“So, she said, ‘What will you give me, that you may come in to me?’ And he said, ‘I will send a young goat from the flock.’ So. she said, ‘Will you give me a pledge till you send it?’ Then he said, ‘What pledge shall I give you?’ So, she said, ‘Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand.’ Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. So she arose and went away and laid aside her veil and put on the garments of her widowhood. And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand, but he did not find her. Then he asked the men of that place, saying, ‘Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?’ And they said, ‘There was no harlot in this place.’ So, he returned to Judah and said, I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.’ Then Judah said, ‘Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.’” Genesis 38:17-23

Judah offered Tamar a goat in exchange for intimacy with her. The brothers of Joseph used the blood of a goat to deceive their father about Joseph’s death. Tamar agreed to a goat as payment for her time of intimacy with Judah. He did not know she was his daughter-in-law.

The men of Timnah testified that there was no harlot in their town. This statement verifies that Tamar did not do for pay from other men what she did for Judah. She was only trying to preserve the inheritance that she should have from Judah’s family line. Little did she know that God’s plan for her was to be in a much greater family line, the family line of Messiah!

“And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, ‘Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot. Furthermore, she is with child by harlotry.’ So, Judah said, ‘Bring her out and let her be burned!’” Genesis 38:24

Judah had not kept his word to give his third son to Tamar. When he learned of Tamar’s moral failure, he did not advocate to spare her from justice. No grace! He was ready to let her burn.

“When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, ‘By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.’ And she said, ‘Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.’ So Judah acknowledged them and said, ‘She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.’ And he never knew her again.” Genesis 38:25-26

Oh no! She had Judah’s signet ring, cord and staff. He was the father of the child. He confessed that she was a better person than he. The signet ring symbolized his authority. He signed contracts with it. He did not keep his contract with Tamar. The cord symbolized integrity, while the staff symbolized his power. Judah gave up all of these for a moment of pleasure. [1]

Judah had deceived his father into believing that Joseph had been slain by wild animals. He was in turn deceived by Tamar. Judah should not have betrayed Joseph or lied to his father.

“Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb. And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, ‘This one came out first.’ Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, ‘How did you break through? This breach be upon you!’ Therefore, his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.” Genesis 38:27-30

Tamar gave birth to twins. Perez was counted as the firstborn based on his hand coming forth first before his brother’s body, but his brother, Zerah, had a scarlet thread tied to his hand. The scarlet thread symbolized the blood by which Zerah would be saved by a descendant of his brother’s genealogy, namely Jesus of Nazareth.

Tamar is one of five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. “Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron…” Rahab [the former harlot], Ruth [the Moabite], the wife of Uriah [Bathsheba], and the virgin Mary are the other four. All five of these women experienced questions about their reputations, but God redeemed their lives and placed them in His Book and in the genealogy of His Son. See Matthew 1:3, 5-6, 16 for more details.

So, you see, it is important to look for Messiah, both for your eternal salvation, and for an accurate understanding of the Scriptures.

May our Heavenly Father bless you to always see His beloved Son, the Messiah, in the Scriptures. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.


[1] Google sources

O Come to the Altar - Genesis 35-36

“Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.’ And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.’ So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.” Genesis 35:1-4

God gave Jacob clear instructions where to live, and how to live. Live in Bethel which means “House of God.” God wanted Jacob and his descendants to live in His house. He told his family members and servants to put away idols, purify themselves, and put on clean clothes. Why? Out of non-sensical religious tradition? No. God “answered me in my day of distress and has been with me.” We are going to God’s house because we are grateful. We are going to God’s house because we want God in our lives.

Jacob buried his family’s discarded idols under a tree. The cross that Christ was crucified on was made from a tree. It is good to physically remove idols from our homes, AND to ask Christ to forgive us for having honored them. And then, ask Jesus to take idolatry out of our hearts.

I do not recommend burying idols. It is better to burn or destroy them. After I was born again, I took my 33 rpm records which had ungodly music on them, placed them in a garbage bag and buried them next to a tree. I went away to college. When I came back home for a visit, I discovered that one of my siblings unearthed them and was listening to them. This time, I destroyed them with a shovel and disposed of them.

“Make an altar.” I am so thankful that the Lord calls us to the altar. The altar represents the place of sacrifice and the place of prayer. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, atoned for our sins on the cross, so now in His Name, we can approach the greatest throne that has or ever will exist, namely, the throne of God’s grace.

Praise God! Jacob’s company followed his instruction and received a blessing from God...

“And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother. Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So, the name of it was called Allon Bachuth.” Genesis 35:5-8

Jacob and those in his household honored the Lord and the Lord honored them. In John 12:26, Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” Are we serving God? Is our community serving God? Jacob served God and God placed a spirit of fear on the cities around Jacob so that they would not harm him, his people or his property.

Rebekah’s nurse died and was buried. The name Allon Bachuth means “Oak of Weeping.” Those who serve others are very much missed when they leave this world to be with the Lord.

“Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.’ So, He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: ‘I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.’ Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.” Genesis 35:9-15

God is a good father. He affirmed Jacob when he needed affirmation. Jacob, his wives and his servants were old now. Deborah just died. God appeared to Jacob and reminded him that his new name is Israel. God doesn’t see him as the supplanter (Jacob) anymore. He sees him as the one who prevails with the Lord (Israel). He says, “Be.” Be fruitful. Nations and kings shall spring forth from his descendants. He shall inherit the land.

Jacob responds by setting up a stone to mark the place where God spoke to him. He poured a drink offering on it. The drink offering consisted of wine (likely red wine for blood) and symbolized pouring out one’s life for God. He anointed the pillar. Messiah means Anointed One. Anointing oil also represents the Holy Spirit. Messiah is the proper sacrifice for our sin. He is God’s grace to us. He baptizes us believers in Him with the Holy Spirit. He is the Living Word.

“Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, ‘Do not fear; you will have this son also.’ And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.” Genesis 35:16-20

Rachel had named her firstborn son Joseph. His name means to increase. She prophesied that God would add to her another son, which He did. Her death in Bethlehem prefigures the tragedy that will happen to the descendants of her son “Ben-Oni” which means “son of my sorrow.” In the distant future, King Herod will massacre all the sons of Benjamin’s tribe that live in Bethlehem in an effort to destroy God’s Messiah. Thus, she, in a figure, prophesies of things to come while on her death bed.

Jacob gave his son Ben-Oni a new name. He named him Benjamin which means son of my right hand. He buried Rachel in Bethlehem. In the future, God’s Son, Messiah, would be born there.

“Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard about it.” Genesis 35:21-22

Later, in Leviticus 18:8, God will make a commandment that no man sleep with his father’s wife. In Genesis 49:3-4, Jacob shall mention this sin to Reuben while blessing him.

Genesis 35:23-26 mentions the names of Jacob’s sons, their mother’s names and that they were born in Padan Aram. Padan Aram was located in modern-day northeastern Syria and southeastern Turkey, centered around the city of Haran near the Euphrates River.

“Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt. Now the days of Isaac were 180 years. So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” Genesis 35:27-29

Jacob and Esau come together once again. This time to bury their father.

Genesis 36:1-43 speaks of Esau’s wives and descendants. He moved away from Jacob because his possessions and Jacob’s were too great for the land that they were on to support them both. He settled his family on Mount Seir.

“Mount Seir (modern-day Jibal al-Sharah in Jordan) is famous for its distinctive red, purple, and pink rocks, including red porphyry and sandstone cliffs, with the ancient city of Petra carved directly into these vibrant, reddish rock formations. Mount Seir is a mountain range located between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, primarily in modern-day Jordan.” Esau’s descendants multiplied and became a strong nation in this location. [1]

Genesis 25:25 says that Esau was born red with hair all over him like a carpet. Genesis 25:30 says, “Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom.” He sold his birthright to Jacob for some of Jacob’s red stew. Edom means “Red.” Thus, Genesis 35:43 says, “Esau was the father of the Edomites.”

In Numbers 20:14-23, Moses asked the Edomites for permission to pass through their land. They refused to let Israel do so. Numbers 21:4 says that as Israel went around the land of Edom that the souls of the people became very discouraged.

In 1 Samuel 14:47, King Saul of Israel made war against the Edomites. In 1 Samuel 21-22, Doeg, the servant of King Saul, was an Edomite. When Saul sought to slay his son-in-law David, Doeg informed Saul of David’s whereabouts. When Saul wanted the people of Nob massacred for aiding and abetting David, Doeg did it. He slew everyone. Nob was a village consisting of priests and their families. Doeg’s betrayal of David was in essence an attempt on Messiah because Messiah descended from David’s royal line.

Psalm 60:1 mentions that David’s General Joab slew 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt (south of the Dead Sea). In 1 Kings 11:14, Hadad the Edomite was an enemy of King Solomon. In 2 Kings 14:10, Israel defeated Edom during a war with them.

Psalm 137:7 says that the Edomites wanted Babylon to tear down Jerusalem to its very foundation. Babylon did this, but later, they also destroyed Edom’s kingdom.

The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Amos, Obadiah and Malachi all prophesied against Edom’s sins. They urged the Edomites to repent and turn to God. They did not repent. Then, in 586 BC, the Kingdom of Edom was destroyed by the Babylonians. They never regained their nation. Those who survived the destruction migrated to Judah.

According to historical records, King Herod the Great was a descendant of Edom. He is the king who ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem that were two years old and younger. His goal was to eliminate the Messiah who had been born there. [2]

The Greeks and Romans referred to the Edomites as Idumeans. Mark 3:8 says that crowds of people followed Jesus from Idumea beyond the Jordan. Praise God that some of Edom’s descendants became followers of Messiah.

May our Heavenly Father grant us all the grace to embrace Messiah and be His followers.

In Matthew 16:16-17, after Peter professed to Jesus before others, saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus said to Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Each conversion to faith in Christ is a miracle of God’s grace.

When God urged Jacob to build an altar to Him, Jacob did so, and he called his wives, his children and his servants to come to the altar with him. Jacob was not perfect by any means, but he connected with Him who is perfect, namely God.

Jacob’s brother Esau married pagan wives and though his descendants built a great nation, that nation did not stand in the day of judgment.

Romans 3:23-24 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” To be justified by God is to let Him be the One who makes you right with Him. Give your sins to God to forgive them! Receive His gracious pardon by professing faith in Jesus His Son as your Messiah. Romans 3:26 says that God is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Do you believe and profess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?

If not, if you are not hearing from Him, it is important to ask Him to forgive your sins. Isaiah 59:2 says, “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” The main sin that separates us from God is unbelief. It is vital to repent of unbelief. It was doubt of God’s Word that brought sin into the world in the days of Adam and Eve. God’s Word in Acts 16:30 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Faith in God’s Word brings us back into relationship with Him.

Wade Joye, Christopher Brown, Mack Brock and Steven Furtick wrote a song entitled, “O Come to the Altar.” Verse 2 says, “Leave behind your regrets and mistakes. Come today, there’s no reason to wait. Jesus is calling. Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy. From the ashes, a new life is born. Jesus is calling.” And the chorus says, “O come to the altar. The Father’s arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.”

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for opening up Your arms to me through Your Son Jesus Christ. Lord, I believe in You. I place my life in Your hands. In my life, Father, be glorified. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”


[1] Google Sources
[2] amazingbibletimeline.com; Matthew 2

 

Abiding in God’s Kingdom of Love – Genesis 33-34

“Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were 400 men. So, he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah, and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.” Genesis 33:1-3

Proverbs 6:31 speaks of restoring sevenfold that which you have taken from someone. Jacob had taken respect from his brother. He had taken from his brother his birthright and his blessing. When Jacob met Esau, he bowed to him seven times, not as worship but as respect.

“But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, ‘Who are these with you? So, he said, ‘The children whom God has graciously given your servant.’ Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down. Then Esau said, ‘What do you mean by all this company which I met?’ And he said, ‘These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.’ But Esau said, ‘I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.’ And Jacob said, ‘No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me. Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.’ So, he urged him, and he took it.” Genesis 33:4-11

Jacob was prepared for the worst but hoped for the best reunion with his brother. The Lord blessed them to hug, kiss and shed tears together. No mention was made of the past by Esau. He asked Jacob about all the people with him. Jacob did not speak of his hard work and achievements, he glorified God, saying that his wives and children were God’s gracious gift to him. Esau questioned Jacob about the great company he had met. The company that Esau referred to was a rich assortment of 550 herd/flock animals. In Genesis 32:13-14, Jacob had sent these livestock to Esau by the hands of his servants. Esau encouraged Jacob to keep them because he already had enough livestock of his own. But Jacob insisted that Esau keep them. He compared receiving favor from Esau with receiving favor from God. Once again, Jacob testified that God had been gracious to him.

“Then Esau said, ‘Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.’ But Jacob said to him, ‘My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir. And Esau said, ‘Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.’ But he said, ‘What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.’ So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore, the name of the place is called Succoth.” Genesis 33:12-17

So far, so good, but Jacob did not want to take any risks with his brother. There was always the possibility that after the initial joy of seeing each other had passed, bad memories would resurface. Esau wanted to escort Jacob to Seir, but Jacob declined his help. He did not speak of his distrust to Esau. He told Esau that his wives, children and herds needed to move at a slow pace. They were to meet up again in Seir, but Jacob stopped at Succoth and built a house and stalls for his remaining animals there.

“Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for 100 pieces of money. Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.” Genesis 33:18-20

Jacob moved from Succoth to Shechem. He pitched his tent outside the city on land that he purchased from the descendants of Hamor. This time, he built an altar to God, the God of Israel. Jacob set a good example for us. Wherever we pitch our tent, let it be a place of prayer.

“Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, ‘Get me this young woman as a wife.’ And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, a thing which ought not to be done. But Hamor spoke with them, saying, ‘The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. And make marriages with us. Give your daughters to us and take our daughters to yourselves. So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.’” Genesis 34:1-10

King Hamor named his kingdom after his son Prince Shechem. Shechem enjoyed much freedom and influence among the people. Too much! He did not observe the personal boundaries of Dinah Jacob’s daughter. He raped her. Afterwards, he wanted to marry her. God’s Word says that his soul was attracted to her, he loved her and spoke kind words to her. Shechem’s father asked Jacob about a marriage arrangement between his son and Jacob’s daughter. Dinah’s brothers overheard the conversation between Hamor and Jacob and began to boil.

“Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, ‘Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.’ But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. And they said to them, ‘We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us. But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.’” Genesis 34:11-17

The brothers of Dinah empathized with the humiliation that their sister experienced. They took over the conversation with Hamor and Shechem. They devised a scheme to make Shechem pay for his crime. They required all the males in the kingdom to be circumcised before Shechem’s and Dinah’s marriage could be approved.

“And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son. So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob’s daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father. And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying: ‘These men are at peace with us. Therefore, let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives and let us give them our daughters. Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.’ And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.” Genesis 34:18-24

Shechem, the rapist, was more honorable than others in his father’s household. In other words, the men were not good men. Prince Shechem convinced the men in his kingdom to be circumcised. The sons of Jacob hit them were they needed discipline. But how did Shechem convince the kingdom’s men to support his plan? He said that they would get Jacob’s property and herds. That idea resonated with them!

“Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males. And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled. They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field, and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses.” Genesis 34:25-29

Dinah’s brothers massacred the men, plundered their wealth and took their wives and children captive. This event prefigures what is to come later when Joshua conquers the Promised Land. And after Joshua, this event prefigures the day on which Jesus Christ destroys this current world with fire and creates a new heaven and a new earth where people only love God and one another.

“Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.’ But they said, ‘Should he treat our sister like a harlot?’” Genesis 34:30-31

Leah’s sons, Simeon and Levi, did the right thing. Jacob was concerned about the fallout from the nations around them. Yes, normally, as God’s people, we are patient and we trust God to deal with injustice, but Shechem’s intentions were abusive and exploitive. Swift and strong action needed to be taken before many people were defiled and their descendants for many generations would be negatively impacted. By God’s grace, two men defeated a city full of rapists and thieves. May God raise up more men who will defend the honor of their sisters, and fight for the future of godly communities. Amen.

The Lord graced Jacob with a wonderful reunion. His brother Esau, who 20 years earlier had planned to kill him, now, hugged, kissed and shed tears with him. The Lord graced Jacob with two valiant sons. They upheld their sister’s honor amidst a culture who did not respect a woman’s personhood.

In her book entitled, “God With Us,” Catherine Mowry LaCugna wrote, “The sin that lies at the root of all sin is whatever binds us to a pre-personal, impersonal or anti-personal existence. For, our strength is in our God and others-centeredness.”

Catherine also wrote, “Christ empowers us to live balanced between self and others. Free from fear, compulsions and obsessions, free from domineering or being domineered. He helps us overcome the extremes of self-possession and being possessed. Jesus is the perfect communion of divine and human. He shows us how to live in God and in humanity. The Holy Spirit is our transformer. He fills us and empowers us.”

The closer our communities come to Christ, the closer we come together. Perfect communion stems from every member abiding in Christ. Aligned with His Word! Filled with His grace! Focused on honoring Christ and not on indulging the sinful nature.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.” As God’s Spirit moves among us, we see reflections of God’s love, but in His Kingdom, His love is known and expressed in everything that is said and done.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is Worthy of Glory, Honor and Praise – Genesis 31-32

“Now, Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, ‘Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.’ And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.’” Genesis 31:1-3

There’s a Chinese Proverb that says, “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, while others build windmills.” Jacob overheard his brothers-in-law expressing words of anger and jealousy about him. His father-in-law’s facial expressions were disapproving of him. The neighborhood in which his family lived had changed and they too had changed. Should he build a wall or a windmill? Defend himself or use opposition for his advantage? Neither! The Lord turned Jacob’s dilemma into a call to return to his homeland.

Now that Jacob had a mandate from God to return to his homeland, he needed to trust God for all that would be required to make the move, including getting his wives onboard with the new direction...

“So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, and said to them, ‘I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. And you know that with all my might I have served your father. Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages 10 times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked. So, God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray spotted. Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’ And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’” Genesis 31:4-13

He called Rachel and Leah to meet with him among the sheep. What was this meeting about? Jacob stated the facts to them. I summarize them here: A – Your father is no longer for me as before. B – You know I did my best for him. C – Your father is untrustworthy. D – God has been the difference maker for us... every time your father cheated me God came through for me. E – The Angel of God (likely the preincarnate Christ) spoke to me and said to leave this land and return to my homeland.

Will they agree with him or contradict him? He needed their support.

“Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, ‘Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it’.” Genesis 31:14-16

Laban had alienated his daughters by treating them like merchandise to be traded for services. He robbed not blessed them. He defrauded them. God blessed them. They glorified God for defending and helping them to overthrow their father’s attempts to exploit them. They fully supported their husband to do what God had called him to do.

“Then, Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. Now, Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s. And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. So, he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.” Genesis 31:17-21

Sadly, after serving and helping his father-in-law to prosper for 20 years, Jacob needed to flee from him like a thief.

Are you in an abusive situation? Are you afraid to leave it? Do you feel like a bird in a cage? There for someone else’s amusement but wanting to be free to fly? Emotional attachments are hard to break. Then, there’s the challenge of having to exchange what is known to you for what is unknown. The best thing to do is to ask God for directions. I have said to God before, “People place signs along the roadsides to help us find our way, please give me a word or sign so that I will know I am going in the right direction.” Jesus has helped me with all my transitions. He kept His promise: “I will be with you always.”

“And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. Then, he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.” Genesis 31:22-24

Our enemy the devil is not happy when people escape from abuse. Yes, he tries to recover escapees. However, here’s a word from 2 Kings 6:16: “’Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” God’s angels are more in number and greater than those who were cast out of heaven by them. I like to say, “God plus one is a majority.” Psalm 2 speaks of God sitting in heaven and laughing at the schemes of earthly kings to overthrow His rule.

God warned Laban against using abusive speech with Jacob.

“So, Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead. And Laban said to Jacob: ‘What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad. And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?’” Genesis 31:25-30

Laban was deceived. He had false impressions of Jacob and of himself. He saw Jacob as a thief and himself as a doting father. When did he ever make joyous songs with musical instruments for his children? When did he ever show them affection? No, Jacob did not act foolishly. He acted wisely. Laban boasted that he could have harmed Jacob but chose not to because God told him not to do so. The truth is God would have harmed Laban if he laid a hand on Jacob.

“Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, ‘Because I was afraid, for I said, perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force. With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.’ For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them. And she said to her father, ‘Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.’ And he searched but did not find the household idols.” Genesis 31:31-35

Jacob told the truth. Laban treated Jacob, his wife and children as though they were his personal property. He did not respect them as people that belonged to themselves and to God. As to Laban’s accusation that Jacob stole from him, Jacob invited him to search through his belongings. Jacob did not treat any of Laban’s possessions as though they belonged to him.

Unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel had stolen Laban’s household idols and hid them. Why would she do such a thing? What was in her heart? Laban did not find his idols.

“Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: ‘What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me? Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both! These 20 years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. There I was! In the day, the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. Thus, I have been in your house 20 years; I served you 14 years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages 10 times. Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.’” Genesis 31:36-42

Jacob gave glory to God for making him who he was. God preserved him and his family. Jacob maintained a godly witness amidst Laban’s conniving and cheating ways. God blessed him despite Laban’s plans to plunder his earnings.

“And Laban answered and said to Jacob, ‘These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne? Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you, and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.’ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. Then Jacob said to his brethren, ‘Gather stones.’ And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. And Laban said, ‘This heap is a witness between you and me this day.’ Therefore, its name was called Galeed, also Mizpah, because he said, ‘May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!’” Genesis 31:43-50

Laban’s response confirmed to Jacob that he made the right decision. His father-in-law had no sense of boundaries. In his mind, the world and everybody in it should revolve around him. Only God was restraining him and compelling him to make a covenant with Jacob. The premise of Laban’s covenant was wrong. He made Jacob out to be the one who needed to be restrained from hurting his daughters. Laban was the one whom God restrained.

“Then, Laban said to Jacob, ‘Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.’ And Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain. And early in the morning Laban arose and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.” Genesis 31:51-55

Despite this very undesirable situation, the covenant was made. A pillar was set up to mark the location where the agreement was made. A statement of faith was read. Jacob made a sacrifice. They broke bread together. Laban left the next morning after bidding them goodbye.

“So, Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, ‘This is God’s camp.’ And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.” Genesis 32:1-2

Thankfully, God sent angels to meet Jacob after this incident. Mahanaim means two camps. God’s camp met Jacob’s camp. They were with him all along. God opens his eyes to see them.

“Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, ‘Speak thus to my lord Esau, thus your servant Jacob says: I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.’ Then, the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and 400 men are with him.’ So, Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies and he said, ‘If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.’” Genesis 32:3-8

As one challenge to Jacob ended, another challenge began. His brother, who previously wanted to kill him, was approaching his camp with 400 men. Jacob’s natural response was to be afraid. He prepared for attack, but then, stopped to pray.

“Then Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, I will surely treat you well and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” Genesis 32:9-12

Jacob’s response to the thought of losing everything meaningful to him contrasted with Laban’s response. Laban was ready to inflict pain on those who hurt him. Jacob turned to God in humility. He confessed to God, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant.” He knew that he didn’t deserve the wonderful wives and children that God entrusted into his care. He did not hold up his own righteous deeds to God as a foundation for God’s intervention. He held up God’s promises to his grandfather, to his father and to himself. God promised to them descendants as the sand of the sea. This prophecy will be fulfilled in Messiah. His family line must survive. They have a role in Messiah’s story.

Are you and your descendants in Messiah’s story? Jesus said in Matthew 10:31-33, “Do not fear therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.’” The Messiah is willing to include us in His family line because we are precious to Him. What about us? Do we include Jesus Christ in our conversations with others?

“So, he lodged there that same night and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: 200 female goats and 20 male goats, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 milk camels with their colts, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 foals. Then, he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, ‘Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves.’ And he commanded the first one, saying, ‘When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, to whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you? Then, you shall say, they are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’ So, he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, ‘In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; and also say, behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.’ For he said, ‘I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.’ So, the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.” Genesis 32:13-21

Jacob really poured out a blessing for his brother... 550 animals of great worth! Rather than prepare for war, he prepared for reconciliation and forgiveness.

“And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his 11 sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then, Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now, when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ So, He said to him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Jacob.’ And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.’ Then Jacob asked, saying, ‘Tell me Your name, I pray.’ And He said, ‘Why is it that you ask about My name?’ And He blessed him there.” Genesis 32:21-29

Jacob did not face the new challenge alone. God was pleased with Jacob. He sent to Jacob a wrestler to make a point to him. He knew what Jacob would do. Even though the Man injured Jacob’s hip, he would not let go of him. He told the Man, “I will not let You go unless You bless me.” The man in a similar fashion to God with his grandfather Abram, and in a similar fashion with Jesus with His disciple Simon, gave Jacob a new name. He told Jacob that he had prevailed with God, and instead of Jacob (supplanter), his name was now, Israel (prevails with God).

“So, Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: ‘For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’ Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore, to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank.” Genesis 32:30-32

Jewish tradition prohibits eating the hip meat of an animal due to the Biblical account of Jacob wrestling an angel. The hindquarters also contain specific fats that are Biblically forbidden. This means popular cuts like filet mignon, sirloin, and T-bone steak, which come from the rear, are generally not available as kosher meat. They practice self-denial in this regard to remember the God who blessed their forefather and empowered his family line to survive and prevail despite numerous attempts to eliminate them.

In what ways are we remembering and celebrating what God has done to help us and our loved ones to survive in this world? Do we tithe? Do we read the Bible? Do we pray to Him? Do we worship Him? Do we profess our faith in Jesus Christ when the opportunity arises for us to do so. Have we made any sacrifices for the sake of honoring Him who loved us and washed us from our sins with His blood? He is worthy! Our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of glory, honor and praise.