E25 – Joshua 5 & 6 – Before Walls Fall; We Must Fall

Before the walls of Jericho fell, Joshua fell facedown before the Lord. Before our walls (strongholds, addictions, struggles); we also must fall face down before the Lord. The true worship and reverence of God is what melts our walls down.

Before the first major battle for possession of the Promised Land was fought, Joshua had an encounter with a sword-drawn man-God (Jos 5:13). We are not specifically told that this is Jesus; however, he was both a "man" and "holy." Only one person fits that category, Jesus, the commander of the army of the Lord.

With strong parallels with Moses burning bush experience; Joshua is told to remove his sandals for he was standing in holy ground. Astutely, Joshua fell facedown as an act of reverence. Reverent worship enhances our ability to obey God; and it is from this position Joshua asks for orders from God (Jos 5:14).

This narrative is here to guide us towards our own victory over the sins and strongholds that we must conquer in order to live the life that God wants for us. But before we fight, we must fall facedown and practice reverent worship. Reverent worship enables us to walk in obedience, and give credit (glory) to God only. He invites us to fight with Him, we must arm ourselves for battle, but it is His sword that is melting walls before us.

E24 - Joshua 3, 4 - Things To Do Before Before We Recieve God's Promise

The people of Israel were about to see God do "amazing things among them." (Joshua 3:5)  But before God did anything among them, before they possessed the promises that God had for them they needed to heed 3 instructions from God.  They were to: 1. consecrate themselves, 2. move and keep up with God, and 3. Construct a way to remember what they saw.  

1. Consecrate Yourselves.  (Joshua 3:5) Consecration simply means "to set apart."  God requires us to set ourselves aside exclusively for Him.  God demands exclusivity; exclusivity is a form of worship.

2. Move With God (Joshua 3:3-6)  "When you see the ark move, move with it."  Sounds simple enough, yet God has to remind us several times in Scriputure to move and keep up with Him.  "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit!

3. Construct A Way To Remember (Joshua 4:5-7)  God command us to remember.  There is no doubt, a short-term spiritual memory will wreck your faith.  For our sake God instructs us to set reminders, build memorials, and even practice rituals to help us remember the things that He has done for us and said to us.  A good memory will both build and protect our faith.  Memory seems to be a vital spiritual life-skill.

Could these 3 expectations from God still apply to us in order for us to receive His promises.  God wants to do amazing things among us, are we prepared?

E23 Joshua 1 – The Bridge of Courage

We have all helplessly stood there; that chasm between our current reality and our God-given destiny. There is no easy way around it, in order to get to your dreams, callings, and potential we must cross this chasm. And there is but one way to get there: courage. Courage is the bridge to get to the Promised Land.

We are all familiar with the fact that God requires faith (Heb 11:6). But real faith requires courage and risk-taking. So if God requires faith, and faith requires courage: GOD REQUIRES COURAGE!

At this point of Joshua's life he has already demonstrated great acts of faith and courage, yet God still finds it necessary to personally charge and command him 3 times in this chapter to be "strong and courageous." Big promises and dreams demand great courage.

Thank God we don't have to build the bridge; we just have to cross it.

E22 Exodus 32 - The Bad Art Incident

Let's put Exodus 32 and the whole "golden calf incident" in perspective"
The Lord has just commissioned Moses up on the mountain to build Him a place so that He can dwell among His people.  That is His true desire.  To be close to His people....His own special people and treasured possession, those He loves.  And what kind of house would a Creator- The Creator- of heaven and earth and everything in it- dwell in?  Well, a very well designed place.  Divinely designed.  This place had major craftsmanship, major design sense and artistry.  It makes sense that a God who is a Creator would dwell in a creative atmosphere.  So he commissions artists on whom he is gifting with all the wisdom and revelation that they need to bring these plans on paper into a glorious reality.  This is what the Lord does in Exodus 31:
1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 "I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 "And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan ; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, and the ark of testimony, and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent, 8 the table also and its utensils, and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils, and the laver and its stand, 10 the woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, with which to carry on their priesthood ; 11 the anointing oil also, and the fragrant incense for the holy place, they are to make them according to all that I have commanded you." 

There you have it.  Every piece of  furniture, every piece of thread, every utensil, oil, and metal.  They were all the product of artistry and beautiful in every way.  I would have loved to have seen that house.  
And here in Exodus 32 after calling and commissioning the people of God to create an environment of beauty and creativity for Him to dwell in, He stops to warn Moses, that these very people have defiled themselves.  
You see we think that it's all about the calf and we want to harp on about idols.  But, I think that God's disappointment and Moses anger, were very much about the use of their gift.  You see we've all been gifted by God.  Both in the natural and in the spirit with gifts of the Spirit.  But, it is completely within our own decision how we will use the gift God has anointed us for.  What will we do with the abilities that He has called and commissioned our lives with?  Will we use them for our own purposes?  for instant gratification, selfish gain?  When the wait is too long, and we don't see God's plans for our lives materializing in the way we expected or when we expected them to, do we take the thing that He has anointed us for and use it our own way?  We sound somewhat like spoiled children, like the Israelites did in this chapter of Exodus: "Thanks God for the gift of artistry, but, now your way is just taking way too long, I've got stuff to do with this talent."  Moses had been on the mountain for 40 days and nights and for all they knew he could have been dead.  But, instead of believing the voice that first called them, they returned to their own devices.  I think the real measure of a woman or a man is not what you do when God is speaking, but, what you do when He is silent.  Let us say as Moses did "we will not go from here unless You go with us."  That all of our decisions would not be made out of frustration or out of our own human logic.  Moses had given the Israelites instructions to "wait here." Maybe that is part of the lesson to learn in this chapter.  Not take what God is giving us and run.  Let our prayer be, "Lord help us to wait on You, and not turn to our own devices or our own logic, even when Your plan seems unclear.  Help us to stay committed to Your plans for our lives, knowing that everything You have gifted us with is for a purpose, Your purpose." 

E21 Exodus 19,20 – God’s Intention For The 10 Commandments

What did God want when He gave The Ten? What was His desired outcome? I guess the best question is, why did He give them out in the first place.

The good thing is that God reveals his intention for the law before he spelled it out. To God it was important for us to know why He was doing this. So before assembling the people of Israel to literally hear the Law with their own ears, God himself gives the reason for establishing the Law. God desires us to be His "treasure possession…a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Ex 19:5-6) God wants us to be his treasured possession, and for us to want him to be our treasure. Ultimately, God desires to be desired.

The Ten is how this God-desire is lived out in our lives. And in fact, with the help of the Holy Spirit this God-desire is we are becoming together (1Pet 2:5). God wants us to truly be His, not just simply try to behave like it. Doesn't the First Commandment sound like, "I desire that your desire me more than anything!"

We are told what God is looking for; us wanting to be what God is looking for, that the essence of worship! David summed it up this way: "I desire to do your will, Oh my God; your Law is within my heart" (Ps 40:8). David was bringing more than obedience, he was bringing his desire.

God desires us to desire him! Jesus, I desire you. Holy Spirit help me to desire you.

E20 Exodus 13-14 - Born Into Battle

Are we born-again into a paradise or into an epic struggle for humanity? We are told that the Israelites left the land of captivity armed for battle (Ex. 13:18b). If the pillar of cloud and fire was leading them out (Ex 13:21,22); why the need for weapons?

The exodus from Egypt parallels our own exodus and deliverance from the captivity and slavery of our sin. We can educate ourselves on own deliverance by studying their exodus. We are not born into paradise. This is not heaven; this is earth, and while we are here we have an adversary who will oppose our progress. More importantly, while we are here, God expects to fight (1 Tim. 6:12)

We are born-again into a great struggle for the souls of humanity. When we walk with God, we march with the Spirit (Gal 5:25). We are provided battle-armor and we are expected to wear it (Eph. 6:11-17). Where we live, there is no demilitarized zone.

The exodus began and ended with battle. From the deliverance from captivity to the possession of the Promised Land there was battle and struggle. Should we expect our spiritual lives to be any different?

Stay alert, fellow soldiers.

E19 Exodus 12 – The Transcendence of Remembrance

Why does God place such an emphasis on remembrance? God even establishes remembrance as a form of worship.

Before the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt, He gave them instructions to remember. God placed a higher priority in remembering the deliverance than on the deliverance itself. He even gave more instructions and commands on the remembrance itself rather than the deliverance.

The repeated words on this passage are: commemorate, celebrate, observe.

Commemorate. To commemorate means to remember together, Passover was not for individuals it was for the community. Nothing sticks to memory banks like communal experiences. To God is important that we celebrate faith as a group than as an individual (its better for us, too!).

Celebrate. Do you find it interesting that God has to command us to celebrate? You would think that would come naturally to us. But, we have been commanded by God to: enjoy and delight ourselves in our faith. To God is important that we celebrate in the things He wants us to do. Make no mistake, Passover was a feast!

Observe. Our man-made holidays usually celebrate past events [Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc.] We don't have any holidays about the future! But you know God is doing more than pointing at the past. I love the transcendence of the Scriptures; the Israelites were not just being thought to observe the past, they were being prepared for the future! In preparing the lambs for Passover they were being prepared for the Lamb of God (John 1:29, Rev 15:3). By observing the past, we can see the future!

At Passover Jesus brought both fulfillment and promise. After during the Passover meal Jesus instituted another standing ordinance for us, the Lord's Supper. In breaking the bread, we remember and experience his broken body. In drinking the cup we celebrate the new covenant in His blood. In the whole experience we are not just observing and remembering his death, but more importantly we are proclaiming his future return!

Its important to note that once again, the command to remember the cross came before the deliverance itself. Jesus commands us all to: "Remember Me."

E18 Exodus 6-11 – Humility or Humiliation: Its Our Choice

The struggle of Moses and Pharaoh is an epic confrontation in the Bible between humility vs. arrogance. Moses was the most humble man on the face earth (Numbers 12:3). And, his nemesis Pharaoh,  was the personification of arrogance.

Ten times Moses confronted Pharaoh, ten times Pharaoh "hardened" his heart; and suffered the consequences. Eventually, The most humble man, confronted the most arrogant man with one question from God: "This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? (Ex. 10:3)

That question cuts right to us. How long will we refuse to humble ourselves? From the story we deduct that Pharaoh's biggest problem was not sin or immorality; His biggest problem was arrogance.  God can work with a sinner, He cant work with the arrogant.

What if our biggest problem is not sin? We can become so focused in managing our sin that we neglect its root cause, arrogance. Ask yourself, do you spend more time in confession (and guilt) than on intentional humility?

The story is the ten plagues is not just a story of God leading out the Israelites out of Egypt; its also a story of God reaching out to an arrogant man.  Before the plagues began God declares their purpose: that "the Egyptians will know than I am the LORD (Ex 7:5, 9:16) God was reaching out to Pharaoh.

When we refuse to humble ourselves (1Pet 5:6), we force God to humble us. When we do it it's called humility; when God has to do it its called humiliation. Its our choice!


 

E17 Exodus 3,4 – How God Calls The Hesitant

How can use me? Isn't this the first thought that crosses our mind when we hear God calling?

I don't know about you, but I am sure glad that the heroes of the Bible also struggled with that question. It's good to know that I am not the first person (and I won't the last) who asked God to send someone else. It means that God doesn't call the skilled and qualified but rather those who are aware of their limitations, the hesitant. And from this story can glean how God calls, trains, and sends those who are hesitant.

The Calling. Moses was hesitant; but at least he was able to notice that the bush did not burn up, which had to take some time. God cant call you if you not paying attention.  God begins with those are awake, we can do that!  Paul encourages this like this: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Eph. 5:14)" 

The Training. This is made up of God answering Moses' who, what and how questions. Through the answers God reveals His name and some of His attributes. One interaction stands out though. On Ex. 4:2, God asks the eighty year old Moses, "what is in your hand?" God was directing Moses attention to his shepherd's staff, to reassure that this training is nothing new, God has been training Moses for forty years in the desert (Acts 7:23, 30). God is also revealing that He is going to use Moses' natural talents and the things that he is used already. Did you now that God has been training you all your life and that he will use the things that in your hand already?

The Failed Launch. The story is been building up, God has answered every question and displayed miracles, you expect Moses raise up like a hero…when he anticlimactically asks God to send someone else. God is patient, but there is a limit, the Bible says that the Lord's anger burned against Moses (Ex 4:13-14). Dear God, help me not be like this!

God is merciful with us, his mercy endured and allowed Moses the help of his brother Aaron, and sent him with this charge: "But take up this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it!" (Ex 4:17).

A word to the hesitant, yes God is calling us, yes he will encourage and empower you, don't stay hesitant forever!
What is in your hand?  

E16 Exodus 2 – Floating In Providence vs. Flowing With Providence

Can you imagine what Moses' mom was feeling as released her baby boy to the flow of the Nile? What a captivating picture, a newborn baby floating in a basket down a river with the end result undetermined. What does God want us to learn from this narrative? Could this be a metaphor of our lives? Are we helplessly simply floating on God's will and whatever happens, happens? Or are expected to participate with the "Flow of God?"

After Pharaoh gave the mandated that every male baby be thrown into the Nile; Moses family refused to be reduced to an uninvolved bystanders. For three months they valiantly defied the law and hid the boy they saw providence in him (Heb 11:23). His mom made sure that the baby's big sister, Miriam, observed what would happen, but Miriam did more than observe, she intervened.

A princess sees the baby boy and as she is experiencing pity over the child, Miriam tactically asks her if she wanted her to get a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for "you?" She brings her mom to the princess and Moses' mom receives the order to nurse her own son! Yeah, she got paid to take care of her own son! (sweet) Minutes earlier mom was not sure if her son will live or die, now her son is part of the royal family.

Don't you just love how all the details come together? In addition to all this, the baby will providently be given the name, Moses- "Drawn from the water." Moses whole life will be impacted by water. God will have Moses lead people though the Red Sea. He will through a stick to undrinkable water and it would become drinkable (Ex 15:25). Even his life's biggest blunder will have to do with water. He is instructed by God to go a speak to a rock and water would come out from it. Instead in anger he struck the rock twice (Num 20:9-12). The Rock that he struck was Christ- not good! (1 Cor. 10:4).

God's Providence. Was Moses just simply floating in it? Or were him and his family flowing with it? What about us? Are we just supposed to sit back and enjoy all the good stuff does for us? (if you do, you'll be waiting a long time) Or are we to participate and flow with God's providence. It appears that not only are we involved but that those close to us are involved as well.

Don't float alone. Flow with the Flow of God!


 

E15 Gen 45 – When Our Suffering Converges With God’s Will

Isn't this the moment we never think we will witness? That moment when witness the convergence of God's purposes with our painful past experiences. As God redeems our suffering He not provides healing from the pain, but more amazingly He also ordains blessings and fruitfulness to flow because of it (Rom 8:28).

Joseph personifies this converging of pain and purpose. A victim of major injustices becomes the source of healing and rescue for his offenders. At the same time that Joseph reveals his identity he reassures his brothers "not to be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves... God sent me … to save your lives by a great deliverance." (Gen 45:5, 7) Joseph even concludes that it was God who sent him to Egypt, not his brothers! (Gen 45:8)

What moment, when Joseph is able to kiss all his brothers and weep over them (Gen 45:15). He is even able to talk to those who years ago could not say a kind for to him (Gen. 37:4). 
In kissing, weeping and talking with them Joseph is sharing his healing with them. He is hoping that they too have a convergence.  Their convergence will be different but just as important; a place where the pain they caused meets God's purpose. Joseph even encourages them not to argue about this matter anymore (Gen 45:25).

Thank God, that he not only redeems the pain that has been done to us, but also the pain that we inflict on others. I must admit, I tend to wait for God to heal the pain done to me, more than the pain I cause. Lord, forgive me for this.
Dear Jesus, give the patience I need to see this convergence in my life.  Help me to not only seek redemption for my pain but also for the pain that I have caused.

E14 Gen 43-44 – Allowing Your God-Dreams To Unfold

Are our God-Dreams an inedibility or a glimpse of divine possibilities? Are the dreams that God gives affected by our actions and reactions? Can we get on the way and prevent God's will from unfolding? Do we have some responsibility in their fulfillment?

Frankly, I am still figuring those answers. The free-will vs. God's sovereignty discussion will continue until we meet Jesus. Until then we can rely on God and His Word for pointers.

We can get some guidance from this narrative. About twenty years earlier Joseph had a dream/vision of his brothers bowing down to him in honor (Gen 37:6-7). This dream becomes a reality twice in this passage (Gen 43:26,28). But what if Joseph would had lash out in anger the first time he saw his brothers, would the dream still come true? Did Joseph patience allow this dream to be fulfilled?

What about our dreams- have we messed them up already? Can God redeem and restore them? Maybe I am making the mistake of thinking that dreams and promises of God are about me instead of God.

Think about it. Was Joseph's dream a foretelling about the brothers that hated him one day bowing down to honor him, or was the dream about one day Joseph being able to forgive his brothers? Was the dream for just for Joseph, or was it for his brothers?

All dreams and their interpretations are from God and belong to Him (Gen 40:8). Maybe we err calling them "our" dreams and destiny. Our goal should not be to know the future, but to do our part and allow God to do His.

Questions For Reflection:

1. Joseph dreams took more than 20 years to be fulfilled, have you put an expiration date on your God-dreams?
   
2. Do you think the dream was fulfilled the way Joseph thought it would?

E13 Gen 42 – Leaving Room For God To Be Our Avenger

Is there anything that stirs anger in our hearts more than injustice? It's evident that the human heart was made in the image of a God of Justice; just look at the strong, immediate reactions that we have whenever we perceive injustice. Ironically, even people who do not believe in "moral absolutes" are absolutely sure that injustice is wrong and not to be tolerated. Deep within our hearts there is written code against injustice.

The story of Joseph early life is made up of injustice followed by more and more injustice: sold into slavery by his brothers, thrown in jail for doing the right thing, and once there forgotten by the people whom he helped. If anyone had the right to be an angry, vengeful person in the Bible it was Joseph.

I wonder how much did Joseph sulk in anger towards his brothers? Did he plan his revenge against them someday? Did he pray to God that he could someday pay them back? The Bible story doesn't say, but it does say what he did when he met again some 20 years later.

Joseph decided to observe his brothers before deciding what do. He had the advantages of the brothers not recognizing him, and pretending not to understand their language by using an interpreter. After three days the brothers acknowledged among themselves they were reaping the consequences of their sin against Joseph and that they were giving an accounting of his blood (Gen 42:21-22). Joseph was able to observe their sorrow and grief over what they had done to him. Their anguish moved Joseph to go away and weep (Gen. 42:24).

God had done for Joseph what he could never do himself. He changed the hearts of his offenders, and in doing so also changed his. Joseph discovered that God is our avenger and defender. God also instructs us to allow Him the room He needs to defend us.

Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"  says the Lord. When we seek our revenge we get on God's way to display his perfect wrath and vengeance.

Vengeance belongs to God and not us. If not careful we can prevent God from establishing his Justice, and helping us.

How I wish this wasn't true. How difficult it is for me to get out of God's way. Vengeance has the appearance of being easier when done by ourselves. But when I seek my own defense and vengeance, I make matters worse than they were before. 


Lord, how I need to learn to make room for you.  You can defend me better than I can.


 
Questions For Reflection:

1. 
   
   Am I my own protector or is God my protector and defender?
   
   
   
   

 

 

 

E12 Gen 39-41 – The Maturation of A Biblical Hero

What a difference 13 years, some adversity and most importantly the favor of God make. At the end of chapter 41 Joseph is 30 years old and second only to Pharaoh in the land of Egypt (Gen 41:46). A whole different specimen from what we were introduced to when he was 17. (Remember when you were 17?)

 

Gen 39-41 displays the transformation of Joseph into a Biblical hero. The most important ingredient in this transformation is given to us early and often. The author of Genesis makes it difficult for the reader to miss this piece of the story, God's presence. Chapter 39, the account of Joseph in Egypt, opens not with a hopeless victim, but rather an admirable and capable young man who clearly displayed the presence of favor of God to the people around him (Gen 39:2-3).

 

"The Lord was with Joseph…" I love that phrase, and we read it at least 3 times in this chapter. (Gen 39:2,20-21, 23) We are not told that Joseph felt the presence of God, but instead we are told that everyone that came in contact with Joseph attested to the fact that God was with Him. I wonder if Joseph felt, what everyone else saw in him? Could it be that we have the presence and favor of God not for us to feel it, but for others to see God displayed in us?

Joseph also displays some other signs of maturity. First, he maintains his sexual purity in spite of constant pressure (Gen. 39:10). Thus becoming an example for every would-be-hero for God; when our sexual purity is attacked, we are to run like Joseph. The Apostle Paul version of this in the New Testament is to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Cor 6:18)

Secondly, Joseph begins to display humility in the using of the gift that God gave him. The gift of dream interpretation is a rarity in the Bible. Those who are used dream interpretation usually display the gifts of wisdom and knowledge in a very developed manner. In earlier chapters Joseph displayed childishness in using this gift; he now uses this gift with the confidence and propriety that comes only when a person fully knows that is not them doing the work but rather God (See Gen 40:8; 41:16).

And lastly, Joseph masters the vital skill of everyone Bible hero; learning and gaining from painful circumstances. Joseph was able to turn his physical and emotional suffering into spiritual fruit. And he named his children appropriately, so he will never forget. Genesis 41:51-52:
Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." ⁵² The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

Manasseh literally means "made me forget." Ephraim means "twice fruitful." By not allowing himself to be controlled by past circumstances Joseph aced his final exam from hero school. Joseph is now ready to make an impact for God!

 

Questions for Reflection:

1. The transformation begins with God's constant presence. Do you see God present in your life?
   
2. When you call on the Name of God, do call on the name of Yahweh Shammah, The Lord is Present?
   
3. Are you protecting your integrity like a hero/heroine?
   
4. Are you able to point to the place in your life when or where your past pain or circumstances no longer had mastery over you?
   

 

E11 Gen 37 – The Early Stages of A Bible Hero

Most great hero epics have an important parallel: the development of the hero. The complelling beauty of many stories is not that the hero was born into greatness; but instead the hero had to overcome unsual circumstances before deafeating his/her nemesis. The development and growth of the hero what makes the stories so uplifting. Bible and Literary heroes often share this quality.

When we are intorduced to Joseph, there is not much promise there. The Bible reader is introduced to a 17 year-old kid snitching out his older brothers, who by the way, are grown men much older than him. To complicate matters, these brothers we born not to his mother, Rachel, or his step-mother Leah, but rather to their comcubines. Needless, to say their was more going one than just a "bad report." (Gen 37)

To complicate things even more, the Bible says that his father Jacob, loved him more than the other brothers. Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, born from his favorite wife (Gen 29:31). Jacob even made Joseph a special robe, an annoing reminder to all his brothers that he has his father's preferred son. I am not an expert, but publicly loving one son more than the others has to be the quickest way to create a dysfunctional family.

But the story still gets worse for the young man. In addition to all the above, Joseph lacks the critical life-skill of being tactfull. After having some dreams that seem to foretell his supremacy over all his family; the boy decides it a good idea to put his decorative robe on and tell these dreams to eleven grown men who hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Even his father had to rebuke him for his lack of common sense.

So we witness the introduction of a Bible hero. God obviously had a lot of work to do in Joseph's heart. So in His providence, God allowed the brothers to sell Joseph to some merchants on their way to Egypt. Joseph is about to go to hero school.


 
Questions For Reflection:

1. 
   
   Are there any immature qualities in your life that are keeping you from becoming the hero or heroine God needs you to be?
   
   
   
   

 

E10 - Gen 32 -33 - When We Force God To Wrestle Us Down

A God who is involved in Creation must also be a God who intervenes with us.  

At this point of his life, Jacob has not responded well enough to God's involvement (reassurance, promises, provision); and now it is imperative for God to intervene with Jacob.  The Bible states that the man/angel wrestled with him until daybreak.  The lack of details seems that the mystery man started the match (Gen 32:24) 

In being unresponsive to God's involvement, Jacob found himself struggling with men in order to secure his blessing.  The list of people he had conned was long and growing.  He duped his own brother, Esau, out his birthright;  deceived his own father, Isaac to received his blessing; swindled his father-in-law, Laban, to grow his flocks.  Jacob was determined to be blessed by any means necessary.  


Jacob was got the blessings, but always ended up fleeing from people he burned to get blessed.  He was blessed but was not being a blessing to others. Time for God to intervene before Jacob got himself killed.  God needed to transform Jacob's heart, immediately- so he literally wrestled with Jacob.


Several things happened to Jacob during the wrestling match.  Hosea 12:4 states that Jacob did more that overcome physically, more importantly he wept and begged for his favor.  In his brokenness, Jacob found that the source of his blessings was the "face of God." 


The most important blessing that the man/angel gave him was a new identity.  A reminder of who he really was.  He was no longer Jacob- the deceiver of men; he was now Israel, a God-wrestler who overcomes.  The new identity reminded him that God is his source, and that he must be an over-comer.  And for good measure, he has also given a limp for the rest of his life as a reminder. 

I must admit, I find comfort in the fact that God will intervene in my life, when I am unresponsive to His involvement. 

Thank you Jesus, that you will intervene when I am not responsive.  Help me to be responsive to your Holy Spirit.  Please remind me that my source is no other than the "face of God."  I welcome your tough-love when I need it.  Wrestle me down! 

E9 - Gen 21 & 22 - Remember Where Your Ladders Are At

What if the places where God speaks to you are as important as the words He speaks?

After conning his brother Esau a second time, Jacob decided to flee for his life. This crisis exposes the man who had a reputation of preferring the comforts of tents over the ruggedness of the open country (Gen 25:27). Jacob is now awkwardly exposed in an unfamiliar place. The Bible unassumingly labels the spot, “a certain place.” (Gen 28:11)

Displaced and uncertain about his future he picks up a rock as pillow (ouch!) and goes to sleep. In his Wisdom God decided that this was the perfect time and place to reveal to Jacob his plan. Alone and uncomfortable Jacob received the revelation that he was indeed accompanied by busy messengers of God. Jacob discovered his ignorance of God’s very presence, but more importantly he discovered a ladder- access to God.

Why did God reveal a “stairway” or “ladder?” Jacob needed to know that he had access to God. And if access was not good enough, Jacob witnessed that God’s agents where active near him.

Jacob made the important decision not to just to remember WHAT God spoke, but also WHERE He spoke to him. In fact, he set up an alter out of his rock/pillow and renamed the place “House of God.”

In the Old Testament, people of faith had the cool habit of building alters; these were usually located the very place WHERE they heard God. Apparently, God chooses the places and the circumstances WHERE He speaks to us as carefully as the words that He uses. To Him, the place is part of the message.

You need a ladder! Places where God has spoken to you.  You got to remember where our “ladders” are at. These places in your life that will both remind you and reassure you of the things God has spoken to you. Do you know where your “ladders” are at? Are there any places in your life that you have to rename?

E8 - Gen 21 & 22 – What If God Asks You To Sacrifice Your Dreams?

For 25 years Abraham waited for a promised son.  God had promised honor, wealth, blessing and greatness for generations, but what he wanted more than anything was a son.  Abraham needed a son from God for all the promises to have meaning; God needed Abraham to love God more than his dreams.

Gen 22:1 declares this event to be a “test” from the get-go.  God is asking Abraham to sacrifice son and with him perhaps all his personal dreams and aspirations.  

I must admit, even though I know the end of the story, the request that God makes always shocks me.  Even more shocking, is Abraham’s immediate obedience.  The Bible says that Abraham got up early the next morning and got the process started.  I don’t know about you but I would have asked for confirmation from God before acting on that command. 

As Abraham lifts the knife to sacrifice his son the angel of the Lord interrupts and supplies a substitute animal for the sacrifice.  He also declares the purpose of the test:  “Know I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son.” I think God knew that already, but I am not sure if Abraham knew that he loved God more than his dreams.  I bet he has glad to find that fact out.

What about us?  Do we love our dreams, ministries, careers, family, more than God?  Pray that God will help you to know that for sure?  Ask God to test the sincerity of your love for Him?  [caution: that is a dangerous prayer]

E7 – Gen 15 – How God Coaches Us Through Fear & Inadequacy

Abram is probably the second most significant person in the Scripture, second to Jesus. Are you like me, do you also find it comforting that Abram needed constant coaching through fear and inadequacy? 


I am glad that God is gracious with his reinforcement of love and encouragement. Notice how God speaks Abram. "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." (Gen 15:1)

"Do not be afraid." Did you know that, that is the most frequent command in Scripture? We keep thinking that God's Will for our lives will steer us away from fear and uncertainty, but it appears that the Will of God will always lead us in that direction. Why? Our God loves to come through for us. He wants us not just have victory but more importantly to experience victory for ourselves? There is only one way to experience something, to go through it. Make no mistake, our Destiny is found in the other side of uncertainty and fear.


In a time of fear, Abram was encouraged and reassured of protection. Fear doesn't ever go away, it needs to be conquered. God doesn't just promise help, He is the Helper of those who believe.


But fear is not our only problem; fear is got a sister named inadequacy and they often travel together. Do you find it interesting that people who often seem the most confident and unafraid are just simply compensating for the feelings of inadequacy that they feel inside? Inadequacy is part of the human condition, it's a direct result of the fall of man. We feel inadequate because we are. Without God we are inadequate. 


Abram (like all of us) struggled with inadequacy. A solemn promise from God was not enough to undo the reality that He and his wife could not have children. Like all us, Abram felt inadequate because we are inadequate.


God one again coaches through. Abram "look up to the heavens and count the stars- if you can indeed count them…"there is your promise. Obviously Abram couldn't count the stars, but the Lord was going to be true. The answer to our inadequacy is not us or in us. God is the only one who makes us adequate, and He is not just the rewarder of the faithful, but He is the Reward Himself.


Afraid? Inadequate? Look up to the skies!

E6 – Gen 12 – Responding To God’s Invitations

Our God is an inviter. He is a God who calls. What does that say to you about Him? What attributes does that reveal about Him?

So far in Genesis we witness a Creator who is intimately involved with his Creation. From the very beginning we see that he is more than a Creator, He is a Father. Do you think is a coincidence that the name "Abram" means "Exalted Father?" Is this passage of Scripture a revelation of a man named father, or a truly "Exalted Father" who fathers us my inviting us and calling us towards Himself?

We also learn about the nature of the Father's invitations. Seven times we see words "I Will" [circle them in your Bible]. That's some pretty good reassurance for us- reassurance that God is and will always be involved.

God invites us to fulfill our destiny, find our meaning, and experience significance. Invitation is guidance. Calling is direction. He is ultimately leading us to Himself.

What set Abram apart from the rest of his generation? What did Abram really do that affected world history even until today? It appears that Abram did more than respond to an invitation. (Who wouldn't respond to numerous blessings and promises of greatness?)

Abram built and alter and called in the Name of the Lord (Gen 12:8). Abram was not simply a responder of the invitation, he called back. Obedience is a good response, but obedience combined with calling on the Caller is the ultimate.

Gods is calling, will we call back?