Genesis 43
Conversation between Judah and his fatherverses 1-10
And the FAMINE was sore in the land – and it came to pass
when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought
out of Egypt
their father said to them
Go again – buy us a little food
And Judah spoke unto him – saying
The man did solemnly protest to us
saying
You shall not see my face – EXCEPT your brother be with you
IF you will send our brother with us
we will go down and buy you food
BUT if you will not send him – we will not go down
FOR the man said to us
You shall not see my face
EXCEPT your brother be with you
And Israel said
Wherefore dealt you so ill with me
as to tell the man whether you had yet a brother?
And they said
The man asked us straitly of our state
and of our kindred saying
Is your father yet alive? Have you another brother?
and we told him according to the
TENOR of these words
Could we certainly know that he would say
Bring your brother down?
And Judah said to Israel – his father
Send the lad with me – and we will arise and go
that we may live – and not die
both we and you – and also our little ones
I will be surety for him – of my hand shall you require him
IF I bring him not unto you – and set him before you
THEN let me bear the blame for ever
FOR except we had lingered surely
now we had returned this SECOND TIME
Israel has plan to appease ruler in Egyptverses 11-14
And their father Israel said to them
IF it must be so now – do this
Take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels
and carry down the man a present – a little balm
and a little honey – spices – myrrh – nuts
almonds
And take DOUBLE MONEY in your hand
and the MONEY that was brought again
in the mouth of our sacks
carry it again in your hand
Peradventure it was an oversight
take also your brother – and arise – go again to the man
and God Almighty give you mercy before the man
that he may send away your other brother
and Benjamin
IF I be BEREAVED of my children – I am BEREAVED
Benjamin goes to Egyptverses 15-18
And the men took that present
and they took DOUBLE MONEY in their hand – and Benjamin
and rose up – and went down to Egypt
and stood before Joseph
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them
he said to the ruler of his house
Bring these men home – and slay – and make ready
FOR these men shall dine with me at noon
And the man did as Joseph bade
and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house
And the men were afraid
BECAUSE they were brought into Joseph’s house
And they said – BECAUSE of the MONEY that was returned in
our sacks at the first time are we brought in
that he may seek occasion against us
and fall upon us and take us for bondmen
and our asses
Brothers approach Joseph’s servantverses 19-25
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house
and they communed with him at the door of the house
and said
O sir – we came indeed down at the first time to buy food
and it came to pass – when we came to the inn
that we OPENED our sacks – and BEHOLD
every man’s MONEY was in
the mouth of his sack
our MONEY in full weight
and we have brought it again in our hand
and other money have we brought down in
our hands to buy food
we cannot tell who put our MONEY in our sacks
And he said – Peace be with you – fear not
your God and the God of your father
has given you treasure in your sacks
I had your MONEY
And he brought Simeon out to them
and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house
and gave them water – and they washed their feet
and he gave their asses fodder
And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon
FOR they heard that they should eat bread there
Joseph comes home to see Benjaminverses 26-31
And when Joseph came home
they brought him the present which was in their hand
into the house and bowed themselves
to him to the earth
And he asked them of their welfare – and said
Is your father well – the old man of whom you spoke?
Is he yet alive?
And they answered
Your servant – our father – is in good health – he is yet alive
and they bowed down their heads
and made obeisance
And he lifted up his eyes – and saw his brother Benjamin
his mother’s son and said –
Is this your younger brother of whom ye spoke to me?
And he said
God be gracious to you – my son
And Joseph made haste – FOR his heart yearned over his brother
and he sought where to weep
and he entered into his chamber – and wept there
and he washed his face – and went out
and controlled himself – and said
Set on bread
Separate meals for Egyptians and Israelitesverses 32-34
And they set on for him by himself – and for them by themselves
and for the Egyptians – who did eat with him – by themselves
BECAUSE the Egyptians might not eat bread with
the Hebrews
FOR that is an abomination unto the Egyptians
And they sat before him – the firstborn according to his birthright
and the youngest according to his youth
and the men marveled one at another
And he took and sent messes to them from before him
BUT Benjamin’s mess was FIVE TIMES
as much as any of theirs
And they drank and were merry with him
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shall you require him: if I bring him not unto you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. (6148 “surety” [arab] means to pledge something as collateral, exchange, step in for, give security, or make a guarantee)
DEVOTION: In the previous chapter Reuben told his father that he would let his father kill his two sons if he didn’t bring Benjamin back with them from Egypt. This offer seems to be refused. Now we have Judah telling his father that he would be a guarantee that he would bring Benjamin back with them from Egypt.
It was hard for Israel to give up his only remaining son from Rachel. He thought that Joseph was dead. He didn’t want her other child to die in Egypt.
What Israel didn’t know is that Joseph was the one asking to see his brother. He wanted to renew his relationship with his mother’s only other child.
There was no way that Judah knew these facts. There was no way that Judah could really fulfill his promise to his father because Joseph had the whole Egyptian army at his disposal.
So there are times when we might say things that we can’t really back up. We have to trust in the LORD to lead us to victory in any situation. All of the family did not really trust the LORD. They were figuring out a way to win without really turning to the LORD in prayer.
We find ourselves in these situations at time where we think we can figure out a way to gain the victory without consulting the LORD. It is wrong. It causes us to worry about the outcome which is what Israel did.
It seems like he was looking for a guarantee from a family member rather than the LORD!!
CHALLENGE: We are to go to the LORD concerning any situations we find ourselves in. Our prayer life should be one that is always asking the LORD for wisdom concerning our every action in life. Either we trust in the LORD or we don’t!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out to them. (4301 “treasure” [matmun] means a secret storehouse, secreted valuable, a stockpile or hidden reserve, cache or hidden riches)
DEVOTION: The brothers run out of food. They have to return to Egypt. Jacob doesn’t want to send Benjamin with them. He complains to them about their telling the man about Benjamin. Jacob finally realizes that he has to send Benjamin. Judah tells his father that he will take the blame if Benjamin doesn’t return with them.
Joseph sees his brother. Benjamin is the only other son of his mother. He has a hard time handling seeing him. He sends them to his personal house. The brothers are afraid. They think that they are going to be punished because of the money in their sack from their first trip.
They try to explain to the steward of Joseph’s house that they didn’t know how their money got in their sacks. This verse is the servant trying to reassure them.
Joseph’s servant told the brothers that he put their money back in their sacks. It didn’t happen by accident. They didn’t understand. They didn’t know yet who the ruler was that was entertaining them. The servant gave God the glory for them receiving this secret storehouse.
We have riches available to us. Our Savior has given us all we need. We had many blessings available to us for the asking, if we ask according to HIS will. Our money is to be used for HIS glory. HE will not give us more than we need.
We sometimes ask for more than we need. One of the first places we are to give our money is to the LORD’S work. That can be ten percent or more. Remember that none of our money belongs to us. One hundred percent belongs to the LORD.
Like the brothers, we sometimes worry about money. We are commanded not to worry because the LORD takes care of the birds of the air. One further note to mention is the fact that the servant talks about their God and the God of their father. Apparently, Joseph had shared his faith with this servant.
It is great to share our faith with our children. It is great to look back and see faith in many generations of our family. Are we passing on our faith and trust in the LORD for our financial needs????
CHALLENGE: Always remember that everything we receive is from the LORD. Always give HIM the glory when we are able to help others.
: 30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn on his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. (7356 “bowels” [racham] means mercy, compassion, a feeling of love, loving sensation, a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering, or natural affection)
DEVOTION: Joseph had a hard time controlling his emotions when he saw his brother for the first time in many years. He had to get out of the room fast before his brothers saw his emotions and figured out who he was because of his love for his brother.
The tie between siblings should be a tie of love. Brothers and sisters should love one another in a family. This might be true in a family that loves the LORD but there are some families that don’t love the LORD that love each other.
Christians should be setting the example of what a real family should look like. There should be an emotional tie that cannot be broken easy. The Bible wants families to encourage one another especially the family of God.
Our homes should be one of encouragement and love that lasts for a lifetime. Even separation shouldn’t change our feeling for our family. Joseph really wanted to see his brother even over the brothers who sold him into slavery.
God in his providence was providing for Joseph’s family through his position in the government of Egypt. Without this insider they might have starved but Joseph provided enough food for them to live. Joseph didn’t see the LORD doing a good thing when he was sold into slavery but he did see it at the end of his life.
We need to realize that all of the circumstances that the LORD allows in our life are for our good and sometimes even well for all those around us.
CHALLENGE: Trusting in the LORD is difficult at times when we are going through a rough time but it must be our number one priority. HE will help us understand what is going on in our life.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another. (1062 “birthright” [bâkowrah] means birthright, primogeniture, right of the first-born. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: Ever thought you had something coming to you that you did not receive? For most of us, it was something really good that we had spent some time dreaming about or wishing for. We knew that someone else would provide that for us, and yet it turned out that no one did, and we were disappointed.
The birthright was like this. It was something which was endowed on the firstborn, and which he did not earn. If he made a bad choice (such as Esau did), he could lose the birthright, which would in turn endanger his inheritance at the death of his father. While we do not hear of Isaac or Abraham receiving a birthright, it becomes an important element of family dynamics following the birth of Esau and Jacob. Reuben forfeited his birthright by cohabiting with one of Jacob’s wives.
Joseph earned the birthright by following the LORD. Yet we find him graciously acknowledging the birth order (including Reuben) as he seats them down for a meal together. Joseph is making the statement that he was supporting the family order (of which he was one of the youngest sons), even though his brothers had disowned him and sold him into slavery. So, he is showing grace to his brothers.
Grace is by definition unmerited favor. We are called to show God’s grace to others, especially when they do not live up to our expectations. We do this because God has shown His grace to us, and this is as a result of the birthright that Jesus had which He laid down for us in dying for us on the cross.
CHALLENGE: Is there something that you have dreamed of but never gotten that you need to let go of today? If so, trust that God knows what He is doing and will do the right thing by you. (MW)
:34 And he took and sent messes to them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. (4864 “mess” [mas’eth] means tribute, present, an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal, portion, or offering)
DEVOTION: Reunions should be times of great merriment. When a complete family gets together to celebrate it should be one to remember.
Joseph’s brothers didn’t know who he was but he did. He provided them with a feast to remember. He also treated his only full brother to extra helpings of food. It should have given the other brothers a clue as to what was happening but they were just enjoying the moment.
Sometimes we don’t know all the facts about what is happening around us but we know that we are being blessed. We should thank the LORD for the blessing HE sends our way.
I don’t know how Benjamin could eat five times as much food as his other brothers but he was at least blessed with more food than all the other brothers. He should have been thinking about a reason for this special treatment besides the fact that he was the youngest who tends to be spoiled more than the other children.
Why are they youngest spoiled more? In this case it was of the special relationship between Joseph and Benjamin. Many time parents train their oldest the most because they are the one who comes when they have the most energy. As they have more children it seems that the energy level decreases. Also, they have learned what to do and what not to do with the older children.
Here we have two brothers who have been separated for a long time and it is just good to see each other for the first time in many years. Each reunion between brothers should be special especially if there is a faith tie between them both.
We should also be givers to our siblings if we have it to give. Joseph had it to give.
CHALLENGE: Remember that all this is happening because the LORD is showing this family that HE can provide for their every need. HE can still do this for each family receiving these devotionals.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Judah surety for Benjaminverse 9
Double moneyverses 12, 15
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God (Elohim)verses 14, 23, 29
Almightyverse 14
God Almighty verse 14
Mercy verse 14
God of your fatherverse 23
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Egyptverses 2, 15
Ruler of house of Joseph in Egyptverse 16
Egyptians couldn’t eat with Hebrewsverse 32
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Blameverse 9
Afraidverse 18
Abominationverse 32
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Mercyverse 14
Peaceverse 23
Fear notverse 23
Treasureverse 23
Good healthverse 28
Graciousverse 29
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Father = Jacob (Israel)verses 2-14
Get more corn from Egypt
Asks why they told him of Benjamin
Told them to bring best fruits of the land
little balm
little honey
spices, myrrh, nuts,almonds
double the money
take Benjamin
Judahverses 3-10
Surety for Benjamin
Bear the blame forever
The Man = Josephverses 3-34
Ordered a feast for brothers
Ordered brothers to be a peace
not to fear
Asked about Jacob (Israel)
Saw Benjamin
His mother’s son
Bowels yearned toward Benjamin
Sought where to weep
Wept and returned
Brother = Benjaminverses 5, 13-34
Received five times as much food
Ten brothers before Josephverses 15-34
Bowed their heads in obeisance
Marvelled one at another
Simeon brought out to brothersverse 23
Hebrewsverse 32
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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Jacob, or Israel, as he is known throughout this chapter, gave in to Judah’s plan. Just as it was Judah’s plan in chapter 37 that ultimately saved the life of Joseph (37:26), so now it was Judah’s plan that saved the life of Simeon. Jacob’s farewell words provide the narrative key to what follows: “May God Almighty grant you mercy [raḥamîm] before the man” (v.14). As so often in the patriarchal narratives, the events that follow seem to be guided by just these words. At the conclusion of the narrative, when the sons reached Joseph and he saw Benjamin, we are told that “his mercy” (raḥamāyw, v.30; untr. in NIV) was kindled toward his brother. It is important that in these words of Jacob the compassion (raḥamîm) that Joseph was to find toward his brothers was given by “God Almighty.” Again in these subtle and indirect ways the writer informs the reader of the power of God in directing the lives of his people and in carrying his plans to completion. (Sailhamer, J. H. (1990). Genesis. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 250). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Judah broke the deadlock with a warmly personal initiative, offering to take the blame if Benjamin were not returned. Judah (Jacob’s fourth son; 29:31–35) succeeded where Reuben had failed (42:37), and Benjamin went down to Egypt with his brothers. Interestingly Judah was the one who had come up with the plan to sell Joseph to Egypt (37:26–27). Now he had to negotiate with his father in order to get Benjamin to see Joseph.
Jacob suggested that they take some of their best products … to the man as a gift, including balm … honey … spices and myrrh … pistachio nuts, and almonds. Apparently these delicacies were not available in Egypt (cf. 37:25). They also took double the amount of silver, returning what they had found in their money pouches before. Jacob resigned himself to the high risk involved in possibly losing a third son—first, Joseph; then Simeon; and now perhaps Benjamin too. (Ross, A. P. (1985). Genesis. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 93). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
He sent them off with his blessing (v. 14), asking that El Shaddai (God Almighty, the All-Sufficient One) change the heart of “the man” so he would show mercy by releasing Simeon and not hurting Benjamin. But his final statement didn’t give evidence of much faith or hope: “If I be bereaved of my children [Joseph, Benjamin, and Simeon], I am bereaved.” Perhaps he wanted those pathetic words to echo in his sons’ minds as they journeyed to Egypt. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Be authentic (p. 116). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
43:14 Jacob’s acquiescence to let Benjamin go (v. 13) ended with prayer for the brothers’ and Benjamin’s safety and with a cry of being a helpless victim of circumstances. Pessimism had apparently set into his heart and deepened after the loss of Joseph. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ge 43:14). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 14. And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, &c.] Who has the hearts of all men in his hands, kings, princes, governors, even those who are the most cruel and hard-hearted, rough and severe, in their tempers and dispositions, and such an one they had represented this man to be; one that had spoke roughly to them, and used them roughly: Jacob therefore sent him a present to soften his mind, and now he puts up a prayer to God, and dismisses his sons with his good wishes for them, that God would incline the heart of the governor to shew kindness to them, and let them have corn, nor use any of them ill: particularly, that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin; release Simeon, and send him and Benjamin along with them when they returned: if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved; this he said, not as utterly despairing of their return, but as expressive of his patient submission to the divine will, be it as it may be. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 273). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
14. If I be bereaved. Jacob may seem here to be hardly consistent with himself; for, if the prayer which Moses has just related, was the effect of faith, he ought to have been more calm; and, at least, to have given occasion to the manifestation of the grace of God. But he appears to cut himself off from every ground of confidence, when he supposes that nothing is left for him but bereavement. It is like the speech of a man in despair, “I shall remain bereaved as I am.” As if truly he had prayed in vain; or had feignedly professed that the remedy was in the hand of God. If, however, we observe to whom his speech was directed, the solution is easy. It is by no means doubtful that he stood firmly on the promise which had been given to him, and therefore he would hope for some fruit of his prayers; yet he wished deeply to affect his sons, in order that they might take greater care of their brother. For, it was in no common manner that Benjamin was intrusted to their protection, when they saw their father altogether overcome and almost lifeless with grief, until he should receive his son again in safety. Interpreters, however, expound these words variously. Some think that he complained, because now he was about to be entirely bereaved. To others, the meaning seems to be, that nothing worse could happen; since he had lost Joseph, whom he had preferred to all the rest. Others are disposed to mark a double bereavement, as if he had said, “I have lost two sons, and now a third follows them.” But what, if we should thus interpret the words, “I see what is my condition; I am a most wretched old man; my house, which lately was filled with people, I find almost deserted.” So that, in general terms, he is deploring the loss of all his sons, and is not speaking of a part only. Moreover, it was his design to inspire his sons with a degree of solicitude which should cause them to attend to their duty with greater fidelity and diligence. (Calvin, J., & King, J. (2010). Commentary on the First Book of Moses Called Genesis (Vol. 2, pp. 356–357). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
FROM MY READING:
The Whole Armor of God
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)
This modern age of terrorism, drugs, sexual license, rampant crime, and worldwide unbelief is surely an evil day; and each Christian urgently needs “the whole armour of God” to stand against the devil’s wiles today. This armor is clearly described in Ephesians 6:14-18, but it seems that Satan’s wiles have confused it in the minds of many Christian educators. Paraphrasing this passage, their view might be expressed somewhat as follows: “Gird your loins with an open-ended search for truth, and have on the breastplate of value sensitivity, your feet shod with the gospel of academic tolerance; above all, taking the shield of accreditation and legal protection, with the helmet of economic security and the sword of evolutionary thought, praying always to the Department of Education and your academic peers.” Such Christian compromise is no armor at all.
How much better to be undergirded with revealed truth, founded on creation and biblical inerrancy, than by a “search” for truth! The true breastplate is righteousness, both imputed and practiced, and the true peace of God through Christ adorns the beautiful feet of those who carry the gospel. The shield is faith, which must be exercised first of all in special creation (Hebrews 11:3). The helmet, protecting the mind, is the genuine hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8). With no armor for the back, since the Christian is “to stand,” not to retreat, the chief offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God that meets each particular need. Finally, insistent prayer is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. The “weapons of our warfare” are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). (HMM (ICR)
FOR ONE HOUR
poem by Anne R. C. Neale
Could you pretend for one hour,
That Jesus is alive right now and next to you,?
That you in your mind you will chat with Him
Can you do that, could you ?
Would you change to where you would go
With Jesus by your side?
Would you show Him respect and mentally chat with Him
For one hour pretending He is alive right next to you,
and with you He abides.
Suppose you thought of going to the store to food shop,
What things would you say to Him?
Try it for an hour today,
You’ll find it very interesting.
Later remember Jesus is with you always,
Not just one hour you see,
Jesus loves you dearly, that is so,
Jesus will always love you for an eternity.
Could you pretend for just for one hour,
That Jesus is alive right now and next to you?
That you in your mind you will chat with Him
Can you do and try that for one hour, could you?
Job 42
God blesses Job, restoring his good fortunes.
INSIGHT
Throughout life, there are things we do not understand. As we mature, we begin to understand. Likewise, we do not understand why the righteous must suffer. But someday, in heaven, we will understand. It will make sense. In the midst of Job’s struggle, he makes some incisive observations that help us cope until we receive full understanding: “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (23:10). “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (13:15)
(QuietWalk).
“WITHOUT WRATH”
I will therefore that men pray ever where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8
The second condition about prayer laid down by the apostle Paul is “without wrath.” It is most important that we should realize the exact meaning of this word “wrath.” It does not mean what is usually suggested to us by the common usage of that word. It does not mean so much anger or the expression or manifestation of anger as an unloving disposition–not a violent outburst of temper, but rather a settled condition of ill will and resentment. Here the emphasis is not upon the way in which a man regards God and approaches Him, but on the way in which he approaches and regards his fellowmen, his neighbors. Added to this, perhaps, is the whole question of a man’s spirit–not only his actions, but also his outlook and his attitude toward others and toward life. How vitally important this is! And how tragically we all tend to fail at this point.
Often there is a feeling of resentment in our hearts even against God while we are praying to Him. We feel that we have a real grudge and a genuine complaint. We feel that we have been wronged. And yet we feel that we are dependent upon God; so we ask Him for favors. We feel that He is against us, that He is not fair to us, and yet in that state and condition we ask Him to bless us, and we expect Him to do so. God says to the children of Israel, “This people…honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8).
This same spirit also shows itself in our attitude toward our fellows. If we have enemies, we must not hate them, but love them. The rule is, “love your enemies.” “Without wrath.”
A Thought to Ponder
The emphasis is not upon the way in which a man regards God, but on the way in which he regards his fellowmen.
(From Why Does God Allow War? pp. 28-30, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Jesus Christ Our Creator
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
Before one can really know Jesus Christ as Savior or Lord, he must acknowledge Him as offended and rejected Creator, because He was our Creator first of all. This is such an important doctrine of the New Testament that it is remarkable how rarely it is emphasized in modern evangelicalism.
Creation by Jesus Christ is the doctrine with which John begins his great gospel of salvation: “In the beginning was the Word,…All things were made by him;…and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not” (John 1:1, 3, 10). It is the foundational message of the book of Hebrews: “God .…hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The apostle Paul said that he had been called specifically to preach “the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:8-9). When a person becomes a believer in Christ, receiving His very life by the new birth, he is said to be “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10).
In the final book of the Bible, Jesus Christ is called “the beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 3:14). But of all the biblical passages identifying Jesus Christ as Creator, the most definitive of all is our text for today. Everything in heaven and Earth was created by Him and for Him! “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36)
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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