Genesis 50
Jacob is embalmedverses 1-3
And Joseph fell on his father’s face
and wept on him – and kissed him
And Joseph commanded his servants
the physicians to embalm his father
and the physicians embalmed Israel
And forty days were fulfilled for him
for so are fulfilled the days of those
who are embalmed
and the Egyptians mourned for him
threescore and ten days
Joseph asks Pharaoh concerning burialverses 4-9
And when the days of his mourning were past
Joseph spoke to the house of Pharaoh
saying
If now I have found GRACE in your eyes – speak
I pray you in the ears of Pharaoh
saying
My father made me swear
saying
Lo – I die -in my grave which I have digged for me
in the land of Canaan there shall you bury me
Now therefore let me go up – I pray you bury my father
and I will come again
And Pharaoh said
Go up – and bury your father
according as he made you swear
And Joseph went up to bury his father
and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh
the elders of his house
and all the elders of the land of Egypt
and all the house of Joseph – and his brethren
and his father’s house
only their little ones – flocks – herds
they left in the land of Goshen
And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen
and it was a GREAT company
Memorial service for Jacobverses 10-13
And they came to the threshing flood of Atad
which is beyond Jordan
And there they mourned with a great and very strong lamentation
and he made a mourning for his father SEVEN days
And when the inhabitants of the land – the Canaanites
saw the mourning in the threshing floor of Atad
they said
This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians
wherefore the name of it was called Abel-mizraim
which is beyond the Jordan
And his sons did to him according as he commanded them
for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan
And buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah
which Abraham bought with the field for a
possession of a burying place of
Ephron- the Hittite before Mamre
Joseph reassures brothersverses 14-21
And Joseph returned into Egypt – he – his brethren
and all that went up with him to bury his father
after he had buried his father
And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead
they said
Joseph will perhaps hate us
and will certainly requite us all the evil which we
did to him
And they sent a messenger unto Joseph
saying
Your father did command before he died
saying
So shall you say to Joseph – FORGIVE – I pray you now
the TRESPASS of your brethren and their SIN
For they did to you EVIL – and now
we pray thee FORGIVE the TRESPASS of
the servants of the God of your father
and Joseph wept when they spoke to him
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face
and they said – Behold – we are your servants
And Joseph said to them
FEAR not – FOR am I in the place of God?
BUT as for you – you thought EVIL against me
BUT God meant it to good
to bring to pass – as it is this day
to save many people alive
NOW therefore FEAR ye not
I will NOURISH you and your little ones
And he COMFORTED them – and spoke KINDLY to them
Joseph instructions for burialverses 22-26
And Joseph dwelt in Egypt – he – his father’s house
and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years
And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation
the children also of Machir – the son of Manasseh
were brought up upon Joseph’s knees
And Joseph said to his brethren
I die – and God will surely visit you
and bring you out of this land to the land which
HE swore to give to Abraham – Isaac – Jacob
And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel – saying
God will surely visit you
and you shall carry up my bones from there
So Joseph died – being an hundred and ten years old
and they embalmed him – and he was put in a coffin in Egypt
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. (5307 “fell” [naphal] means collapse, fall behind, fall upon, or prostate)
DEVOTION: A while ago I was asked to do a funeral for the man who had been the head deacon in my last church for many years. I considered him a man who was honest in his relationships with people. It was an honor to do his funeral. He served the LORD well.
When I saw him in a rehab center near at the end of his life, I left the place with tears because I didn’t think he deserved to be in that location but he is now in the presence of the LORD. The promise given in the Word of God is that we will be absent from our body and present with the LORD immediately if we are followers of the LORD. Those who are not followers will be immediately go to the place of torment until they are judged to be in the lake of fire for eternity.
When we lose someone, we love there should be tears. The custom of the time when Jacob died was to say goodbye with a kiss. One of the granddaughters at the funeral hugged her grandfather in the casket.
It is hard to lose a loved one but it is even harder if they don’t know the LORD. We should make sure that we witness to those we love concerning the LORD if they don’t know HIM.
CHALLENGE: Joseph had the assurance that his father knew the LORD. Do we have the assurance that those we love know the LORD? If not, pray and witness to them before it is too late.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did to him. (7725 “requite” [shuwb] means to give something back to someone, recompense, or to show a turn away)
DEVOTION: Forgiveness or retributions, which should be on the mind of a follower of God when there is a chance to get either? Joseph was a very powerful man in Egypt. He could have his brothers become slaves like he was for so many years. He could have put them all in prison for over two years just like he had to go through. He could have even had them killed. He had choices.
The brothers knew that they treated him badly. They even used the word that they were “evil” toward him because of their jealousy over their father’s treatment of him. They didn’t like his dreams. They didn’t like the fact that he had a coat of many colors. So in their minds they had a reason to dislike him.
Now they realize that Joseph had a reason to dislike them and they were worried. When their conscience bothered them they had good reason to be concerned.
Joseph however answered them well later in the chapter but they had these thoughts right after the funeral.
Today we can have someone in our family die that we have either treated well or badly. It wouldn’t be well to have the same things happen in our heart. Regrets are hard to settle after someone we love has died.
CHALLENGE: We are to keep short accounts with God and we should do the same with those we love or are supposed to love. If there is someone you should see soon – do it!!!
: 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (2896 “good” [towb] means best, better, benefit, kindness, pleasant, be well-favored or prosperity)
DEVOTION: We reach the final chapter of the book of beginnings. All the way through the book we have learned about the LORD working in the lives of people. HE has chosen people to do special assignments for him. HE has shown that all the people HE has picked were sinners. HE didn’t hide anything from us. HE wants us to know that we can’t do it in our own strength, we need HIM!!
Jacob has died. The brothers are worried about what Joseph will do. They send a messenger to him to tell him what their father told them to say to him. They said he told them to ask Joseph to FORGIVE them. Did he have a right to be mad with them? Could he have carried a grudge against them? Would we? When Joseph receive the message what did he do? He wept.
They came to see Joseph. This verse is part of their conversation together. Joseph had every right to be angry with his brothers. Joseph now had an opportunity to get even with his brothers. What would we do in this situation? Would we use this situation to get a little pay back?
Joseph looked at the situation from a different perspective. He looked as this situation from God’s perspective. He looked at what happened to him as a better thing. He realized that because of the circumstances he was able to provide a place for his whole family to live.
Because of the circumstances the children of Israel had the best land in Egypt. Because of the circumstances he could give them more than they had in the land of Canaan. Because of the circumstances they were still alive. God knew the future. HE worked HIS plan through the life of Joseph.
Joseph also realized that because of his placement in Egypt many people didn’t die during the famine. We can look at our circumstances as better for us now or we can look at them as something bad that has happened to us. Which way are we looking at our present circumstances? Is God still in control of our world? Does HE do anything that is bad for us? Trust HIM!!! Joseph did.
CHALLENGE: When family treats us bad, what is our reaction? When people treat us bad, what is our reaction? Can it be the LORD teaching us some of the lessons Joseph had to learn? Are we in a forgiving mood when they come to us?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, “I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” (6485 “visit” [paqad] means 1 to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to pay attention to, observe. 1a2 to attend to. 1a3 to seek, look about for. 1a4 to seek in vain, need, miss, lack. 1a5 to visit. 1a6 to visit upon, punish. 1a7 to pass in review, muster, number. 1a8 to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit. 1b (Niphal). 1b1 to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking. 1b2 to be visited. 1b3 to be visited upon. 1b4 to be appointed. 1b5 to be watched over. 1c (Piel) to muster, call up. 1d (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account. 1e (Hiphil). 1e1 to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer. 1e2 to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit. 1f (Hophal). 1f1 to be visited. 1f2 to be deposited. 1f3 to be made overseer, be entrusted. 1g (Hithpael) numbered. 1h (Hothpael) numbered. 2 musterings, expenses. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship]
DEVOTION: Ever think about a vacation and talk about who you are going to visit? The idea of visiting brings up pictures of spending time with someone and doing things with them that you would ordinarily not do in your daily life. It is a time of bonding and memories, and is usually a welcome interruption to the day-to-day pace of living. It is something that we look forward to.
Genesis is a book of important visits by God. The first is with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He visits with them on a regular basis, but then confronted them after they had sinned and hid themselves. Another important visit was by God to Abraham to predict the birth of Isaac as well as the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Later the actual act of visiting became a metaphor for the presence and action of God (as it is also used here) in the Psalms, where the psalmists ask God to come and visit them (become part of their lives). Here Joseph tells his descendants to anticipate the day when God would visit them and take them out of Egypt and back into the Promised Land. That did happen about 400 years later.
The last visit to earth by God was Jesus’ visit from heaven, when He emptied Himself of His heavenly glory to become one of us (Philippians 2:5-8). However, we are told to anticipate yet another visit by God. This will be Jesus’ earthly return, when He comes in glory (Revelation 19). His intention at that time will not be to stay on earth, but rather to initiate His heavenly kingdom with His own. This is called the rapture. We look forward to the time when this occurs and all who have believed in Him are taken with Him into heaven.
CHALLENGE: There will come a time when God will visit this planet again, and we all best be ready! (MW)
: 25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. (6485 “visit” [paqad] means command, summons, appoint, call up, or instruct)
DEVOTION: Do we trust the Word of God? Do we believe that when HE promises something it will happen? Do we doubt because we don’t get everything we ask for from the LORD?
Here is Joseph acknowledging that the LORD had promised the land to the children of Israel and asking that his body be taken when they leave. He trusted the LORD’S promise to Abraham, Isaac and his father Jacob. He wanted to be buried with his ancestors.
When God visits the children of Israel were ready to leave with some plagues to help them understand it was the LORD calling. They were not as convinced when they got to the door of the Promised Land and didn’t trust the witness of Joshua and Caleb.
Which example will we follow? Are we going to be individuals who wait on the LORD and follow HIS instructions when HE speaks to us?
I would really like the LORD to come to me sometime and instruct me personally with a voice that I knew was HIS. God used people in the Old Testament to instruct the people regarding what God expected of them. HE uses people now to give us good counsel at times when we need direction from HIM. HE uses the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God and our prayer life to give us instructions.
Too often we are not listening. The children of Israel at times were not listening to HIM or HIS prophets. It is time for us to stop and take time to listen to the LORD because there are so many voices trying to tell us what to do for the LORD. Some of them are false voices.
CHALLENGE: Don’t listen to the voices that tell you what you want to hear but know it is not the LORD.
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)
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 17, 19, 20, 24, 25
God of your fatherverse 17
Place of Godverse 19
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)
Egyptians mourned Jacob (70 days)verse 3
House of Pharaohverses 4-6
Joseph wanted permission to bury father
Permission granted
Elders in the land of Egypt went to bury Jacobverse 7
Inhabitants of the landverse 11
Canaanitesverse 11
Floor of Atadverse 11
Egyptiansverse 11
Abelmizraimverse 11
Jordanverse 11
Land of Canaanverse 13
Cave of the field of Machpelahverse 13
Egyptverses 14, 22
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Hateverse 15
Evilverses 15, 17, 20
Trespassverse 17
Sinverse 17
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Graceverse 4
Forgiveverse 17
Fear notverses 19, 21
Goodverse 20
Saveverse 20
Nourishverse 21
Comfortedverse 21
Spake kindlyverse 21
Presence of the LORDverse 25
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Josephverses 1-26
Told Pharaoh Jacob’s request
Buried father
Returned to Egypt
Wept at request of brothers
Told by brothers they were his servants
Told brothers not to fear
They meant what they did for evil
God meant it for GOOD
Saved many souls
Spoke kindly to them
Lived 110 years
Saw Ephraim’s children to third generation
Manasseh’s son Machir
Told brothers that God was going to bring them out of Egypt
Wanted bones taken out of Egypt
Embalmed after death
Coffin in Egypt
Jacob (Israel)verses 1-24
Kissed by Joseph upon is death
Embalmed
Mourned seven days for him
Brothers of Josephverse 8
Thought Joseph would hate them
Requite evil
Send messengers to Joseph
Asked forgiveness from Joseph
Little ones and flocks left in Goshenverse 8
Abrahamverses 13, 24
Brought field of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite
Bring children of Israel out of Egypt
Isaacverse 24
Children of Israelverse 25
Oath taken by Joseph
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Embalmverses 2, 3, 26
Dieverses 5, 15, 16, 24, 26
Buryverses 5-7, 14
Coffinverse 26
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
50:15–21. Now that Jacob was dead, the brothers, fearing that Joseph would deal harshly with them for their wrongs (cf. 45:3), pleaded for forgiveness. Once again (cf. 44:33) they referred to themselves as Joseph’s slaves (cf. 37:7). But Joseph (after weeping; cf. 42:24; 43:30; 45:2, 14; 50:1) reassured them (twice saying, Don’t be afraid, vv. 19, 21; cf. 43:23) that all that had happened was part of God’s plan to bring about the fulfillment of the promised blessing (cf. 45:5, 7–9). Joseph also promised again to provide for them (cf. 45:11), and he spoke kindly to them. (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. 100). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
The only people God can forgive are those who know they’re sinners, who admit it and confess that they can’t do anything to merit or earn God’s forgiveness. Whether it’s the woman at the well (John 4), the tax collector in the tree (Luke 19:1–10), or the thief on the cross (23:39–43), all sinners have to admit their guilt, abandon their proud efforts to earn salvation, and throw themselves on the mercy of the Lord.
How does God assure His children that He has indeed forgiven them and forgotten their sins? The same way Joseph assured his frightened brothers: He speaks to us from His Word. Twice Joseph said, “Don’t be afraid!” He comforted them and spoke kindly to them. This is what God does for His own if they will read His Word, receive it into their hearts, and trust it completely. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid” (Isa. 12:2, kjv).
Some Christians think it’s a mark of humility and special sanctity to be fearful and insecure about their salvation. Actually, an attitude of fearful indecision and anxiety is only evidence of unbelief and a refusal to take God at His Word. It’s nothing to brag about! Can God be trusted? Does He lie? Are His promises true? Then why do people waver in unbelief?
Joseph didn’t minimize their sins, for he said, “You intended to harm me” (Gen. 50:20). He knew that there had been evil in their hearts, but he also knew that God had overruled their evil deeds to accomplish His good purposes. This reminds us of what happened on the cross. Peter said, “Him [Jesus], being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up” (Acts 2:23–24, nkjv). Out of the greatest sin ever committed by humankind, God brought the greatest blessing that ever came to humankind.
Joseph not only forgave his brothers, but he also assured them of his constant care. “I will nourish you, and your little ones” (Gen. 50:21, kjv). He gave them homes to live in, work to do, food to eat, and provision for their needs. Once again, we see here a picture of our Savior, who promises never to leave us or forsake us (Matt. 28:20; John 6:37; 10:27–29; Heb. 13:5–6) and to meet our every need (Rom. 8:32; Phil. 4:19).
For seventeen years Joseph’s brothers lived under a cloud of fear and apprehension all because they didn’t really trust him. As long as their father was alive, they trusted in human ties to protect them, but when Jacob died, their only defense was gone. Had they believed Joseph, they could have enjoyed those years with him and their father, and there wouldn’t have been clouds of fear to rob them of joy.
As God’s children through faith in Christ, let’s rejoice that our sins are forgiven and forgotten, buried in the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19), cast behind God’s back (Isa. 38:17), blotted out and remembered no more (Isa. 43:25, 44:22; Heb. 8:12, 10:17). Let’s believe what God says! The old life has been buried and we can walk in newness of life (Col. 2:13; 3:1–11). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Be authentic (pp. 165–166). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
It is God’s prerogative to take vengeance, which I dare not usurp. See Deut. 32:35. Or, can I do what I please with you without God’s leave? Therefore fear him rather than me, and upon your experience of his wonderful care and kindness to you, believe that God will not, and therefore that I neither can nor will do you any hurt. But it is not unusual to put the Hebrew he for halo, as it is Gen. 27:36; 1 Sam. 2:28; 2 Sam. 23:19; 1 Kings 16:31, &c.; and so the words may be very well rendered, Am not I under God, i.e. subject to his will, a minister of his providence? Dare I destroy those whom God so eminently designed to save? Dare I punish those whom God hath pardoned. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 1, p. 115). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
Ver. 19. And Joseph said unto them, fear not, &c.] That any hurt would be done by him to them, or that he would use them ill for their treatment of him: for am I in the place of God? to receive such homage from you, that you should be my servants, as Saadiah Gaon gives the sense; or rather to take vengeance for injury done, which belongs to God alone: or, am I not under God? subject to him, a servant of his, and why should you be mine? nor is it in my power, if I had a will to it, to change his purposes, to alter his providences, or contradict his will, and do hurt to those whom God hath blessed; and so may have regard to the late patriarchal benediction of his father, under the direction of the Holy Spirit: or, am I in the place of God? and under him a father of them, as he had been a provider for them, and a supporter of them, and still would be. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 314). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
The Remedy for Paralyzed Sinners & Fallen Saints Matthew 6:23
God did his most deadly work to destroy hopelessness and futility and provincial cowardice. He gave up HIS Son to torture and death. A perfect life, a perfect death, and the decisive work was done.
But there are millions who are numb to hope because of the God-belittling things they have done and how ugly they have become. They don’t lift lofty arguments against God’s Truth; they shrug and feel irretrievably outside. They don’t defy God consciously; they default to cake and television. Except for the periodic rush of sex and sport and cinema, life yawns. There is no passion for significance. For many, no passion at all.
There is a Christian version of this paralysis. The decision has been made to trust Christ. The shoot of hope and joy has sprung up. The long battle against sin has begun. But the defeats are many, and the plant begins to wither. One sees only clouds and gathering darkness. The problem is not perplexing doctrine or evolutionary assaults or threats of persecution. The problem is falling down too many times. Gradually the fatal feeling creeps in: the fight is futile; it isn’t worth it.
Along with this hopelessness and futility, especially since 9/11, provincial cowardice captures many Christian minds. They fear that it may sound conceited to call every people group in the world to trust Christ or perish. It seems too global. Too sweeping. Too universal. To say it takes their breath away. And, worse, it brings down the wrath of the tolerant. What could be more arrogant than to think that the infinite variety of need in all the cultural groups of the world could be met by a single Savior!
It is astonishing that the biblical gospel of justification by faith alone answers these three human failures: the hopelessness of unbelievers, the feeling of futility from falling down, and the fear of making global claims for Christ.
To the numb and listless sinner, feeling beyond all hope of godliness, the Bible says, “To the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). God justifies the “ungodly.” This truth is meant to break the back of hopelessness.
The connection between the sinner and the Savior is trust, not improvement of behavior. That comes later. It’s this order that gives hope. “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). The basis of this wild and wonderful hope (the ungodly justified) is “Christ for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4, literal translation). Through faith alone God counts the ungodly as righteous because of Christ. “For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Let all who are paralyzed by the weight of sin and the powerlessness to change turn in here.
To the fallen saint, who knows the darkness is self-inflicted and feels the futility of looking for hope from a frowning Judge, the Bible gives a shocking example of gutsy guilt. It pictures God’s failed prophet beneath a righteous frown, bearing his chastisement with broken-hearted boldness. “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light” (Micah 7:8-9). This is courageous contrition. Gutsy guilt. The saint has fallen. The darkness of God’s indignation is on him. He does not blow it off, but waits. And he throws in the face of his accuser the confidence that his indignant Judge will plead his cause and execute justice for (not against) him. This is the application of justification to the fallen saint. Broken-hearted, gutsy guilt.
For the squeamish fellow afraid of making global claims for Christ, the biblical teaching on justification explodes his little world. It says: the deepest problem to be solved is the same for every human being, because every human is a descendant of Adam. And the problem to be solved is that “by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.” “One trespass led to condemnation for all men.” The only solution to this universal condemnation is a “second Adam” who provides “the free gift of righteousness” to all who hear the gospel and believe (Romans 5:17-19). Therefore Christ, the second Adam, the giver of righteousness, is the only global Savior.
Embrace as your treasure the gift of justification. There is no part of your life where it is not immeasurably precious. (By John Piper. (c) Desiring God)
Psalms 23
The Lord is pictured as David’s shepherd, leading him in righteousness.
INSIGHT
Perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of sheep is that they cannot take care of themselves. The demands of life exceed their intelligence and their abilities. They must have a shepherd. Man is the same. While there is a vast and gratifying difference between men and sheep, the demands of life for men exceed their intelligence and abilities. We also need a shepherd, the Lord. He is the Great Shepherd. He will lead us. The question is: Will we follow? (Quiet Walk)
AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PROMISE
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Let us look at the all-inclusiveness of the promise–“all things work together for good.” It is generally agreed that the “all things” has special reference to trials and tribulations. Here is one of the most remarkable claims ever made for Christianity. Here is certainly the boldest justification of God’s ways to man.
Let us observe what this verse says. Perhaps we shall best be able to grasp its significance if we approach it along the negative route. We see clearly that, as Christians, we are not promised an easy time in this world. Our Lord Himself in His teaching told the disciples that they would have tribulations and trials and sufferings. And in the same way Paul teaches that “unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29). The Christian’s view of life and of the world is realistic, not romantic. He does not avoid troubles and problems. Neither does he try to minimize the seriousness and the greatness of the troubles and problems. The glory of the gospel is that it faces the whole situation without shirking anything, and yet shows the way out.
Some of the older versions bring out this feature in our text very clearly by adding the word “God” to “all things work together for good”–i.e., that “God works all things together for good to them who love him.” And that is undoubtedly what the apostle teaches. These trials are not to be ignored; neither are they without any explanation whatsoever. God uses them to our advantage in order to bring His own great purposes to pass. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” That is the ultimate justification of God’s ways; that is the ultimate answer to all our questions as to why God allows certain things to happen.
A Thought to Ponder: God uses our trials to our advantage in order to bring His own great purposes to pass.
(From Why Does God Allow War? pp. 116-117,119, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Places He Has Been
“And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.” (John 18:2)
In the 18th and 19th chapters of John’s gospel, there are four “places” where Jesus had to go to accomplish our salvation. The first was the place as noted in our text: He, “knowing all things that should come upon him” (John 18:4), nevertheless went directly to that place, knowing that Judas would meet Him there.
Then He went to the place of trial: “Pilate…brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called…Gabbatha” (John 19:13). But He did not stay there long; the mockery of a trial was soon over, and Pilate delivered Him to be crucified. “And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull” (John 19:16-17). And in that place called Golgotha, He died for our sins.
He was betrayed in a place called Gethsemane, condemned in a place called Gabbatha, and crucified in a place called Golgotha. But that was not all; He must yet be laid in a tomb. “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus” (John 19:41-42).
And that also was the place from which He arose, and our salvation was secured forever! Now, just before this amazing four-place itinerary of our Lord Jesus, He had promised still another place to which He would be going.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions.…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).
Because He went to a place called Calvary, we shall soon be with Him forever in a place called heaven! (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.