Throughout the Bible, God has revealed Himself to us.  His desire is that we might come to see His Glory shining forth, drawing us to Him.  He reveals His Glory in many ways.  Sometimes, it is through revealing His Sovereignty, His Grace, His Love, His Faithfulness, His Just Righteousness, and His Almighty Power.  In the life of Moses, He revealed His Glory through all of these methods.  Moses saw His Glory in a burning bush that called Him into service.  He watched the mighty Hand of God at work in redeeming His people from Egyptian Slavery.  His Grace and Faithfulness were displayed in His dealings with His people.  However, never did His Loving Grace overshadow His Just Righteousness.  All were displayed with equal significance.

He led His people with a cloud by day and fire by night.  We must not forget this.  In everything He did, He remained true to Himself.  Faithfully, He led the people; even, when they disappointed Him. Through hardship and trial, they learned to trust in Him.  Sometimes, they foolishly forgot all of what He had already done.  Much like we, they at times doubted Him; forgetting He Sovereignly knew what was best.  He parted the Red Sea that they might cross over on dry land, safely allowing them to cross and destroying their enemy.  Despite all that He did to display His Glory, how often did they fail to trust Him with the next trial they faced? How often, did they moan and complain rather than to praise Him?

What About Us?

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Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers.  Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, he spent years in prison.  Yet, despite it all; Joseph clearly believed as he said, “it was not you that sent me hither, but God” (Genesis 45:8).  He was not bitter or angry about his circumstances.  His brothers were afraid.  Knowing what they had done, they thought certainly Joseph must harbor anger against them.  After all, their hearts would have.  Their hearts, filled with selfishness, jealously hated him; because, his righteousness was beloved by both God and their father.  They despised his position of honor.  Instead of learning to live by faith, they took life into their own hands, rather than to trust God.  All too often, we are more like his brothers than we are like Joseph.

Have you ever looked at the difficulties in your life and jealously despised others whom God has blessed?  Be honest here. Do you see the difficult circumstances as God’s Sovereign Grace working in your life to make you a blessing to those who have wronged you?  Despite the years of trials, Joseph trusted God.  He even told his brothers, “Fear not, for I am in the place of God.  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” (Genesis 50:19-20).

Do you trust God, no matter what the circumstances?  Your response to life’s bitter circumstances may be the testimony that changes the eternity of another soul.  Can you forgive those who have wronged you, recognizing God is Sovereign and ALL that comes into your life is for your good? EVERYTHING is God’s act of grace toward you, drawing you closer to Him, His purpose, His plan for you.

Joseph-Keeping Focused on the Finish Line

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Jacob had deceived his father Isaac to obtain the blessing, after having taken his brother’s birthright through selfish means.  Despite all this God had remained faithful to His promises to Abraham.  Indeed, God had foretold that it would be Jacob whom He chose (Genesis 25:23).  Yet, Rebekah, his mother, nor Jacob waited and rested upon God to do this.  Instead he took possession through trickery and deceit. It would be necessary for Jacob to be broken before he could become a blessing for God.  He fled in fear from his brother; yet, God met him along the road and promised that he would return to the land one day (Genesis 28:16-19).  Ah, but you see the vow he made to God that day was insufficient.  In a sense he like we too often do, placed conditions upon his worship.

Jacob’s vow to God, “If you do this for me, then will I worship you.” (Genesis 28:20-22).  It would be many years before he returned. He would need to be broken first.  For in the land with Laban, Jacob met his match concerning deceit and trickery.  Still, God blessed Jacob, more because of God’s faithfulness than that of Jacob.  He had become content with his wealth and his position in the land of Haran.  So, God allowed a conflict to arise, driving Jacob out of the land to return to home.  Still, Jacob had not learned to trust God with his future, at least not yet.  Fearing his reunion with the brother, he divided up all that he had just in case his brother destroys one group, he would have the other. Alone Jacob met with God that night.

Broken to Become a Blessing

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Isaac went with his father to the top of the mountain to sacrifice to God.  He asked him as to where the lamb was, as they took no animal with them. Abraham replied, “God will provide.”   Content with his father’s reply, Isaac climbed the mountain to the altar willingly.  He prepared the wood for the fire.  Then, amazingly; he allowed his father to bind him and lay him upon the altar.  We often speak of Abraham’s faith; but, look at that of Isaac as well.  Yet, years later when we consider his family; one cannot help but wonder what happened that his sons and wife faltered so in their obedience toward God and their faith.

Was Isaac so at peace with his own faith that somehow, he failed to share it with his family? Redeemed on that mountaintop by God’s providing the sacrifice, did he fail to tell his family of God’s wrath against sin?  Before Esau and Jacob were born, God told Rebekah that “two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).  Instead of trusting God to fulfill this promise His way, Rebekah schemed a plan of deception against her husband.  Oh yes, she had waited many years for God to fulfill this promise; however, now she decided to take matters into her own hands.

So, two questions arise.  Is it ever right to sin against God by lying to “help God” accomplish or fulfill a promise?  Of course not, that is absurd. First of all, God does not need our help.  Secondly, deception and lying is an abomination against God, Himself who is the Truth.

Isaac and his Family

Continue reading Isaac Embodied Faith. What About His Family? →