Effie Darlene Barba ⋆ Page 3 of 372 ⋆ Inspiring Joy in Lifes Toughest Moments

How In the Hazardous Wilderness of Life Is Jesus Joyfully Found?

In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. Israel camped in front of the mountain. 3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Exodus 19

God had taken the children of Israel out of bondage in a spectacular display of His power. Each plague brought upon the Egyptians precisely performed to demoralize every one of their pagan gods. God had shown Himself to be the one true God. Just as the blood of Jesus redeems us from the bondage of sin, it was the sacrifice of the perfect lamb established during the Passover that both gave the people their life and their freedom from bondage. God then led the people through the Hazardous Wilderness to the bottom of Mount Sinai that they might see Him, hear His Voice, and witness His Glory. They found redemption. All a picture of Jesus. It was through the Hazardous Wilderness that they met God. How is Jesus Joyfully found in our lives? Often it is through the hazardous wilderness of life that we find Jesus, Joy, and Life Eternal.

He did not take them along the shortest route, nor the one well-trodden. He took them through the wilderness, farther from their destination. Why? Because they needed to learn so much more before they would realize their need for Him and His Gracious love and provision for them. Isn’t that the case for us as well? We believe we can do it on our own. We cry out to God only when everything falls apart. Just like the Israelite, we say, “I can do everything you want. Look how righteous, generous, and kind I am. Aren’t you glad, God that you chose me to be your child?” That was me at age fifteen, right before I wandered into the hazardous wilderness where darkness, fear, and despair surrounded me.

Jesus Joyfully Found Me

In the wilderness, Jesus joyfully found me. How could He have been so joyous? Because He knew that only then could He truly transform my heart. He comforted me, cradled me, and carried me out on Eagles wings. Only in the hazardous wilderness could I learn to let go of pride and foolish desires. There I learned to trust Him to swoop in and uphold me with His righteous right Hand. Where is Jesus joyously found? How many treacherous years filled with moments of fear, failure, and hopelessness woven intricately with brief moments of immense joy as I watched the mighty hand of God weave the threads of my life. Jesus joyfully found me each time I strayed. Because of His overwhelming love, I learned to find my joy in Him.

In my darkest nights, where loneliness overwhelmed me, He was there with me. He was my strength when I faced the sudden loss of Pete. After all, my life wrapped itself so much around him, his well-being, his needs. I had to lean in hard to God for healing and for His healing of my sons. So much they had faced, and I learned my love was not enough to heal anyone—only God could do that.

In His Prescence

Again, this was true 4 years later as I battled chemotherapy and then the ulcerative colitis that awakened me with severe pain and bleeding every morning at 4 am. I found myself searching for Him, seated in my recliner with my Bible in my lap. My recliner I placed in my closet near the bathroom so as not to awaken my sons. Those years I learned the importance of true worship and fellowship with God through Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit. I learned I could not start any day without Him first.

Jesus Joyfully Found and Healed Me

How precious that truth was when my ileostomy bag would break every morning around 3 am. Crawling out of bed, putting the pads into the wash, I would then shower and sit on the bed shivering cold and alone trying with all my might to clean and place a new bag before the gushing would begin. One to two hours I would do this until finally completed, by then I would get ready for work. How joyful I was to know my children were away at college and did not have to know any of this then. Also, in the worst of times, I knew Mom would come over to help. I only had to call.

By then, the hazardous wilderness had become a companion in a sense. Like a blanket in the coldest night, Jesus joyously found me, covered me, and drew me closer to Him. Could I trust Him as I do were it not for the hazardous wilderness? Only He knew how desperately I needed His healing. Oh, not so much from the illnesses, but from the wickedness lurking deep within my own heart. That is why I understand the children of Israel and their struggles of heart to get it right and to believe.

God Led Them Through the Hazardous Wilderness to Meet Him

¹⁶So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. ¹⁷And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

¹⁸Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain quaked violently. ¹⁹When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder. ²⁰Then the Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. ²¹Then the Lord spoke to Moses: “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to stare, and many of them perish. Exodus 19 (NASB)

Although they had seen God’s wrath and judgement against the Egyptians and their gods, they were not truly prepared to meet God.

Was Jesus Joyfully Found in the Hazardous Wilderness?

Their most joyous moment appeared immediately after being saved. Jesus is the deliverer and the Passover lamb, even if they did not fully comprehend yet. They joyfully sang this song to their deliverer.

I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted;
The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.
²The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
³The Lord is a warrior;
The Lord is His name.
⁴Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has thrown into the sea;
And the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
⁵The waters cover them;
They went down into the depths like a stone.
⁶Your right hand, Lord, is majestic in power;
Your right hand, Lord, destroys the enemy.
⁷And in the greatness of Your excellence

You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send out Your burning anger, and it consumes them like chaff.
⁸At the blast of Your nostrils the waters were piled up,
The flowing waters stood up like a heap;
The depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
⁹The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoils;
shall be satisfied against them;
I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’
¹⁰You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
¹¹Who is like You among the gods, Lord?
Who is like You, majestic in holiness,
Awesome in praises, working wonders?
¹²You reached out with Your right hand,
The earth swallowed them.
¹³In Your faithfulness You have led the people whom You have redeemed;
In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.
¹⁴The peoples have heard, they tremble;
Anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia.
¹⁵Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified;
The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan have despaired.
¹⁶Terror and dread fall upon them;
By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone,
Until Your people pass over, Lord,
Until the people pass over whom You have purchased.
¹⁷You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,
The place, Lord, which You have made as Your dwelling,
The sanctuary, Lord, which Your hands have established.
¹⁸The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”
Genesis 15 (NASB)

Yet, that joy quickly faded into the mundane life as always. That is true of many of us as well. We sometimes need a close encounter again to grow. Otherwise, we tend to forget how glorious His Salvation is.

A Close Encounter with God’s Glory

Although they realized God was Holy and Fiercely powerful, they did not expect to see His power to be displayed on the mountain so gloriously. They were His chosen people and so different from their Egyptian masters, or were they? Sounds a lot like society today when they speak of Jesus. They want a baby meek and mild willing to sacrifice everything; but never display His wrath against the sin that destroys each of us from within and surrounds us.

Those who accept Jesus are freed by His blood. Essentially, Mount Sinai is a symbol of our sin and a reminder of our need for a Savior. The people could not even touch the ground of the mountain because of the holiness of God and their unholiness in their sin. We are reminded at Mount Sinai of the seriousness of our sins and the division that they cause between us and our Heavenly Father. We are also given newfound gratitude that we no longer live under the law of sin, but the law of liberty through Christ Jesus.

Mount Sinai is still applicable to the believer today because when we love God, we delight in obeying Him. We know that His ways are ultimately what are best for us and will bless us in the end. James 1:25 says, “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”¹

Jesus Joyously Found in the Song of Moses

And Moses Sang:

“Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;
And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!
²May my teaching drip as the rain,
My speech trickle as the dew,
As droplets on the fresh grass,
And as the showers on the vegetation.
³For I proclaim the name of the Lord;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
⁴The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and just is He. Deuteronomy 32 (NASB)

Therefore, How Is Jesus Joyously Found in the Hazardous Wilderness?

In the wilderness we come face to face with our own unrighteousness. That truth then magnifies the magnificence of His Grace. Only then can we truly embrace and abide in His steadfast Love for us. There only is Jesus Joyously found

¹⁸For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.

²⁰For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” ²²But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, ²³to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12: (NASB)

The Unshaken Kingdom

²⁵See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. ²⁶And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12 (NASB)

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

God Almighty Chose Judah as the Patriarch for Jesus Bloodline. Really? Why?

Disclosures

¹ Emma Danzay; What is Mount Sinai in the Bible; March 24, 2023; viewed 2/10/24; What Is Mount Sinai in the Bible – Location and Importance (biblestudytools.com)

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

God Almighty Chose Judah as the Patriarch for Jesus Bloodline. Really? Why?

But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)

God Almighty Chose Judah as the Patriarch for Jesus bloodline, but why? After all he was the fourth son. He also some of his most grievous sins written down in history. Reading Genesis 38, we again question really, why Judah? .

God called out Abraham to establish a covenant nation through whom the Messiah would be born. That nation was established through Isaac’s son Jacob, later renamed by God as Israel. He had twelve sons. His oldest son Reuben lost his birthright because he slept with his father’s concubine. Joseph’s two sons were grafted in to establish the twelve tribes of Israel with no tribe being named for Reuben.

There was not a tribe named Joseph either. However, his line lived on with Ephraim and Manasseh being named as tribes. Their mother was Egyptian. God always did reach out to the Gentiles who would believe. Thus, Joseph received a double portion. Judah was Leah’s fourth son. Remember she was the wife living always in her sister’s shadow, feeling unloved by Jacob.

After all, it was Judah who saw the caravan in the distance and recommended they sell Joseph into slavery. It was also Judah who then left the family to live with those who practiced pagan worship in Canaan. He took to wife a Canaanite woman and had three sons. So, let us pick up the story in Genesis 38 NABRE

Judah’s Fall into Pagan Worship

About that time Judah went down, away from his brothers, and pitched his tent near a certain Adullamite named Hirah. ²There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua; he married her…

6 Judah got a wife named Tamar for his firstborn, Er. ⁷But Er, Judah’s firstborn, greatly offended the Lord; so, the Lord took his life. ⁸Then Judah said to Onan, “Have intercourse with your brother’s wife, in fulfillment of your duty as brother-in-law, and thus preserve your brother’s line.” ⁹Onan, however, knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he had intercourse with his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground, to avoid giving offspring to his brother.

Notice the words “whenever he had intercourse.” So, he was more than willing to be with her sexually, just not have a child to carry his brother’s inheritance. He wanted all the inheritance but was willing to fulfill his own sexual desires with her.

¹⁰What he did greatly offended the Lord, and the Lord took his life too. ¹¹Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”—for he feared that Shelah also might die like his brothers. So, Tamar went to live in her father’s house. Genesis 38 (NASB)

Notice that Judah begins to believe as was the pagan beliefs that his son’s deaths are due to Tamar. Never considering that his sons failed to worship God. Judah also becomes more en-cultured with the society where he lived. Instead of clinging to God, he became more pagan each day. The customary practice was to seek temple prostitutes to prosper in business.

God Almighty Chose Judah, Inspite of All This?

Time passed, and the daughter of Shua, Judah’s wife, died. After Judah completed the period of mourning, he went up to Timnah, to those who were shearing his sheep, in company with his friend Hirah the Adullamite. ¹³Then Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is on his way up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” ¹⁴So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a shawl, and having wrapped herself sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she was aware that, although Shelah was now grown up, she had not been given to him in marriage.

Notice, very properly Tamar had remained in her mourning garments until now. Also, to consider Tamar’s position, it was a practice in Hittite inheritance practices that the father-in law was to fulfill the duty of fathering the child in the absence of sons to do so.

¹⁵When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, since she had covered her face. ¹⁶So he went over to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me have intercourse with you,” for he did not realize that she was his daughter-in-law. She replied, “What will you pay me for letting you have intercourse with me?” ¹⁷He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” “Very well,” she said, “provided you leave me a pledge until you send it.”

¹⁸Judah asked, “What pledge should I leave you?” She answered, “Your seal and cord, and the staff in your hand.” So, he gave them to her and had intercourse with her, and she conceived by him. ¹⁹After she got up and went away, she took off her shawl and put on her widow’s garments again.

Well, as the story goes on

Judah tries to send the goat as promised, but no prostitute could be found at that location to give the goat to.

²⁴About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has acted like a harlot and now she is pregnant from her harlotry.” Judah said, “Bring her out; let her be burned.”

Sounds a lot like Judah’s descendant King David when Nathan came to tell him the story of a rich man who took another’s only pet lamb and David wanted him to be killed until Nathan said, “that man is you.”

²⁵But as she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “It is by the man to whom these things belong that I am pregnant.” Then she said, “See whose seal and cord and staff these are.” ²⁶Judah recognized them and said, “She is in the right rather than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” He had no further sexual relations with her.

She gave birth to twins and the younger pushed his hand out first, was tagged as first and then his brother was born before him. The second son was named Zerah.

So, God Almighty Chose Judah, why?

Well, it was then that Judah repented and by God’s Grace he was transformed. We are not told about his return to live with his brothers, but we know he was there when the famine came as he went with them to Egypt.

¹When Jacob learned that grain rations were for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons: “Why do you keep looking at one another?” ²He went on, “I hear that grain is for sale in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, that we may stay alive and not die.” ³So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. ⁴But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he thought some disaster might befall him. ⁵And so the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since there was famine in the land of Canaan. Genesis 42

We also know that in Genesis 46:12, Tamar and her sons were in those who went to Egypt as part of the family.

Still was there something else demonstrating Judah’s change of heart. Could that be why God Almighty chose Judah as the bloodline to Jesus?

Judah’s Willing Sacrifice of Himself

When they had gone down to Egypt to buy grain the second time and took Benjamin with them, Benjamin was accused of stealing from Joseph and stood condemned. However, because of his love for his father, he offered to take the place of Benjamin and pay the price.

³⁰“So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, whose very life is bound up with his, he will die as soon as he sees that the boy is missing; ³¹and your servants will thus send the white head of your servant our father down to Sheol in grief.

³²Besides, I, your servant, have guaranteed the boy’s safety for my father by saying, ‘If I fail to bring him back to you, father, I will bear the blame before you forever.’ ³³So now let me, your servant, remain in place of the boy as the slave of my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. ³⁴How could I go back to my father if the boy were not with me? I could not bear to see the anguish that would overcome my father.” Genesis 44

God Almighty Chose Judah as a Foreshadowing of Jesus

In this, with a transformed heart of compassion and love, Judah is a picture foreshadowing Jesus who would be willing to lay down his life in both paying our penalty of sin and pleasing the Father.

¹¹I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. ¹³This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep^[^g^] that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

¹⁷This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” John 10

Furthermore

¹⁹For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, ²⁰and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. ²¹And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²²in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— ²³if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1

Another Reason God Almighty Chose Judah for the Blood line of Jesus

Grace and grace alone is our offer of salvation. Nothing I can do would justify me before a righteous and holy God. Were it not for grace I could never stand before His holy throne. And yet, His grace has saved me. Jesus came to save sinners and all we like sheep have gone astray.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
⁶All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord ^[^d^]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

⁷He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53 (NKJV)

And though He has cast my sin as far as the east is from the west never for Him to remember it anymore, let me never forget the depths of my own transgressions, lest I forget the depths of His Gracious love that saved me. Only then can my heart be filled with love and mercy for those who are around me.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

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If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

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Hidden Prophecy: Joseph’s Life and the Coming of Jesus Revealed

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

Hidden Prophecy: Joseph’s Life and the Coming of Jesus Revealed

16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, [and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. (Jesus responded), 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5: 39

Why were they persecuting Jesus? Because he had healed a paralyzed man on the Sabbath. But note this, He responded by telling them that the scriptures all testify of Him. Throughout scripture we have been given the writings of the prophets foretelling of Jesus; but beyond that we have the hidden prophecy of Jesus, through history itself. God is Sovereign in the affairs of men and women. As such He, despite the wickedness of humanity, intervened to perform the good pleasures of His Will. There was a thread—a scarlet thread of blood and sacrifice with every story pointing toward God’s Gracious Plan of Salvation for all who would believe. His plan of salvation for all who by grace have been chosen to be His children.

Like a beautiful tapestry, God has woven every detail of the portrait of Christ throughout the Old Testament and throughout history. What an incredible proof of both God’s Sovereignty and the Truth of the Bible. How could all the prophecies come true otherwise? Furthermore, even more incredible is how the historical truth of the Bible presents this hidden prophecy of Jesus as well.

Types are a form of prophecy. They are not the kind of direct prophecy that makes it clear what will happen beforehand. Types are a divine foreshadowing of future events, people, or relationships through the historical recording of different ancient events, people, or relationships.¹

Typology or Foreshadowing are Hidden Prophecy

Why is that a prophecy? Because the inspiration of such passages happens centuries before the fulfillment.

How do we know what is a true type? A type is unknown while it happens, and when it is recorded. The only way we know a true prophetic type is if later scripture explicitly identifies it as a shadow of something to come.

*** WARNING ***

Be careful of identifying types unless the scripture explicitly identifies them, else it can lead to the complete allegorization of scripture.

The passages in the Bible that identify types use the word “figure,” “shadow,” or the form “as _____ so______”.²
Justin Johnson; 100 types found in Genesis, 100 Types Found in Genesis (graceambassadors.com)

The Hidden Prophecy of Jesus Found in Joseph

Just before the Stoning of Stephen, he preached one of the most exacting apologetic sermons. (Apologetic sermons are those that defend the gospel truth through systematic argumentation and discourse. Like a well-presented debate or court case, it presents the truth with evidence proving it beyond any shadow of doubt.) In this sermon found in Acts chapter 7, Stephen introduces that Joseph was a foreshadowing hidden prophecy of Jesus.

“Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, ³and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ ⁴Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell.

⁵And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. ⁶But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. ⁷‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’ ⁸Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

The Patriarchs in Egypt

⁹“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him ¹⁰and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ¹¹Now a famine and great ^[^a^]trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance.

¹²But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. ¹³And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh. ¹⁴Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, ^[^b^]seventy-five people. ¹⁵So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. ¹⁶And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

God Delivers Israel by Moses

¹⁷“But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt ¹⁸till another king arose who did not know Joseph. ¹⁹This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. ²⁰At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months. ²¹But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. ²²And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

What Promise was he referring to? A prophecy given to Abraham concerning the descendents going to Egypt for 400 years fulfilled then through Joseph who was a type or Hidden Prophecy of Jesus. How fascinating is that?

God in His covenant with Abraham said

“Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. ¹⁴And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. ¹⁵Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. ¹⁶But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Genesis 15 (NKJV)

What? “for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete? It would be 400 years that the Amorites would hold the land until Joshua comes in and God destroys them in many miraculous battles against them because of their horrific sin.

Back to Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7

²³“Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. ²⁴And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. ²⁵For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.

²⁶And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ ²⁷But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ ²⁹Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.

³⁰“And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. ³¹When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, ³²saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. ³³‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. ³⁴I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’

³⁵“This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Acts 7 (NKJV)

Israel Rebels Against God

³⁷“This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’

³⁸“This is he who was in the ^[^e^]congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles^[^f^] to give to us, ³⁹whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, ⁴⁰saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ ⁴¹And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. ⁴²Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:

‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,
O house of Israel?
⁴³You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of your god Remphan,
Images which you made to worship;
And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’

God’s True Tabernacle

⁴⁴“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, ⁴⁵which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, ⁴⁶who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. ⁴⁷But Solomon built Him a house.

⁴⁸“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

⁴⁹‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
⁵⁰Has My hand not made all these things?’

Israel Resists the Holy Spirit

⁵¹“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. ⁵²Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, ⁵³who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

Hidden Prophecies of History Foreshadowing Jesus Christ

I painstakingly presented this entire sermon of Stephen to help you see how the Sovereignty of God works in all of history. His sermon brought to life the truth of the Hidden Prophecies of History Foreshadowing Jesus Christ. For presenting that exacting truth, he was stoned to death.

So, back to Joseph and I want to quote from a wonderful sermon by Adrian Rogers which I urge you to go and watch in its entirety.

The Bible is all about the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His Word, God gives us many prophetic portraits of His Son, one being Joseph in the Book of Genesis. There are four episodes in the life of Joseph that foreshadow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. See Jesus as the Beloved Son through the life of Joseph. Joseph had his father’s favor, from whom he received a special coat of many colors—a mark of distinction. No fault or sin is ever mentioned about Joseph. This doesn’t mean he was perfect; rather, he served as an illustration of the sinless Son of God. See Jesus as the Suffering Servant through Joseph. Joseph was sent to minister to his brothers by his father. His brothers resented him because of their father’s devotion to him. As a result, Joseph suffered at the hands of his brothers, being sold as a slave to the head of the Egyptian guard, Potiphar. His father believed he had been slain. And in the eyes of his brothers, he was dead, also. In the Gospels, Jesus was scorned and suffered at the hands of the ones He was sent to minister to. He dealt with conspiracies against him, abuse and betrayal. He was crucified, dead and buried for three days. See Jesus as the Exalted Sovereign through Joseph. Joseph became the Prime Minister of Egypt. This man, once despised and rejected, was enthroned as the ruler over the most powerful nation at the time. He was given a new name, new robe and a new bride. He saved his people from death. Every knee in Egypt had to bow to Joseph. One day, every knee worldwide will bow to Jesus. See Jesus as the Seeking Savior through Joseph. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. He received them back, forgave and restored them. He then commissioned them to tell their father that he was alive. In the same way, Jesus reveals Himself to us on the day of our salvation. He receives us, forgives, restores and commissions us tell the world that He is alive. Adrian Rogers says, “Our faith is summed up in this: Come to Me; go to all the world.
Adrian Rogers, Joseph a Portrait of Jesus, 2251-Joseph-a-Portrait-of-Jesus-PTR.pdf (lwf.org)

The sermon can be heard at https://youtu.be/5pPEnxRmm8g?si=UdyV9WS0Q5MBhFtU

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
²Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
³Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
⁴Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
⁵Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, Psalm 105

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

How to See Isaac, Trust Jesus, and Know God Always Provides ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba (myglorytoglory.com)

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

How to See Isaac, Trust Jesus, and Know God Always Provides

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

It was a mid-summer day, when suddenly I stood accused. For ten years I devoted myself to working diligently for the company. As was my customary style, I sacrificed and labored for the good of my patients. Always protecting the name of my employer with unrelenting devotion. Then, that day everything changed. Suddenly, I stood accused of what they declared a criminal offense. My world crashed in around me. Financially, I had too many responsibilities at the time with little resources for all the hours of work. For some time, I had felt God nudging me to return to Missouri. I had placed a few applications to no avail. But here I stood on the ledge. Could I trust Jesus and know God always provides? After hours of restlessness, I knew what I had to do. I turned in my resignation letter that day, giving the required three months’ notice.

That same day, their eyes were opened. My boss knew I was innocent.

God had called Abraham out of his homeland filled with idolatrous worship. Yet, Abraham obeyed and went to a land he had not seen, believing that God would do as He promised. Years passed by and no son was born. All the years awaiting the fulfillment of the promise. There were moments of doubt and moments of failures; yet, overall, Abraham believed God always provides. On that promise, finally the son of promise was born miraculously. Isaac was born, just as God said he would be.

God Always Provides What He Has Promised.

¹⁸And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!” ¹⁹But God said, “No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. ²⁰As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. ²¹But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.” ²²When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Genesis 17(NASB)

Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. ²So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. ³Abraham named his son who was born to him, the son whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. Genesis 21 (NASB)

God sees and God Always Provides

There came a time when Abraham had to send Ishmael away because of the contentions that were within the household. Those had been due to Abraham’s sin during a moment of faithlessness. Still, God always kept His promise concerning Ishmael as well. There in the wilderness, Hagar believed the child would die of thirst and hunger. She left him under the bushes where he was crying. But God sees us in our darkest moments where He reaches out to remind us that “God sees, and God always provides” a way if only we would believe.

¹⁷God heard the boy crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. ¹⁸Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” ¹⁹Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.²⁰And God was with the boy, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer. ²¹He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Genesis 21 (NASB).

The Test of Faith for Abraham

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ²Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Genesis 22. (NASB)

At this point, Abraham did not know where Ishmael was. He only had the promise that God would also make a nation of him with 12 princes. Now only Isaac was with him. He was the son of promise, so how could God ask him to sacrifice Isaac? Yet, Abraham did not hesitate at all.

³So Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split wood for the burnt offering and set out and went to the place of which God had told him. Genesis 22 (NASB)

No Hesitation, knowing God Always Provides

⁴On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. ⁵Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” ⁶And Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So, the two of them walked on together. Genesis 22 (NASB)

Notice that Abraham said, we will worship, and we will return to you. All the years of trials and waiting had taught him to know God always provides. He knew what God had promised concerning Isaac; therefore, without question he would now obey. The same God that brought Isaac miraculously to him would preserve him. Even raise him from the dead? Maybe. Regardless, he marched on with Isaac.

⁷Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” ⁸Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. Genesis 22 NASB

Isaac Trusted that God Always Provides

It was one thing for Abraham to believe, but also Isaac had to willing lay down his life believing and trusting that God always provides. He was a young man and if he fought back could not have been laid upon the altar. There is no protest by him either.

⁹Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰And Abraham reached out with his hand and took the knife to ^[^b^]slaughter his son. ¹¹But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Genesis 22 (NASB)

What joy Abraham must have felt as he proclaimed, “Here I am,” awaiting and anticipating God’s next command.

God Always Provides a Way of Salvation

¹²He said, “Do not reach out your hand against the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” ¹³Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by its horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in the place of his son. ¹⁴And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22 (NASB)

It does not say exactly that this was at the Mount of Olives; however, it was a mountain of God’s choosing in the land of Moriah. That is precisely where the Mount of Olives is located. Jesus was crucified at Golgotha which is believed to be the northern summit of the Mount of Olives.

Evidence From Hebrews Ezekiel 43:71 refers to an altar located east of the Temple ”without the sanctuary.” Here the important sacrifice. of the Red Heifer was performed. Where is this altar in relationship to the Temple? Jeremiah records that it was located near the southern summit of the Mount of Olives directly “east of the Temple,” ‘outside the camp’ of Israel some 2000 cubits (about 1000 yards) east of the central part of the Temple. In the time of Jesus this was slightly down slope from the southern summit of the Mount of Olives in full view of the Temple from the west Confirmation that Jesus was crucified near the summit of the Mount of Olives, about a half-mile east of the Temple Mount is found in the New Testament itself, in the Book of Hebrews. It states that the crucifixion occurred “without the camp” and “without the gate” of Israel (Heb. 13:11-13). These geographical references may mean little to us today, but to first century Jewish people in the Jerusalem area they could only mean one thing – Jesus was crucified on the Mount of Olives “without THE gate” and without THE camp.” This refers to a special gate – the gate to the eastern region outside the city limits of Jerusalem. Golgotha was located at the southern summit of the Mount of Olives.¹
Paul and Naul O’Higgins

Isaac as a picture of Jesus, God Always Provides

In the fullness of time, Jesus was miraculously born after years of expectantly waiting. He willingly laid down to be sacrificed. The difference was that now it was God the Father who gave His only begotten son to be sacrificed for the sin of all. There was not another ram in the thicket. Not this time. He would pay the price for all. Then only by faith, you might be saved.

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. ²For by it the people of old gained approval.³By faith we understand that the ^[world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible….6 the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11

Faith is Knowing that God IS and that God Always Provides for those who diligently seek Him. Do You know that?

Back to My Story

I went to Missouri. God had a plan. Even if I did not fully understand, I had to obey. At first, the job was only part time. I was tempted to doubt and did look for other opportunities. However, I knew I was where God wanted me so I waited. I even turned down another job while waiting.

Six months later, the job I had with the Veteran’s Administration became full time. Since then, by trusting God, I have been blessed beyond measure in my job. Also, I have no worries about my financial future after retirement. All because, God had a better plan for me than I could have ever worked out on my own. God once said to test Him, by bringing in to the storehouse His part. Therefore, I had learned along this journey to test Him and see what He would do. Tithing is a very important part to that. I had learned to tithe even when money was tight. You can do that if you really know the truth that God always provides.

Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking only at Jesus, the ^[^a^]originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^[^b^]and lose heart. Hebrews 12 (NASB)

¹ O’Higgins, Paul and Nula, The Mount of Olives—Place of Jesus’s Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Introduction.pdf (reconciliationoutreach.net)

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

How to Remarkably See King Jesus in the Book of Job ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba (myglorytoglory.com)

Disclosures

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

How to Remarkably See King Jesus in the Book of Job

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5 (ESV)

July 23, 1994, I lost my husband to suicide. Shortly after that the cat he had given me jumped out a window where she was staying and disappeared forever. I was driving to Missouri to get to the children for Christmas. Then, the Porsche I was driving from Laredo to Missouri was stolen without insurance. That same morning all the cash I owned devalued 50% due to President Clinton’s deal with China causing the Mexican Market crisis of 1994. I took a deep sigh, filled out the police report, and got tickets to fly to Missouri. I thought of the Book of Job and whispered a prayer, please do not ask for my children as well. At that time, I did not remarkably see King Jesus in the book of Job. I saw Job and somehow believed myself to be like him. Therefore, I was waiting for my restoration.

A Wrong Comparison

Thinking of the book of Job was comforting at first. I very quickly quoted Job. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (JOB 1:21). I thought of the Bible that lay on the front seat of the car filled with notes in the margins, praying the thief might read it and find Christ. Then I remembered the praise songs that were playing on the CD player in the car. So, I went on my way joyfully singing praises to God, believing will all my heart he would restore me as He had Job.

Funny had a little bit of wrong theology could be both good and bad. I had thought of myself as Job, rather than to remarkably see King Jesus in the Book of Job. The problem was not the faith I held that God would make all things right. Instead, the problem was my desire He fulfill my desires my way. Much like Job and His friends I did not understand the depth of the story, nor the suffering servant who paid it all for my redemption.

Opening The Book of Job

No one knows for certain when the book of Job was written nor who the author is. Although Hebraic teachers most believe it was also written by Moses, as God spoke to him in Mount Sinai and the desert. We know that:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Job 32:8 – But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

2 Peter 1:20-21 – Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Although it is not certain what date Job lived it is believed that it was before the time of Jacob (Israel) as there is no mention of the Mosaic law. Perhaps, he lived at the time of Abraham and Melchizedek.

¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. ¹⁹And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: ²⁰And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14: (KJV)

At any rate, the timing and people are as mysterious as was Melchizedek whom we are told little about.

Job As a Typology of King Jesus

Multiple times and even to Satan, God refers to Job as “my righteous servant.” Note just in case Satan had not noticed Job, God points him out.

“Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8

God is about to distinguish the difference between those who love God for who He is and those who seek Him only for what they can obtain. I daresay, Job was picked out for affliction because God knew His heart. He was about to show the world and all the hosts of heaven just how noble Job’s faith was. In doing so He uses the testimony of Job to save the friends as well as proclaim Sovereign Grace and Glory of God. Furthermore, He is preparing the stage for His redemption plan to unfold in His son. Demonstrating just how His true Suffering Servant would face such cruelty for the salvation of others.

Afflicted of God

Throughout the book of Job, it is truly clear who is acting out evil against Job. But it is also clear who is Sovereign in allowing it. We could all count Job afflicted by God. A picture of the suffering servant to come.

⁴Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.^{6 All} we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53

Remarkably See King Jesus

Job was a man and not perfect as was the Son of God. Yet he did present a picture of King Jesus to come. Throughout every story, we see King Jesus presented. He is the story. We see Him in the story of Noah, Abraham, and Joseph to only point out a few. He is a part of every story. If we open our eyes, we will see Him there on every page.

Job mourned the day he was born, due to the pain. Jesus sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the fate to come. He prayed that this cup be taken away, yet, not His will but the Father’s be done. Trusting the Father fully and knowing this was the only way, He stepped forward to the cross.

IMAGINE This Scene Of King Jesus in Humble Power

After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden. 2Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, STEPPED FORWARD and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.

Jesus said, “I AM HE”

And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

The strength, the power in His voice had caused this army of soldiers to fall back. Never had they seen such as this–the one they sought stepped forward to be taken. No fear. And no quivering. He stepped forward as the great I AM.

7So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. 8“I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”

King Jesus is our redeemer,

The great I AM stepped forward and died the death that my sin deserves, that I might be redeemed. At the end of the book of Job, it says God’s wrath was hot against the friends of Job for all their false theology. They were so caught up in Prosperity Gospel, they could not see the truth of who God IS. The only one who spoke more righteously was Elihu who was like a type of John the Baptist introducing God onto the scene. He is not included in God’s wrath at the end. Job willingly received their burnt offerings as God instructed and prayed for their redemption. This all despite their cruelty in proclaiming his guilt.

Yet, they too, had to be willing to humble themselves before God and bring their offering to this man whom they had condemned with their words.

⁶But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you James 4

And Jesus said, “

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? ³I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13.

Furthermore, how often do we pray for those who have wronged us? Pray for their redemption? I daresay I have so often failed in this regard; but God is transforming my heart one tiny step at a time.

All Things Work Together For Good

Job came to know God better through all that he suffered. He now had even a greater joy, hope, and understanding of God’s plan. Those things he would have questioned in the past were clearer. Although, truth be told God questioned Job as to “Who are you to question God? Were you there when I created all these things? Do you hold all the heavens and earth together? How can you understand my ways?”

So back to my story. For so many years I wasted looking for God to send me someone who would love me. But, after many wrong turns and directions while thinking He was answering that prayer, I came to discover He was more than enough. All because I had the wrong theology concerning Job. Yet, now that I see myself as Job’s friends and Job as the humble picture of King Jesus to come, I recognize how all the sufferings of this world bring me closer to Jesus.

Things of this world cannot bring the joy He brings me. He has blessed me richly. I bow before Him, knowing He knows what is best for me. Even in the middle of a storm, His anchor holds me fast.

James 5 (ESV)

(One day, when King Jesus Returns)

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. ²Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. ³Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. ⁴Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁵You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁶You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

So for now–Patience in Suffering

⁷Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. ¹⁰As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

¹²But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

And let us now pray The Prayer of Faith

¹³Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. ¹⁴Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

¹⁶Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ¹⁷Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

¹⁹My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Knowing all this: What should be our goal and our mission in this life?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

How to know King Jesus as Life, Love, Hope, and Joy from the Beginning

Disclosures

PICTUREs Licensed from Goodsalt.com

Jesus Joyfully Found Me

In His Prescence

Jesus Joyfully Found and Healed Me

God Led Them Through the Hazardous Wilderness to Meet Him

Was Jesus Joyfully Found in the Hazardous Wilderness?

A Close Encounter with God’s Glory

Jesus Joyously Found in the Song of Moses

Therefore, How Is Jesus Joyously Found in the Hazardous Wilderness?

The Unshaken Kingdom

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

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Judah’s Fall into Pagan Worship

God Almighty Chose Judah, Inspite of All This?

Well, as the story goes on

So, God Almighty Chose Judah, why?

Judah’s Willing Sacrifice of Himself

God Almighty Chose Judah as a Foreshadowing of Jesus

Furthermore

Another Reason God Almighty Chose Judah for the Blood line of Jesus

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

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Typology or Foreshadowing are Hidden Prophecy

The Hidden Prophecy of Jesus Found in Joseph

The Patriarchs in Egypt

God Delivers Israel by Moses

God in His covenant with Abraham said

Back to Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7

Israel Rebels Against God

God’s True Tabernacle

Israel Resists the Holy Spirit

Hidden Prophecies of History Foreshadowing Jesus Christ

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

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God Always Provides What He Has Promised.

God sees and God Always Provides

The Test of Faith for Abraham

No Hesitation, knowing God Always Provides

Isaac Trusted that God Always Provides

God Always Provides a Way of Salvation

Isaac as a picture of Jesus, God Always Provides

Back to My Story

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

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A Wrong Comparison

Opening The Book of Job

Job As a Typology of King Jesus

Afflicted of God

Remarkably See King Jesus

IMAGINE This Scene Of King Jesus in Humble Power

King Jesus is our redeemer,

All Things Work Together For Good

James 5 (ESV)

So for now–Patience in Suffering

And let us now pray The Prayer of Faith

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

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