“Where Can We Find Ourselves in Joseph’s Story?”

This Sunday, we will conclude the preaching series “Origins.”  We have been journeying through some of the great stories of Genesis such as Creation, Fall, and learning of God’s good plan with Abraham.  We will conclude with the story of Joseph.

Joseph’s story spans over 20 percent of the Book of Genesis.  Why is there so much focus on Joseph’s life?  What does Joseph’s story teach us?   There are valuable life lessons introduced including resentment, jealousy, wrongful accusation, “reaching the top”, “hitting bottom”, dreaming big dreams, and how to put your life back together again.

Where does our story meet Joseph’s story?   Are there jealousies and favoritism issues in our family?  Have we ever been wrongfully accused of something we did not do?  Have we ever hit “rock bottom?”  Have we been given incredible responsibility?  Are we chasing a dream?

In Joseph’s story we can find our story somewhere.  I invite everyone to be present Sunday as we learn the truth of God in the midst of this story!

Dreams, Vision, and Magic Eyes

When I was a kid there were these pictures that became a fad. I had a few hanging on the walls of my adolescent bedroom. They were called “Magic Eyes.” They looked like a whole lot of nothing unless you focused right. I learned that the trick was to relax your eyes rather than look at the surface of the image. Instead of concentrating on the picture I would allow my eyes to find a focal spot beyond it, as if I was looking through the wall to the yard outside. And then it would happen. The geometric world within the picture would come to life. I would see whatever the image-creator had designed for me to see and it would become crystal clear. Go on, try it!

In Genesis 40 we learn that Joseph doesn’t just have the gift of dreams. He also is able to interpret them. Dream interpretation was actually really common in the ancient near east. But Joseph operated a little differently. The IVP Bible Background Commentary on the Old Testament contains the following comments:

“Dream interpretations were usually carried out by experts who had been trained in the available dream literature. […] Since dreams often depended on symbolism, the interpreter would have to have access to these documents preserving the empirical data concerning past dreams and interpretations. It was believed that the gods communicated through dreams but not that they revealed the meanings of dreams. If they were going to reveal the meaning, why use a dream in the first place? But Joseph held a different view. He did not consult any ‘scientific’ literature, but consulted God. Nevertheless, he interprets along the same lines as some of the dream literature would have suggested.”^[1]

This is one huge characteristic I see in Joseph – regardless of circumstances or what he must endure (being thrown in a pit by his hateful brothers, sold into slavery, prison, worked his way out of prison, falsely accused, back in prison again) his focus remains the same – His God. And all the rest of the image around him falls into perspective.

What I also love is what we see about Joseph’s God. Again the quote from the commentary above: “the gods communicated through dreams but not that they revealed the meanings of dreams. If they were going to reveal the meaning, why use a dream in the first place?” But not Joseph’s God. Joseph’s God wanted to be consulted. He was waiting to shed light, revelation, upon reality. The God of Israel would ultimately reveal Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ, “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), but this has always been who God is. He wants to be known, revealed, seen, understood. So, today I invite you…

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Prayer: Almighty God, You are so great and I am so small. Yet You would choose to stoop to my level, speak in plain talk, even dress up just like me. Open my eyes that I may see You more clearly, see myself more like You see me, and see others as the wonderful creatures You have made them to be. I focus on You today that everything else would come into proper focus. Amen.

^[1] Matthews, V. H., Chavalas, M. W., & Walton, J. H. (2000). The IVP Bible background commentary: Old Testament (electronic ed., Ge 40:18). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Tattletales and Dreamers

You’ve heard it said,

“You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

This week we begin looking into the story of a man named Joseph who really steps onto the stage as a main character in Genesis 37 and closes out the book in chapter 50, receiving more attention in terms of book chapters than any other character in Genesis. Joseph is an exemplary figure for a number of reasons, but today I notice something in the very first scene in which he stars. Joseph, it would seem, has some issues of immaturity. He is not a man lacking in integrity. Spiritually, he seems pure and above reproach. By Genesis 39, after being sold as a slave into the hands of Egypt he would rather escape without his cloak than be caught with the wife of a high ranking palace official. So why would the brothers of this holy man want to kill him? Because he was a tattletale and a dreamer.

There is a common viewpoint that “the gospel is offensive.” We have a story, a revelation of who God is and how He has interacted in human history. We desire to reflect His image and do His work. This is going to create problems for the faithful, even causing us to be disliked, even persecuted. Thus, we don’t need to worry about how we are received. What matters is the truth, and “the truth will set us free” (John 8:32). However, I remember the words of the Apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelists of all time: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)

The truth is,

What we do with the truth is important, because the goal is to earn favor and to win souls.

Fortunately, Joseph will grow and mature. He will teach us what it means to win the favor of the very ones who would persecute him. He will continue to have dreams, gifts from God, but he will learn how to be a better steward of those dreams.

Prayer: Father, today I receive your love for me. I also receive your love for every person in whose eyes I will look this day. Help me to know the truth and live in freedom. Help me also to share the truth that others might be set free. Restrain those parts of me that would turn others from Christ. May others see me decrease and Jesus increase as the Holy Spirit makes me look like Him. Amen.

The Deceiver Becomes a Family Man?

Stairway to Heaven

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep . . .”

Not only will God keep, guard, and sustain the souls of those who seek Him. He also keeps His promises. Always! God’s promise to Abraham involved “descendants,” a family line. Thus, His promise would be just as important to Abraham’s children and grandchildren. Little did grandson Jacob know in Genesis 28 when he made camp one night in a little place called Luz – not a destination, but really just a pass through zone – that he would have an encounter with the living God who would renew His covenant promise to Abraham. This reminds me of when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain (which mountain was that again?) and something so significant happened that Peter deemed the place holy and wanted to build permanent encampments there. The emphasis, however, was not supposed to be on the place but the Presence. Jacob had simply turned a common rock into a pillow and drifted off to sleep. But when he woke from his dream about a heavenly stairway, the rock became an “Ebeneezer stone,” a memorial rock to symbolize a significant historical event. He named the place Beth-El, “the house of God.” Then, like his grandfather Abraham he was stirred to practice the tithe, giving a tenth of one’s resources as a sacrifice of praise and thanks to God for His promises and provision.

And what of that stairway? I love when God reveals to His servants the reality of the unseen. The invisible becomes visible and faith is made strong. (One of my favorite stories in all of scripture is about invisible chariots of fire in 2 Kings 6.) Jesus teaches us that there is the reality of the seen, the reality of this world perceived by the five senses. Then, there is the reality of God, the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven. If we are children of God we are actually citizens of that second reality while present in the first. We are to be “in the world, but not of it.” We are to be always pointing the citizens of reality #1 to reality #2 so that eyes are opened and souls awakened.

So, take heart today. The stairway is there. Jesus urged us to live in response to the truth that “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Heavenly beings in the realm of the unseen are going to and from our realm to engage in our reality in ways we are too often unaware. And most of all, God Himself is at work.

Morning Prayer:

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3)

Evening Prayer:

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

A Rivalry Is Born

Still processing Super Bowl XLIX, I think of another pair of teams this morning. A pair of individual players, actually. In September 2013, Manning Bowl III resulted in Peyton’s Broncos defeating Eli’s Giants in the last regular season game in which the brothers would ever face each other. It’s noteworthy that this was the third time out of three that particular result happened.

A similar rivalry is found in the middle of the book of Genesis. Technically the first round was won by Esau – being born first. But when his twin brother, Jacob, followed him out of the womb he had a firm grasp on Esau’s heel, not only earning him his name, but also foreshadowing some relational dynamics. In the first story we have of them following birth, Jacob the homebody is inside cooking some stew when Esau the hunter comes in from the open country. Jacob negotiates Esau’s birthright out of his famished brother for some of the stew. Now, Jacob seems despicable, but let’s not look past how easily Esau would sell away something upon which, in his time and culture, no value could really be placed. The third Isaac Bowl took place as the aging father lay on his bed no longer able to see. When Isaac called for Esau to give him his final blessing, Jacob duped him and caused him to switch the blessings. Isaac ended up giving a prophetic word that Esau would serve his brother but that when the time was right he would throw the yoke from his neck.

Jealousy, envy, pride, ego, bitterness, resentment, and selfish ambition remind us of that first tragic act. Broken relationships are not something we have to struggle to relate to. They are part of our condition. But this morning I am particularly amazed at Isaac. A supporting role at this point in the story, really. He reminds me that even in the midst of an imperfect condition, words matter. Integrity is one of the only evidences of true character. So what does he do when he finds he’s been deceived? He does not take back his blessing. Words are powerful. Blessing has great spiritual significance. Covenant sees through the good and bad alike, faithful to the end.

Prayer: Father, I hear a message from you that has echoed since that first pair of siblings – I am my brother’s keeper, my sister’s keeper. Help me to turn from bitterness to service, from resentment to celebrating the wins of my neighbor, and from selfish ambition to seeking the good of others even before my own. Amen.

I Lift My Eyes to the Hills, From Whence Does My Happiness Come?

“I lift my eyes to the hills, from whence does my happiness come?”

Okay, maybe that’s not what Psalm 121:1 says, or any other verse in the Bible. However, joy is a trademark of the Christian life. It’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit who lives within every born again child of God! So what does this mean about happiness? Today after preaching on the life of Abraham and in particular, the story of Isaac on Mount Moriah, I wonder . . . does “The God Who Provides” provide for our happiness? Is that His promise? This occurs to me:

Abraham modeled a life of blessed endurance.

Endurance is  not the watchword of “happiness.” Picture a person enduring. Are they happy? Determined, yes. Purposeful, definitely. Happy? . . . When we think of endurance we think of hardship, trials, suffering, even danger. And that’s because this is usually why endurance is required. Abraham lived this. He is not just the father of blessing and faith; he is the father of blessed endurance. 

Those of us who are reading through the whole Bible in 2015 are 10 glorious chapters from finishing the Book of Exodus. Talk about endurance! Way to go. We are just one chapter away from finishing Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus was just betrayed, arrested, tried, tortured, crucified, and buried. Our Savior endured and suffered gladly so that we might be part of the blessing promised to Abraham. And we continue  to hear preaching through Genesis and the stories of the Patriarchs. Incidentally, one of the Patriarchs, Abraham’s grandson, is named Jacob. The Hebrew name Jacob translates in Greek to the name James. They are the same name. And James in the New Testament tells us this:

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. . . ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:2-4, 12)

Prayer: Oh God, everything I need is found in You. The life you call me to, the life of obedience and faith, is not easy, but it is blessed. It is good. Anything else is counterfeit. I want the real thing. Help me endure. I choose to be happy, because you have set me free. Amen.

How Good is God’s Plan? “Finding Rams in the Thicket.”

 This Sunday we will be preaching from one of the most dramatic moments in the Bible.   Can we imagine how Abraham must have felt that he was to sacrifice his beloved son.  How must Abraham heart must have pounded when his son Isaac asked…”the fire and wood are here but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7b, NIV).

What can we learn from this story?   How can we respond in faith when God’s good plan is tested?  How can we be radically obedient and find “rams in the thicket?”  How does the promise of God’s provision change our lives?

Hope to see you Sunday where we will continue God’s good story at all four services!

Philip

Like Father Like Son Like Grandson

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the Patriarchs of the Jewish faith. Jacob would have the twelve sons, Abraham’s great-grandsons, from which the twelve tribes of Israel get their names. Of these patriarchs Jacob is the one known for lies and deception. But did you notice what happened right after God’s covenant with Abram in Genesis 12?

¹⁰ Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. ¹¹ As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.¹² When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. ¹³ Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” (Genesis 12:10-13)

What just happened? Well . . . Abram lied. Sort of. The bizarre thing is that Pharaoh and his household faced consequences for thinking Sarai was an available woman and pursuing her as such.

Then in Genesis 20 the scenario repeats itself in Gerar with a King named Abimelek. This time the Lord came to Abimelek in a dream telling him the truth and warning him against taking Sarah, a married woman, and sparing him the consequences. He approaches Abraham.

¹¹ Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ ¹² Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. ¹³ And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’” (Genesis 20:11-13)

Guess what happens in Genesis 26? Isaac goes through the same situation almost verbatim! He has the same fear in the land of Gerar his dad had, he lies about his wife Rebekah, and Abimelek king of the Philistines is once again the victim of deceit.

So the deceiving ways of Jacob are not totally foreign to his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham.

I bring this up today to say one thing about Bible study. There are two ways to read the events of The Great Story. We have to ask, is this prescriptive or descriptive?

Prescriptive means we should read something with value attached, with positive enforcement, as if the writer is saying, “This is the way it should be,” prescribing a way of life or character. Example: The Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount.

Descriptive refers to those events described or classified without expressing feelings or judgment. The writer is simply describing what happened, not saying, “This is the way it should be.”

When we see Abraham deceiving kings and God still having his back we can mistakenly think God approves of these events. Really its just further evidence that the Patriarchs are human and that God is redemptive.

Midweek thoughts on Genesis 16-18

The story of Abram starts out beautiful and hopeful, the promise of the impossible, life brought forth from a dead end. That’s Genesis 12 and 15. But the first line of Genesis 16 is a sobering punch of reality: “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children.” Clearly the people of God walking in the promise of God are experiencing the human condition. Questions arise. And what is Sarai’s explanation? “The Lord has kept me from having children.” This seems to make no sense to a contemporary reader. Wasn’t it the Lord who promised a child even from your barrenness? But in the worldview of these characters we have to understand that everything was understood to be controlled and orchestrated by God. Indeed Job was rebuked for declaring of God, “You give and take away.” God’s rebuke is a message to us that there are other elements at play. We aren’t to give Him credit (sometimes in the form of blame) for things He doesn’t do or cause.

God has a plan, and it’s good. God is capable of making Plan B even better than Plan A. For example, when He gets His humans back into the Garden (Rev 22:1-5) there will only be one tree in the center, the Tree of Life. There will be no more curse, no more slithering lying snake in the grass, no presence of evil. The story of Sarai and Hagar is not one of those examples. This is a story about how Plan B can be full of pain and negative consequences even when redeemed. Why? Because it’s not God’s Plan B. Even Abram and Sarai deviated from the Plan. Yet redemption never ceases to be in God’s vocabulary. When you question the will of God or the way of faith, even after it has been made known to you, when you feel the urge to “help God along” taking His plan into your own hands out of fear, frustration, or some other emotion that is not from Him, you are not alone. Even Abraham, perhaps the character in The Great Story most known for His faith, faltered in sticking to God’s script.

Yet we continue to see the heart of God. In the very next scenes God shows compassion toward Hagar: “I have heard your misery.” She named the place of her pain and brokenness “The One who sees me.” God renews His covenant with Abram, giving him the new name of Abraham and the new sign of the covenant – circumcision. Three visitors, messengers of God Himself visit Abraham revealing that intimate relationship that he and God would continue to have.

Even Abraham had moments of inconsistency. Still, he believed in the One who is always consistent, never changing, and it was credited to Him as righteousness. Therefore, there is hope for us too.