Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Beginning of Wisdom and Knowledge

We're discussing how Joseph's ten brothers didn't even suspect that they were confronting their brother. We saw that they didn't fear the Lord, as shown by their lack of love for their brother. But still, why couldn't they even recognize him?

Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
Pr 1:7 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge

God works in His children to love one another. When a Christian successfully fights off God's work, he can become bitter at another Christian. It is important to remember that, lacking both wisdom and knowledge, that Christian is not qualified to lead, teach, or influence other Christians.

One Christian forum deals with Christians who have been hurt by churches. Most of the victims joined churches that would not fellowship with other Christian churches. Trying to keep their people spiritual, the incompetent leaders of those churches would hurt them instead.

Be careful about being influenced by "Christians" who are hostile to God's people. You'll save yourself a lot of grief that way.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

How Could They Not Know?

Despite abundant spiritual warnings, Jacob's ten oldest sons didn't even suspect that they were facing their brother. Why not?

The explanation begins in Genesis 37:4 "...they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him." When Joseph taught his brothers the Word of God, the Bible says that they hated him even more.

Ps 119:74 describes the spiritual condition of the ten brothers: "Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word." They didn't fear the Lord.

Over the years, I have avoided some spiritual disasters by remembering that "Christians" who despise other Christians do not fear the Lord. On a few occasions, I actually worked for them, but I knew better than to trust them.

These men did not fear the Lord. But why couldn't they recognize their brother? Because...