As if the behavior of Joseph wasn't bizarre enough, he now pretends that Benjamin has stolen Joseph's divining cup. Why? Why not hide gold or jewelry in Benjamin's sack?
We don't know the answer. Joseph was a prophet (He could interpret dreams) and Hebrews 1:1 tells us that in ancient times, God spoke to the prophets in many different ways. Joseph MIGHT have been telling the truth about being able to divine with the cup.
The symbolism is that God gives the Church (pictured by Benjamin) the ability to know His will. Hostile to their brother, not fearing the Lord, and lacking both knowledge and wisdom, the other ten brothers couldn't discern God's will, but Benjamin could.
Strengthening the Church is a successful means of resolving conflicts among the people of God.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Our Enemies in Heven Part 9
Joseph's bizarre behavior makes better sense when you remember that most attempts to get reconciled with Christians who don't want to get reconciled don't work. But with Joseph, it did. Part of the reconciliation involved re-arranging the leadership. Joseph put himself in charge of his brothers, against their wishes, both because God told him to, and because he was ruler of Egypt, where they all were. In seating them according to age, he placed Reuben above Judah. But later, Jacob removed Reuben, replacing him with Joseph, while prophesying that later (the tribe of) Judah would be the leader.Christians who successfully harm other Christians couldn't keep getting away with it if leadership were correct. In order to reconcile, God might have to demote and promote various saints.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Our Enemies in Heaven Part 8
God commands us to go to a brother who has offended us and confront him. The cold truth is, it usually doesn't work. One Christian author teaches that we have to get all sin out of our lives first (an unscriptural, as well as impossible, solution) Others wisely advise "Don't get offended." Others say that the "brother" might not be saved to begin with, so the command doesn't apply. Others say that you must obey the command, have a blow-up, and the situation will still improve. The cold truth is, it usually doesn't work. But for Joseph, it did.
One reason that Joseph succeeded is that he didn't do it the way we do it, and this helps explain his bizarre behavior. A primary goal of Joseph was to protect somebody else! His brother Benjamin pictures the Church, and Joseph was more motivated for Benjamin's sake than he was for anybody else's. In seeking reconciliation, we have to remember that enmity among the saints hurts the Church. The benefit of everybody has to be our goal.
One reason that Joseph succeeded is that he didn't do it the way we do it, and this helps explain his bizarre behavior. A primary goal of Joseph was to protect somebody else! His brother Benjamin pictures the Church, and Joseph was more motivated for Benjamin's sake than he was for anybody else's. In seeking reconciliation, we have to remember that enmity among the saints hurts the Church. The benefit of everybody has to be our goal.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Our Enemies in Heaven Part 7
We had already explained that Joseph's brothers had taken advantage of failed leadership. Now, Joseph uses the same method.
Although Jacob is the leader of Israel, the brothers are in Egypt, where Joseph is the ruler. When seating the brothers according to age, Joseph had recognized Reuben as their leader, but he did not consult with Reuben about what to do. Judah, recognized by his brothers as their leader, was left out of the process.
Christians can wrongly become leaders through bullying, money, church politics, causing division, etc., and this allows them to attack other Christians successfully. But their leadership power wil disappear when they get to Heaven.
Although Jacob is the leader of Israel, the brothers are in Egypt, where Joseph is the ruler. When seating the brothers according to age, Joseph had recognized Reuben as their leader, but he did not consult with Reuben about what to do. Judah, recognized by his brothers as their leader, was left out of the process.
Christians can wrongly become leaders through bullying, money, church politics, causing division, etc., and this allows them to attack other Christians successfully. But their leadership power wil disappear when they get to Heaven.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Our Enemies in Heaven Part 6
Joseph's brothers did not fear the Lord, and, although it was obvious that the ruler of Egypt knew about the wrong they had done, they did not even suspect that he was their brother Joseph. What's the connection?
Psalm 111:10 tells us that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
Proverbs 1:7 tells us that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge."
Christians who harm other Christians lack both wisdom and knowledge. They are not the type of Christian that we should be following or even listening to.
Psalm 111:10 tells us that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
Proverbs 1:7 tells us that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge."
Christians who harm other Christians lack both wisdom and knowledge. They are not the type of Christian that we should be following or even listening to.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Our Enemies in Heaven Part 5
In understanding Joseph's bizarre behavior, it helps to remember that the ten brothers were not seeking a reconciliation with Joseph.
Standing before the ruler of Egypt, Joseph's ten brothers were surprised when he asked diligently about their father and their brother. Later, the ruler would have them seated correctly according to their ages. How could they not even suspect that the ruler was their brother?
Psalm 119:74 tells us: "Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word."
Christians who are hateful to other Christians don't fear the Lord, and none of Joseph's ten brothers feared the Lord. The Bible abounds in blessings for those who fear the Lord, and recognizing that none of these blessings applied to his brothers might have influenced Joseph's own behavior.
Standing before the ruler of Egypt, Joseph's ten brothers were surprised when he asked diligently about their father and their brother. Later, the ruler would have them seated correctly according to their ages. How could they not even suspect that the ruler was their brother?
Psalm 119:74 tells us: "Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word."
Christians who are hateful to other Christians don't fear the Lord, and none of Joseph's ten brothers feared the Lord. The Bible abounds in blessings for those who fear the Lord, and recognizing that none of these blessings applied to his brothers might have influenced Joseph's own behavior.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Our Enemies in Heaven Part 4
In wronging their brother, Joseph's ten brothers took advantage of failed leadership.
Jacob (Israel) was the head of the family. But Jacob had unfairly favored Joseph, and besides, he wasn't around.
Reuben, a man who excelled in strength and dignity, was unstable as water. Despite being the oldest brother, despite having enough responsibility to try to rescue Joseph, and despite being Godly enough to know that this was wrong, Reuben did not command enough respect to accomplish what was right.
Judah, a strong, courageous leader, rallied his brothers to do wrong, and he got away with it... for a long time.
Jacob (Israel) was the head of the family. But Jacob had unfairly favored Joseph, and besides, he wasn't around.
Reuben, a man who excelled in strength and dignity, was unstable as water. Despite being the oldest brother, despite having enough responsibility to try to rescue Joseph, and despite being Godly enough to know that this was wrong, Reuben did not command enough respect to accomplish what was right.
Judah, a strong, courageous leader, rallied his brothers to do wrong, and he got away with it... for a long time.
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