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Gen 50:15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.”
Gen 50:16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died:
Gen 50:17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
Gen 50:18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
Gen 50:19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Gen 50:21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Don't you just like a happy ending. The brothers who hated their father's favorite son and sold him into slavery never had peace. They thought with the father gone that Joseph would get even, but instead they were forgiven.
Joseph is a type of Christ. He had grace for his brothers. Jesus gave us grace too. He loved people and suffered excruciating pain, was nailed to a cross to deliver us from our sins. That is love. None of us deserve to be forgiven. Joseph showed his love and godly character by forgiving his brothers. "God meant it for good", it is God's doing. Love, forgiveness and kindness shown is to be aware that we are blessed of God. Give God the glory and live at peace with those who will receive peace.
2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Psa 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
We see the fulfillment of this prophecy of David in Matthew 21.
Mat 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Who were the enemies that were stilled? They were the chief priests and the scribes, The chief priests were plotting to kill Jesus. They were angry with the children for calling out Hosanna ( save us now) to the Son of David. Praising Jesus is strength to the children.
Luk 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Luk 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
Luk 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
Luk 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Jesus loves the little Children.
Mat 18:3 ... Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
I see little children as having innocent trust. The chief priests were once innocent children, but they grew up to be bitter blind guides who were to kill Jesus. Lord may we keep our innocence in trusting you completely.
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
The weapons of our spiritual warfare are not of the flesh but of the spirit. An enemy stronghold in the spirit are demons that have made a place of strength, a fortress. Ephesian 6 shows to us the spiritual weapons that we have as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
"The Corinthian Christians tended to rely on and admire carnal weapons for the Christian battle. Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation. Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success. Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words. Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power. Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority. Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs. (Guzik)"
Our country is in many spiritual battles against the strongholds of the devil. We are to restrain the darkness by the light of truth. Put on the spiritual weapons and keep them on. Our offensive weapon is the sword of the spirit of truth, the word of God. Our defensive weapon is faith in God and his word.
Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Thank you LORD that you have given to us your blessings and abilities. We glory that you understand us, know us and that you show us your loving kindness, judgement and righteousness. You are the most high creator and you are good.
Jesus spoke of the nature of the devil contrasted with the glory of the good shepherd.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
The devil here is called the thief, the killer, and destroyer and he is a liar. If he sees that we are seeking self glory, he will lie to us to take us away from the good shepherd who wants to give us a good life, a more abundant life. We leave the liar to come to God through Jesus for a more abundant life. If we Give him our life, he will keep us in his love forever.
Mat 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
Mat 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Mat 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
Mat 26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Satan came into Judas as he left the table to betray his friend.
The question I have is was Judas fore ordained to be the one who would betray the Messiah? Jesus knew at the last supper that it was he who would betray him. Judas had already received 30 pieces of silver from the chief priests. He had gone to the chief priests after the anointing of Jesus by the woman with the alabaster box of ointment. He had complained that it was a waste of money. He was more interested in the money as he was the one who kept the money purse.
Mat 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Later in his prayer to the Father, Jesus mentioned the son of perdition, the son of destruction: “the phrase denotes an abandoned character, one utterly lost and given over to evil.”
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
A Psalm may have been a prophecy of his betrayal.
Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
I do not believe that Judas was picked out of all men to be the betrayer. If he was made to betray the Christ, then he would not have had free will. How could God punish someone who had no choice? Did God know who would betray Jesus, yes, he knows all things.
If all the events of this time were moved to where we are at this time. Do you think that it would be hard to find someone to betray Jesus? It might be me or you, but we can look back and thank Jesus that it was not us knowing that our sins put him on the cross and that through him we can be forgiven. Could Judas have repented? He did repent, but he did so to the chief priests who cared nothing for his soul. They were as guilty as he was. Only Jesus can forgive our sins by the will of God, his Father.
Mat 26:63 ... And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Accused and condemned for telling the truth. This is how are nation is becoming. People believe the lies and condemn the truth. When a people can no longer respect truth we have confusion and every evil work.
Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
No man could take the life of Jesus. He gave it willingly to pay for our sins.
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
The pioneer spirit was that if we work hard, trusting in God that we would succeed in our efforts. This is often portrayed as a strong independent person "toughing it out", like the movie star John Wayne. Often he would walk alone into the sunset, a larger than life person. John was a friend of a cowboy music composer who was saved in a Billy Graham evangelical crusade. Stuart Hamblen was asked by John Wayne about the rumor going around Hollywood that Hamblen had changed his ways. Hamblen replied that it was no secret what God had done for him and what God could do for his friend, too. John Wayne then replied that Hamblen should turn those lines into a song and he did. It is no secret what God can do
Jas 4:5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
Jas 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
1Co 6:20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
We were created in the image of God to have fellowship with him and to rely on him. Lucifer was created to serve God, but he was so beautifully made that he became full of pride, he wanted to take the place of God. God cast him down to earth and Lucifer stole dominion of the earth from Adam and Eve.
Jesus came to take our sins upon himself, humbling himself in obedience to the Father, even to die on a cruel cross. His death and resurrection broke the power of satan. Those who accepted the atonement of Jesus for their sins have fellowship with God once again. God gave us grace, power from above to be used in our obedience. Still, pride was a problem and satan who dwells in sin would raise up his ugly mouth to accuse us. We are to submit to God, and not be proud, but humble. His grace is the enabling power of God available to us. Grace for salvation and grace to do the will and purpose of God.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
We are only made pure through the sacrifice of Jesus. Our righteousness is from him. We must not try to do things independently from our God. This is being double minded, having pride instead of being humble and relying on the grace of God. The scripture says when we think we are something, we really are not.
Gal 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
We are the adopted family of God. Let us draw closer to him, resisting the devil. We belong to God Almighty by the finished work of Jesus, and that by his grace. More of you Lord and less of me. It is no secret what God can do, thank you Lord for your abundant grace. Amen
