Since I spoke to Pharaoh in Your name, he has done evil to this people

The Lord had sent Moses to Pharaoh to tell him “Let my people go,” and Pharaoh calling the people lazy,  had laid more work on the Israelites.  Their response was to complain to Moses,  that he had “made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh,” and that he had done evil to them (Exodus 5:1, 8, 9, 23). So Moses and Aaron were getting pushback from both sides. It is the nature of leadership. I remember a friend of mine saying tongue in cheek that when God wants to punish a man he makes him a pastor!

So Moses in turn complains to the Lord asking the age old question that we tend to ask in times of difficulty “Why?” The Lord knew this was going to happen of course, and he answers him “I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (6:6,7). What the Lord was saying, is that through the pain and difficulty of it all, not in spite of it all, but through it all,  the children of Israel would know two things, firstly who they were and whose they were, and secondly they would actually know  that God is God.  In other words the trials would send doubt running!

I am reminded of the song “Through it all” by Andrae Crouch. "I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow .... But in every situation, God gave me blessed consultation, that my trials come to only make me strong."  And “For if I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know God could solve them, I'd never know what faith in God could do.” The Lord told us clearly “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The only relevant question is how we respond.

Father as I come to You this morning the verse “But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble'" (James 4:6).  We need Your help  Lord to be careful not to fall short of this Grace (Hebrews 12:15).  So we come to You boldly before the throne of Grace again this morning, that we might find mercy and Grace to help in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16) in Jesus Name Amen

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart

God was sending Moses to Pharaoh telling him to “let my people go.” And here God was telling Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart to refuse (Exodus 7:3). He would eventually of course, after the final plague that killed all the firstborn of Egypt. But even then Pharaoh would change his mind (14:8). Hardening of the heart is often about choosing not to be compassionate or merciful, choosing to act in my own best interest, rather than responding to the needs of others. In Pharaoh's case it was about refusing to let the children of Israel go in spite of the miraculous signs that showed him that God is God.

It hardly seems faith that God would harden Pharaoh's heart, and then punish him for acting in accordance with it. But it's important to notice the sequence:- “When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them” (8:15); and “But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go” (8:32). The Lord had demonstrated that He is God with what has become known as the plagues of Egypt. And at first Pharaoh had humbled himself in compliance, and Pharaoh's hardening his heart was after miraculous demonstrations of God's power. And it is only after this, that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (9:12). I am reminded of Jesus words “Woe to you, Chorazin, ... Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21).

Jesus had indeed done mighty works in Chorazin, ... Bethsaida (i.e Mark 8:22ff). I have heard people say that if there were miracles today, then they would believe. I have often replied “There's testimony after testimony of miracles today, but you don't believe them.” Indeed Jesus said words to the effect that if you don't believe Moses and the prophets, neither will you believe even if one is raised from the dead (Luke 16:31). Unbelief and hardening of the heart come because we suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). If I want to commit adultery and God says it's wrong, either my adultery will go, or I will harden my heart in unbelief. As to thinking it unfair Paul asks “Who are you O man to answer against God? ....What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” (Romans 9:20, 22). Likewise His mercy “prepared beforehand for glory” (verse 23).

Father, Paul asks “Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Why have you made me like this?'” This morning's verse seems so out of tune with the spirit of the age that is all about me, my wants, my rights, my entitlement! This thing called free will is precious Lord, but it is also very dangerous. We can choose to shake out fists in the face of the One who has all power and authority. And like Pharaoh when we persistently choose against You, You will give us our way. I am grateful Lord for Your longsuffering towards me, for it took much pain, the huge consequences of my sin before I was willing to bow my knee. And I want to thank You Lord this morning, for Your persistence in continuing to call until I came, in Jesus Name Amen

I AM WHO I AM

Both the Hebrew, and the Greek references to the name of God (YHWH) given to Moses (Exodus 3:14), are difficult to translate. In fact any one of the following translations of the Hebrew are correct:- I am what I am, I am who I am, I will be what I will be, I will be who I will be. The meaning is even more complicated, but before I say more, I want to mention that names in Hebrew indicate essence. So the meanings include “I am the essence of being,” 'I am the essence of self sufficiency,' “I am the essence of self existence,' “I am the essence of presence.” Since God exists outside of time , one of the implications of the Name is that He always existed, and He does not change (Malachi 3:6).

The Lord was sending Moses to tell Pharaoh “Let my people go.” This Pharaoh was not the Pharaoh of the Joseph story in Genesis. This Pharaoh did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8), and had subjected the children of Israel to hard and bitter slavery (1:13,14). Like many supreme leaders Pharaoh acknowledged no power or authority greater than himself. Up until this point Moses and the children of Israel knew God only as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Now God was sending Moses to them telling them He was going to deliver them (3:15-17). The New Name was a new revelation of who God is,  and he was about  to demonstrate the Name, indicating that He alone is the supreme higher power. It is a lesson many of us need to learn. Like Pharaoh did “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess” this (Isaiah 45:23). And surly it is better to do it sooner,  when it comes with the offer of salvation and life and health and peace, than to do it later, either when we have messed up and need deliverance from our foolishness, or at the time of the final judgement when salvation is no longer available.

But this Name also clearly shows that Jesus claimed to be God. In John 8:58 He tells the Jews “Before Abraham was, I am.” They knew full well what He was saying, because they took up stones to stone Him (verse 59). The Greek also makes it clear. “I am” here, translates the Greek “ego eimi.” Eimi itself means “I am,” and “ego” means “I,” so Jesus is saying “I, I am.” Anyone wanting to say “I am, simply says “eimi,” and so, as I say, they knew exactly what He was claiming. This construction is found in multiple places. I am the bred of life, I am the light of the world, I am the way the truth and the life etc. (John 6:35; 8:12' 14:6). C.S. Lewis comments that if Jesus was not who He claimed to be,  He was either a liar or a lunatic. If you reject those two options,  then He must be who He says He is, the Lord of heaven and earth.

Father, because the Lord Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death, You exalted Him and gave Him the unique Name that is above every name, that at this Name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord to Your Glory (Philippians 2:8-11). And so I voluntarily bow my knee now while it is still called today. It is the only reasonable thing to do, and I give You Glory in Jess Name Amen

Jesus took Peter, James, and John ...

Peter, James, and John were the inner three of Jesus' inner circle of twelve. The tile phrase is from this morning's readings in Matthew 17:1. This is where Jesus is transformed on the mountain before their eyes. There is much to say about that of course, but this morning my thoughts went to the relationships of the man Christ Jesus. I had whispered to the Lord that if I had been one of the twelve, I would also like to have been one of the inner three.  And  He whispered back “You are my son!” I don't know how each and every one of us can be His favourite (yes you too), but I know it's true, for He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). It is also one of the reasons it is better for us that He went to the Father (John 16:7). 

I have often tried to treat everyone alike, but it struck me this morning, that the man Jesus (as opposed to Jesus operating as God) didn't do that. I am not saying that He did not deal with everybody in love, but when He took the three onto the mountain, there were nine of His inner circle who were excluded. I have 4,361 close friends on facebook - not really, I am exaggerating.  And in any case, you cannot have 4,361 close friends. Jesus had twelve, and among the twelve there were three who were especially close. It is very easy to get caught up in numbers. I am not saying that mega churches are wrong, but in such places, it is too easy to get lost in the crowd. We can be lonely in the midst of it all.

It is interesting to me that research has shown that we can be reasonably close to about twelve people, but really close to just a few. Jesus somehow knew this of course and that is likely why He chose just twelve. But note,  the choosing was a matter of prayer (Luke 6:12, 13). These things need to inform how we do church,  and how we mentor. In particular we all need to be part of a small group (read about 12) of people who meet regularly, and also of an even smaller group of our most intimate circle. And part of this is to realize we can't be close friends with everybody. We are human and we need to acknowledge our human limitations. I don't pretend, for example, to be able to fly!

Father, it seems to me that Paul was taking up Jesus' example when he told Timothy “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will also be qualified to teach others.” Father I ask this morning that You give each one of us a Paul to his Timothy. And help us to be faithful too Lord in Jesus Name Amen

The archers bitterly grieved him, shot at him ... But ...

There were a couple of verses that stood out to me in this morning's daily readings. The first in the title from Genesis 49:23, 24,  is a description of what Joseph had gone through because of his brothers.  The second is “Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). The context of the Genesis reference is of Jacob on his deathbed blessing his sons, and the title is part of Jacob's words to Joseph. The “But” continues in verse 24 with “his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob.” The imagery of the archer is reminiscent of Paul's admonition to “above all, take the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). And all of the above points to the unseen battles in the  heavenly places that rage behind the scenes of what is seen,  and experienced.

In particular, the cause of Joseph's bitter grief is described in Psalm 105:18,19 as having his feet in fetters, and the word of the LORD testing him “Until the time His (i;e. God's) Word came to pass.” So how did Joseph's deal with his “bitter grief?” Did he stay bitter, or did he guard his heart with all diligence? Well, he found favour both with Potiphar his slave master, and with the jailer,  and both promoted him in their respective domains (Genesis 39:2-4, 21, 22). So it's pretty clear that while he may have started off bitter, he did not stay there. It is interesting to ponder whether Joseph knew he was being tested by God. He certainly would have heard the stories of Abraham being tested (Genesis 22). But how about you and me, when things happen that bring us better grief, how do we respond, do we guard our hearts with all diligence, or do we fall into the Devil's snare?

I keep coming back Ephesians 6:12 which tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. And so, if we are to guard our hearts, we need to realize that people and circumstances are not the enemy. Certainly people and circumstances are issues, but it is how we deal with these and other issue, that will determine whether our path is the path of life, or the path of death. I used to jokingly paraphrase the Ephesians reference as “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but we do wrestle!” And we need to wrestle, and to wrestle through, like Joseph did,  to victory. Jacob's story was also no doubt in Joseph's mind as he wrestled,  so that  he too would not let the Lord go until He blessed him (Genesis 32:26).

Father, we need Your Grace least a root of bitterness spring up and defile us and those we love (Hebrews 12:15). If Joseph could do it without the indwelling Holy Spirit, surely we can do it with Him. Show us any way Lord that we may be failing to obtain this Grace, and make us strong too by "the Mighty God of Jacob"  in Jesus Name Amen

Do not fear to go down to Egypt

Jacob and his extended family were on their way down to Joseph in Egypt.  He had stopped at Beersheba, and “offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.” The Lord spoke to him in the night,  identifying Himself as “God, the God of your father Isaac." In addition to telling him not to fear to go down to Egypt, He promised “I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes” (Genesis 46:1-4). Jacob, like most of us when we have concerns turns to God. The nature of his concerns are revealed by the assurances that God gives to him. God is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3), and it is is nature to comfort when, like Jacob did, we turn to Him. The phrase “God, the God of your father Isaac” is interesting. There is but one God (Isaiah 45:5), but this was something that in the polytheism that surrounded Israel, the Lord would need to emphasize over and over. Here the Lord is saying I am the very one who revealed Himself to, and was faithful to, Your father Isaac (see “I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” Malachi 3:6).

The Lord had told Rebekah, Jacob's mother,  that “the elder will serve the younger” (25:23),  indicating that the promise to Abraham that he would be a great nation,  would come through Jacob the younger of the two brothers. So the next things God does is to confirm that promise. Going down to Egypt would not change anything! Next God essentially reminds him of an earlier promise “ “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” (28:15). As seen in 47:29-31, Jacob was also concerned that he would be buried with “the fathers,” and God's next promise would be fulfilled though Joseph and his brothers taking his bones back there (50:12-14). Finally “Joseph will close your eyes” is a euphemism for Joseph being there when he (Jacob) would die. So not only would Jacob see his son after all those years, he would be with him until his death. 

One of my favourite methods of bible study is to ask three questions, what does it say, what does it mean and how does it apply. So having done the first two above,  I ask the third "What is it that concerns me, and for you what is it that concerns you today?" There is a chorus that comes to mind “He is able more than able to accomplish what concerns me to day. He is able more than able to do much more than I could ever dream ...” Indeed “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Father, thank You for Your amazing faithfulness and Your amazing promises. Thank You for encouraging me this morning by reminding me of Your individual promises to me,  and that when I do my part You will not only do Yours, but You will do it abundantly. And I praise and worship You Father in Jesus Name Amen

Please let your servant remain as a slave, instead of the lad

It's hard for me to figure out how I feel about what Joseph had done. He had essentially tortured his brothers by putting the money they had paid for the grain back in their sacs, and had had his cup put in Benjamin's sac. He did this as a means of accusing them, and bringing them back captive to him in fear and trembling (Genesis 44:1-13). But I have no doubt what I think about Judah's willingness to offer himself as Josephs' slave in place of Benjamin, as this morning's verse (33) tells us. At the very least it showed true repentance on the part of Judah, and in this action he is a type of Christ. Perhaps if Joseph had not done what he did, Judah would not have been brought to this place.

In this action, Judah is a type of Christ. I mean that Jesus came saying “My life for yours,” and Judah is saying “My life for Benjamin's.” And surly this is the essence of true repentance, the imitation of Christ, becoming like Him in His death, in this case the death of the self life. Indeed to voluntarily give ourselves in such sacrifice is to share in His sufferings, and to open the door to His resurrection power in our lives (Philippians 3:10).

But there are other lessons that can also be learned from this passage. In particular that true repentance can lead to true reconciliation among the brethren. We see Jospeh weeping for joy and kissing his brothers. He comforts them in the godly sorrow that had produced such repentance (see 2 Corinthians 7:10, 11). And we see Joseph seeing God's hand using his suffering to preserve life (45:5). I am reminded of Romans 8:28 which says “And we know that God work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

Father, You do not call evil good, You do not say that what the brothers did was good. But You do tell us that You are the Sovereign God who works Your purposes and our benefit through whatever bad things happen. So Lord help us, like Joseph, to stop fighting the people and circumstance You allow in our lives. And please give us Your Grace to respond as Christ would have us respond in the happenstances of life. Lord we offer ourselves as living sacrifices this morning in order that we may tap into Your resurrection power. Forgive us when we fail Lord, and grant us true repentance in Jesus Name Amen