Month: November 2022

²⁵ I was young and now I am old,
    YET I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN
    OR THEIR CHILDREN BEGGING BREAD (Even in Famine).
²⁶ They are always generous and lend freely;
    their children will be blessed. (others will see that their children are blessed)  Psalm37

Israel/Jacob began to move with all he had to the safe place  that God had provided through Joseph, his long estranged son. He moved with all his possessions and all his family.

⁸ These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt:

46 SO ISRAEL SET OUT WITH ALL THAT WAS HIS, and when he reached Beersheba, HE OFFERED SACRIFICES TO THE GOD OF HIS FATHER ISAAC. Genesis 46

We said in yesterday’s blog that a time came when Israel had to put his ‘ALL’, ALL his possessions and ALL his family and go down to Egypt. He staked everything on what his sons had told him, Joseph was alive and ruler in Egypt, the only place with grain.

It’s significant that he offered sacrifices at Beersheba, TO THE GOD OF HIS FATHER ISAAC.

⁴⁰ Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. ⁴¹ At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the Lord’s divisions left Egypt. Exodus 12

All the promises given to Abraham, Isaac and Israel/Jacob concerned the land of Canaan. THIS WAS TO BE THE LAST SACRIFICE OFFERED to the one true God in the land! It would be 430 years to the day (God’s perfect timing) before the nation left Egypt and a further 40 years before they crossed back over the Jordan at Jericho. Such a long time before God’s people stepped back on the land where their full inheritance lay. The Bible says Israel sacrificed to the ‘God of his father Isaac’. The Covenant with the previous generation was recorded, Israel was A LINK IN A LINE of God Worshippers.

² And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

³ “I am God, (I am El, the Mighty One) THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ⁴ I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

God identified Himself to Israel as the ‘God of your father’ and confirmed His oath that He would make the people into a great nation. He also confirmed Joseph, his long departed son, would be with him when the time came for him to leave.

We should seek God that we are in the right place, His place, in these changing times with many challenges. (Goshen, our place of comfort and plenty). We should also seek Him for previous words over our own lives and our family, past generations.

In a previous visit to America, a very gracious prophet gave me a word I’d never known anything about. He said someone four generations back in my family had said something to the Lord and it had come down to me. Amazing to think that the words of someone from so long ago were going to be fulfilled in my day.

There may be unfulfilled promises of God in your lineage, or even directly to you, seek God for His Promises for you and your children in these times.

²⁴ “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

²⁷ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6

 

46 SO ISRAEL SET OUT WITH ALL THAT WAS HIS, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Genesis 46

There may come a time in our walk with God when it’s ALL IN OR NOTHING and we may have little choice.

Joseph’s brothers made their second trip down to Egypt as the grain they’d brought back was used up. This time Benjamin accompanied them and Joseph tricked them again by having his steward plant his personal cup in Benjamin’s sack. The brothers knew what it would mean to their father if they returned without the youngest son. Judah, whose name means Praise, interceded asking Joseph to take him instead.

45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” SO THERE WAS NO ONE WITH JOSEPH WHEN HE MADE HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS BROTHERS. (Some believe it will be this way when Christ reveals Himself to his Jewish brothers!) ² And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. (A voice from the dead speaking to them) Genesis 45

Joseph revealed to his brothers what the Lord had shown him through Pharaoh’s dreams, that there had been two years of famine, but there were five more to come.

⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Joseph held no animosity towards his brothers, He saw God’s hand in his own journey)

¹⁰ You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. ¹¹ I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’

There was no room for manoeuvre, they had to obey, ‘Come down to Goshen (a place of comfort and plenty) and I will provide for you’ or else you’ll all be ruined by the famine.

Pharaoh supported Joseph’s instructions to his family;

¹⁷ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, ¹⁸ and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ Genesis 45

The way was open for Israel and all his family to go down to Egypt, Joseph gave them carts and clothes for the journey. (Circumstances confirmed the route they must take)

This is a day when we need to find our Goshen, the place of God’s provision for us and our household. It may be a physical location, or a source of income, or perhaps a body of believers to be together with. God is guiding people in these days and we must be willing to move where He’s directing.

God bless and keep you today.

11 Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a goodtestimony.

³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11 NKJV

Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes referred to as the (picture) Gallery of the Faith Heroes of the Bible. The place where God honours those who lived by Faith and overcame in their time. Jesus spoke to all seven Churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3 with the words, ‘To the one who is victorious or overcomes, I will give/make …’; He made an individual promise to each of them.

Hebrews chapter 11 opens with two powerful words concerning Faith, it is both Substance and Evidence – suggests something definite, tangible. I was thinking this morning of a short word which would actually be the opposite of these two words – ‘hype’. Unusually this short word has it’s origins in American English of the last century and is therefore a modern word. Hype has influenced and infiltrated a lot of the modern Church of today. (A major part of my background is in the Charismatic Church)

“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1988

Amazing to read these opening words of a work published so long ago, still so apt today.

Hebrews chapter 11, verse 34, says something very important for us,

³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG, BECAME VALIANT IN BATTLE, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again. 

These warriors started WEAK BUT ‘WERE MADE STRONG’. God Strengthens His people to accomplish the roles He’s marked out for our lives, but it requires our full commitment! Christ is returning for a victorious church and even one that sees the dead raised. Hallelujah.

³⁹ And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ GOD HAVING PROVIDED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

We’re living in days when God’s glory will be seen as never before across the earth and He’ll have a valiant Bride to work together with Him.

²⁴ “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

²⁷ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6

 

Are you struggling to find your way in difficult times? Learn from the account of Joseph and his brothers.

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

Jacob’s sons were forced by tough circumstances, major famine, to go down to Egypt to buy food. They had no other alternative but their first trip wasn’t promising, yet God’s provision for them lay there. Our first visit to a new destination or into a new job or fellowship but not be easy. CHANGE OFTEN BRINGS CHALLENGES, BE PREPARED TO RIDE OUT THE INITIAL TURBULENCE. We should keep knocking on the door until it either opens wide or firmly closes.

The brothers IMMEDIATE NEEDS WERE MET, they got some grain for themselves and their families. It’s always nice when our expectations are fully met, but it may not happen first time. Don’t be disheartened, PERSEVERE!

There was an UNFORESEEN COST, their brother Simeon was held in Egypt until their return. There may well be unforeseen costs in different ways. We may have to accept these as inevitable.

Often there may be MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS in the early stages of a new venture and it may add to our discomfort and uncertainty.

²⁵ Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, Genesis 42

The brothers had their silver returned, which was a sign of favour, but it startled them.

There was the threat of a FURTHER/HIGHER COST, Joseph had demanded that they bring his brother Benjamin when they came back. Joseph knew that they would return as the famine was just beginning, but their situation was filled WITH UNCERTAINTY. They just had to do the best they knew, to keep going.

We may face all these things and more, but the one certainty is that God is still with us and has good plans for our future.

The second trip to Egypt was with Benjamin, the one thing Jacob didn’t want. Sometimes we may be called TO SACRIFICE SOMETHING TO STEP INTO GOD’S PLAN. But during the second journey there was REVELATION, Joseph their long lost brother was there before them. Revelation suddenly showed them that they were in the right place. When we persevere, God may well show us something we hadn’t thought of, His approval of our path. (We are personally going through this process right now.)

A whole new source of supply now opened for the brothers and they would eventually come to their Goshen, God’s place of provision.

Our circumstances may dictate changes, which are uncomfortable, but God may be in those changes and we must be willing to push through to His next destination. Nothing in this life is ever permanent; ‘The Walk of Faith’.

Fathers Love Ministry would welcome your support today. Please donate at our website;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and to counsel those who wish it online, contact us on our website above.

THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.

 

 

Keep yourself in HOPEFUL WAITING today.

²⁸ THE PROSPECT OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS JOY,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. Proverbs10

It’s so easy to believe the media and what other people say, which is often just repeating what they’ve filled their minds with from the TV etc. God says, ‘the prospect of the righteous is JOY’, He doesn’t lie.

Are we willing to go the second or even third time to see what God has for us?

²⁴ He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. Genesis 42

A Connection had been made between Joseph and his brothers, but they were UNAWARE of who he was or what was going on. Sometimes first contacts may not seem to be encouraging and may even cost us something. Simeon wasn’t allowed to return with his brothers when they went back to Canaan.

²⁵ Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, ²⁶ they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. 

On the positive side they returned to Canaan with the grain they so desperately needed and the silver they’d brought with them. There was some encouragement and food to keep them going for a time in the famine, but it wasn’t a breakthrough situation.

⁵ So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17

Elijah went to the stream of Kerith, his supply at that time was a stream and the ravens brought him morsels of food. God may choose for a time to feed us in bite sized portions, to keep us looking to Him every morning and evening. HE DOESN’T OPEN HIS HAND FULLY because it may not be the Kairos moment or we might run off in our own direction.  Elijah’s call was to turn the nation of Israel back to God and it would involve a powerful confrontation with the prophets of Baal and Asherah.

¹⁹ Now summon the people FROM ALL OVER ISRAEL to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.’ 1 Kings 18

Elijah’s calling was to a nation, but for a time he sat alone at a brook, hidden from a king and his wife Jezebel, who wanted to take his life. The bigger the Calling the more important it is to wait for God’s release.

Joseph didn’t reveal himself TO HIS BROTHERS and sometimes that may be wisdom for us. If God has a plan and a Calling on our lives, we may have to remain hidden for a time, but we need to keep going or going back on the path He’s set for us.

²⁴ “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

²⁷ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

 

God loves families and in the midst of rescuing His people from famine, He set about restoring their family. Don’t ever stop petitioning THE FATHER for restoration of your family.

43 Now the famine was still severe in the land. ² So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” Genesis 43

Circumstances were driving the brothers back to Egypt but Jacob was still opposed to allowing Benjamin to go with them. Reuben, the eldest, had already told his father that he would take responsibility for Benjamin, the youngest, but Jacob hadn’t accepted his offer. Genesis 42:37

³ But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ ⁴ If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. ⁵ But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” Genesis 43

Judah, (Means Praise), was the fourth born to Jacob, but he was destined to become the ruler in Israel. Here is the first time we see him stepping forward and even disputing with his father. Jacob was still unhappy but they couldn’t delay any longer.

⁸ Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children MAY LIVE AND NOT DIE.”

SOMETIMES GOD NEEDS US TO MOVE, NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT THAT MAY BE. So the brothers prepared for their second journey down to Egypt. They took gifts for Joseph, twice the money to pay for two portions of grain and their youngest brother, Benjamin. They went as best prepared as they could but God had arranged everything on a higher level for their reconciliation. We often have a role to play in the plan for our lives, but God will always fulfil His part.

¹⁵ So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. ¹⁶ WHEN JOSEPH SAW BENJAMIN WITH THEM (What a moment that must have been after twenty years), he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.”

The brothers feared the worst when they were taken to Joseph’s house. Many times things are inexplicable to us, but God was in control of everything and they awaited Joseph’s arrival. Joseph once again enquired about his father;

²⁸ They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him (Prophecy fulfilled again).

The brothers received another shock when they sat to eat;

³³ The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. ³⁴ When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

The brothers were blessed with good food and drink in Joseph’s company. We should always look for the fruit/outcome in our relationships. Has the outcome been good or poor? This may be a good guide for us in choosing the way ahead.

God bless and keep you today.

¹ God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], A VERY PRESENT AND WELL-PROVED HELP IN TROUBLE.

² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, 

³ Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 46 AMPC

God was about to prove once again to Jacob and his family that He was, ‘A VERY PRESENT AND WELL-PROVED HELP IN TROUBLE‘. He had arranged for their well-being in a time of great famine.

²¹ They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.’ Genesis 42

We said yesterday that when things don’t go well we shouldn’t be quick to assume God is punishing us, Our God is Love and not a tyrant. Joseph wept when he heard how his brothers still blamed themselves for what they’d done to him so long ago. Joseph held Simeon in Egypt and sent the brothers on their way back home, along with the money they’d paid for the grain. Another perplexing situation they didn’t  understand.

³⁸ But Jacob said, ‘My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my grey head down to the grave in sorrow.’ Genesis 42

Jacob had been a strong willed man in his earlier life and he was afraid of losing Benjamin, Joseph’s full brother. Fear was keeping him and the whole family from entering God’s plan for them. Many times God has to bring us to a place where we have no alternatives but to go his way. I have certainly experienced this in my own life at times when all other doors were closed, except the one He had provided.

43 Now the famine was still severe in the land. ² So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, ‘Go back and buy us a little more food.’ Genesis 43

Jacob had to give in, no other choice but to allow Benjamin to accompany his brothers down to Egypt. Unknown to them they were moving closer to God’s provision for the entire family. Sometimes we also may struggle against God’s provision for our lives, because we fear to take the step that will release His blessing.

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? Romans 8

Not always easy to remember in difficult circumstances but it’s true for the children of God.

Fathers Love Ministry would welcome your support today. Please donate at our website;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and to counsel those who wish it online, contact us on our website above.

THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.

 

 

God cares for families, though sometimes relationships can be very involved.

Genesis chapter 42 opens with a brief glimpse of Jacob, the Patriarch, still head of the family.

42 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why do you just keep looking at each other?’ ² He continued, ‘I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.’ Genesis 42

The situation for this family and no doubt many others had become serious. The difference was that these alone were God’s people on earth. IN HARD TIMES GOD IS A REFUGE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.

³ Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. ⁴ But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.

All the brothers who’d sold Joseph into slavery went down to Egypt to buy grain, but also to meet their estranged brother. It would have been at least twenty years since Joseph had seen them, now God had arranged for their meeting again.

⁶ Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, THEY BOWED DOWN TO HIM WITH THEIR FACES TO THE GROUND.

The younger Joseph, a teenager, had dreamt of this exact moment, even to the fact that their sheaves of corn had bowed down to his. Genesis 37:7 Prophecy fulfilled!

⁷ As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognised them, ..

⁸ Although Joseph recognised his brothers, they did not recognise him. ⁹ Then he remembered his dreams about them

Joseph had changed but his brothers were probably quite similar to the way he remembered them. Joseph’s whole IDENTITY was different and he was a ruler in Egypt. It’s sad in the Body that so many believers refuse to recognise or speak to our own brethren. God may be about to change a lot of the divisions established by man. (Robin Bullock says every denomination exists from a further revelation to the Body) Christ died for one unified Body and that’s all there’ll be in Heaven, One people united with Him.

Joseph harangued his brothers, calling them spies and even had them put in prison for three days, a lot less time than he spent there.

²¹ They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.’

Joseph’s brothers immediately thought that they were being punished because of him, their consciences must have pricked them. We may have to take wicked things from the past to the Lord to be totally free from them.

It’s also very easy when things don’t go well to assume it’s something we’re being punished for a past wrong. This may not be the case, but Joseph’s brothers obviously felt guilty.

Joseph insisted that they return to their father Jacob and bring back his full brother Benjamin, the one thing Jacob resisted. Sometimes God wants one thing in our lives and we can’t go further with Him until we’ve surrendered that exact thing to Him!

God bless and keep you today.