Final Reminder

"Joseph said to his brothers, I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.' Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, 'God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.'" -Genesis 50.24-25

Joseph is nearing the end. He's lived a good, long life. Aside from some rough patches in his late teens and through his twenties, he really doesn't have much to complain about. He's been successful with his career and with his family. He's one of the most powerful men in the world and he's watched his children grow up. Has been able to enjoy grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even great great grandchildren. In his life he has learned to trust and rely upon God, and his final words are passing on this faith.

He tells his brothers that he is about to God, but that God will take care of them, and eventually take them back home to fulfill the covenant He had made. Joseph had been taking care of them, and with his death there was probably a little concern for the future, but he sets those concerns to rest by pointing them back to God. His final reminder is to stay focused on God.

Men, when the time comes to say your final goodbyes, what will your final reminder be? What will be the final words that your children and grandchildren remember you saying? Will they be words of hope and comfort for those you are leaving behind? Will it be a testimony of the goodness and blessings of God that inspire faith and trust in Him?

From the very beginning of their lives I am teaching my children to live out Proverbs 3.5-8. More than anything I want them to trust fully in God and lean not on their own understanding. I want them to acknowledge Him in everything and watch Him strengthen their paths. I want them to be humble before Him and to turn from evil so they can experience the peace and healing that righteousness brings. What greater testimony and teaching for this than to live it personally, and then die with it? If the final words they hear from me are the things I've taught them, and strived to live with, all of my life, what greater testament is there to God's goodness and the validity of His word?

Men, the final words you say will be a reflection of how you have lived all your life. What will your final reminder be?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

God's Work

"But Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.' So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." Genesis 50.19-21

Israel (Jacob) has died. His sons have taken him beyond the Jordan and buried him in the tomb purchased by his grandfather Abraham. But as the brothers return to Egypt a thought enters their minds, "What if dad is the reason Joseph didn't kill us?" They begin to fear for their lives. And so to save their own skin they make up a lie, and say that their father had made a plea to Joseph to spare their lives.

Based on the dialogue of Genesis 45 I really don't think Joseph had revenge on his mind. He was able to look past everything that had happened and see how God had worked it all out for good. God had brought him to Egypt to save lives, not end them. And though he is in a position of great power, he knows that it is God's place to pace judgment and carry out vengeance. And he has come to see that everything God does works out for good.

I don't want to dive heavily into Romans 8 yet, it'll be a while before we get there if Genesis is any indication of how the rest of Bible is going to go, but as I've read these verses I can't get it out of my mind. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified" (Romans 8.28-30)

Men, God causes all things to work together for good for those who are seeking His purpose. All things work together to mold us into the image of Christ. This is the work God is up to in all of us, He wants us to become like Christ. Everything that happens in our lives, good or bad, joyful or sad, pleasant or painful, all things are working to mold us more into the image of Christ.

The things that people do to us to try and get us out of the way, or to get ahead of us, can all be used by God to make us more like Jesus. The things that people intend as evil God can work for good, and as a result lives can be saved. Are you willing to trust God and let Him work, even through the hard times? Are you willing to set aside revenge and instead turn to God and become more like Christ?

God is at work, are you willing to be worked on?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Appropriate Blessing

"All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him." -Genesis 49.28

Jacob's final act is blessing his sons. Verses 3-27 look at each of his twelve sons. Some of them are blessed, others aren't so much. But each of them receives what is appropriate to him. The choices that each son made during his life have brought him the words from his father. Some has lost a lot, others gained beyond anything they could have imagined. Each one gets what they have earned, what they deserved.

Men, what we do in life will catch up with us. Our actions, good and bad, right and wrong, will lead to the appropriate blessing. How are you living? What blessing will you receive?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Every Man a Warrior

"hen Israel said to Joseph, 'Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers. I give you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow.'" -Genesis 48.21-22

Jacob is about to die, and here, in one of the final statements of his life, we learn something new about him. Jacob was a warrior. He tells his son Joseph that he is giving him an extra portion of the land that he took with the sword and bow. Jacob fought battles, and emerged victorious. And this is the fist time we hear about it.

The man who started off as the gentle, tent dwelling, cook, became a warrior. He took to the road, learned to work, and apparently how to fight. It makes you wonder about his inaction when his daughter was raped. The man knew how to fight, and yet when the warrior was needed, he left his sword at his side. Why did the warrior stay in the camp instead of heading to the front lines? But whatever the reason, we see that Jacob had fought his share of battles.

I hadn't noticed this verse before, and needless to say it gave me pause. It drives home the fact that every man is a warrior, even if you never know about the battles he fights. It shows that every man is capable of being a warrior, even if he is a gentle man who enjoys things that may not seem to be the most masculine. Every man is a warrior.

Men, you are all warriors. The world may never know about the battles you fight, but they matter. This past week I added a quote to the left hand column, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." If good men refuse to fight battles against evil, then evil wins. If we never allow the warriors in us to arise and be trained, we will not survive the battles when they come, and battles are coming.

Every man is a warrior. Don't deny it, and don't refuse to stand against evil. Let the warriors arise.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Blessed Legacy

"He blessed Joseph, and said,'The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and may my name live on in them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.'" -Genesis 48.15-16

Jacob is nearing the end of his life, and as he is wrapping up his affairs he blesses his son and grandson. And as he does this he passes the legacy on to his son and grandsons. He blesses Joseph and points him to the God his father and grandfather served. He tells Joseph how God has taken care of him all his life. And as he blesses his grandsons, he challenges them to live up to the family name.

This is now the fourth, and fifth, generations of the family. They have followed God, or tried to, and each generation has strived to follow Him. And Jacob wants to his son and grandsons to continue in the legacy. He has seen how God has provided for him and kept the promises that were made to Abraham and passed down. He wants his family to continue the covenant with God. The family has been far from perfect, but they have striven to follow God.

Men, what are you passing down to the next generations of your family? Some of us don't come from a Godly heritage, for some of us we are the first ones to follow, the Abraham's who begin a journey of faith. Some of us are Isaac's, others are Jacobs. And some of us may even fall in the fourth and fifth generations or beyond. But whatever legacy you've inherited, the legacy you leave is up to you. What legacy are you passing down?

Are you striving after God? Are you seeking to know and trust Him, and teaching your children to love and trust Him as well? Are you the patriarch, the beginning of a faithful line? Are you one of many to walk faithfully before God? No matter where you find yourself, no matter what you have been given, pass down a blessed legacy.

For some of us it means a lot of redemptive work, but it takes a man to bring redemption. And with this redemption comes a blessed legacy, one that you can proudly hand down to your son, and grandson. Leave a blessed legacy.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Comparison

"So Jacob said to Pharaoh, 'The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.'"  -Genesis 47.9

Pharaoh asks Jacob his age Jacob gives an expanded answer.  He gives his age and then shares how he has had an unpleasant life, and that he has not attained the age of his father or grandfather.  As he looks at his life he seemed to focus on the bad and the absent, not on the blessings.  He compares his life to his predecessors, and seems very disappointed.

Men, when people ask you a out your life do you find yourself comparing your life to others?  Do you look at what they had or accomplished and see how you haven't done the same things?  Have you ever noticed when you do this you forget about all of the things you do have?

Jacob had twelve sons, and one of them was second in command of Egypt.  He had flocks and herds and had received the promise of the covenant.  Yes, he had endured hardships, he had thought one of his sons had died.  He had that whole issue of his brother wanting to kill him, and his uncle had tried to cheat him out of everything.  His daughter had been raped and two of his sons had killed an entire city in response.  But in all of this God has passed the covenant on to him.

But when he gives an account he is focused on the negative.  Perhaps this is what kept Jacob from deeper intimacy with God.  Perhaps for this reason God was the God of his father.

When we compare our lives to others we focus on everything we feel God has denied us, and when we do that we cannot connect with Him on anything deeper than a surface level.  Comparison keeps us from intimacy with God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Trusted

"The land of Egypt isat your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men among them, thenput them in charge of my livestock."  -Genesis 47.6

Joseph has done well for Pharaoh and for Egypt, he has saved their lives.  Pharaoh clearly trusts Joseph because he put him in charge of his country, and with that he trusts Joseph's judgment in all areas.  His brothers have come to Egypt and Pharaoh learns they are shepherds.  He tells Joseph to put any capable men in charge of his flocks.  He trusts his judgment.

 Men, is your judgment trusted?  Is your opinion reliable and accurate?

There is a flip side to this, you may be the one who is recommended, do you live up to it?  Are you worthy of the recommendation?  Or do your actions damage the character of the one who recommended you?

Are you trusted?  Are you trustworthy?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Your God

"So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.  God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, 'Jacob, Jacob.'. And he said, 'Here I am.'. He said, 'I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.'"  -Genesis 46.1-3

Jacob is on his way to Egypt, and he stops to make camp and offers sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.  That night God speaks to him in dreams, and He identifies himself as the god of his father.  Why?

Jacob has twelve sons.  God has appeared to him and wrestled with him.  Jacob has received a new name from God, and been invited into the covenant.  Why is God still identified as Isaac's God?

There has been a lot in Jacob's life that has seemed like complacent apathy.  He's failed to act and stand up to injustice.  He has refused to deal with issues with his sons.  Maybe Jacob hasn't owned his relationship with God.

Men, I don't want God to address me as the God of my father, I want Him to be my God.  What do you want?  Is the way you live drawing you closer to God and into a more personal and intimate relationship with Him?  Is God your God?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Take Care of Your Parents

" To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and sustenance for his father on the journey."  -Genesis 45.23

Joseph has done very well, and now for the first time in over a decade is able to interact with his family.  He has reconciled with his brothers and is sending them back to bring their families to Egypt.  And from what he had, he sends gifts to take care if his father.

Men, we need to make sure we take care if our parents.  I've seen my dad take care of my grandmother, but I've watched my mom and aunt do most of the work for their father.  My uncles are great but they seem to leave that task to their sisters.

It does seem to almost be a woman's task.  My dad has said if my mom goes first he's moving in with my sister and her husband.  I see my wife stepping in over her brother to take care of her parents.  And then you have all those people that completely forget about their parents and put them in a home where they never even visit, not even on Christmas.

Men, let us step up as men here.  Let us take care of those who took care if us.  They may not have done the best job, but they gave you life.  They helped you when you couldn't help yourself.  When the time comes to return the favor don't push it off on your sister or wife or some random nurse.  Be there, and take care if your parents.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Do Others Rejoice

"Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants."  -Genesis 45.16

Joseph has revealed himself to his brothers and assured them that he isn't out for revenge.  Now he's instructed them to return and bring their families back to Egypt.  The reunion has gone well and the news reaches Pharaoh, and he is pleased.  Something good has happened to Joseph, and those around him are happy over his good fortune.

Men, when something good happens to you what is the response of others?  Are they happy for you and renouncing with you?  Do they feel resentment, wondering why good things happen to bad people?  Is it complete indifference?

People's reaction to your situations, good and bad, will tell you a lot about the character you've lives with and the influence you've had.  If people rejoice with you, or mourn with you, it's because you've touched their life and they feel deeply for you.  Your joy is there joy, and your pain is their pain.  If you've lived selfishly then your joy is loathed by all, and you misfortune is celebrated.

How have you lived?  Do others rejoice with you?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

The Big Picture

"Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Please come closer to me.' And they came closer. And he said, 'I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.'" -Genesis 45.4-8

"Hey guys, I'm Joseph your brother whom you planned to kill, but then decided to sell into slavery." You can see the jaws drop, the fear and panic fill their eyes, maybe even a couple of tunics got damp. Here he is, perfectly set to take revenge. But then the chaos is brought to order, Joseph tells them don't be afraid. He has come to see the big picture.

Everything that has taken place over the past several years has led up to this, being in position to save the country of Egypt, his family, and everyone else in the region. It was Joseph whom God revealed the meaning of Pharaoh's dream to, and Joseph who was wise enough to plan for the future. And Joseph realizes this. He's already praised God because of the blessings he's received, but here when many would take revenge, he offers forgiveness.

Men, when we see the big picture, or at least come to the realization that our lives are part of the bigger picture, we are able to offer forgiveness instead of vengeance. When we see ourselves as part of the big picture we are able to praise, and trust, God through the times of slavery and prison. When we see our lives as part of the big picture we can endure the mundane and monotonous.

God sent Joseph to save lives. In order to get to the position where he could he was betrayed by family, sold as a slave, promoted but falsely accused and imprisoned, and then promoted twice after that. What are you going through, and how does it fit into the big picture? Your life is called to be part of something epic, are you willing to pursue it? Will you look for the big picture?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Keep Your Word

"For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.’ Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers." -Genesis 44.32-33

If the sons of Jacob wanted to buy more grain their was a contingency they had to meet, bring your youngest brother with you. Jacob was hesitant to let him go. This was his youngest son, and the only one he had left from his wife Rachel. But there was a need for food, and Judah, his older son, had promised to look after him and bring him back.

They get back to Egypt, Joseph releases Simeon, the brother he kept as collateral, and allowed them to buy more grain. They had kept their promise so he keeps his. But before he sends them on their way he brings them into his home and feeds them. And as the grain is being loaded into their sacks he orders their money returned, and his cup placed in Benjamin's sack.

The brothers depart but soon are run down by Joseph's servant, and accused of stealing. Since they are unaware of the situation, the say that the guilty one will be put to death. Once it is found in Benjamin's sack they return and begin to plead with Joseph for his freedom. And it is here that Judah steps up.

He has promised to bring him back safely to his father, and now he is prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep his word. Joseph had no intention of killing Benjamin, simply of keeping him as his servant. Judah is not about to let that happen, and offers himself instead. He will keep his word to his father, even if it costs him his own freedom.

Men, how valuable is your word? When you say you will do something is it trustworthy? Or are you willing to go back on your promise when it becomes inconvenient for you?

Keep your word at all costs. What else has a man got if he doesn't have his word?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Do the Right Thing

"Then their father Israel said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake.'" -Genesis 43.11-12

The brothers made camp and when they went to feed the animals they discovered the money that they had paid for the grain with. They aren't sure what happened, but suddenly they are afraid. Eventually they would need more food, and they still had a brother there in Egypt, but now it would seem as if they had stolen their money back.

The time came to go back. They had convinced their father to send Benjamin with them, but there is still the issue of money. Their father offers his wisdom. Take double the money and what was returned. In addition to this, take some of what we have and offer it as a gift. Do what is right.

Men, what do you do when you get too much change? What do you do when you end up accidently getting something for nothing? Do you make it right, or smile at your fortune and let it go? I've found myself in both situations. When I've gotten too much change I've given it back. I have to admit there was one time I got something for nothing and didn't do anything about it. It was late, I bought IBC Root Beer for a guys night, and after I had gotten back on campus I realized the cashier had only charged me for one of the three packs I had bought. Had I caught it at the store I would have said something, but since I was on the other side of town at 1:30 AM, I just went with it.

I wouldn't do that again. I want to be a man who always does the right thing. I don't want anything to compromise my integrity. Yes, it was only $5, but still, it was $5 of material I hadn't paid for. Men, let us always do the right thing.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Trust Carefully

"But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him... Now Joseph said to them on the third day, 'Do this and live, for I fear God:  if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.'. And they did so."  -Genesis 42.8, 18-20

Finally, after all of these years, Joseph comes face to face with his brothers again.  He hasn't forgotten them, but they think he's dead of maybe a lowly servant.   They aren't looking for him anywhere let alone number two in command of Egypt.  Plus that was close to twenty years ago.  He was I his teens when they sold him, now he's a man.  

It could have been an immediate family reunion.  Joseph shows them who he is, they apologize, everyone's happy.  But that isn't what Joseph does.  He was deeply wounded by these guys years ago, and so he doesn't just blindly trust them.  He is careful and he takes his time, waiting to see who they are now.

Men, let us learn to trust carefully.  How many times have we rushed into a decision or relationship and gotten burned?  I've done this many times, and the pain and let down that often follows is an unnecessary hardship to bear.    But if we trust carefully, is we test the waters before we fully commit, or spill our hearts, we save ourselves a lot of grief.

I'm not saying to live a paranoid existence that never let's anyone in.  I'm not saying to never drop the rugged exterior and allow people to see what's beneath the surface.  I'm saying be careful.  Your heart and emotions are previous things.   I'm not saying when someone hurts you trust is over forever.  But at the same time I am saying that when so women hurts you don't fully trust them right away and put yourself in the same position again.

Who knows how the story ends if Joseph just lays it all on the line here.  He doesn't find out if his brothers have changed.  He doesn't find out if they have any regret.  But because he is careful he is able to learn so much.  

Let us trust carefully and make well informed decisions.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Let Them Go

"But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him.'"  -Genesis 42.4

Jacob sends some of his sons to buy grain, some, not all.  Benjamin, the youngest, and Joseph's brother, is kept at home for fear that something may happen to him.  He isn't allowed to take to the road on this adventure with his brothers.  His father is worries and keeps him safely at home where he can keep an eye on him.

I understand Jacob wanting to protect his child, but here we have the first record of an over protective parent.  Jacob is worried something will happen to Benjamin, and he doesn't let him go.  

Men, we can't be everywhere at every moment with our children, we just can't, and it isn't healthy for us to be the helicopter dad that never let's the kid out of arms reach.  Yes, there are times and situations when that is exactly what you need to do, but we have to learn to let them go.

The day will come when they leave for the first day of Kindergarten, you can't be there with them.  They day will come when they go off to college, and you are staying home.  They graduate and move out of state, and you aren't moving in with them.  We have to be able to let go, and if we want our children to do well during these moments, we have to give them the opportunities to try before hand.

Now, of course, I urge wisdom and caution.  Know where your children are, who they are with, and what they are doing.  Jacob would have known, Benjamin's with his older brothers on the road to Egypt to buy grain.  Don't allow your children to engage in harmful and destructive behavior, and keep them away from those who seek to lead them astray.  But don't hold them back from the good experiences, encourage them to take them.  As you do they'll learn confidence so they are able to take the big steps when the time comes.

And if you're not sure how to begin my suggestion is prayer.  Start with something simple, "God, protect them from the things I can't keep them safe from.  Watch over them when I can't be there to do it."  Remember your children aren't yours, they are God's.  He has entrusted them to you, and He is always watching over them.

Men, don't hold your children back from living life, let them go.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Act

"Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, 'Why are you staring at one another?'. He said, 'Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.'. Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt."  -Genesis 42.1-3

There is a problem, there is no food in Canaan.  But there is rumor that Egypt has grain to sell.  And yet the sons of Jacob haven't taken any initiative to go and get any.  They can't go work the fields, or tend the flocks, and so their days are spent sitting and staring at each other thinking about how hungry they are.  

Finally, Jacob has had enough.  He tells them to get up and do something to save their lives.  Ten of his sons pack for the journey and head south to Egypt.

Men, when things get bad it's easy to sit around and complain about it.  It's easy to dwell on how good things used to be, and just resign yourself to complacency because it isn't that way any more.  But in action leads to death.  In times like these, a man must act.

This is why we need a plan.  Jacob had reason to believe there was hope in Egypt, they didn't just go wandering around hoping to find food.  They went where they had heard food would be.  If we just act blindly the situation gets worse, so before we act we need a plan of action.

And we also need to know that when help is available, it's ok to accept it.  Let's be honest for a minute, men don't like to receive help.  We hate the fact that we need it.  But the fact is there are times we do.  And when those times come and help is available, let us not be too proud to accept it.

Men, we need to act.  Nothing gets done when men sit around talking about the good old days.  Problems don't go away because of good memories, they go away when men drive them out.  So when the time comes to act, have a plan, don't refuse necessary help, and act.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Don't Forget God

"Now before the year of famine came,two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.   Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.'. He named the second Ephraim, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.'"  -Genesis 41.50-52

Joseph has done well.  He went from prison to the palace; from a slave to second in command of Egypt.  He is now one of the most powerful men in the world.  His plans are being implemented throughout the land, and he's even started a family.  He has a wife who has given him two sons.

As he looks back over the past few years, and at all that he has been able to accomplish, he could have taken the credit for it.  He could have looked at it all with a sense if entitlement, something that was deserved for all that he had been put through.  But this isn't the attitude we find.  There is no smug arrogance, but rather grateful humility.

Joseph names his first son Manasseh, declaring that God has made him forget about what his brothers did to him.  He has set the past aside, and is grateful for the blessings God has given him, not because he deserves them, but because God is good and loves to give good things to His children.

Joseph is blessed with a second son and names him Ephraim.  He announces that God has blessed him in the land where he was a slave and a prisoner.  God brought him through the hard times, and was with him.  Now God has blessed him beyond the suffering and affliction.

Men, when we make it and become successful do we forget about God?  How many turn to God at the low points, but as soon as things turn around look at Him and say, "I've got things from here"?  They never thank God for His provision, or His blessings.  God is forgotten.

May this never be true of us.  May we never forget God.  Let us draw near to Him in the low points and trust in Him to provide.  And let us draw nearer to Him on the mountain tops and praise Him for all that He has done.

God can bless you to the point of forgetting your hardships, and He can make you fruitful in the place of your affliction.  When he does, don't forget to thank and praise Him.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Have a Plan

"'Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it. Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.' Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants." -Genesis 41.33-37

Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams, and God gives Joseph the meaning to relay to Pharaoh, and because the dreams have the same meaning God is going to bring the abundance and the famine soon. And before Pharaoh can begin to panic and wonder what to do, Joseph is there with the answer.

Find a wise man and put him in charge. There need to be overseers who collect a portion of all that is grown during the next seven years, and it needs to be stored under guard. And then during the years of famine the food will be available for the people, so that Egypt survives. He has a plan for the problem, and Pharaoh likes the suggestion.

Men, it's important to have a plan. When problems arise you have an idea of what to do, so you aren't caught off guard and unprepared. When you go into battle, you have a plan. When you head into a job, you have a plan. When we go in unprepared chaos follows and panic ensues.

Who knows the first thoughts that crossed Pharaoh's mind when he heard how severe the famine would be. But before he can even begin to worry about what to do, Joseph spells it all out for him. When God is with us, He guides us and makes out paths straight. He gives wisdom and insight so that we can have a plan of attack. When we trust in the Lord and do not lean on our own understanding, everything falls into place, and He establishes our plans, but more on this when we get to Proverbs.

Men, don't go in with no strategy, have a plan.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Point Others to God

"Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, 'It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.'" -Genesis 41.16

Here Joseph is standing before Pharaoh. One of the most powerful men in the world is looking him in the eye and seeking his guidance. It would be easy to draw attention to himself, making himself stand out, and creating a name for himself. But that isn't the approach he takes. He doesn't say, "Yes Pharaoh, tell me your dream and I'll give you the answer." Instead he sets himself aside and says, "No, it isn't me. Instead, look to God." He has the opportunity to set himself apart, but instead he draws all the attention to God.

Men, when you find yourself in situations like this, what do you do? When I first started this new job I was talking with the guy who was training me about everything God had brought my wife and I threw in the last two years. As I shared about the financial struggles we'd had, the unemployment and having living with family, and how God had taken care of us he told me, "You got yourself through that. Take credit for it." But I couldn't. I told him, "But I didn't. So many things happened that was out of my control. We only made it because of God."

If we don't give God the credit we do two things. First, we take credit that isn't ours to receive. We rob God of the glory that He alone is worthy of. Two, when we take credit from God, we say to Him we don't need Him. And if we tell God we don't need Him, He politely leaves because He's a gentleman. When God leaves, we're left to our own devices, and we've already seen what a mess that gets us into.

What would have happened had Joseph taken credit and God didn't give him the interpretation to Pharaoh's dream? Back to prison? Death? Certainly the future that unfolded wouldn't have taken place. What do we miss out on by taking credit to God? And when we give Him the credit, we point the focus of others towards Him.

We are here on this earth to help others focus on God. The more glory we give Him, the more focus we take off of us and turn to Him. Joseph told Pharaoh straight up, "It's not me, but God." From the beginning he is pointing Pharaoh to God. Who are we pointing others to, us or God?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Not Too Proud

"Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, 'I would make mention today of my own offenses. Pharaoh was furious with his servants, and he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker. We had a dream on the same night, he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us. To each one he interpreted according to his own dream. And just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him.'. Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.'"  -Genesis 41.9-15

Pharaoh is troubled by a dream that no one can interpret.  None of his wise men have an answer for him, and that makes this dream all the more troubling.  But then one his servants, the cupbearer who had been sent to prison two years earlier.  He remembers a young man, a Hebrew, who had correctly interpreted two dreams in prison.  He mentions him to Pharaoh, and Joseph is sent for.

The Pharaohs were believed to be gods in human form.  He has had a dream that he can't figure out, nor can any of his wisest advisors.  And what's amazing is that he takes advice from a servant.  He listens to what he has to say, and then does what he suggests.  

The suggestion involved a young foreigner.  The Egyptians saw foreigners as uncivilized barbarians.  If you look at hieroglyphic images you see the Egyptians are always clean shaven and short haired, foreigners are shown with long hair and beards.  Not only is Pharaoh taking advice from a servant, but he seeks the counsel of an uncivilized youth.

Men, how proud are we?  How quick are we to seek advice, let alone the advice of someone younger, or less educated?  How much have we missed out on, or lost, because of our pride?

Over the past few years I've learned to learn from people younger than me.  I've learned to be humble enough to listen, even to the college freshman who thinks he knows everything, and even though most of the time he has absolutely no idea, he does bring a different perspective.

I think the Church has lost a lot of ground because it has refused to listen to the youth.  I think fathers lose a lot of ground because they refuse to listen to their children.  I think men lose a lot of ground when they refuse to be humble and listen.

Don't be too proud to learn from those who are younger.  The bring insights that your experience can easily overlook.  Not everything they say is a gem, but if we never humble ourselves and listen, we miss the ones they throw out.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

God's Timing

"Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile." -Genesis 41.1

Joseph has been in prison under a false accusation for a long time.  At one point it looked like there was a glimmer of hope.  He had interpreted a dream for one of Pharoah's servants, the cupbearer, and he had been freed.  Joseph had asked him to remember him, and to tell the king he was innocent, but in two years he never mentions him.

Then Pharaoh has a dream and it all comes back.  He remembers and tells Pharaoh.  Joseph is sent for and freed.

If Joseph had never been sold as a slave he never would have been falsely accused.  Had he never been accused he wouldn't have ended up in jail.  If he hadn't been in jail he never would have met the cupbearer.  And if he had never met the cupbearer Pharaoh's dream wouldn't have been interpreted.

Had Joseph been set free with the cupbearer he may have headed back to Canaan.  Pharaoh would have had the dream but Joseph would have been gone.  But that isn't how the story happens.  Joseph is in prison another two years, and when Pharaoh has his dream he is right where he can be found.

Men, sometimes it feels like we're just stuck.  We have done nothing to be where we are, and the people we believe will help us forget about us.  But if we are in the center of God's will, then we can patiently wait for His timing.

Your prayer may be answered with God saying, "Not yet."  When that happens let us trust Him, and wait on his timing.  He has us right where He needs us, so at the right moment we can be found and used for the big picture. 

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

To God

"Then they said to him, 'We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.' Then Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.'" -Genesis 40.8

Joseph has done well in everything he has done.  Whether free or in prison, he has risen to the top.  It's all been because God was with him, and Joseph knows that.  And here when he has a chance to shine and show his gift, he gives the credit to God.

Joseph realizes that it isn't his own ability that allows him to know the meaning of dreams.  He says that the interpretation belongs to God.  God does not need Joseph to explain the meaning, He could use anyone, but He's using Joseph and Joseph is giving God the glory.

Men, whatever gifts and abilities you have are not by your doing, God gave them to you.  Whatever you are doing for Him, He could raise up someone else to do it.  That is not saying do nothing because God can get somebody else to do it.  Rather it is saying don't be arrogant thinking you're God's gift to humanity.

Use the gifts that God has given you fully, and for His glory.  But realize that the gifts you have are blessings from Him.  My preaching professor said this on the last day of class,  "May you always feel confident to preach the Gospel, but never so confident to think that you can do it alone."  Preaching is one of the areas God has blessed me in, and honestly, I really miss the opportunity to do it weekly.  But it is crucial that I give God the glory for my gift, because just as He gave it, He can take it away.

Give glory to God, and watch how He uses the gifts He has given you.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Seize the Opportunity

"Then they said to him, 'We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.' Then Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.'"  -Genesis 40.8

Joseph has been running the prison for years at this point, but recently he has acquired two new inmates from the palace.  They have been placed in his care and one morning he notices their attitudes are different.  He asks them about it and comes to find that they are distressed over dreams they have had.  They are unable to interpret the meaning behind them, and so Joseph offers to listen.

As a young man God had given him dreams of his own.  In them his brothers bowed to him through different objects, stars and sheaves of wheat.  God has gifted him with the ability to interpret dreams, and now there is the opportunity to use his gift.  And in doing so he is setting himself up for the next step of God's plan.

Men, what opportunities are you being presented with?  Are you seizing them?  You may be hesitating because you aren't sure if it's God's will or not.  I've had the same thing happen, but I've found guidance in the words of a college professor.

"When ability, desire, and opportunity line up, that is the will of God."  If you are gifted in an area, and have the desire to excel there, and you are given the opportunity to do it, God has directed you in His will.  And if one of those is absent, god doesn't want you to go down that path.

You have the ability to do a job well, and therefore are presented with the opportunity, but your heart isn't in it, and you know it will suck the life out of you.  That isn't God's will for your life.  

You have the ability to teach, you have a desire to work with kids or teens, and an opportunity opens up for you to move to the inner city and work in a school.  That could be God's will for the moment.

Now I do need to say that not every situation we find ourselves in is always going to be in line with our desires.  Joseph didn't desire to go to jail.  But that situation got him into place for what God had sent him to Egypt for.  It got him into position to receive the opportunity.  And I believe that is how God works.  Right now I'm working where I have to in order to provide for my family.  This isn't my desire, but it is getting me into position for the opportunity.  

Had Joseph not been in jail his ability and desire would have never found the opportunity to shine.  Without doing what I'm doing right now, my ability and desire may never get to find the opportunity to work.  There are times when God is preparing us for the opportunity, and in these moments let us learn to be content that we are in the will of God, moving towards what we were created for.  Let us praise Him for the preparation, and when the opportunities come, let's seize them.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Life at the Bottom

"But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper." -Genesis 39.21-23

This is a low point in Joseph's life. Maybe not the lowest, after all he was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery by his own brothers; but no doubt he was feeling depressed and discouraged here. He had worked hard and honestly. He had done the right thing by refusing the advances of his master's wife. And yet now he finds himself in jail because of a false accusation. He could have blamed God, and refused to serve Him any longer. But that isn't the reaction we see.

God is with Joseph, and He extends kindness to him, giving him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. Had Joseph rejected God and turned from Him, that statement wouldn't be in the Bible. Had Joseph given up, and allowed the depression and discouragement to consume him, the story would have ended there, but it doesn't. The jailer puts Joseph in charge of the prison, and whatever he does, even in jail, prospers, because God is with him.

Men, sometimes life doesn't work out. We work hard and do everything right, but even then we still seem to fail. Nothing we try works out, and we end up at the bottom. What do we do in that moment? Do we continue to trust God and faithfully serve Him? Or do we turn our backs on Him because our plans didn't work out?

We need to begin to look at our lives as part of the bigger story. Sometimes the bottom is the only place we can clearly hear from God. Sometimes we need to hit the bottom before we can experience the healing that needs to be accomplished. Sometimes the bottom is the only place we can begin to learn to trust God. When we hit the bottom there are no other distractions to keep us from hearing from God. Yes, you can choose to bury it with alcohol or drugs, but that would be turning from God, not trusting in Him.

Had Joseph turned his back on God, a lot of people would have been in a lot of trouble in the not so distant future. God took Joseph to the bottom because it ideally placed him to carry out his part in the bigger story. Men, if we give up at the bottom what great things are we missing out on?

Men, sometimes God has to take us to the bottom to get us ready for our most crucial role in His story. How do you live life at the bottom?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Falsely Accused

"When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside, she called to the men of her household and said to them, 'See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to make sport of us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I screamed. When he heard that I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled and went outside.'... Now when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, 'This is what your slave did to me,' his anger burned. So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail." -Genesis 39.13-15, 19-20

The man was innocent and blameless. But the woman was rejected and shamed. She devised a plan to get back at him. If he wouldn't give in to her, she would ruin his life. When she had grabbed hold of his cloak he shed it in order to get away, and she would use that to undo him. She devises a lie, tells her husband who believes her, and Joseph is arrested and thrown in jail. An innocent man was punished and the guilty party got away with everything.

We live in a world where things like this happen everyday. The innocent suffer while the corrupt advance. The blameless are accused and the guilty escape justice. The world is full of false accusations. I've been apart of one. In the last church there was a guy who wanted a leadership role, but was not capable of handling it. Since he couldn't have what he wanted he began to spread rumors about the leaders in the church, myself included. Fortunately, we were able to deal with it before any serious damage was done, but the lies he had spread did leave a mess to be cleaned up.

Men, you cannot stop anyone from spreading a rumor about you, but you can live in such a way the discredits it from the beginning. Joseph's situation was a little different. He was a slave, and his master's wife made an accusation against him. His master had to do something in order to save face, but I'm guessing the wife had a history of behavior like this, and Potiphar knew it, because Joseph isn't put to death.

Men, what does your life look like? If someone spread a rumor that you were stealing money from your work, are you living with integrity where people would say, "There's no way he would ever do that. I know him, and that's not who he is." Or would their response be, "Doesn't surprise me, he always did seem kind of shady." The way you live can kill a rumor because the people who hear it will know the character of the one who is being spoken about.

How are you living? Would a false accusation stand against you? Or would it be smothered as soon as it was spoken?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

When All Else Fails

"She caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me!' And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside." -Genesis 39.12-13

The trap has been sprung. Joseph has been dodging attacks for a while now, but saying "No" has only gotten him so far. He's resisted but now a well laid trap threatens to destroy him. Joseph has done everything he can do, and when all else fails, he runs for it.

Men, when all else fails, our best option, really the only option left, is to run for it. Get out of there, and live to fight another day. There is no sense wasting your life because you got taken out in an ambush. When you're all alone and about to be overwhelmed, book it out of there. There is no shame in running away from a situation like this.

Joseph ran, and it kept him pure, innocent, and upright. No one could make a truthful accusation against him. If you find yourself in a similar situation, run for it.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Caution

"Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside." -Genesis 39.11

The day began like every other day, Joseph shows up on the job site for work. But today something is different, there is no one else there. Joseph enters the house, and aside from his master's wife, he is the only one there. There is no way he could have known this, and there is no way he could have known what was about to happen, but from this story we learn a very important lesson. Let us live with caution.

When I use the word caution I don't mean be a germaphobe who never leaves his apartment. I mean keep your guard up. Joseph walked right into a trap and ends up in prison as we'll see shortly. How many men have fallen into similar traps because they have dropped their guard? How many men have been falsely accused, and their integrity shattered simply because they allowed themselves to be in the wrong situation?

Men, live with cation. The enemy wants to take you out. You, as a man striving after God, are among his primary targets. He wants to take you out, and when you drop your guard and walk right into the trap that he has set you make his job all too easy. And remember, it isn't about what happens, but what people think and say happened.

Don't let yourself be caught in a trap. Make up your mind about the rules you'll live by and don't compromise on them ever. I won't ride in an elevator or car alone with a woman who isn't my wife or other family member. That way no one can accuse me of anything. I won't handle money from the church in any capacity so that no one can accuse me of improper use of church funds, or worse, stealing it. The more you keep your guard up, the less vulnerable you are.

We have a very real enemy who has countless traps laid to take us out. Be a survivor, not a statistic. Live with caution.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Resistance

"Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me.' But he refused and said to his master’s wife, 'Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?' As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her." -Genesis 39.6b-10

Joseph is doing well, and on top of that we learn that he was a decent looking fellow. After a while Potiphar's wife begins to take notice. At first, back when he was an entry level servant, she probably wouldn't even give him the time of day. But now, even though he is still a servant, he has prestige and power, and so she begins to take notice of him. Gradually her desires begin to get the best of her, and she begins to try and seduce Joseph into an affair. He doesn't give in, but as he is living in God's will, he is meeting resistance.

When we live in the center of God's will, we are blessed, along with the people around us. Our enemy hates this. He hates when we live obediently to God, and he hates when we enjoy any goodness from God. And so he is going to do anything he can to get us out of God's will so that the blessings cease. His purpose is to throw resistance at us from every angle, trying to get us to stumble.

Men, we will face resistance. Whenever we set out to do the right thing there will be those who oppose us. When we work to bring good to others there will be those who oppose us. Whenever we begin to stand out as leaders, there will be those who try and bring us down.

Resistance comes in many ways. Here in Genesis 39 it's with sex. It could be a bribe, or some opportunity to compromise your integrity. But be assured resistance will find you, and it will stand in your way. Stand firm against it. Joseph to his master's wife over and over and over again. She constantly tried to persuade him, and he never gave in. Let us stand firm against resistance as Joseph did.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Not the Only One

"It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate." -Genesis 39.5-6a

When God made His covenant with Abraham, He promised that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Ultimately He was referring to salvation which would come from Jesus, one of Abraham's descendants. But God loves to go above and beyond. He doesn't simply bless of with salvation to rescue us from sin and give us new life, though that in itself is so much more than we deserve. God goes above and beyond and blesses our live in many ways. And here, in the early verses of Genesis 39, we see God beginning to fulfill part of the promise to Abraham.

Joseph is right where God wants him. He is working hard in the center of God's will and God is blessing him and making him successful with all he does. He is the head servant, the overseer of the house, of Potiphar. And we see that God blesses Potiphar because of Joseph.

Men, when we are in the center of God's will, we are not the only ones affected. When we are obedient to God, and doing what He calls us to do, those around us are impacted as well. When God blesses us and makes us successful, it results in blessings for those around us as well.

Who is being affected by your life? How are they being affected? If those around you are being blessed because of you, that's a sign that you are in the center of God's will. And if your life is not doing anything to make the lives of those around you better, you may need to take a moment and see why that is. You may need to draw closer to God, and seek His direction for your life again.

When we do our best and live in the center of God's will, we are not the only ones to see the positive results.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Success in the Center

"The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge." -Genesis 39.2-4

Joseph, the father's favorite son, and his brother's most despised sibling, has ended up in Egypt. He was sold as a slave and bought by Potiphar, the captain of the guard. And even as a slave in a foreign country, God is still with Joseph. He blesses him and makes him successful. God causes all that he does to prosper, and Joseph finds favor in the sight of his master. He goes from a regular servant, to the one in charge of the house. God was with him, and gave him success.

God had a plan for Joseph, he was part of the covenant that had been established with Abraham. I have no doubt that Joseph worked hard for Potiphar. I'm sure he did his best with every task he undertook. And since Joseph was at the center of God's plan, though he probably didn't know it yet, God gave him success in all that he did.

I've had several situations in the past that have not felt like everything I did prospered, and looking back I know I was in the center of God's will because I can see how it has helped mold me more into Christlikeness. But as I look back I see the aspects of each of those times where God did give me success. The things I directly undertook He blessed. Currently in my situation I have found success in what I'm doing. God has given me favor and helped me to do well.

Men, if we are in the center of God's will, we will find success. The situations we find ourselves in may not be ideal, but they may be necessary to get us into position for God's great work for our lives. And if we will commit ourselves to do the best we can where we are, working hard, and staying in the center of God's will, He will give success to all we do. We might not see it at first, like I didn't, but looking back one day, we'll be able to see how God gave us success.

When we are in the center of God's will, we have success in all we do.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor