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