January 14, 2009

Blessings Folk!!

Today’s reading from the “So That’s Why” Bible consist of pp. 75-80...the balance of Genesis.

In many of our times together in recent months we have been emphasizing the need to trust in the Lord in all circumstances.

This can not be stated enough.

We have experienced some trying times as a nation, as a community, as individuals.

But, it has only begun.

Greater challenges lie ahead.

We must determine in who/what we will trust. Then, we must walk in that trust with every breath.

Our “daily Bible reading” for today gives an example of that.

Without getting into the complete account (too long for this forum), famine had come upon the land of Egypt. God provide warning, preparation and provision through Joseph. Read the following and note what happens in the subsequent years…ask the Holy Spirit...right now!!...to give you insight, illumination, enlightenment, revelation, encouragement, exhortation in His Word...

Gen 47:13-23
13 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.
14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.
21 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.
22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.
26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's.
27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

KJV

This is a vivid Word to us as a nation and those of us who are Servants of the Most High God.

Note what happened.

There was no bread in the land. The famine was extreme. Could the people have known? Perhaps...likely. Joseph has spent the 7 years of good harvest in capital preparation for the years of famine. Apparently the people had not made personal preparation.

Now, let say something here...I do not believe that this account is supportive of socialization and salvation through the state.

I believe something else is happening here.

I believe that the Lord is using His vessel, Joseph, to provide and protect the lineage of the Savior. The Word tells us this later in Genesis.

The Lord is also “giving Egypt over” to that which they did. They worshipped Pharaoh as god. They looked to him for all. As Romans 1 says, “God gave them over…” Joseph was “milking the cobra” to the praise and glory of the grace of God and to the ultimate judgment of Egypt...down the road…

So there was no bread.

Therefore the people purchased from Pharaoh - the state - their sustenance until the point where money was gone.

This is the phrase that arrested my attention this morning...vs. 15, “for the money faileth.”

So it is in our land...even world-wide.

The “money” faileth.

This is not surprise.

Our “money” has been a source of lie and deceit for nearly 100 years...ever since the passing and implementation of the Federal Reserve Act in 1913/1914.

Our “money” is fiat - not real, fake. We are a debt-based, debt-driven society.

Our financial system is a house of cards. We are now seeing it collapse.

The money faileth.

But, it did not end there for Egypt, nor will it for us.

When the money failed the people said “take our cattle.” So, Pharaoh - the state - did. The state took the cattle, the horses, the flocks, the asses.

That exchange bought them another year of food.

But, then came the next year.

Then, the people said “we have no money, no means of exchange (cattle, etc.)...take us and our land.”

So it was.

They sold themselves into slavery unto Pharaoh and became his servants. Pharaoh took them. He took their land.

The same has occurred for years in our land.

Now, it is coming to a culmination at an unprecedented upon us. Folk are looking to the state - to Pharaoh - to rescue, to answer, to provide. Pharaoh - the state - has become god by action and deed.
We are bringing the same judgment upon ourselves as the Egyptians did.

Why?

Because, we as a nation do not worship and honor God. We worship Pharaoh - the state.

But, give heed to a word of encouragement.

Read verse 27 again….

Gen 47:27
27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

KJV

Even in the midst of these hard times, the people of the Lord prospered. They had possessions therein...provision...they multiplied exceedingly.

May we do like-wise.

Trust in the Lord and might of His power.

May we as Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ multiply exceedingly as the days of darkness wax cold.

May we shine as the stars in the firmament with the righteousness and holiness of the Lord, leading many to salvation.

Selah!!

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New “Pray for…” - Pray for…

Blessings!!