Gen46-48/Matt 23:1-22
Tomorrow: Gen 49-50/Matt 23:23-48
Thank you Kevin for stepping in (and to Chris earlier) - and no, I do not mind. Rather, I prefer to share/encourage others to do the same. This being a working/living reference from ALL points of views - that's what makes it 'healthy and meaningful', all of us participating.
Gen 46-48
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream has really become quite profitable, thru Joseph, for Pharaoh. Storing up grains during the predicted 7years of bountiful harvest was used during the following 7years of famine. All from Egypt and Canaan came to Joseph for food; he sold what was stored up for all their money first, then livestock, and finally their land.
Jacob, because of this famine, travels to Egypt after God calls to him; Jacob! Jacob! (I am here, he responds). Life lesson; how well do we respond to God’s call, shouldn't’t we be ready and willing? NOTE: Goshen was the fertile land just on the edge of Egypt and Sinai
Not real clear why Jacob wanted to adopt Joseph’s son’s Manasseh and Ephraim, and why the younger received blessings over the older – as with Jacob and Esau? Thoughts?
Matt 23:1-22
In v15, Jesus is speaking further of the hypocritical nature of ‘the teachers’; Jesus’ reference to Hell: derived from Greek word ge(h)eena, Hebrew hinnom. The valley of Hinnom… this was the south Jerusalem where heaps of trash was thrown/burned, children were burn/sacrificed. It represented the eternal fire.
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2 comments:
The only thing I can think of when reading the Joseph trilogy in Genesis is the Veggie Tales episode of "The Ballad of Little Joe". For those of you with little ones, you know what I mean!
Matt said ...
I don't have any clear, provable points, but here are some "Matt guesses" as my wife calls them: Sometimes right, sometimes not.
Looking at general principles, Joseph was the embodiment of physical provision. (provision during famine) Jacob/Israel maintains his embodiment of God's spiritual provision and favor - God's chosen people. (Note here that God works through physical and spiritual people) By blessing the two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, in the spiritual family they are actually moved, according to God's plan, from physical to spiritual representatives.
In concrete terms I look at it like this. I wanted to be a doctor - a pediatrician in fact. However, God had a different plan in mind for my life. He wanted me to serve in the spiritual realm, rather than the physical. This in no way elevates me over those who are doctors (or vets) it is simply the fulfillment of God's plan an purpose for my life.
I thank God for men like Kevin Wood, Matt Browning, Robert Ferland, etc., etc. We could not accomplish our purpose on earth if they did not assist us in having health and well-being. God's call for their lives is equal to His call for vocational ministry!
As God directs His children into their proper positions to fulfill His plan for their lives, He sometimes changes people from where they think they are headed to redirect toward HIS PLAN.
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