Egyptian Feast, painted by Edwin Long 1877
Genesis 41:1-13
After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”
Ah. The mysteries of God's timing.
And God's mysteries are astonishing - two people dreamed together on the same night.
How long did Abraham wait upon the Lord for the birth of Isaac?
25 years.
There are four levels of faith during these decades. The first - accepting, patiently waiting. The second -challenging God keep Your promise. Third - fixing up God's promises, do-it-yourself method. Fourth- non-faith, simply ignoring or laughing, God is no longer a factor.
We constantly think of Abraham as being righteous because of his belief.
Isn't Joseph absolutely amazing.
The Vizier of Pharaoh - how long did he remain in prison from Potiphar's house? We know longer than two years, yet Joseph did not record more than a prison term. He was focused on the fulfilling of God's promises. He asked for his bones to go to fulfilling God's promises, on the great day, of that victory.
Genesis 50:22-26
So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father's house. Joseph lived 110 years. 23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph's own. 24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Jesus loved to find faith. Joseph obtained the second highest position on the earth - Vizier to Pharaoh. Joseph's faith worked ... in his favor.
Luke 18:1
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Matthew 8:10-15
When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
What did Jesus say about God's timing and patience?
Luke 18:7
And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.
God enjoys prayer, plentifully, and spirited debate.
Luke 18:5-8
Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.
Recall with me, the LORD was partial to Jacob and Jacob wrestled God for blessings quite a few times.
Jesus wondered about faith.
Luke 18:8
Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?
Jesus knew that dreamers and possibility thinkers have trouble on earth. What did He say to them?
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!
<><
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment