Genesis 50: 1-3 ~ Father's Day ~ Joseph fell on his father's face

Art by Alma Tadem

Genesis 50

Then Joseph fell on his father's face and wept over him and kissed him. 2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. 

4 And when the days of weeping for him were past,

Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, 5 ‘My father made me swear, saying, “I am about to die: in my tomb that I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there shall you bury me.” Now therefore, let me please go up and bury my father. Then I will return.’” 6 And Pharaoh answered, “Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear.”

 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. With him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father's household. Only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen. It was a very great company. 10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and grievous lamentation, and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

Burial of Jacob, painted by Tissot

11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians.” Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim;[a] it is beyond the Jordan. 12 Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them, 13 for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

22 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.

Sarcophogus and Goshen


This particular biblical family has been through a lot. They live in tents in land that is theirs' by God's promise. They have cheated a brother from his family. They have lied to Jacob. Joseph is an excellent servant of God and Egypt because he is not a without knowledge of hardship for the Pharoah and for the people of Egypt.

We would love to read this passage in Father's Day. This passage is about renewal. Joseph has brought his family out of poverty and out of the Philistine lands and into abundance. It seems tragic Joseph looses Jacob so soon. Lest we should forget:

Matthew 22:29, 32

Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

But about the resurrection of the dead--have you not read what God said to you, " I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

Hosea 3:5

Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His blessings in the last days.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 

15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Romans 6

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God.

Thank You, Abba

Father,

the rain

has Majestically

Abated in Houston area.

Your Glory

Thank You

We PRAY

for Your Mercy as

Tropical Storm Arthur

departs

and will quit.

We pray for Safety.

And Recovery.

Your Glory.

So many times

we all think and sometimes

pray

for more Heaven on earth

and God's good will be done.

And we must be the Heaven

and we must be the Light

Dwell in me

Dwell in those I love

Dwell in those I pray for 

To seek God first

Help us to see more Heaven on earth

Help us to be more Heaven on earth

And we will finish well

in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

John 21

Thank you, Jesus our Lord Christ

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You, Jesus

Acts 1:1-11 ~ All that Jesus began

 

 

Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. 

He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” 

7 He said to them, 

“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His Own Authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. 

10 And while they were gazing into Heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,  and said:

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?

 This Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, 
will come in the same way as you saw Him go into Heaven.”

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Psalm 19

A psalm of David.

1 The Heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

3 They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the Heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

and

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

              refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and 

all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

11 By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them 

there is great reward.

12 But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth 

and 

this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, 

my Rock 

and 

my Redeemer.

It's a little startling this century has so many parallels to the Book of Acts in the First and Second Century.

Lightning strikes are up to a record high. Flooding, Fires, Droughts. Arson. War. Violence. In third world nations, death by Lightning strike due to lack of cover is an incredible ongoing weather map on Weather Underground. This was the same in the first and second Centuries. Even today the Roman History lists the bizarre deaths by Lightning.

Violent Crime was up. Marriage Laws were recreated. Families inherited businesses for stability and, in these centuries, the Roman Empire was as vast in wealth as the USA today - this really only compares additionally to the Renaissance. Trade suddenly had war and violence to deal with. Everyone just felt uncomfortable in general and this was the beginning of walled city states. A general distrust of one another like Halloween candy. People wondered if the end of the world was at hand, this is very Historically accurate.


Gradually, times changed. 

The Good Sunday School Answer never failing is - Jesus. 

And the action we find changing the world in the Book of Acts is what occurred to me on Sunday at Church. "May I pray for you now?" A huge hug and an amazing prayer. From someone in their own emotional pain from a recently departed sibling. Few of us live with Ozzie and Harriet families. The culture of life intersects the brokenness of the world. 

Real hope comes from the real life events brave people share with one another.

What brought about another 1,000 years of Roman (called Byzantine after defeat) Empire? 

The Expectation of Jesus.

Prayer with belief. Faith. 

Overcoming what is inadequate. Less than warm. Overcoming what life brings you, to what your soul will willingly expect from God. 

Doing our best to avoid the abyss potholes to bring Love and Hope. The Book of Acts records ' Prayer. To pray and believe in all answers of prayer - God has answered. Even to say - wait or - no.

Paul is not recorded standing on a pulpit and castigating the culture

Which was less than perfect. Paul gave Love and parental Love and concern. Paul expected God to bring forth what we could not and for us to Trust God. When we flip through the Paul written with the Holy Spirit pages - we find Paul had an overwhelming Love for the people he spoke of Salvation in Jesus.

Matthew 17:5

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

Colossians 3:12

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of His glorious grace, 

with which He has blessed us 

in the Beloved.

Romans 1:7

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

 Grace to you

 and 

peace from God our Father 

and 

The Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, 

always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

knowing that in the Lord 

your labor is not in vain.

Consider the Brothers of Jesus, sons of Mary and Joseph

Jude 1:3

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you 

about our common salvation, 

I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith 

that was 

once 

for 

all 

delivered to the saints.

James 2:5

Listen, my beloved brothers, 

has not God chosen those who are poor in the world 

to be rich in faith 

and 

Heirs of the kingdom, 

which He has promised

 to those who love Him?

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from 

The Father of the Heavenly Lights

Psalm 29:11

The Lord gives His people strength;

The Lord blesses them with peace

Psalm 23:1 

The Lord is my shepherd, 

I lack nothing 

Abba, Father,

Blessings of God dwell in me, please in Jesus Christ.

Live, Move, Have Your Being in me. 

Know every breath, every thought, every cell. Be my Light.

Thank You Father 

for Jesus Christ. 

Live in me.

Thank You Father 

for Jesus Christ. 

Live in those I love.

Thank You Father God 

for Jesus Christ. 

Live in the Nations of the World 

Light of Christ Shine 

in all of mankind.

Thank You Father 

God for Grace.

Thank You Father God 

for the Victorious Promises of Jesus Christ. 

Build the Temple of God 

within me.

Thank You Father God 

for Living Water and Light of Christ 

Shine on the earth You call Good - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

Thank You Father God 

for Your Living Word 

Let the Word of God dwell in us all, 

 Richly Building Your Body. 

Building the Church. 

Building Love. 

Your Word Living and Active Today.

In the Highest Name we can Praise our

 Jesus Messiah. 

Amen.

Thank You Father God 

for Mercy.

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love - we will rise up Believing Jesus.

Thank You, Father.

Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You, Lord Jesus 

† 

Psalm 40 ~ YOU are my help and my deliverer

 

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;

    He inclined to me and heard my cry.

2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,

    out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

    making my steps secure.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

    a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

    and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who makes

    the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

    to those who go astray after a lie!

5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

    Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us;

    none can compare with You!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

    yet they are more than can be told.

6 In sacrifice and offering You have not delighted,

    but You have given me an open ear.

Burnt offering and sin offering

    You have not required.

7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

    in the Scroll of the Book it is written of me:

8 I delight to do Your will, O my God;

    Your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance

    in the great congregation;

behold, I have not restrained my lips,

    as you know, O Lord.

10 I have not hidden Your deliverance within my heart;

    I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;

I have not concealed Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness

    from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O Lord, You will not restrain

    Your mercy from me;

Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness will

    ever preserve me!

12 For evils have encompassed me

    beyond number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

    and I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

    my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!

    O Lord, make haste to help me!

14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether

    who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to dishonor

    who delight in my hurt!

15 Let those be appalled because of their shame

    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

16 But may all who seek You

    Rejoice and be glad in You;

may those who love Your salvation

    say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

17 As for me, I am poor and needy,

    but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    do not delay, O my God!

We often think of the story of Job as unparalleled. Job wasn't formally anointed by God.  Yet Job was constantly in God's thoughts.  There are 42 Chapters in The Book of Job. 

David does parallel Job to some extent. King David's life story is included in 4  Biblical Books, in 90 Chapters of historical narrative. David authored half of the Book of Psalms.  David is discussed in 28 different Books across the Bible.

David Psalm 54

Job protests he is not a sinner. David proves he is a sinner.  God proves Job is a sinner. Yet both David and Job survive their struggles with patience. And faith, believing God will help. David is barely a groom as his troubles begin and he has no children, but as the solutions arrive, he is the father of many grown adults as his problems begin to heal.  At least 20 years, if not more. David is crowned 4 times as Israel becomes ruled by our anointed David.

God Loves Joshua and Caleb during the 40 years of the Exodus. They patiently waited in faith. Jeremiah waits faithfully. Habakkuk was patient to survive with joy and gratitude.

The Lucy Charlie Brown portion is just tiring. And really sorta boring. The unblessing isn't where we want to stay. 

To survive in life, we have to have God to rely upon when the rest of the world runs around without much need for kindness. I always thought the movies about evil, like the original with Clint Eastwood and the devils. And the Keanu Reeves movies about evil, that evil would eventually tire of evil. And circumstances change. To rely on God and His Promises seems the way to make sense of the world. The world changes; God is always steadfast Love.  The Light is always reliable to be more joy, more love, more comfort, more hope and the best way to live life. God is Light and in Him we find Strength, Intelligence and the Forever Plan. 

How would God deal with years of struggles? 

Ezekiel spoke with The Lord about Job. And included some of David's situations and ours.

Ezekiel 14:13,14

“Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast, 14 even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God."

James 5

10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

We always pray

for the Mercy of God

And this will

Arrive

Daily

and

also Forever

So David, faced famine. Could David fix this famine? Famine usually means a hunger for life staples. But famine means starvation and this is on many levels. David did not fix the famine. God did. David did his part by acting as God explained to David. The instructions would not make David seem wiser to the world, but David expected God's Mercy and received. David made sure the plan of God was fulfilled. David many times jumped in as Abraham did, but still the Victory is the Lord's.

The Lord has said Ecclesiastes 3

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

And in this time, reading the Post, we have taken time to look at the overcoming of the world and the troubles Jesus said we would have. And the history of war is good and evil. The valor we want to live. The peace we wish to experience, basically, constantly.  The meaning of war is to overcome evil. Not to become evil.

We would hope our days, our history of the culture we live ... is becoming more worthy and having valor and bravery.  To meet our challenges and to become more worthy of building a future for our children and their children. Not to denigrate what has been our blessing to participate in. 

In gratitude, we thank God for the Blessings we have participated in.

In Strength, we will not fall and bring down our children and our children's children in the ease and drama of violence.  Usurping the law, which is, the very workings of peace. 

In Joy, we will live lives of Valor and Courage.

In anticipation of the Plan of God, we give mercy. Living eternity, in this moment, and the minutes of all of our days.

For every life, there is but one time and one season,

let us draw Strength from the Goodness of God and go forth. 

These are the days given to us, let us do good. 

John 21

Thank you, Jesus, our Lord Christ

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You, Jesus