How to Teach People about God.

How to Teach People about God. Exodus 13:1-16.

The Lord was very gracious in passing over the homes of the Children of Israel. Not so fortunate were those of the Egyptians; they had lost all of their first born children and their flocks experience death too. However, God delivered His people.

The people knew of God, but how to relate to God was beyond them. They all were like the new family that comes into church for the first time. They know there is a God, but what do you do now?

In a church, the most important responsibility is to teach people how to relate to God. I have been to churches that teach their people only to attend all the functions, pot lucks, outings, and other social events. Therefore, their people, when asked about the scriptures, are lost.

People need to not only learn about God, but learn how to teach others about God. This is the first thing on God’s mind when tending to all these people who had just escaped the bondage of Egypt.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.” Exodus 13:1-2(NKJV)

The work consecrate means to sanctify, honor, and dedicate. God wanted the Israelites to know how fortunate they were to have escaped the angel of death and teach them that their obedience made the difference.

Sanctification is what we teach to those who come to church. We teach them that Christ died for our sins and in reverence, we sanctify or dedicate our lives to Him. This is the first lesson taught to a person coming to know about God.

And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. Exodus 13:3(NKJV)

For Israel, God saved them all from slavery in Egypt. Yet in our day, the New Testament writers teach that Egypt is a type of the world and the bondage we faced, in this world, is the bondage to sin. Therefore, we also teach people to reflect back to what Christ saved them from; for the life’s we use to lead would have led to spiritual death.

On this subject I must make one interjection. Each of us had been saved from various sins and where it is wonderful to speak about our salvation, the details of our sin should be spared from the ears of your children. We are training them never to sink to that level and live consecrated to the Lord; therefore, our delight for sin should not be a focus.

On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. Exodus 13:4-5(NKJV)

Repetition and holding an annual observance was top on God’s agenda for His people. This is why Roman Catholic Priests instituted the Christmas and Easter Observances; for creating traditions surrounding the goodness of God is a top priority to God.

Family traditions fit into this same thinking also. Families that have a stable event roster grow together and be it Easter, Christmas, or one a person made special, as long as the family reverences it, it will stand as a lesson for all generations that God is good to us.

In America our founding father instituted a day we call Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate our thankfulness, to God, for leading people to America and providing for our families. This is a most wonderful holiday.

Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters. And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt.’ It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year. Exodus 13:6-10(NKJV)

Teaching your children how terrible sin can be, is as simple as teaching them about leaven. Leaven or yeast causes a whole lump of dough to rise. It can never go back to its original state again.

If the dough is to come into contact with other dough, that dough will rise also. Therefore, they had to sweep the house clean and get rid of all the leaven. They ate unleavened bread for seven days which is the number of perfection.

In this they can teach their children the principle of what it is to live a consecrated life. God wants his people to live without sinning. Though it is impossible to not sin, we can continue to sweep our lives clean of sin and that is essential to consecrating your life or dedicating one’s self to God.

“And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD’s. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say to him, ‘By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.” Exodus 13:11-16(NKJV)

The allegories in the scriptures are vast and if we understand this, as we read Exodus a person can learn much about our own life with God. Through allegories, each of us can apply scriptures directly to our lives.

Do you fit the allegory of being a stubborn donkey? Pharaoh did; and so have many who resist God when God was speaking to their hearts. Many people refuse to listen and God will not pull a donkey to Him.

The blood of the lamb could sanctify even a dumb donkey, but if that lamb sacrifice does not cover the dumb donkey, its neck will be broken and it will die.

Three things we learn from this passage; first, consecrate your children to the Lord for the salvation of the Lord is precious.

Second, teach others to sweep the sin from their lives by having traditional remembrances of what salvation means.

Third, even a donkey can be spared and many of us were donkeys.

The Bible is a book for our learning and if we simply follow God’s direction for His people we can survive this earth with its dangers. Let us consecrate our lives daily to our God who loves us.

The Family Legacy.

The Family Legacy. Genesis 47:26-31.

So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. Genesis 47:26-27(NKJV)

Promised by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph, the nation of people were thriving. What started with Jacob’s twelve sons and began to scatter abroad was concentrated by God into this one area of Egypt. God wanted them to grow together and not apart.

The only way to build this nation was for the family to stay together; this is a concept that people have long started to neglect in our world and continues to be set in the shadows.

The family unit is becoming diced and chopped up in our modern societies. I spoke with a family counselor about this very issue and the concept of a families influence on future generations was a very interesting topic.

Often in today’s societies, children grow up without parental influence, let alone family influences. These children seek to build their own identities and reach for the commercial influence of society to model to. However, when children have good models for parents, this search for identity is reduced.

It becomes drastically reduced when children are not only raised within a parented household, but a household that is a unit of a larger family. Uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews, and those they bring close to themselves, all interact to bring identity to each individual.

In many of America’s East Coast cities, families that emigrated from Europe still live in the sections of their city their families called home. As families, they influence each other and have regular interaction. This builds identity and comes with responsibilities for each family member to make the family proud.

This same concept was begun in the first church when Jesus told his disciples to dwell together and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. When Gods spirit rushed in on them, the first church became as a family and we are told throughout the scriptures to dwell in unity as believers; therefore, the people of our churches can become our family.

This concept of family has to survive for our world to be a better place or unharmonious selfishness will overtake the hearts of the masses.

So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.” Genesis 47:28-30(NKJV)

Jacob was a father of twelve boys and grandparent to many children. It was getting close to the end of his life and he wanted his influence to continue even after his death. In this request of Jacob, we can see that even a family burial plot brings identity to the family.

So what is so important about being buried in the same burial plot as your family? It sets a tone of connection and pride. If you are of the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, one day your destiny would have you to lay alongside them in the family grave plot in hopes that those who you leave behind will remember you as well as it remembers them.

The stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still being told today and every Jewish boy and girl is taught about their forefathers and identity passes along to each. The Jewish race is one of the largest and oldest in the entire world. When meeting another Jew, each has a tie back to their origin and with that a responsibility to make them proud. This is what family building is all about.

Along with this commitment of family origin is passed along the commitment to their own local families. Grandfathers influence fathers, who influence sons, who will influence their children. It passes along to each and so should the pictures, and stories, and the legacy of each. This builds family.

Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed. Genesis 47:31(NKJV)

Jacob, who God changed his name to Israel, bowed himself on the head of the bed; as the son who he committed this to swore to him that this would be carried out upon his death. This ritual should be the goal of every father who is reaching the age of passing.

Parents must think of their lives as able to influence future generations. Their wishes need to be passed on, to their family. For myself, I have taken one of my sons and spoken to him about what my desires are for my grandchildren.

After I pass, I want to ensure that all of the work I have committed into preaching God’s word be passed to them so they may hear the words of their Grandfather. I also desire that they continue to pass it from generation to generation, so that my influence might transcend this present day.

Every parent has things they must do to influence their families to do good. It is these that we are to be busy doing. It is the way to make the world a better place and build the kingdom of God.

Israel was not yet going to die, but he made pre arrangements for that time. Though he waited until he was old in years to do this, there is no reason why you have to wait.

Make those plans, speak to your families about unity, and help them to see their position in the family as a legacy to be remembered. Encourage them to work towards it and build your family unit.

The last thing the family counselor and I talked about was the importance of removing dysfunctionality suffered from their grandchildren’s knowledge. There is no reason parents need to repeat the sins of the past and those stories should be forever lost as secrets. “We need to pass on the good things we did, not the bad.” These were great words from a great man.

Surviving Tragedy.

Surviving Tragedy. Genesis 47:13-26.

Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.” Genesis 47:13-15(NKJV)

Proceeding this time of famine was a time of plenty; is that not the way it goes in life? There was plenty of grain in the fields and their livestock had room to graze. People were buying land, and fighting to take land; now there had come a famine and all they valued disappeared, it became worthless.

The freest of person, no matter how rich they are, is a slave to their mortality. A person needs food to survive and our source for foods depends on the actions of others. Food must be harvested, transported, cleaned, and packaged, before it makes it to our tables and our world has placed their future in hopes that these chains of commerce to not breakdown.

All we see around us can disappear in moments. Should power grids fail and satellite transmitting end, it would cause a modern day famine. Natural disasters also contribute to desperate times. People are not beyond ruin and their reality is not beyond crashing in around them.

Should our electronics systems fail, ATMs would no longer be able to dispense the money most survive on. Stores would have to rely on a cash system until their supplies were gone. Chaos and looting would ensue and marshal law would have to go into effect and the military would have to replace the departmental police.

Certain collapse of the banking system would occur and the cash in your hand would be worthless. The coins you have saved would be only metal.

In Egypt, the famine had done just that. The money was worthless and the people were worried for their existence. Joseph had become the most trusted man in Egypt and he relied on God for wisdom on what to do.

With Joseph, it all began with a dream of Pharaoh. Joseph was given the interpretation and the dream was a warning from God that famine would occur. Yet though Joseph understood the warning, now he had to see the terrible realities come to pass. Joseph had to continue in faith to trust God for how to react to the circumstances.

Then Joseph said, “Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year. Genesis 47:16-17(NKJV)

When knowing the famine was eminent, Joseph stored up food in the storehouses of Egypt. Vast quantities he compiled and guarded as precious commodity. He was working for the Pharaoh and as a good workman he used those resources to buy up all the livestock, for that was the only thing of value.

Joseph looked at the future, as reveal by God, and took control of the circumstances. Looking at what was truly valuable; Joseph gathered grain for bread and seed for replanting. When others might stockpile their futures in land, gold, silver, and money; Joseph was able to see what was needed to sustain life.

His situation is not so different from ours. It has been revealed by prophesy and written in our Bibles that when the world reaches the end of days, there will be famine, sickness, and trials of great magnitude. Yet we live in a society that will not even prepare for surviving a minor earthquake. The smallest of tragedies rock our lives and in no way are we ready to survive end times.

When that year had ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is gone; my lord also has our herds of livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land may not be desolate.” Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s. And as for the people, he moved them into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end. Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had rations allotted to them by Pharaoh, and they ate their rations which Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their lands. Genesis 47:18-22(NKJV)

Many people put faith in the land they own; however, as you can see, land loses its value quickly when tragedy strikes. In Canaan and Egypt the fallacy that people owned their own land was most people’s conception; however, Governments control our lands and through a deed may hold our name, the ownership of land defaults quickly.

It is also interesting that Joseph used the conception of selling their land for rite of passage into their cities. Some governments have gone out and rounded people up and forces people to become slaves. Yet the finesse of Joseph kept peace amongst the people and made Pharaoh’s popularity high.

Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass in the harvest that you shall give one-fifth to Pharaoh. Four-fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and for your food, for those of your households and as food for your little ones.” So they said, “You have saved our lives; let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.” And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh’s. Genesis 47:23-26(NKJV)

Joseph was a man of God and his obedience to be kind to others is what made the difference in getting the land of Egypt back on its feet. The famine lasted seven years and in the end, commerce survived.

Most people in our world refer to men of God as being fanatics, extremists, and pushing their views upon the masses. When tragedy strikes, the world should hope for godly men to help them through the crisis.

This is why people preach the word of God. Not to condemn the world, but so the world might be saved from the perils they will face. So they may trust in God’s wisdom to survive.

We need godly people in offices of prestige and our children should be raised to be those men and women that make a difference. This cannot happen if we teach them to live in false realities of electronic worlds.

Yes, electronic media has a place; but reality, preparation for the future, and honor of God must be first and foremost our agenda for salvation.

Do not Discriminate.

Do not Discriminate. Genesis 46:28-34.

Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Genesis 46:28-29(NKJV)

The land of Goshen was located just beyond the border of Canaan. It was important for Joseph to head off his family in order to pave the way for their acceptance by the Pharaoh. The Egyptians culture was not accepting of shepherds; the idea of shepherds was an abomination to them.

Have you ever been looked down on due to race, occupation, and other discriminatory profiling? It is a terrible thing to face. However, Joseph was about to proudly accept his family for who they were and make a way for them to dwell in the land peaceably.

It had been many years since Joseph had seen his father and the sight of him caused Joseph to break down in tears and fold into his father’s out stretched arms. Joseph had to live like he had no father and suppress the longing for his father; however, now that separation came to an end.

No matter if a person is dead or alive, parting is sorrowful. That is the way God intended it to be. God desires us to dwell in love and unity; however, the sting of sin and death has ravaged our lives.

And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.” Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:30-34

Israel, whose name was first Jacob, felt that seeing his “supposed dead” son was more than what life could hold for him and now he could pass to the grave happy. Not all people get this opportunity; death has a cold parting swallow and the grave has a never ending hold on mortality.

Thank God that He forgives sin and provided His own son as a sacrifice for our sin. In this there is hope beyond the grave and the sting of death is only a moment of separation; however, parting is never sweet sorrow.

Joseph was ready to face the truth of his existence; He was the son of a shepherd and his family tended flocks. This would make for a tense situation; for the Pharaoh had trusted Joseph to manage his countries affairs; and soon all of Egypt would know Joseph was a shepherd’s son. Most leaders will not take an unpopular stance before their people; however, Joseph was willing to risk all in honor of truth.

Then Joseph went and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, their flocks and their herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan; and indeed they are in the land of Goshen.” And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and also our fathers.” And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.” Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.”Genesis 47:1-6(NKJV)

We must understand that we are not to be afraid of who we are or how people will judge us. If we be righteous before the Lord, even our enemies will be at peace with us.

Because people are self righteous, they will judge you greater than they will judge themselves. Trying to trap Jesus, one day the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery before Him. They accused her of her sin and through it was true, Jesus turned to them and told them to stone her if they, themselves, had no sin.

With that understood, let us be as the Pharaoh and make a way to include others who need our help. Let discrimination be stricken from our hearts and our acceptance presented with boldness.

The Pharaoh was not intimidated by what other thought. He was only commanded by his ability to do good to this faithful servant and the family. Pharaoh did not let discrimination rule his life; he let goodness flow.

Pharaoh not only did he allow their passage, he gave them the best part of the land, which honored Joseph and Jacob.

Do you realize that God one day will allow people to dwell in the fullness of His kingdom? Like Pharaoh, He will accept people for who they are and not hold their position in life or race against them.

God will take the lowliest of men and raise them to a position of greatness. No matter the sin committed, God will forgive those who have humbled themselves before Him and believed in His wonderful savior.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for all; therefore, we are to respect others and no matter their sin, accept them for who they are and support them.

The Importance of the Family.

The Importance of the Family. Genesis 45:21-28.

After a long ordeal of having his brother’s turn on him, being sold as a slave, jailed on trumped up charges, and working his way to the top position in Egypt, Joseph was reunited with his family, forgiving them for what they did to him.

Joseph saw a bigger player throughout all these people he was involved with; it was God that allowed every situation and though sometimes they were bad situations, God was working for the good of Joseph and the families began by the sons of Israel.

Even the Pharaoh had invited all of their families with their herds to the safety of Egypt as there were to be five more years of famine.

Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.” Genesis 45:21-24(NKJV).

The prompting of Joseph is a most interesting statement. “See that you do not become troubled along the way.” You see, the brothers had interesting ways of getting into trouble and Joseph wanted to remind them that they could still jeopardize their situation. Joseph knew that through they had salvation offered to them, they could still mess it up by sinning against their future.

Much like our situations we are saved by grace and not of ourselves, it is a gift of God. However, it we do sin we can confess our sin and be fully forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. Yet, the Apostle Paul told us that he did not consider himself as already being safe, but that he was racing towards a finish line and after crossing over then he would have the prize; but the race is not over.

Many people like to pass off the mischief we can get into as being covered by the blood of Christ and that there is no worry. But the grasp of sin can once again take control of our life and pull us down to the pit. Continually we must consider ourselves dead to that old sinful life and resist the temptations of sin so that we may never fall short of the glory that awaits us.

This is what Joseph was telling his brothers; he wanted to see them back from their journey and safe where they could be a family again.

Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” Genesis 25:1-28(NKJV).

There is no greater feeling than to be a father who is reunited with his family. In our generation, because of commerce and the ease of travel, families live apart from each other. Little is spoken about the psychological effects that has on them.

Recently a friend of mine showed me a photo he had found. In it were his grandfather, his great grandfather, and great great grandfather. In the days of old, a son would live not too far from his family and the influences of the elders played a significant role in shaping their lives.

Yet today many have traded that wisdom for acquired wisdom from the masses and children grow up without a valuable influence of knowing their grandparents and seeing how the family unit can help each other. This is one great reason why marriages have become so dispensable and other social harms occur from parted families also.

However, in our passage God felt it important to reunite this family. The family of Israel struggled and had their shortcomings, but God wanted to do a greater work in their life. He was building a nation of people and these were the birthing parents to that nation.

God went through much trouble to reassemble them and though it was in Egypt, what would come out of Egypt was going to be a great nation.

You can almost say that the same great struggle is happening today as God brings His people together in Church homes. We are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and we are gathering together to so that we can influence each other for good.

God is forming not just a nation, but a kingdom of people who are going to work together to eradicate sin so that we might be one with Him in Heaven. Therefore we must not allow ourselves to be pulled apart and work toward the unification of the church as one. We must make to our safe haven so that God may do his work of building a kingdom.

From Jail to the Throne.

From Jail to the Throne. Genesis 41:37-57.

So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Genesis 41:37-38(NKJV)

Joseph not only was able to interpret the dream of the Pharaoh, he did it with style. All the trials he had experience through life made him into a man of poise and gave him confidence. What others meant for his harm, God meant for his good.

As a young boy, he was shunned by his brothers; however, that was good for him because he did not need their influence in his life.

When they sold him into slave traders, he was caged like an animal and had to learn to trust in God for his safety for the very first time in his life.

Then having been bought by Pharaohs captain of the guard, Joseph would have to learn to speak Egyptian and Egyptian educates, along with their manors and customs. He would learn how to serve in a royal fashion; how to dress the part, and how to address the Pharaoh.

When Potiphar’s wife put the moves on him he learned that it is not good to be alone with a woman in the same room. Through Potiphar and his wife, Joseph learned how to have a bad Egyptian marriage, which would prepare him for a good one.

In Jail he learned that if you serve God by serving others, you will be blessed. He also learned what the Egyptian criminal mind was like. What they looked like and what drove them to be their way.

Now standing before the Pharaoh, Joseph was fully equipped to portrait himself with confidence and understanding. All of his trials made him the man right for the job. It was God’s sculpting hand that did the work in Joseph’s life.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:39-40(NKJV)

In Egypt, they knew of a greater God named Yahweh. In a land that had many gods, Yahweh was now in charge and Joseph would be the representative. He was faithful and sincere; deliberate and intelligent. He was fully equipped for the job and the Pharaoh had complete confidence in Joseph.

This is the work that God wants to do in all of our lives. It may not be to this great extent; however, God wants to raise up legislators, congressmen, presidents, and still has desires for teachers, principles, foremen, executives, and professional people. Christians are needed in every part of the world and each of our jobs in life is important. So important that we must have the integrity and attitude of Joseph; he is the perfect example to us.

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-43(NKJV)

It would have been nice to hear Joseph talk candidly about the relationship of his childhood dreams and his rise to power. He dreamed his family would bow down to him and now he had every Egyptian bowing as his chariot passed.

Inside Joseph was beaming, yet he had to look eye to eye with every man, woman, and child. He had to have a serious eye, showing no emotion. Joseph had to look and act as a Pharaoh.

Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:44-46(NKJV)

His new name meant “Treasury of the glorious rest” and was significant to his role in the Egyptian leadership. Joseph was to be a savior to the Egyptians and protect them from the famine to come.

Given a wife, Joseph was expected to make a dynasty of rulers that would lead Egypt into the new challenging future. Family was an important part of their culture and one sadly neglected in ours.

Children are to inherit our values and strengths. They are future leaders and will run the Church of Jesus Christ long after we are gone. If Christianity is to survive and thrive we must be busy about our business of growing families.

Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable. Genesis 41:47-49(NKJV)

It is amazing when you can get to the point you stop counting. Everything we own we measure. We measure the amount, the value, its effectiveness; however, God had blessed them with enough that many other countries would survive on the stores.

There was only seven years of harvest and during those seven years, the harvest was stocked and not spent. It was put away for a coming famine. This was the actions of a purposeful person; one who looked into the future and saw reality.

In today’s societies and with most people, when given supplies of plenty, they trigger a spending spree of plenty. Not looking at the future, they take trips, buy cars, jewelry, and things that perish. But what about what life holds in the future? Is there a day coming when the harvest will be over and you will have a time of famine?

And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:50-52(NKJV)

Joseph was outwardly an Egyptian, but inwardly he was still the son of his father Jacob. Looking at his children, he found joy that he could have a family and carry on his heritage in a great way. The only thing left was uniting his Hebrew family and as always, Joseph trusted in God to do the work.

Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.” The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands. Genesis 41:53-57(NKJV)

What is amazing is not only did Joseph store the food, he sold the food. He was building the riches of the Pharaoh’s kingdom and money was coming in faster than the food went out.

When you see the treasures of the Egyptians you can attribute them to this time when Egypt would become the center of the known world; a giant, rich, nation with a great future.

Killed by God.

Killed by God. Genesis 38:1-11.

It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah. Genesis 38:1(NKJV)

When writing the book of Genesis the author included this story to be a warning to the reader. It is a story of degradation and has ugly content. It resides in this account about the sons of Jacob for our benefit; yet it is horrific in detail and sickens me to read.

It was Dianna, who first wandered from the family and mixed with the local people; her rape was a travesty towards their family. A boy asked her hand in marriage after he defiled her and her brothers deceived the Shechemites into circumcising themselves so the marriage might happen.

When the Shechemites were sore from circumcision, having the advantage, Judah’s brothers, Simon and Levi, slaughtered every male. In their minds it was the price to pay for defiling their sister. They were keeping the family honor in tacked and this should have sent a message to all the family that you do not marry unless blessed by their father, Jacob.

Dianna’s incident would not have happened if she had not wandered off; but now here in our story, the teenage Judah would repeat her mistake and wander off.

And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her. So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him. Genesis 38:2-5(NKJV)

Though these are a few short sentences leading up to this marriage, there was more to the story. Judah just wanted to get away for a while and as he wandered he met a young Canaanite man named Hirah.

Like most young men who grow up without godly influence, Hirah had many new and interesting traits. He had a type of strength, free from inhibitions.

As in most societies it is easy to associate alcohol, drugs, sex, and foul language use, as a way to build an accepted identity with others.

Now Judah not only joined the group, he had to take for himself the things that made his identity; this included a girl that he had met; so Judah claimed her like his own property.

Having done things unacceptable to his own family, he stayed away from them. It is not too hard to stay away from a family of dysfunction. His father had multiple wives. His brother’s killed the Shechemites. He and his brothers sold their younger brother, Joseph, into slavery. Therefore to get away from them was not a problem.

Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD killed him. Genesis 38:6-7(NKJV)

Judah continued to raise his children without any parenting skills and with no godly influence. In scripture, you do not find many passages where the Lord kills a person. Yet the evil this young man got into was too much for God to watch. So bad were Er’s evils that God killed him.

And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also. Genesis 38:8-10(NKJV)

It may seem as if God is on a rampage towards Judah’s family. Yet what started from peer acceptance had grown into intolerable acts of sin, a despicable family, and children who are singled out by God to be put to death.

With God there is intolerance for sin. He is Holy and those who come to Him must have humility towards their sin. Just the act of remorse for sin committed, is enough for God to give a person opportunity to come to Him for forgiveness.

Sin is a weight, and those who feel the weight of their sin have a chance to repent which is given by God. They can come to Him anytime in their life; yet with these young men, there was no way that they would ever live life to repent. Their sin was beyond tolerance and God ended it there on the spot.

Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house. Genesis 38:11(NKJV)

Judah became a man who produced terrible children. He had a warped sense of what family was about and knew nothing about godliness. His own sin caused him deep pain and he no doubt was so conflicted that each day he contemplated his own death.

You have heard it said, “The love of money is the root of all evil;” however, evil has many roots that grow like weeds into your life, penetrating deep into your soul.

Sin breeds despair, hopelessness, anger, and leads to other wickedness. When we meet people, each has their own depression, their own regrets, and their own habits. When we join ourselves to them we subject ourselves to their dysfunction and if a person is not spiritually strong, dysfunction can become their own dysfunction.

The truly amazing point that we must focus on when reading this chapter is that Jesus Christ was a lion that came out of the tribe of Judah.

This is God’s message to us all that no matter your dysfunction, your pain, your anguish, good can come from your life. Your family can experience forgiveness of sin and cleansing from all that is evil.

Jesus Christ is a free gift to all who will accept Him. He will come into your life and change it. However, like the young men who were killed by God, the punishment for rejecting this salvation is death.

People die every day and though we do not hear that it was the hand of God who killed them; all people die and end up in the hand of God. There, they will be judged by one criterion, “What did you do with the salvation offered to you?”

Is your Family Valued?

Is your Family Valued? Genesis 36:1-43.

Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth. Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan. Genesis 36:1-5(NKJV)

Esau gained the nick name of Edom or “Red”. When we last read about Esau he was making amends with his brother Jacob. Esau had coped with the fact that his father Isaac had blessed Jacob and that God honored that blessing. Therefore, the brothers were again united, but there was one thing that would keep them apart; Esau made his home with the ungodly Canaanite people and his people were different from Jacob’s.

The story teller, inspired by God to write this account, lets us look in look into Esau’s life and the nation he fathered children in, called the Edomites. The Edomites will be mentioned in many other stories occurring later in scripture and therefore, it is important to know who they are.

Esau gathered many women; marrying a Hittite, a Hivite, and a Canaanite women. His sons were name Eliphaz (My God is gold), Reuel (friend of God), Juesh (assembler), Jalem (concealed), Korah (bald). These can be called the Dukes of Edom.

The names are significant for they reflect the spiritual conviction of their father. He was more interested in possession than spirituality and his own accomplishments over what God could accomplish through him. Esau began as a hunter and renowned for his hunting. This wildness inside him could not be tamed.

Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom. Genesis 36:6-8(NKJV)

The land they dwelt in was named after Esau. Edom was a mountainous terrain and stretched 100 miles long and 20 miles wide. The northern area began at the Southern end of the Dead Sea and Edom’s Southern area touched a gulf in the Red sea. It was an Arabian nation that bordered Egypt.

Verses Genesis 36:9-29 will be omitted due to its long elaborate presentation of names. Therefore, taking advantage of this passage I will list the names of the grandchildren of Esau, who became chiefs to rule the land of Edom. In this we find that the meaning in their names suggests how the son’s of Esau were raised by their father and how they as parents raised their children.

Chief Teman (South), Chief Omar (Speaker), Chief Zepho (Watch Tower), Chief Kenaz (hunter), Chief Korah (bald), Chief Gatam (a burnt valley), and Chief Amalek(dweller in the valley), Chief Nahath (rest), Chief Zerah (rising), Chief Shammah (astonishment), and Chief Mizzah (fear). Chief Jeush (he hurries to aid), Chief Jaalam (concealed), and Chief Korah (bald). Lotan (covering), Shobal (flowing), Zibeon (colored), Anah (answer), Dishon (thresher), Ezer (treasures), Hori(cave dweller) and Hemam(exterminating), Alvan (tall), Manahath (rest), Ebal (bare mountain), Shepho ( bold), Onam (vigorous), Ajah (falcon), Anah (answer), Hemdan (desire), Eshban (fire of discernment), Ithran (advantage), and Cheran (lyre), Bilhan (their decrepitude), Zaavan (troubled), Akan (sharp sighted), Uz (wooded), Aran (joyous).

Though a name is only a name; the Hebrew protection of every name was an important aspect of life. They believed that it could shape the way a child thought of themselves and that God would respect that name and raise that child to be great. However, this eagerness to please God, Esau had no delight in it.

Esau thought only of necessity. He only considered what he needed and he was building a nation; therefore, many of the names called out positions as these men would become chiefs to carry the nation of the Edomites into the future with strength.

A people are no greater than their kings and the following passage reflects many years of kings that the Edomites would have. There would be wars and skirmishes; yet we must remember that with each generation the knowledge and care for God diminished.

Every parent, every ruler, and every common person, has a responsibility to remember God. They must remember God’s greatness; for without God a people live and die with what they fought for and protected, so it may continue to go forward, but they gain nothing.

Now with Esau were previous generations all originating from Seth, the son of Adam. Therefore, Esau was not the big fish in Edom.

Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela(destruction) the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. And when Bela died, Jobab(a desert) the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. When Jobab died, Husham(haste) of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. And when Husham died, Hadad(mighty) the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith. When Hadad died, Samlah(garment) of Masrekah reigned in his place. And when Samlah died, Saul(desire) of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place. When Saul died, Baal-Hanan(baal is gracious) the son of Achbor(mouse) reigned in his place. And when Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor died, Hadar(honor) reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. Genesis 36:31-39(NKJV)

There were many ruling forces and these people worshiped many gods. There was a deep depression of evil in this society that included worshiping the god Baal. Therefore, Esau was compelled to raise his children to be able to survive in this society by becoming part of it and teaching them to become a part of it. His sons became chiefs and their families worked hard to become leaders.

And these were the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their families and their places, by their names: Chief Timnah(restrained), Chief Alvah(evil), Chief Jetheth(a nail), Chief Aholibamah(tent of high places), Chief Elah(an oak), Chief Pinon(darkness), Chief Kenaz(hunter), Chief Teman(south), Chief Mibzar(fortress), Chief Magdiel(prince of God), and Chief Iram(belonging to a city). These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites. Genesis 36:40-43(NKJV)

Of all the names listed in this passage, only Esau will we remember with great understanding. He chose the earthly things of this world and chose to live among those who worshiped idols, not God.

Though he was born into a family under God’s providence, he had no respect for it. What he sought to achieve, he did achieve. He became a great people and dominated a large land; but nowhere in this was God honored and therefore, we see the absence of God’s interaction with them. They became the dust of the earth to be trodden down by future generations.

Let us ask the question, “If they did not honor God, should God honor them?” Around us are all types of people who act the same as Esau’s descendants, should God honor these?

It is easy to look at a Godless society or an idol worshiping society and say they are worthless. Yet God so loved the whole world that he sent His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have ever lasting life.

He granted to Esau an opportunity to know Him and through the years, God did no irrevocable harm. He left a way of escape and never gave up on Esau and his family; neither should we give up on those of our societies. May God be praised in our response.

Family Deceit.

Family Deceit. Genesis 27:1-17.

Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” Genesis 27:1-4(NKJV)

Isaac dearly loved his son Esau from his birth. The moment he laid eyes on the furry red baby boy, Isaac declared in his heart that this was the heir to the family legacy and as it had passed from Abraham to Isaac, the blessing would pass from himself to Esau. Yet, his mother thought otherwise.

When the children were born Rebekah made an issue that they were born together, one holding on to the other; therefore, one was not born first. Though she had to have love for her babies, there was something about Esau that made Rebekah favor Jacob. The parents would remain split on who should receive the birthright of the first born.

If we take the scriptural account of Isaac’s life and compare it with Abraham, we see that Abraham had a higher commitment to the Lord. Isaac had his times where God intervened, but you hear little about Isaac calling on the Lord or seeking God for directions. When it did happen, it was God approaching Isaac.

Now in old age, Isaac is making a decision to pass the birthright blessing onto Esau; which would be a normal occurrence in a family, except the family was not rejoicing with him.

When I view the sadness in the heart of the parents, which occurred from Esau’s actions, I can see some very important truths that would apply. Esau was making wrong decisions and his family knew it.

Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, ‘Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.’ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.” Genesis 27:5-10(NKJV)

The first truth I see is Isaac did not have great honor for his wife. Isaac had treated her such that she could not go to him to be heard and instilled in her an attitude to sneak behind his back.

Another truth I see is Rebekah had little respect for Esau because of the way he lived and his choices in life. Esau had little concern for the birthright and carelessly sold it to his brother for food when Esau was desperately hungry. In her eyes, Esau sold the birthright and it no longer belonged to him.

In addition, they were to become a great nation before God; but Esau threw away the importance God’s blessings to his grandfather by marring Canaanite women. He married outside their bloodline and into the families of people who had a curse placed on them. Esau walked through life trampling everything of godly importance.

I don’t know if we can call it a mother’s intuition, yet Rebecca’s feelings towards Esau began at birth. Those feelings may have influenced the way Esau was nurtured and turned him into the man he was; but there is little scriptural support for that reasoning. However, family dynamics had everything to do with the way these people thought of each other.

And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.” But his mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” And he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. Genesis 27:11-17(NKJV)

The difference of the boys was night and day and each had their own dysfunction. Esau’s dysfunction we have discussed; now Jacob had his own problems too.

Jacob grew up being favored by his mother and his father favored his brother. We can safely say that Jacob grew up in his brother’s shadows. When Esau learned to hunt, Jacob had to see his dad’ praise for Esau and possibly his father tried to make Jacob hunt too.

Every time Esau returned home, he had caught wild game that he prepared for the family and the excitement of his father was again turned towards Esau.

Then there was the stories about the hunt and the kill; which left Jacob little to say that could match accolades Esau received from Isaac. Yet when feeling low, Jacob could always find a comforting smile from his mother.

Esau was not always successful as a hunter and once when returning home he desperately needed to eat. This caused inner feelings to come out of Jacob and he said, “Sell me your birthright and I’ll give you food.” Esau said, “What good is a birthright?” and agreed. Therefore, Jacob was the rightful person to receive the birthright.

The problems that exist are many. Each person in this family allowed dysfunction to take over their life. I would say that it began at the father and trickled down to every member. This is why we must seek a relationship with the Lord and daily seek to renew it.

Now who deserves the birthright? This we must answer as we go on to study this family of dysfunction. Place yourself in the shoes of a participant and answer the question, “What should they do.” The outcome is in the next study.

Your Impact, Your Family. Genesis 11:10-32.

Your Impact, Your Family. Genesis 11:10-32.

Moses turns his attention to ensuring the reader can trace the genealogy from Shem to Abraham; this is the blood line that would eventually produce a promised people, who could glory in their father. However, the fathers leading up to Abraham we’re not worthy of such honor. Our passage is lengthy with accounts of generations; however, there is an underlying moral story that only the diligent will find.

Where you were raised, who you were raised by, and the things that happened to you are defining forces in a person’s life. These elements pigeon hole people into lifestyles and often people do not seek to break out from them.

As revealed in Joshua chapter 24, Abraham’s father Terah and Tehah’s father Nahor both got caught up in worshiping false Gods. They were unfaithful to worship the God of their father’s. This is the environment that Abraham grew up in and if Abraham did not follow a different course for his life; he would have followed along with his family.

Now the following “begots” have no luster; yet in them you will notice that the age of mortality gradually decreases. With the firmament removed, the genetic chemistry changes and life spans grow smaller. In fact, Noah’s son Shem almost outlives most generations in his family tree mentioned in our passage.

This is the genealogy of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old, and begot Arphaxad two years after the flood. After he begot Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Salah. After he begot Salah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Salah lived thirty years, and begot Eber. After he begot Eber, Salah lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Eber lived thirty-four years, and begot Peleg. After he begot Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters. Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu. After he begot Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters.  Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Serug.  After he begot Serug, Reu lived two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.  Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor. After he begot Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and begot Terah. After he begot Terah, Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters. Now Terah lived seventy years, and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Genesis 11:10-26(NKJV)

If you chart out these fathers and sons, you will find that the fathers had much opportunity to influence their children for good. Grandparental influence was a large opportunity also. If such an opportunity exists, how do you let your children go off to worship false Gods? What happened to the fear of God?

Could it be that they reasoned within themselves that God will never again destroy the earth? Could it be that they thought their life would be long enough to live a life of sin and repent when they are old? If so, the mortality rate was decreasing and those who thought they had time, did not.

As Moses explains the circumstances leading up to the nation of Israel, he lists the genealogy of Abram. Abram is the extreme faithful father figure to Israel; however, Moses shows us that his father wasn’t.

This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot.
And Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans. Then Abram and Nahor took wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah. But Sarai was barren; she had no child. And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there. So the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran. Genesis 11:27-32(NKJV)

Terah’s three sons were Abram, Nahor, and Haran; they lived in the land of Ur. The Chaldeans that lived in Ur were a people of commerce and lived self centered lives. Their worship of idols catered to their self absorbed lives of pleasure and their extravagance enticed many to follow their rituals.

However, there seems much untold about the lives of this family. We know, one son died prematurely and the others got married. Abram married a wife was unable to have children and that is the extent of what we know about this family.

When reading our scriptures it is easy to look at this passage and quickly dismiss it; yet what we can gain vast respect if we take note of the circumstances that gripped them.

Serug and son Terah, both gave into worshiping false Gods. Their lives became entrenched in the worship of that day. In the lives of these idolaters, something was happening to shorten their life span. People were no longer living long and each generation was dying younger.

Perhaps the alcohol or drugs and the common worship through illicit sex were causing sicknesses. If we join this to the death of Terah’s son, Haran, it is apparent that whatever joy Terah received in Ur, it died with his son’s death. Terah gathered his immediate family and left the land.

Terah only took with him his two sons and their wives. He left behind his father, Serug, and his relatives. He wanted to get out of the land, away from its ways, and start a different life; perhaps one without idolatries.

Though Terah rescued his immediate family, he would not be allowed to join them in their new land, with their new lives. Terah died in Haran at the age of 148.

In contrast Seth, Noah’s son, was still alive! Seth also outlived six of seven generations of grandchildren that produced Terah. This is why God hates wickedness. He created us to live forever with Him and sin continues impact that desire.

It will not be long until each of us goes the way of the grave. What will be your legacy and what effect will you have on the lives of your family? Will you live a clean life that honors God or will you die from diseases acquired while celebrating your own self centeredness?

The questions are asked to cause you to think; for many are those who have not done so well with this responsibility before God. Yet it is not too late to be as Terah and make a difference now. A person can become that family leader that leads others away from sin and to a life with God.

Family Tragedies. Genesis 10:13-28.

Family Tragedies. Genesis 10:13-28.

As we advance in time, each generation changes based upon the actions of the past generation. Your parents have influenced you and their parents influenced them. This is how families can tragically skew off into ruin and if not into ruin, create some very terrible people.

Family tragedies happen all around us so much so that the dysfunction of a few becomes the dysfunction of the masses. Whole societies are raised to disrespect their bodies, disrespect their health, and disrespect their God.

A society or a family that holds godly values tight produce some very fine individuals and that is the desire of God for our lives. In this study we look at a family that went in opposite directions; one to goodness, and the other to corruption.

And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim. and Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite, and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations. Genesis 10:13-20(NKJV)

Ham was the patriarchal father of many. One of his descendants, Nimrod, was a great hunter, a mighty man and became a builder of cities. He influenced his culture and shaped family values creating a blood line of people that did not honor God. Nimrod went on to create the first false religion and he did this in the face of the true God.

The influence of Nimrod, his antics, his arrogance, and his defiance of God, spread throughout the lands where his kindred settled. They spread far out across the land and their way of life is possibly why the kindred of Japheth, split from his brother’s families and settled far away.

Ham fathered families with disrespect for the God of his father, Noah. Without godliness as a standard, poor behaviors tear families apart. Attitudes run rampant and people model themselves after the world they see. Each of the cities mention in our passage had corruption sweeping through them and every new generation learned to be more corrupt. Though people disliked corruption and dominating corrupt politics; without a godly standard, the thing they despised they became.

The Canaanites would become a godless society and their dealing would bring pain to Israel. Many of the families could not even establish themselves in a city and they stayed nomadic; they became tribes of people scattered abroad.

Now Shem, Noah’s eldest son, would be the Father of the patriarchs and ten generations removed, Abraham would be born. These families, though they were influenced by the world around them, adhered to the concept of honoring God.

When people honor God, God honors them back and by the tenth generation, Abraham would answer the call of God to use his faith and go blindly to a land to follow the God of his fathers. From Abraham would come the great nation of Israel.

It was a journey of faith and such great faith is no accident; it takes great effort from parents to raise children to honor God. Correcting attitudes and educating them in the scriptures allows godly influence to direct them in the way they should go. As promised in Proverbs, “If you train up a child in the way they should go, when they are old they will not depart.”

Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born. The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash. And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber. And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba, And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan. And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east. These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations. Genesis 10:21-31(NKJV)

The world will always be filled with corruption and corrupt politics; however, in every generation there will be a remnant of people holding family values close, honoring God, and preserving His truth.

These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood. Genesis 10:32(NKJV)

Many people like to study their lineage and look into history. However, many find a lineage of dysfunctional people and painful hurts. Each of us is shaped by the influences of our past and though we carry scars, we must turn our hearts to God for healing.

When a person gives their heart to God and asks Jesus Christ to forgive them of their sin, issues from the past can be broken. The power of God to change lives is stronger than any past sin. Though a sin had wreaked havoc on our family or in our lives; it can be erased from hurting future generations.

Dysfunction can be turned to poised beauty. A bitter heart can become a beautiful chamber of God’s love. Those battered, bruised, and defiled, can become renewed, forgiven, and strong. God in our lives brings healing and when God is allowed the freedom to change us, He steps in with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Does this message find you feeling less than adequate? Are you in need of a social behavior makeover? It can happen today by asking Jesus Christ to come into your heart and forgive you of sin and to heal you.

He will start from the inside and work out. He can lift the sorrow of the past and replace it with the joy of the future. He can fill your heart with forgiveness for others and as the change takes place in your life, others around you will see it and desire that for themselves.

At times it has to start with one family member; but the little flame can turn into a fire. That fire can burn away the dysfunction from our family and set the path for future generations.

Broken, Dysfunctional, Families. Genesis 10:1-32

Broken, Dysfunctional, Families. Genesis 10:1-32.

Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. Genesis 10:1(NKJV)

Have you ever traced you lineage, your bloodline, back through history? If you could go far back as possible, here is where you would end up. After the flood, this is the eldest account of mankind as we know it and from these three sons of Noah all people from every nation have come.

Now purity in our blood lines is fading away. It is possible to have relatives coming from each of these three boys; but there are still some who can trace back to just one son. The longer our world spins, purity of bloodlines are vanishing.

Jews and Arabs who trace their ancestry back to Abraham will find this passage extremely useful. They can trace backwards from Abraham to Shem, who had a descendant named Heber and Abraham’s family lines were called Hebrews.

Now Moses began with the eldest son Japheth and quickly writes about Japheth’s decedents without much detail; probably because they settled into remote regions and would be considered the Gentile nations. You can say that they put distance between themselves and the others and in the process they put distance between the God of their father, Noah.

The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. Genesis 10:2-5(NKJV)

Moses moving on elaborates more about the children of Ham for they became Israel’s enemies. It was Noah that said Ham would not be able to raise a godly family and they would become servants of his brothers.

And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Genesis 10:6-10(NKJV)

Ham was the son who Moses projected would not raise his children properly, for he had no respect for his own father. Moses projected that Ham’s sons would have families that would be as servants and to that Ham took great acceptation.

Noah’s families tension were high and how tense families handle their situation is important; for tension can rip a family into pieces. Ham began the tension by mocking his father, in front of the brothers. Noah increased the tension by saying Ham would not be a good father and seeing all this Japheth refused to get sucked up in the problems. Japheth’s answer was to leave altogether and he did.

The only son that stayed close to Noah was Shem. Noah’s family pretty much spit up and sorrow gripped their homes. Around the world sorrow grips the homes of many families because they refuse to talk through their problems and reconcile differences.

In any family, the Father is to be the bedrock and the mother a supporting spouse. The two are to be the examples to the children on how we should live before God. Parents teach how to humbly love God and how forgiveness is to be implemented within the family. It was only through the hardness of the hearts did this family split apart.

Ham, being rejected by his father, raised his own families with attitudes of survival and to strive for accomplishments. Though Ham mocked his father, he longed for his father to accept him. The longing became bitterness and in bitterness Ham set goals for achievements that his father might recognize. This attitude for achievement passed on to generations and the outcome was personified in Ham’s grandson, Nimrod.

Nimrod became a great hunter. He had a great mind, but a stubborn heart. He gained respect from his kindred who accepted him as a prince. Through politics Nimrod had great gain; however, when he came to power, he dominated people with his might; having them to work as slaves building the cities of Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh.

Earlier we studied that God destroyed the world by flood to wipe out people that acted like Nimrod and in our passage the phrase he did it all “before the Lord” is indication of defiance of God. He knew right from wrong and selected to do what was wrong. In a way, Nimrod became a challenger to God much like Ham challenged his father Noah.

He enslaved people to build cities and when they were finished he wanted more from them. It is believed that Nimrod built the city of Babel that actually became a threat to God’s heaven and therefore his efforts had to be thwarted.

Nimrod was the first to set up his own religion and create idol worship; forcing his values on the masses. It is obvious that Lucifer corrupted Nimrod’s thinking and Nimrod’s rebellion was compared to the sin of witchcraft. Nimrod used satanic power, but Lucifer’s demons were behind it all.

Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city. Genesis 10:11-12(NKJV)

Such was the conquest of Nimrod that others had to leave to get away from his influence. They went out and built cities of their own. However, wanting to get away, they took with them the same tainted thinking and ways. From generation to generation sin spreads and though families split and they move away, they take with them acquired habits and attitude about God.

This is why, as Christians, we are to build godly homes and as parents, practice faith. If parents train their children in the ways of the Lord, when old they will not depart. Parents are central to the development of future generations and in humbleness they are to repent openly for every fault.

When parents have done wrong in their children’s eyes, they are to model repentance. When parents are wrong, they are to go to the child and repair the damage done; taking it to the Lord for His intervention into their hearts.

Now for people fleeing families that have split apart because of social dysfunction, it is important to realize that the only thing that has changed is the distance. The dysfunction that worked inside the family to cause the split is still a part of their lives.

It is at this time that people must humble themselves to learn a new way, allowing God to change their heart. They must surrender their heart to God so that He might soften it. This comes through becoming a part of a good church family. Clinging to others, confessing your sin, praying to God, and studying His word; for only then will change happen that will put your immediate family back on track.

A Father’s Shame. Genesis 9:20-29.

A Father’s Shame. Genesis 9:20-29.

Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Genesis 9:20-21(NKJV)

Oh the terrible effects of alcohol. Where, at parties, alcohol can be a wonderful ice breaker, it can be a terrible deal breaker with God.

One of the greatest threats to humanity is alcohol. Often starting as an innocent indulgence, alcohol has destructively torn apart the human race. As Billy Sunday once said “There is no law, divine or human, that the saloon respects.”

Noah was the first man to gain a respect for the affects of alcohol and as Noah learned sin does not just affect us, our sin affects future generations.

Many will argue that kept in the privacy of one’s own house, alcohol is a good resource; it calms the nerves, helps one forget the pressures of the day. Yet, as seen here, it can still have an effect on your own family.

Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. Genesis 9:22(NKJV)

Alcohol unleashes a person’s inhibitions; those things they would not think of themselves doing, they do. People awake from drunkenness to find sorrow in their path.

Noah was naked, others have done worse than that. Solomon wrote, Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverbs 20:1 (NKJV)

Noah was caught in a moment of indiscretion; however the greater sin was committed by his son, Ham. At the sight of his fathers’ nakedness; Ham mocked Noah to his brothers. As if to say come and see our great father wallowing in shame; Ham did so to discredit Noah before his siblings.

There is nothing worse than for a child to disrespect their parents and is why the scriptures plead with us to teach our children to respect parents and God as their father. Yet, something was amiss in Ham’s heart and he took delight in see his father succumbed to the effects of alcohol.

Now Billy Sunday had much the same problem with his own family. A father of three sons, Billy near lost the following he had as a preacher because his children acted as heathens.

Billy was a Baseball player who played for the Chicago Whitestockings in 1883. An orphan as a child, Billy became a tremendous athlete and grew to live a life on the road as a baseball player, hand gripping a beer mug.

During his eight years of Major League Baseball, Billy gave his heart to Jesus Christ. Developing the ability to preach Billy began sharing his testimony and America was listening.

Billy preached to over a million people; however as Billy preached against the evils of alcohol, his sons participated in every activity Billy preached against. The Sundays were even forced to pay blackmail to some women who threatened to divulge the antics of his sons.

Billy Sunday was a great evangelist; however his ministry was tarnished because of the lack of respect his sons had towards him as a father and God.

But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father’s nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.” Genesis 9:23-25(NKJV)

How do you discipline a son who would do such a terrible thing to his own father? The answer is you do not. There is nothing that can be said to rescue a child that refuses.

In our passage, Noah’s word are more than a “juju” spell, they are a proclamation that no good will become of Hams children because they will not have a father that will raise them with respect.

When people disrespect goodness they teach their families to do the same. Ham’s morals were in such disarray his children would not have a good mentor and therefore not learn to be spiritually successful and blessed by God. They would at best be outcasts and slaves.

Noah’s statement was to continue as a promise to all generations and is in scripture so that we might all learn to honor and respect parents.

So serious is God towards this, Paul wrote, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4(NKJV)

How can a generation raise a generation to live morally if they first will not do so themselves?

Noah also said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem,
and may Canaan be his slave.”

Though it was only words, Noah’s expresses to his two remaining faithful sons hopes they would continue on in their virtue and honor God. In so doing, honor comes with promise and with hope that they will achieve their goals, live good lives, and have the wisdom that turns them into leaders.

After the flood Noah lived 350 years. Altogether, Noah lived 950 years, and then he died. Genesis 9:28-29(NKJV)

Billy Sunday once said “I tell you that the curse of God Almighty is on the saloon.” It was a saloon, that as a baseball player, Billy frequented. Yet even after his repentance of his sin, Billy’s scorn of alcohol before the public was not enough to save his own sons.

Noah must have felt much the same. He lost a son, and tried the rest of his life not to lose another. Our actions affect our families; this is why God has called us to walk holy for He is holy.

The End of the Trial. Genesis 8:14-22.

The End of the Trial. Genesis 8:14-22.

And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. Genesis 8:14-17(NKJV)

After over a year of living in the ark, it was now time to go out and start a new life. The ark that brought them salvation from the storm and safety from the waves was now a closing chapter in their life.

They had their hard times, their good times, and at times they were fearful as the ship plunged up waves the size of buildings and their stomachs sank as if riding a roller coaster. When God destroyed the earth, the violent shaking of the earth would have been quite a site from space. Yet that time of their life had drawn to a close and now they would embark on a new time, a new world, and face new struggles.

And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. Genesis 8:18-20(NKJV)

Watching the big door fall to the ground with a loud “thud” must have been impressive. And a breeze swept into the cabin so odorous. Birds began to fly out the top and mice crawled out the sides, running down the crevice where the ark met the mud.

There was a fresh feeling and the sun shinned brightly on them warming their bodies for the first time. They could see the clear blue of space and the white puffy masses of clouds floating where once was a firmament. It was not just a new day to leave the ark; it was a new chapter in the history of the earth. With one giant step Noah set food on the earth to begin a new journey.

In our lives there are new days and different adventures. Some of these times are radical transformations that leave us gasping at the tragedy that had just taken place. A wife looses a husband; a child looses a parent; and as tragedies go, there is that day a person takes their first step in to a new chapter of their life.

What do I do now? Is often the question a person asks and for some their response is to go back inside the life they came from. In misery people focus on what they lost and stay morning the card that life dealt them. Yet Noah went out and worshipped the Lord.

When building a alter was an interesting gesture and speak volumes to the need to have the Lord forgive them. If you think that they went through the trial with great faith, the alter shows us they were just people in need of forgiveness.

Anytime you get a family together, people say hurtful things and emotion can cause situations to become ugly. It is not that families dislike each other; irritability is a human condition that can come from many sources like cramped corners, un-conformability, tiredness, and health effects.

Though the families bicker, yell, and scream at each other, there is still love, yet communication break downs. In my imagination I can hear Noah grumbling because Mrs. Noah complained about the mess the monkeys make.

The doubting of God was also a part of their experience. I wonder how many times people worried they were going to die or they grumbled against God for putting them through such trial. Therefore, without building a house, Noah built an alter to make sacrifice for their sin.

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:21-22(NKJV)

The sacrifice was a communication to God of reverence; much like our prayers of forgiveness today, a sincere talk with God changes things.

Where Noah sacrificed the clean animals, God would later send His own son to be a perfect sacrifice. Both sacrifices were the shedding of innocent blood to cover sin. Yet, where Noah would have to sacrifice throughout his life, no longer do we need additional sacrifices for the sacrifice of Jesus was a perfect sacrifice. We need only sincerely pray for forgiveness.

Noah’s faithfulness to repent of sin before God showed the position of his heart. Noah’s righteousness was evidenced in his actions.

All of this was well pleasing to God; and where God made and kept His covenant with Noah, God makes another covenant that He keeps to this day. No matter the sin of mankind, He will not destroy the earth until the intended days are accomplished for the history to be complete.

God knows that we sin and that we are sin prone individuals; yet He made a way that we might be forgiven our sin and cleans from all unrighteousness.

This forgiveness is granted to sincere individuals that do not just give God lip service, but to those who make an alter of their live sacrificing it in respect to God’s righteousness.

No good works will give us peace with God; only accepting forgiveness through obedience to the sacrificial means God provided. Innocent blood must be shed for sin and Jesus became our sacrifice.

Is building your home more important than Jesus? Is getting on with your life first, before a relationship with God? If there is anything that we do which leads us away from reverence to God, it is pointless. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but loose his soul?

Noah worshiped God and was saved. Therefore, let us follow this example and worship God first and then begin our journeys.

Entering and Breaking Covenants. Genesis 6:18-22.

Entering and Breaking Covenants.  Genesis 6:18-22.

But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee. Genesis 6:18(NKJV)

Our God is a covenant making God. My question to you is, “Have you entered into a covenant with God?” Like Noah we have an ark to enter.

The Hebrew word for covenant means, a pledge. It is a treaty or alliance and would also include such acts as marriage. It is a binding together of two and in this covenant of our passage, God bound Himself to protect Moses and his family.

Life is full of covenants and these covenants must be given respect. The very first covenant was made when God gave the earth to Adam and Eve. He placed them in the Garden of Eden and His covenant stated they can eat of any tree and live forever; but if they ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they will surly die.

When a person breaks a covenant, it is a terrible breach of their integrity. Depending on the covenant it can end in results that change the course of one’s life. And when entering into a covenant with God, it can mean the difference between life and death.

The problem with people is they take agreements a bit too light. When they know to do good, they tend not to do it and thus must suffer the results of their actions. When it comes to a covenant with God and a person does not complete their portion of the covenant, it is by their own choice and they invite the results. This is why God can never be blamed for sending a person to hell for they make the decision them self.

And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. Genesis 6:19-20(NKJV)

There are covenants that we make to ourselves. People confess to change habitual actions, lose weight, and act differently. Some complete their desires and others fail miserably. Each New Year people promise them self change and they struggle to do so.

Now when God enters a covenant He has a bit more at stake. If He should not fulfill what He set out to do, to Him it would be an error and no longer could He make the claim to be holy. This is why He must allow the penalty for sin to be executed; even though it hurts his heart to see his creation in ruin, He must uphold His covenant with people.

One such case is His decision to hake the Heavens and the Earth. He set out the complete plan for the earth and for told the end result. This covenant God is obligated to fulfill and that is why He had Noah fill the ark with animals and provisions. God needed that Noah, his family, and the animals to live on. If this plan failed, God would Himself fail.

And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Genesis 6:21-22 (NKJV)

God is a most responsible God; He not only made the world to be what it is today, He took upon Himself the responsibility for making humans that would fall into sin. Therefore, He keeps a delicate balance as He provides redemption and also upholds the penalty for sin.

If you could feel the heart of God as a person dies in their sin, you would feel remorse like you never felt. You see, God is love and He loves the unlovable. He is for those who oppose themselves and He reaches out to all mankind no matter what they have done.

When Jesus Christ came to earth, He faced the temptation of Lucifer who knew of this balance. Would Jesus have given into temptation, then God would have sinned and the balance would be over. God would no longer have a separation of holiness and Lucifer would have brought heaven down to his level.

However, God needed to make one additional covenant with mankind; one that would allow mankind to not only die and go to paradise, but allow mankind to enter into heaven and be completely restored. Therefore God sent His own Son to be born from a virgin.

Jesus had no earthly father and that breaks the passing on of the sinful nature. This child would have God as His Father and be able to resist sin and as you know the story, Jesus was crucified and died without sinning.

Lucifer thought He was putting Jesus to death, but did not realize that he broke the covenant of sin and death. When Jesus was killed, an innocent man died and an injustice was committed.

The heavenly court case must have taken about three days for the verdict was that Jesus must be raised from the dead and therefore, He was. In addition to being raised from the dead, to Jesus was given any opportunity He desired and His answer was a better covenant with mankind.

This better covenant would state “Whosoever would believe in Jesus Christ shall not perish but have eternal life with God in Heaven.” And because He was in the bowels of the Earth with the saints who sins were covered by animal sacrifices and good works, they too now believed and were released from their prison. They were able to ascend to Heaven to be with God. The separation between God and mankind was broken.

Though more than a story, the battle still rages today and belief is being continually attacked by Lucifer. All evil focuses on destroying faith in God and belief in Jesus Christ.

Each of us has a covenant to enter, where we must say that we believe in Jesus Christ and our changed life is proof of our belief. Through scripture we can know Him and on this scripture we can model our life. In faith we can believe in Jesus and when successful to escape the corruption of this Earth, we can be with Him in Heaven.

Have you entered into this sacred covenant with the Lord? Have you trusted you eternity to our Father who loves us? If not, remember there is still the covenant of sin and death that must be appeased. Like Noah, we must enter into the covenant to be saved.