Going to Egypt

A couple of days ago I was reading in Genesis chapter 42-45 and this morning I felt that I should re-read these chapters.  While my mindset was that I had already been over this, I asked God why I needed to read these chapters again I received that gentle prodding, “read it again”.

Chapter 42 begins with Jacob telling his sons that they needed to go back to Egypt and get more grain, due to the famine.  An argument took place between Judah and his father about going back without Benjamin, which Jacob was extremely hesitant to do.  Judah said he would NOT go back without Benjamin due to what Joseph (though the brothers did not know it was Joseph at this time) had told them.  In vs 3-5, Judah tells his father “The man specifically warned us: ‘You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.’  If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.  But if you will not send him, we will not go, for the man said to, ‘You will not wee me again unless your brother is with you’”.

There is a great deal of agony on Jacob’s part also but he finally gives in when Judah steps up and promises, upon his and his family’s lives, that Benjamin will be safe.  I can even feel the frustration in Judah when in vs 10 says “If we had not wasted time, we could have come back twice by now.”  Thus the journey back to Egypt begins, and through the rest of this chapter and the ones that follow we see, not without some more drama, the redemption that Joseph offered his family. 

As I meditated on the passages it struck me. Judah, his brothers and even Jacob were all living their lives in regret and fear due to the events that had transpired over the years.  Judah and his brothers were still hiding in the lies of what they had done to Joseph,  and Jacob in fear of losing his sons, thus corrupting their relationship with God.  They were stuck in their present situation, famine and in need of food.  Thinking on this I wondered how different the reactions of Jacob and his sons had would have been if the events and actions of this family had been more in line with God.

Then came the revelation, how many times due to guilt, fear or uncertainty have I not gone in the direction God wanted me to go?  How many times was I like the brothers did I shrink in fear because of something I had done in the past, or like Jacob lived in fear of not pursuing God’s will because of what “might happen to my sons”?  Then I realized, for all that Judah had done he finally stood up and went in the right direction, in a way, taking responsibility for his past action’s (and those of his brothers) and went on the journey, fully counting the cost if things did not work out.  I find myself at that same juncture… taking responsibility for my actions, confessing my sin, fears and doubts to God and begin my journey back to “Egypt”. How much time have I wasted in not pursuing God as we all should (could have “…come back twice by now”)?  In a nutshell, I need to trust God for what is going to do and allow him to guide me on that journey.

What is or where is “Egypt”?  Do not know but need to head that way so I might hear those words from God similar what Joseph said to his brothers… “Don’t be afraid, …….You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result…….” (Paraphrase of Gen. 50: 20).

Jars of Clay

I know it has been a long time since posting to my blog, due to not having or making time to write, but I felt impressed to share this word. 

While reading in the book of Judges these last several days, God has impressed upon me several new insights into our walk with Him.  In Judges chapter 7 is a story that I have been told and read more times than I can count, but the Holy Spirit has shown me some new things.  The story is that of Gideon and the routing of the Midian army.  Greatly outnumbered, Gideon and his group of 300 men were given a great victory by the hand of God.

 

By the Hand of God….not themselves but God.  How many times have I been in fear or overwhelmed by the situation that I was in?  More than I want to admit and unfortunately most of those time I was trying to deal with the situation in my own strength and/or knowledge.  The whole chapter has taught me several lessons but one stands out.

 

Gideon was instructed to take his 300 men,  along with a clay jar, torch inside and a horn, and surround the Midianites.  At the appropriate time they broke the jars showing the torches and blew the horns.  God then routed the enemy without the Israelis doing much of anything else.  While I have no doubt Gideon’s men had weapons there is no mention of weapons other than the jug, torch and horns, at the initial engagement.

It struck me that God did not need their help, but wanted it, if it was on His terms.  Being obedient was God’s terms.  As I read in 2 Corinthians 4:7 it hit me.  That verse says “Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us”.  Paul is telling his readers that we have God’s grace and power, through the Holy Spirit, in our lives (clay jars) and it is there for us to be able to overcome our adverse situations, ie…our “Midianite Army”! 

 

Just as Gideon and his men faced overwhelming odds they obeyed, broke their clay jars and let the fire be seen.  I was reminded that I need to “break” my clay jar and let “the Spirits” fire be seen.  By showing this fire we are showing the world  that we can face ANY obstacle or situation that is in our path.  Paul tells us this in vs 7 and most importantly he told us “…this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us”.  Just as Gideon discovered, and something I have to remind myself of every moment of the day that it is God who works his plan in my life not me!! 

 

Freedom to Bear Arms

While I have not listened to the President’s entire speech, this morning, the parts I have heard and what news I have read has left me more than concerned.  Several  times Mr. Obama mentions that all the legislation concerning guns will not affect hunters, collectors and shooters, and we as gun owners really have no need for military type/style weapons.  I strongly disagree!  The Second Amendment was never intended to be a “protection” for deer and duck hunters.  While I am 100% in support for hunting and sport shooting and have participated in both, the Second Amendment was written and intended to protect the American people from the government.  Not an outside government,  that is the purpose of our standing armed forces, but from our own government.  Mr. Obama has been very outspoken about support for Egypt, Libya and now Syrian rebels as they throw off their unjust rulers, and their use of actual military weapons in their struggle, yet wants to take away our weapons.  If for this reason only we as a people should be armed.  Many in Washington, including Pelosi, Schumer, Biden and many other, either have conceal carry permits or have armed body guards for themselves and or their families.  Most of Washington’s elites send their children to schools that have armed guards to protect their kids, yet these are the same legislators and elected officials that feel we and our families do not deserve the same protection they have.  It saddens me that this country has strayed so far away from what our founding fathers bled and died to achieve, the freedom our the American people.