January 23
Gen 46:1-47:31 | PS 19:1-14 | Prov 4:14-19 | Matt 15:1-28
The word, "Revelation" means an unveiling, to disclose the truth that was previously hidden. Many deem the book written by this name, to be scary, but this is not its intent. It is meant to bless us, illuminate, and open the eyes of those living during that time. For each of us who have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ, we have already experienced this as the Savior has revealed Himself to us personally. Once this happens, we can never be the same. Once we have repented and have been washed clean, though we remain in the world, we can no longer be of the world. The world no longer defines us, God, and our relationship with Him defines us. Our walk then becomes one of sanctification, or to separate ourselves from what the world lifts up, and from worldly priorities.
Earlier in the story of Jacob, after fleeing Laban, and after the exchange with Esau, Jacob and his family settle near the land of Shechem, and due to assimilating, Dinah is raped, Simeon and Levi act in revenge by murdering the men of Shechem, and Jacob's family must flee from the area. Though Jacob was already called out of this world, he mistakenly allowed himself to become absorbed into the world. Shepherds were despised in Egypt. In fact, Egyptian art has been uncovered by archaeologists in which shepherds are depicted as dirty-looking, crippled, and viewed with scorn by the Egyptians. Joseph wisely sought to separate his family from the Egyptians, as we read in Genesis 46:32-34, what Joseph would tell Pharoah, and what he instructed his family to say, "These men are shepherds, and they raise livestock. They have brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’” Then he said, “When Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation, you must tell him, ‘We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.’ When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, for the Egyptians despise shepherds.”" Though the world would certainly elevate Pharaoh over Jacob, notice in 47:7, that it was Jacob who blessed Pharoah, not the other way around, "Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh." In a similar fashion it was Melchizidek who blessed Abram in Genesis 14:18-20.
On another note, we notice how Joseph wisely handled poverty, and the concept of government hand-outs in Genesis 46:13-26. Getting a hand-out either cost the people something: money, livestock, land, even their freedom. When that ran out, the people worked the land the government now owned, themselves, but gave 20% of whatever they grew from the land to the government. This is a far departure from our current system in America, where people are given things and money with nothing expected in return. The former promotes purpose, a sense of earning. The latter promotes a sense of entitlement and dependency. You can decide for yourselves which one you deem more effective both for the individual, and for the nation.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: