And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the GOD of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but GOD meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and GOD will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, GOD will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Gen 50:15-21, 24-26)
As we come to this closing chapter of Genesis and the final segment of Joseph's life in Egypt we see his brothers final plea for mercy not that Jacob has died. Thinking that without the influence of Israel over him, Joseph will now exact retribution, they appeal to their father to try and restrain Joseph's supposed revenge. But, Joseph is long past his brother's treachery and has forgiven them for their actions and thoughts toward him. He has come to understand GOD's part in all of what has taken place to bring him to Egypt, and to place him in the position that he is in Egypt. They meant harm, but GOD used it for good.
It cannot be an excuse for our actions, and we will suffer the consequences of what we do, but GOD can use even the seemingly evil and bad actions and events of ourselves and others to accomplish His will and goals. We must not use GOD to justify bad behavior and sIn, for that is presumptuous, but GOD can turn sinful behavior around and use it for good. When others do that which seems wrong to us, we are to forgive, and trust GOD to work all things out for His good and to use every event and trial to conform us to the image of His dear Son.
Just as Joseph knew that the children of Israel would leave Egypt one day, and so he commanded them concerning his remains, so we can trust GOD with the promises and prophecies He has made toward us. We must study to show ourselves approved unto GOD, and to rightly divide the Word of Truth to know which promises and prophecies apply to us, His Church in this age of the Gentiles, but we can rest assured that they all will come true, just as GOD's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have and will continue to be fulfilled by GOD.
Until the day He takes Home to be with Him, we are commanded to be His servants, and to minister to those we encounter in our sojourn here. We are to minister to the hurting as He gives the increase, to disciple one another in love and in His Word, and to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Some may take advantage of our ministry, others may reject the teachings of GOD, and many will not hear His Gospel, but we act graciously anyway, teach and preach diligently, and as we go, we are to tell those we meet that they may believe and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Just as Joseph knew and trusted GOD, you must trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Because of your need of Him, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
It cannot be an excuse for our actions, and we will suffer the consequences of what we do, but GOD can use even the seemingly evil and bad actions and events of ourselves and others to accomplish His will and goals. We must not use GOD to justify bad behavior and sIn, for that is presumptuous, but GOD can turn sinful behavior around and use it for good. When others do that which seems wrong to us, we are to forgive, and trust GOD to work all things out for His good and to use every event and trial to conform us to the image of His dear Son.
Just as Joseph knew that the children of Israel would leave Egypt one day, and so he commanded them concerning his remains, so we can trust GOD with the promises and prophecies He has made toward us. We must study to show ourselves approved unto GOD, and to rightly divide the Word of Truth to know which promises and prophecies apply to us, His Church in this age of the Gentiles, but we can rest assured that they all will come true, just as GOD's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have and will continue to be fulfilled by GOD.
Until the day He takes Home to be with Him, we are commanded to be His servants, and to minister to those we encounter in our sojourn here. We are to minister to the hurting as He gives the increase, to disciple one another in love and in His Word, and to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Some may take advantage of our ministry, others may reject the teachings of GOD, and many will not hear His Gospel, but we act graciously anyway, teach and preach diligently, and as we go, we are to tell those we meet that they may believe and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Just as Joseph knew and trusted GOD, you must trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Because of your need of Him, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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