Bible Study Online Article
Located at the Bottom of Page
Thank you for visiting and for your support; and supporting our advertisers. Thank you for being such a blessing to this site:
I pray that the favor of God Almighty, will forever be upon you.
In the last article we'd learned, that Joseph had became very disappointed with his father Jacob. The disappointment came, after Joseph had seen his father Jacob, give his youngest son Ephraim the priority blessing, instead of giving it to his oldest son Manasseh, like Joseph had hoped. And even though Joseph had placed the boys in their appropriate spots, when they had came before their grandfather Jacob. Jacob had his own intended plans, when it came to how he would bless his grandkids.
For Jacob had placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, while in turn, he'd spoke a lesser blessing to Manasseh, after he had crossed his arms, by placing his left hand on the top of Manasseh's head:
"And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right towards Israel's left hand and Manasseh on his left towards Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him.
"But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn." -- Genesis 48:13,14
Understand, that this was a serious problem, from within Joseph's eyes. You see, the right side placement -- indicated some type of priority over the person, that was placed on the left. So it was by tradition, that Manasseh, the one who was the oldest, to be placed on that side. And to make matters worse, Joseph had specifically placed the boys in this way, when he had put them before their grandfather. But like I'd pointed out earlier, Jacob switched his hands between the boys, by crossing his arms -- therefore, giving the younger Ephraim, the priority blessing over Manasseh.
However this may have been, I want you to know, that when it came to Joseph's disappointment: "Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head." -- Genesis 48:17
I'd like to think, that this "disappointment" that Joseph had with his father, didn't turn into anything major. For we must remember, that in spite of this, Joseph was a humble man. So therefore, he'd allowed his father to finish blessing the boys - in spite of how he'd felt. I mean after all, both Ephraim and Manasseh were his sons -- so either way, Joseph would still get close, to what he was expecting, when he'd took the boys to see their grandfather before he had breathed his last breath.
Now keep in mind, that Joseph understood the importance of the Abrahamic Covenant. For he knew, that it was promising a lot more, than anything he could ever accomplish, with the Egyptian Empire. For Joseph knew, that the Abrahamic Covenant was a divine promise, that God had given to his forefather Abraham, and to the future generations, that were to come from his seed. And by knowing this, Joseph wanted to know, if his sons would be apart of it.
And one would think, that they would be. But we must not forget, what had happened to Joseph early on in his life? Remember that he'd been betrayed, and sold into slavery, by his jealous brothers. And because of this betrayal, for a long period of time, he was lost and disconnected from Jacob's (his father) household. So from Joseph's perspective, there was no way of knowing where he'd actually stood, when it came to the future of Israel, and the divine promise that had been bestowed upon them by God.
For we must also understand, that although Joseph was the first born unto his mother Rachel, he wasn't the first born unto his father Jacob. Keep in mind, that Jacob had already had sons born unto him through the likes of: Leah, Bilhah and Zilpah -- before Joseph had even came along.
Now stay with me here, for I'm pointing all of these things out, because it allows us to identify an "expectancy" that God is laying out before us. And this "expectancy" deals with the fact, that God always tells us through the Sacred Record -- of what's going to come (in regards to humanity) from within the next stage and beyond. Also know, that throughout the Holy Scriptures, we constantly find, that God always used His prophets, to set (and speak) that "expectancy" for that next stage. And time and time again, we find that "expectancy" constantly being met, and confirmed, by the recording of its fulfillment from throughout the Word of God.
Now I like to think, that when it comes to identifying this "expectancy" -- that it should be extremely important to us -- for it shows, that God always does what He says, and that He never breaks a promise, or play games. For we must not forget, that the Spirit that's found recorded throughout the Sacred Scriptures, is the same Spirit, that had worked through the apostle John. For it was this Spirit that revealed to him, a "divine vision" while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. And it was this experience that John had, that brought forth the "book of Revelation."
And from within the "book of Revelation" that was revealed to John -- we'll find that God told John about the "end of days" and the "rise of the Antichrist" -- the Lord also told him about the "tribulation" and the "day of judgment." But it wouldn't end there, for the Lord had also foretold about the "Second Coming of Christ" while revealing the expectancy of a new heaven, and a new earth.
And since God didn't break the promises that He had spoken through the prophets of old -- then I often wonder, why would a person think, that God would start breaking them now? Know that with a 100% prophecy fulfillment accuracy rate, the Sacred Record holds an unmatched, divine track record, that no other book (or work) can lay claim to. This is why I also, often wonder, why would anybody, dare to go against God and the recording of His spoken Word?
Nonetheless, I like to think, that it's only natural for us to have great expectations, when it comes to the Most High God and what He has in store for us. But the mistake that we constantly make -- deals with placing those very same "expectations" within a sort of package, or an idea -- when it comes to thinking on how God, might deliver those expectations from within our very own lives.
Now that when we do these types of things, we unknowingly, place serious limitations on those very same expectations, that God has in store for us. And even though we have the right, to expect God to constantly move from within our lives -- know that we still don't have anyway of knowing, exactly how God will move, and where He will move from. And this is why, when those expectations aren't met, in the sort of way, that we thought they would be met -- we then lose sight of them, and so therefore, we become disappointed.
And on top of that, we then make the mistake, of being disappointed in God. And we do this, in spite of the fact, that we should be disappointed with ourselves. For it was by our doing (not God's) that we lost sight of what He was going to do. And now that we can't clearly identify, what God is doing (or going to do) in our lives, we then begin to lose trust in Him and His written Word.
And because of this new found doubt, we're now left to our own limited perception (when it comes to how we perceive things to be) a perception that we naturally turn to, when it comes to how we think God will personally interact with us. And it's because of this "new found doubt" that we're no longer able to see far enough down the path, that God has us on -- in order for us to be able to see, or have any hope of understanding -- how to this very day, that God is constantly reacting, and interacting from within our daily lives.
Also know, that we hold the same honorable position with God -- that the prophets of old did? But also keep in mind, that our New (Blood) Covenant position, is made only possible, through the sacrifice and shedding of Christ's blood. And this is why, it's crucial, that we must accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. For we must do this, in order for us, to be able to fully benefit from what I like to call "the divine salvation blueprint" that God has laid out from within the Sacred Record.
For I hold true to the notion, that without accepting Christ as our personal Savior -- there's no real forgiveness, or connection, when it comes to the Most High God. There's also no real connection to God's wonderful gift -- a gift that He gave to us, that's known as the Holy Spirit.
Know that Christ (and Christ alone) brings us into the "New (Blood) Covenant" -- which makes available to us "eternal life" -- while the door is constantly opening wider, when it comes to the great expectations of benefits, that the Good Lord has laid out for us, from within His Mighty Word.
I like to think, that our journey throughout the Sacred Record, will constantly remind us of God's promises. And it's because of this journey, that one takes throughout the Sacred Record -- allows them to personally see, how God is moving and reacting, when it comes to their everyday lives. Know that by exploring all of God's Testament, when it comes to mankind (both New and Old), helps to make us better aware of what's going on around us.
For I believe, that the practice of studying all, that God has revealed to us, through His prophets and apostles, helps to take the limitations off of our natural minds, and the perceptions that comes from it. Now when we learn how to finally break free, from the limited shackles of our own natural understanding -- then we'll begin to see, that God has designed each one of us with a certain type of uniqueness. A uniqueness that comes with a tremendous value and purpose.
Now don't get me wrong, this has nothing to do with the limited worldly concept of self-empowerment -- but everything to do with, knowing who you truly are in the Lord -- while acknowledging, and giving full credit, to the One that created you. For it's the same God that has given you the talents and gifts, that are woven throughout you.
I like to think, that it has everything to do with recognizing the bridge (or the door) that has been brought forth, through the sacrifice and the shedding of Christ's blood. And because of this sacrifice, we're now able (through the great examples and invaluable experiences that are recorded throughout the Word of God) -- we're now able, to maximize our full potential, from within the Lord. For I hold true to the notion, that the Word of God, helps us to better identify, and better serve the purpose, that the Most High God has created us for.
Now I pointed all of these things out, for I like to think, that this is what we'd learned, when it came to Joseph's personal expectations, when he'd first brought his sons to see their grandfather. For he thought that things would go on, as he'd planned them (or how he'd envisioned it) but Joseph quickly learned (or was reminded of) that when it comes to God, He works in very mysterious ways. And in actuality, Joseph probably received more, than what he'd expected:
"Then Israel (Jacob) said to Joseph, 'I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.'" -- Genesis 48:21,22
Now this blessing might not seem like much. But what the Sacred Record just pointed out -- deals with Jacob basically telling Joseph... not to put too much stock into Egypt. And even though (up to this point) things were going great for Joseph, and his household at the time. And things were also going well, for the Israel nation as a whole too. Through this spoken blessing, Jacob wanted to remind Joseph, that their stay in Egypt would only be temporarily. For they will, one day, return back to the land that the Most High had promised them.
Nonetheless, I also want you to know, that within this blessing, we'd also learned, that Jacob officially made Joseph's household the new bearers of the Promise Covenant. Now the reason why I'm willing to make such a statement, deals with the fact, that Joseph's sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) would be awarded one portion more, than the rest of Jacob's sons were rewarded through their blessings. Remember that Joseph's son Ephraim -- ended up holding the top seat, while the Israel nation, dwelled in the wilderness.
Also keep in mind, that Ephraim (through their descendant Joshua) would end up leading the Israel nation, back into the promise land. And Ephraim (through the household of Jeroboam) would also end up, ruling the Northern Israel Kingdom (which were known as the ten tribes) after the house of David would be split, which happened after the death of David's son Solomon. Sure, Joseph had expectations -- but even he, couldn't fathom the unexpected, that God was bringing his way.
We'll take a closer look at God's Promise Covenant, not just with Israel, but with humanity as well. We'll also take a quick look, on how God made his first Promise Covenant with Adam and humanity as a whole, and how I see it continuing on to this very day and beyond.
The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty
**YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**
102) Jacob the Stunned & Delighted
105) Israel's Blessing to Pharaoh
107) The Promise Between Father & Son
108) Jacob Becomes Ill
109) Jacob Adds Manasseh and Ephraim
110) Ephraim Placed Before Manasseh
111) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->
112) The Promise Covenant with Humanity
113) The Prophecy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi
115) The Tribe of Kings
116) Representation of the Scepter
117) The Importance of the Sanhedrin
118) The Gathering of the People
***CLICK HERE***