Saturday, April 5, 2008

A Family Legacy Part 3

Often that which God allows in our lives, or in the lives of those close to us is beyond our understanding. Our minds cannot grasp the plan of God in its entirety, but must trust nonetheless that God has a plan, that He knows what tomorrow holds and why we had to endure hardship today. Only the sovereign hand of God could bring to fruition a plan conceived in the heavens and carried out on earth concerning the young man we know as Joseph. Only God could envision a good end and even a useful and glorious one when up to this point there had been hatred, murderous betrayal, being sold, slavery, greed, false accusations, and prison, never mind all the other sufferings endured along the way.
It takes chiseling to bring out the detail in a slab of marble, and it takes repeated stints in the furnace for a vessel made of clay to grow strong. Only in God’s furnace can the slag be burned out of a man, so that only what is good can be poured out into the final mold. Without having gone through his season of suffering Joseph would have never matured to the point of forgiving those who sold him, loving them, and caring for them when their lives were in danger.
I don’t often draw comparisons, but there are certain times when they become much too obvious to ignore. It is no accident that the final crescendo of this drama, when Joseph was once more face to face with the very brothers who sold him into slavery, would take place upon Joseph’s thirtieth birthday, the same age Jesus was when He began His ministry, and this is just the first of many coincidences we see when comparing the lives of these two.
Both were good sons, both beloved of their father, overcoming temptation and hardships, both having been sent to their brothers, both having been met with betrayal, disrobed of their distinctive attire, sold for silver, and in the end becoming a blessing of their brothers, and for entire nations, saving them from death.
In Joseph’s case, once the thirteen-year ordeal reached its rightful end, once the culmination of the experience was at hand, he was recognized, prized and rewarded by the highest power in the land at the time, Pharaoh. Pharaoh recognizes at once the indisputable qualifications that Joseph possesses, and entrusts him with a unique duty, one as important today as it was then, that of saving millions from death. Although it was starvation, that Joseph was entrusted to spare the people from then, it is a far greater thing that the children of God are entrusted with today, that of sparing souls from eternal judgment.
Because he overcame the hardships, the trials, and the dark times in his life, Joseph was exalted, rewarded, dressed in fine linens, given to wear Pharaoh’s ring, honored with authority and power. It is a lesson that serves us well, even in this age, for only by victory can one obtain a crown, only by overcoming can one be rewarded for their perseverance and faithfulness. When God has His hand upon the life of an individual, when He begins to work in them and through them, the evidence is undeniable, and men see this clearly. Jacob saw that God was speaking to his son Joseph through dreams, and that he has a special plan for his life. Potiphar recognized that everything Joseph did was met with great success. Pharaoh acknowledged the wisdom and light with which Joseph unraveled mysteries, thereby offering a solution far in advance of the problem sweeping over his lands. It is wise to prepare before the famine sweeps through the land, more so spiritually, that during the times of famine the fruit of our wisdom might be visible to all. Men see because God opens their eyes to see, and seeing, the act according to God’s instruction.
The enviable positions, which Joseph obtained in his family, in Potiphar’s home, and the very throne of Egypt, although coordinated by God and made possible wholly by Him, were contingent and conditional upon Joseph’s attitude in all three circumstances. Joseph’s attitude illustrates the Biblical principle that both apostles Peter and James expounded upon, that when humility is superimposed upon obedience, they would be transformed into exaltation and glory.
Obedient to his elderly father, to his new master in a faraway land, and to the kingly authority of the Pharaoh, Joseph is the embodiment of a truth that is extremely difficult to accept. Theoretically we all accept it, but very few apply it practically to their lives. How many of us submit with a joyous hear to the authority that was placed over us, especially when said authority presses down upon the most sensitive areas of our constitution?
In the end whether it’s the obedience of a child toward its parents, or our obedience toward our heavenly Father, one thing is certain, obedience and humility will always be rewarded and exalted both here, and in the age to come.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

12 comments:

Amy said...

Thank you Michael for these 2 messages on Joseph.

I think Joseph's "enviable positions" were not obtained by any attitude of his, but by the favor of God. I think Jacob bestowed favor and honor on Rachel's first born son from the moment he was born, not after he proved himself worthy. I think Jacob understood that Joseph was a gift from God and represented all that he had dreamed long before Leah's sons were born. I believe Joseph was blessed with success and skill and wisdom and dreams from God apart from any merit of his own, but because of God's sovereign choosing and answering the prayers and desire of Jacob's heart. Joseph learned obedience and humility from the things he suffered, but this is not what earned him his gifts, calling and anointing. I believe this is the very reason why he was so hated - because from his brothers' perspective, he didn't particularly deserve it any more than any one of them. This is purely about the glory of God. And it is very costly to those in or through whom He chooses to display it. Joseph may not have earned it, but his soul was laid in irons before it could come to pass. Probably to ensure it didn't become a snare to him. Probably just like you, Michael, you are who you are because the Lord chose you in the womb and blessed you, partly answering the prayers and rewarding the faithfulness of your parents and grandparents, and partly just because He's God, and He wanted a son like you, too. :)

Anonymous said...

w o w . . . "submit with a joyous heart to the authority that was placed over us (me)" . . . SELAH for me as a wife submitted to my hubby . . . "especially when said authority presses down upon the most sensitive areas of our (my) constitution . . ."

I thank our Father for His God-fearing son, my hubby, who is the authority that He has placed over me ... especially when he exerts such authority! Now, I will think twice before engaging "intense fellowship" ;-D

Anonymous said...

Michael; I'm new at your blog,and making comments.But here goes. I thank you for the blogs and all the prophecies,I have read all of yours and your grandfathers also. I guess if there is anything new you would have it out. Thanks again JEJ.

Anonymous said...

Well said Michael. I have enjoyed the reading and my heart has been pricked in a few points.
As always with your posts, I have much to ponder.

God bless you and yours,
Mrs. Pugh

Anonymous said...

"It takes chiseling to bring out the detail in a slab of marble, and it takes repeated stints in the furnace for a vessel made of clay to grow strong. Only in God’s furnace can the slag be burned out of a man, so that only what is good can be poured out into the final mold."

Forgive me, but I have a prayer need at this time.

My sister had surgery 4 weeks ago and last Sunday morning, she hemorrhaged from bleeding internally, which caused her stitches to tear open, she had to have emergency surgery. Tonight she has herorrhaged again with stitches being torn again and had to have emergency surgery again, complications from the original surgery. At this time she is receiving 3 units of blood and may require more they say.

I have prayed for my sister's salvation and have told God "whatever it takes" and that I'd stay out of his way. She knew the Lord as a child.

Though I'm not trying to compare her to Joseph's and out Lord's situations, I believe that this is part of his plan and that she is going through the refining fires, as she has spoken her fear that she was dying.

Thank you, your sister in our Lord

Anonymous said...

Thank-you for sharing these words of wisdom. I have been reading them and letting them soak in, asking the Father for further revelation from His heart. Your faithfulness to share what He gives you is blessing more hearts than you realize!! May He bless you richly as you continue in His work.
rleigh

Anonymous said...

Update: They lost by sister's B/P in ER and ran 4 liters of fluid into her through 3 IV's, then gave her the blood while taking her to surgery. She may have to have 2 more units of blood this morning. She laid in my arms at 3 a.m. this morning weeping and praying to God and talking to me about him, asking questions.

He is truly merciful.

Your sister in our Lord

Anonymous said...

My sister is home now, but very weak. May our Lord reign victorious in all. Your sister is our Lord

Bonny said...

Dear Anonymous, I am praying for your sister. Thank you Michael for your teaching on Joseph. I have not endured the Lord's chastening with a gracious heart lately.
I also have an ongoing prayer request for my oldest son, who is 20 and very much under the hold of satan, to the point where I believe it is leading him to insanity. Also, my unsaved husband.

Bonny said...

Dear Anonymous, I am praying for your sister. Thank you Michael for your teaching on Joseph. I have not endured the Lord's chastening with a gracious heart lately.
I also have an ongoing prayer request for my oldest son, who is 20 and very much under the hold of satan, to the point where I believe it is leading him to insanity. Also, my unsaved husband.

Anonymous said...

Praying for your son. Your sister in our Lord

Bonny said...

Thank you, I appreciate the prayer very much!