Introduction
By the grace of God, we are in the new year now. Since the catching away event has not yet taken place, we're able to write more wonderful articles for the new month. However, rest assured that the day of the rapture is getting closer day by day.
After 1980, 2010 was the second year that saw 950 natural disasters. In the past 10 years, the average number of natural disasters per year has been 80. In 2010, the natural disasters killed 295,000 and the total value of property damaged was 130,000 million dollars. In terms of human deaths, 222,570 people died in Haiti, 56,000 people died due to heat waves and forest fires in Russia. In China, 2,000 people were killed by landslides and 14,000 people were killed by floods. Pakistan floods killed 1 in 60 people.
In addition to the above natural disasters, there were many man-made wars and deaths. Many people died due to starvation. This world is experiencing accelerated destruction in all areas. According to the Bible, it will get worse as the day is approaching. Therefore, let's not have our hearts rooted in this world, but set our heart on getting to heaven the Golden Land. No matter what happens in this world, those who take refuge in God have nothing to fear or worry about. The psalmist said, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.." (Psalm 46:1-5)
In this issue...
The true church
1. The owner
The owner of the church is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18) Christ said, "I will build my church," so the church belongs to Christ. In addition, because he said, "I will build" my church, the one who builds the church is He himself. The word Peter in Greek is Πέτρος that is pronounced Petros in English. Petros means a small stone. Jesus said on "this rock" I will build my Church. What Jesus called "this rock" is πέτρᾳ in Greek and is pronounced Petra in English, which means a large rock. (also ref. GN Jan 2024)
However, most of the churches in the world today are not owned by Christ. They are owned by pastors, elders, or members of the church who lead the congregation according to their heart desire. In some cases, even Christ has no place in those churches, where fulfilling the leader's own desires is more important than fulfilling Christ's will. The name Jesus Christ is used only as formality. However, since the church belongs to Christ, it needs to be returned to the rightful owner.
2. What is the church built on?
Christ said, "On this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). As explained above, what Christ said about this rock is Petra the big rock, which is he himself. Therefore, it means the church is built on Christ Himself. The church will be strong because it is built on Christ, who is the solid rock. As a consequence, it will not disappear on the day of judgment and will remain strong.
3. What are the tasks for the church?
The church must carry out the original tasks assigned by the owner. There is a need for discussion between the pastor (shepherd) and the members (sheep) about what they are supposed to do. They need to identify what they are, and carry out the purposes of Christ who is the owner of the church.
Christ's primary purposes of his church are:
(1) To shut the gate of hell
Regarding the church, Christ said: "the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18) . This means that the church exists to shut the gates of hell. The doors must be shut tight so that people will not be able to enter through the gates to hell. As it stands now, the gates of hell are open to all. The gates of hell cannot be shut by the work of man, by self-control, nor by good deeds. Christ specifically established the church to shut the gates. The church must shut that gates by proclaiming the good news about Christ's salvation. But false churches leave the gates of hell wide-open instead of shutting it off. How can that be? By not preaching about Christ's salvation, they leave open the gates. They do not talk about hell, nor talk about how to get to heaven, but only about worldly matters. They preach about success and prosperity in life instead. Since the dawn of time, man has a tendency to love and the desire to possess the world. Because the preachings only center around the things of this world, people are not afraid of going to hell. Since members of these churches have no desire to go to heaven, hell is the only destination for them in the end. You should not even be in such congregations.
(2) To unlock the heaven gate
To Peter, Christ said:" I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19). Therefore, the church must be the one that opens the gate of the kingdom of heaven. That is to say that the church has the responsibility to preach the message about going to heaven. Whoever believes about the preaching of salvation here on earth and accepts the forgiveness of sins, will be accepted in heaven. In the same way, anyone who does not accept the salvation here on earth will not be accepted in heaven. That's why the Bible says, "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18)
4. How will then you know the true church?
(1) The true church must preach particularly about the salvation from sin. The preaching must be centered around rescuing people from hell and sending them to heaven. The objective of the true church should be about saving everyone. The church must invest plenty of time for that purpose. Church fund should be generously allocated for that purpose. Programs must focus on this rescue work. Those who have been saved must be taught to grow and mature, and those who have grown and mature must then be sent back to the world to share about the salvation so that they would give birth to their own spiritual children.
(2) The false churches do not talk about sin, nor about the salvation. They talk about how to succeed in this world, how they should solve problems they are facing in their day-to-day life, and how to get materially rich in this world. They do not welcome those who preach about the salvation; They consider themselves already saved. They hate those who preach about the salvation and make false statements about them. Since that type of church will only focus on worldly affairs rather than spiritual one, by participating in that church, you will die spiritually and suffer the wrath of God.
5. Church of Satan
There are more churches of Satan than churches of Christ in this world. The church of Satan may appear to be that of Christ at first glance. Salvation is not preached in the church of Satan. Their preaching revolves around practicing good deeds, unity and love, how to be successful in the world, and the importance of human rights, etc.
How did the Church of satan come about?
(1) Satan persecuted the church in the beginning (Acts 8:1).
(2) The people of Israel in those days were the tool satan used in persecuting the church (Acts 9).
(3) But the more they persecuted, the more the church grew in numbers. Therefore, satan stopped persecuting, and joined the church instead. (Matthew 7:21-23).
(4) Wild dogs came out from within the church (Acts 20:28-30). How so? By church members marrying with unbelievers, through the unbelieving children, or through spiritual backsliding believers.
6. Churches in view of Jesus
(1) Church of Ephesus
In the eyes of Jesus, the Church of Ephesus was hard working; they worked tirelessly; they had patient; they suffered for the sake of Christ's name and did not lose strength. They knew how to discern correct teachings from false, and reject false teachings. But they lost sight of their first love. The church of Ephesus was all good but no love. A person without love is like a robot. A church without love will not progress.
(2) Smyrna Church
They were very poor because they were steadfast in their faith for Christ's sake. But Christ said they were rich. They were ridiculed by satan's associates. However, they were not condemned by Christ.
(3) Pergamum Church
This church was where satan had his throne. They remained true to the name of Christ in times of persecution. However, Balaam's teaching was accepted. The prophet Balaam had advised the Moabite king Balak to sacrifice to their idols near where the Israelites were, and enticed the Israelites to commit sin by eating food sacrificed to idols (Numbers 21-24). After eating the food, the Israelites committed sexual sin. God then killed twenty-four thousand Israelites. Therefore, counseling to turn away from God and to worship idols is the doctrine of Balaam. Within the Pergamum church, there were those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. The teaching of Nicolaitans is similar to the doctrine of Balaam.
(4) Church of Thyatira
This church was steadfast in their faith. Christ acknowledged their faith, love and perseverance. They put their effort on those good qualities more than they had before. However, they allowed the teachings of the prophetess Jezebel, which misled them into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Jezebel was the queen of King Ahaz of Israel who made the Israelites worship Baal. As in those days, worshiping of idols was accepted in the church of Thyatira. In addition, they accepted the mystery of Satan.
(5) Sardis Church
In the eyes of Christ, this church was alive but dead. They appeared to have been born again but were dead spiritually. They were overconfidence of themselves.
(6) The Church of Philadelphia
This was the second church that Christ did not condemn. Although weak in strength, the church kept God's words.
(7) The Church of Laodicea
It was the church that was only lukewarm. Christ said to them, "I am about to spit you out of my mouth". They say they were rich, but they were poor in the eye of God. They wore nice clothes, but their clothes were bare. They seemed to see, but were blind. Christ stood outside their door, knocking to enter.
7. Churches from Paul's teaching
(1) Roman Church
When Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans, he had not yet come to that church. He did not reveal their weaknesses. He wrote the basic beliefs of Christians. Paul's message to that church could be considered the most important of all Paul's writings.
(2) Corinthian church
Paul wrote that the Corinthian church was childish and an immature. "Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
It can be concluded from the following activities that the Corinthian church was an immature church.
(1) Competing for honor
(2) Quarreling
(3) Disagreeing with each other
(4) Could not eat hard-digested food. Needed to feed on milk only
(5) Misuse of the feast (1 Cor. 11)
(6) Confusion in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12 and 14)
(3) Galatian churches
The Galatians were a Celtic people who lived in Galatia, a region of central Anatolia surrounding present-day Ankara. Paul wrote to the churches in the book of Galatians, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?" (Galatians 3:1-3)
The Galatian churches wanted to begin with things spiritual but ended up with the flesh. This is to say that they were saved by grace; After receiving and believing that they received the Holy Spirit, they believed that they were saved by their good deeds or following the commandments. Therefore, Paul said to them, "You foolish Galatians'' and also asked them rhetorically, "Who cast a spell on you?''
(4) The church of Ephesus
The Ephesian church was not blamed by Paul. It was the church Paul established in Asia to preach the good news of salvation. Paul stayed in Ephesus for three years. That church was the church looked after by Paul, Timothy and the apostle John. Therefore, it has the right standing in faith. However, about 30 years later, it was the church that was first accused by Jesus of having no love.
(5) Philippian church
The Philippian church was a church without imperfections. Paul commended them for supporting his evangelistic work. That church was the first church in Europe and the place where Paul and Silas were imprisoned.
(6) The Colossian church
The Colossian church was among the churches that was not blamed by Paul. Paul revealed the foundation of Christians faith in that church: reconciliation between God and man; Redemption; Salvation; and Forgiveness.
(7) Thessalonian Church
Because the Thessalonian church suffered from persecution, the apostle Paul wrote about the coming of Christ in every chapter of his book. Paul wrote those letters in order to encourage them by saying that when Christ comes, their suffering would come to an end, and they would be relieved. (1 Thess 1:10, 2:19, 3:12, 4:15-1, 5:11, 2 Thess 1:6-8, 2:1-4)
How do you see God?
Your life can be decided based on your answer this question. There are six types of people in the world:
1. People who do not know God; Therefore, they do not believe in him
2. People who heard that there is God but do not believe in him
3. People who believe in the existence of God but see him as an ordinary person
4. People who see only God as higher being than an ordinary person
5. People who see God as Lord and King
6. People who see God as God
1. People who do not know God; Therefore, they do not believe in him
These people do not believe in God because they do not know him. Therefore, they do not live according to God's will. They live as they please. Or they worship other gods and live according to the wishes of those gods. For those people, God has absolutely no meaning for them.
2. People who heard that there is God but do not believe in him
This group heard about the Eternal God, but they do not believe in him. Therefore, they are no different from the first group. They focused on themselves. Or they focused on other gods that they believe in. Therefore, God's will is of no importance to them.
3. People who believe in the existence of God but see him as an ordinary person
This group believes God but consider him as an ordinary person. Therefore, they do not follow God's will. In the eyes of this group, a rich man, a physician, a man in power, or a friend or a common man is more important and trust worthy than God. Therefore, they have absolutely no desire to follow God's will. It is a very heavy burden for them to serve God. Therefore, they are always late going to the church. They are stingy when it comes to giving. They do not read the Bible nor pray to God. They come to worship God because other people do that also, not because they believe. The motto of this group is; "But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! 'Let us eat and drink,' you say, 'for tomorrow we die!'" (Isaiah 22: 13)
4. People who see only God as higher being than an ordinary person
This group sees God merely as a being higher than an ordinary person. In their eyes, God is like a man of power or someone who is worthy of respect. Therefore, they want to trust God but want to put limit on how far they want to put their trust on him. Just like a man of power would be respected, feared and listened to when he is near, and ignored when he is away, this group would follow God's will if they feel that He is near, but they live as they please when they feel God is far away.
5. People who see God as Lord and King
This group of people fear God as they would fear a king. They obey God as they would obey a king. God is a king, but he is greater than a king. The king has power over people, but he does not know everything like God. He himself is a human being who needs help. Therefore, seeing God as a king is still inadequate.
6. People who see God as God
This group of people love God the most because they see God as God. They love what God loves and hate what God hates. Because they love God, they are submissive to God's words the most. God's given task is not difficult for them to carry out. It is like what a boyfriend or girlfriend would ask is easy to comply. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39) For this group, keeping the commandment is not at all difficult but the easiest thing to do.
The person in this group is afraid of God the most because he sees God as God. Joseph said, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). When Joseph was tempted by the wife of his master Potiphar every day to commit adultery with her, he refused because he feared God. In the same way, for those who see God as God, the temptation to sin is avoided by the fear of God.
The person in this group trust God the most in his life. He does not need to be warned: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8). He does not need to be warned because that is his way of life.
The person in this group is always dedicated to God. In Matthew 16:24-25, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” This teaching is not new to him and he does not need to memorize because it is his way of life.
Jesus' motto was, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34) Therefore, he was always cheerful while doing God's work. Jesus said these words to the Samaritan woman because she believed in him as her savior. In the same way, for the person who sees God as God, proclaiming about the salvation of the lost soul is his food. There is no better food for the person than this.
Let us teach the children
Even though God bless many families with children, they do not teach their children properly. Because of that God's blessing does not turn into joy, but into sadness and shame. This is because children are not disciplined from a young age. Every parent loves their child. That is natural and it should be like that. However, it is not enough to just love a child. If your parenting activities only revolves around love, they will grow up with a rough life like an un-trimmed shrub fence with no purpose in life that will cause heartache and shame for the parents in the future. Therefore, it is recommended to train the child from their infancy while there is still hope.
When to start training
Many parents think that they have to train their children when they are older. Therefore, they waited until the children grow up only to find out that it is too late. In reality, the training must start from birth. You may be wondering how can you train a child who is still a baby and doesn't even know how to speak. A newborn child needs to be taught. If you love your newborn baby so much and hold him in your arms all the time, the baby will recognize the hands that holds him. So, the baby will demand to be held all the time. The baby would express his desire by crying. Crying is actually the baby talking. When a child starts crying, parents do not know what he is saying, but they have to attend to him. If you love your baby so much that you hold him every time because you don't want him to cry at all, you are bringing upon yourself a heap of trouble. Therefore, mothers who are still new to parenting tend to be busy with their baby all day long without being able to do anything else. If that is the case, there could be more troubles when the husband comes back after a long day of hard work. Since she could not find enough time to cook, nor do other household chores, the couples would feel upset, and that could trigger frictions among them. Therefore, train your child from birth the right way.
How to teach a baby
Newborn baby needs more sleep. When it's time for sleep, train the baby to sleep on the bed instead of holding him in your arms. If you keep holding the baby when it's time to sleep, he will demand to be held whenever he feels sleepy. How does the baby demand? He will do it by crying. Do not hold him in your arms when he cries. Otherwise, it will become a habit. Naturally, parents cannot bear watching their baby cry. It is necessary to train yourself to tolerate the child's crying. If you pick up your baby every time he cries, you will need to pick him up all the time. If the baby is not picked up every time he cries, he will come to realize that crying does not get him anywhere, and will fall asleep as soon as the parent calm him a little bit. That way the parents are happy and it is also better for the baby.
There is reason for a child to cry. It may be because he is thirsty, sick, or feels too hot or too cold. These are natural things. If he's crying because he's hungry, the problem may be solved by feeding. If he cries because he is sick, he must be treated for sickness. If it is due to heat or cold, the temperature must be controlled accordingly so that the baby may be able to sleep comfortably. Sometimes, babies cry because parents are too accommodating them. That is the parents' fault. Too accommodating can lead to spoiling the baby. Therefore, it is important not to be too accommodive. Children at any age know how tolerant their parents are about their demand and whining. Even though they don't speak, they know. Parent often try to quell a crying baby by giving them cellphones as if it's a toy. Cellphones are expansive devices; Not toys. No matter how much the child would demand it, they should not play with cellphones.
Both parents need to be involved and be on the same page when training children. If one parent protests while the other parent is training a child, it will result in a spoiled child. Some fathers do not take the role of a father; To them, training children is the responsibility of a mother. However, it is both the mother and father's responsibility to train the children. Some mothers also think that it is the father's responsibility to train and teach. Training children is the job of both parents.
What will be taught?
The Bible says, "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) What should we teach our children? God Himself said, " Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
According to the above scriptures, God told Israelites that the Lord their God is one Lord, meaning he is the only God, and they should teach their children to worship him with all their heart and all their strength. God instructed every parent, whether sitting at home or going out on a trip, sleeping or standing, to teach their children those words. However, if parents themselves do not love God, how can they teach their children? Therefore, parents themselves need to love God. To love God is the beginning of good in all things. He who loves God will avoid sin. A person who loves God will not do what God does not like.
The Psalmist said, "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” (Psalm 127:3-5) He said that children are the inheritance given by God. That inheritance must be properly preserved. It is said that children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. The arrow is for shooting. But the arrow cannot be shot by itself. It must be shot by a hunter. Likewise, parents are to shoot their arrows (children). When the hunter shoots an arrow, he does not shoot without a purpose. He shoots at the target. In the same way, parents need to have a target when they shoot their children. The target of parents for their children should be to love God and to guide them to reach heaven. However, many parents' goals are only to get educated here on earth and get a good job during their lifetime. From now on, let the target for our children be to love and trust God, to know the truth, and to be saved.
How to teach?
Parent would lead and together with their children should memorize Bible verses. Good Bible verses to be memorized are: Deuteronomy 6:4-7 mentioned above. In addition, a great number of passages from the book of Proverbs such as:
The above verses should not only be memorized but must also be explained. It is important not only to know the scriptures, but also to love God and to have assurance of salvation. Every parent needs to be concerned about their children going to hell if they don't get the eternal life. It is better not to give birth to children only to let them go to hell. Jesus said this to parents who destroy their children. "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6).
Parents must pray for their children. Prayers can change their lives. Also, teach them to pray on their own. Parents must also do as they would like their children to do- meaning parent must set example by praying if they also want their children to pray. The best and most accessible teachers of children are parents. Children tend to follow what their parents are doing. Therefore, every parent is encouraged to teach and guide their children from a young age. May God give wisdom and strength to every parent.
Lean not on your understanding
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)
Almost every Christian will know these verses. It's about trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not to lean on your own understanding. Let us take a lesson from the father who relied on his own understanding and the son who trusted in God.
Chosen by God
God told Jacob's mother that he had been chosen by God while he was still in his mother's womb. "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." (Genesis 25:23) Thus, Jacob was chosen by God. However, he tried to get the blessings by leaning on his own understanding.
Bought the birthright
Jacob was given the blessing of being the firstborn son of God from his mother's womb, but he sought to buy it from his brother. "Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So, he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright." (Genesis 25:29-34)
Received blessings through deceit
Jacob's father Isaac intended to bless his other son Esau. Then mother Rebekah wanted her son Jacob to receive the blessing. With his mother's advice, Jacob obtained the blessing from his father by pretending to be Esau. When Esau asked for the blessing from his father with tears in his eyes, he didn't get it because Jacob already took it. When Esau did not receive the blessing, he intended to kill Jacob. Then his mother advised Jacob to run away to his uncle Laban (Gen 37). Here, the whole family did wrong. They knew God's plan, but they did what they wanted to do. Father Isaac would have already known that God had chosen the younger son, so it was wrong for him for planning to bless the older son. It was possible that Jacob loved Esau more because he was used to enjoying the meat shared by Esau. (Gen 25: 28). Old Isaac was blind physically as well as spiritually, so he intended to bless the son whom God had not chosen.
Mother Rebekah also did wrong. God spoke to her that he intended to bless Jacob while in her womb (Genesis 24:23), but told the younger son to lie. If this matter had been left in God's hands, God would have resolved it nicely. Because she did not wait for the Lord, how miserable she must have felt when Esau plotted to to kill his brother Jacob. The story did not end there. She asked her younger son to run to her brother Laban. Rebekah asked her son to run and after that, she never had a chance to see him again. Rebekah died before Jacob returned. She must have died because she missed her younger son Jacob. Esau was also wrong to sell his birthright to his brother with some bowl of food. The fact that he tried to kill his brother when he did not receive the blessing from his father ran counter to God's plan. Because Jacob obeyed his mother's advice, he had to ran away from his brother. He never saw his mother alive again.
Being cheated by the uncle
The Bible says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7) The same way he lied to his father, Jacob was lied to by his uncle Laban. He fell in love with his uncle Laban's younger daughter, Rachel, and served Laban for seven years to get her. But his uncle gave him Leah instead of his beloved Rachel (Genesis 29). In the end, he was able to get Rachel only after serving seven more years.
Uncle's animals
Jacob tended Laban's sheep and goats. When his uncle asked what should his wages be for his service, Jacob responded that speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat would be his wages." Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches. 38 Then he placed the peeled branches in all the watering troughs, so that they would be directly in front of the flocks when they came to drink. When the flocks were in heat and came to drink, 39 they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted. (Genesis 30:37-39) In this way, Jacob tried to increase his wealth by using his understanding.
Having to run from uncle again
Jacob had to run away from his uncle and his sons without his uncle's knowledge- the same way he ran from his brother before. When his uncle followed, God warned his uncle not to speak good or bad to Jacob, so his uncle did not do any harm to him. Otherwise, his uncle would have done something bad to him (Gen 31).
Having to bow down to his brother
Jacob was able to escape from his uncle because of God's protection, but he was afraid of meeting his brother Essau again. He got very much scared when he learned that his brother had come with four hundred men to meet him. Therefore, he called his brother "Lord" and gave gifts and bow down in front of him. God's plan was for his brother Esau to bow down to him, but because of his sin, Jacob was afraid of his brother and bowed down to Esau instead (Gen 32-33).
Being punched and got limped
It was written that Jacob also wrestled with God. "So, Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:24-28) Up until that time Jacob used to wrestle with men and God. As a result, God punched him in the hip, and he got limped. After that, Jacob stopped leaning on his own understanding. He had learned his life lesson.
Being lied to by own sons
Jacob learned a lesson and stopped leaning on his own understanding, but he kept on reaping what he sowed. Jacob's sons were jealous of Joseph, the son of his beloved wife, and planned to kill him. But God did not allow Joseph to die, so his brothers sold him into slavery. Because the brothers lied to their father Jacob that Joseph had been eaten by a ferocious animal, Jacob was heartbroken. Jacob said regarding Joseph, "He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So, his father wept for him." (Genesis 37:33-35)
Lived a short and awful life
Looking back at Jacob's life as a whole, he was chosen by God but because he relied on his own understanding instead of waiting for God's time, his lived an awful life with full of sadness. Therefore, when Pharaoh asked about his life, "Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” (Genesis 47:9) Believers should learn from the life of Jacob. If you lean on your own understanding without waiting for God, your life would be tiresome, full of fearful, and be filled with uncertainty. Therefore, from now on, let us rely on God in everything and wait for his time so that we will live a joyful life.
The life of Joseph
Normally a father would teach his son everything that he knows. The son then imitates the good deeds of the father. However, in some families, the son would do more good deeds than the father or the son would turn away from the father's misconducts in life and live a godly life. Among those people, Joseph's conduct in life was better than that of his father Jacob. Joseph had a stable personality, and he trusted and feared God.
Chosen by God
God's choice of Joseph to be a leader was foretold by God Himself to his father and brothers: "We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” (Genesis 37:7-10) Thus, Joseph knew that God intended for him to be a leader.
Sold into slavery
Joseph was chosen by God to be the leader, but his brothers hated him. Therefore, they did not speak good about him. One day, when his father sent him to go to his brothers who were tending the sheep, his brothers plotted to kill him. But because God didn't allow them to succeed, they threw him instead into a pit without water first, then later sold into slavery. The Ishmaelites then sold him to Egypt and Joseph became a slave in Potiphar's house. Because the Lord was with Joseph, he succeeded in everything he did. Because of him, the Lord blessed Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:1-6). Joseph was a slave, but he did not lose faith in God, and did not have ill feelings toward God. When Potiphar's wife tempted him to sleep with her, he said to her, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9) He avoided sin because he feared God.
People go to jail because they commit crime. But in Joseph's case, he was imprisoned because he was righteous. When Potiphar's wife was unsuccessful in seducing Joseph, she reported to her husband about Joseph the opposite of what had happened, alleging that Joseph was trying to sleep with her, so Potiphar put him in prison. Let us remember Joseph when we are wrongly accused. Joseph did not sin against God even in prison. God blessed him. When interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh's cup bearer and table bearer, he said "Doesn't the meaning of dreams belong to God?" (Genesis 40: 8). Later on, the cup bearer no longer remembered him, but God did not forget him. It is also good that the cupbearer forgot him. If the cupbearer remembered him and told Pharaoh about Joseph, Pharaoh might not take him seriously about what he said. Therefore, it is important not to lose heart when people do not notice and do not care. It's important to know that God always remembers us.
When he was about to interpret Pharaoh's dream, he said to Pharaoh that he glorified God and that he himself was not capable of doing anything.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:15-16) Joseph praised God and acknowledged Hm. When we know something because of God's grace, we tend to boast about it instead of glorifying God. Not praising God is a sin.
Joseph was not only NOT angry with God, but he also gave praise to God while surrounded by unbelievers, especially in the presence of Pharaoh. Joseph did not go to church; There was no book to read; There were no believing friends to be around. But his knowledge about God was way more advanced. He saw God as God. Therefore, God also gave him the opportunity to interpret dreams.
Walked with God
Joseph waited for God's timing. He had known through the dream before he was 17 that he would one day be a leader. But instead of becoming a leader, he was sold as a slave. While he was comfortable as a slave where he could forget his previous life and be satisfied, he still needed to descend into the life of a prisoner, which is lower than being a slave. But in the end, God deservedly exalted him to the highest position, second only to the Pharaoh in Egypt. He was only 30 years old when he got that position (Genesis 41: 46). Therefore, his initial suffering lasted for 13 years. Because he walked with God for 13 years, he enjoyed 80 good years. His father Jacob lived long, but lived a miserable life. Whereas Joseph waited for God's time and suffered for a while, he was tremendously blessed for many many years. Some people had a good life when they were young, but the older they get, the worse life they endure. There may be many reasons for that, but not walking with God could be one of the main reasons. Let us walk with God like Joseph did.
Not only did Joseph walk with God, but he also believed that everything that happened in his life was God's plan. Therefore, he did not hold grudges against his brothers. To his brothers he said, "Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (Genesis 45:4-8)
Comforting the brothers
Joseph's brothers were still afraid of Joseph when their father died. "When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrong we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:15-21). The reason Joseph was able to forgive his brothers was because he believed that everything that happened was according to God's plan. If we are able accept that the events surrounding us that affect us are God's plan, we will be able to forgive everyone.
