OT Journey - Joseph, God's Interventions

Editor's Notes

• #7: Joseph was clearly the beloved of his parents. The youngest brother (barring Benjamin), his father honored him with a special long sleeved coat signifying that his would be the birthright (usuallymeant for the eldest) To add insult to injury, Joseph shared his dreams of his leadership to his brothers He also wore his coat on a daily basis rather than the traditional yearly occasion of his birthday. (Dr. Ron Charles) All the above triggered strong jealousy
• #9: Joseph was then thrown into a pit. He pleas for mercy went unheard Reuben planned to rescue him but he was sold to slave traders His trademark coat was torn to pieces, dipped in blood and shown to his father. The family considered him as good as dead.
• #12: Joseph was faithful to his duties as a slave God blessed Joseph who soon rose to position of head of all servants Potiphar entrusted everything to him (except wife) Potiphar’s wife seduces him. (Isis and Osiris) Joseph thrown to prison
• #13: Dr. Ron Charles highlights the Egyptian tradition where the most beautiful lady is selected yearly, as ISIS. She chooses her Osiris and over a period of few days, is expected to conceive as a result. This would be a symbol of productivity for all plants and a good harvest would be expected, as Osiris was god of underworld and of new life. Isis that year was Potiphar’s wife, and Joseph was her selected Osiris. Joseph however, was absent during the period and when seduced on return, ran away. Both Potiphar’s wife and Joseph were held responsible by Egyptians for failure to bring their land productivity – more so, Joseph.
• #14: Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. (Gen 39)
• #18: Every year, one of the king’s prisoners would be selected as a human sacrifice, dressed (as joseph was) and sent to pharoah prior to be sacrificed. The journey to Pharoah could have been a long, uncertain one for Joseph. Joseph has no idea what he is called for – could have been as a human sacrifice.
• #21: (perseverence in storms, purity in everything, patience in quietness in his highs, Presence of God in everything…in his lows – he could forget, he could forgive, he could keep his feet on the ground.
• #23: In good times Joseph: Forgot: Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household.“ (Genesis 41:51) Was Fruitful:The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.“ (Genesis 41:52) Forgave:..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.” (Genesis 50:20) Had his Feet on the ground: The once proud dreamer, becomes the practical ruler of Egypt
• #39: Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. Genesis 35:5 - JACOB
• #40: 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 32:28
• #44: 1 Elohim: The plural form of EL, means “strong one.” It is used of false gods, but when used of the true God, it is a plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. It is especially used of God’s sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18; Deut. 5:23; 8:15; Ps. 68:7). El Shaddai:“God Almighty.” The derivation is uncertain. Some think it stresses God’s loving supply and comfort; others His power as the Almighty one standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens (Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 6:1; Ps. 91:1, 2). El Elyon:“The Most High God.” Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy (Gen. 14:19;Ps. 9:2;  Dan. 7:18, 22, 25). El Olam:“The Everlasting God.” Emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Gen. 16:13).
• #45: 2 Yahweh (YHWH): Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Gen. 4:3; Ex. 6:3 (cf. 3:14); 3:12). Compounds of Yahweh: Strictly speaking, these compounds are designations or titles which reveal additional facts about God’s character. Yahweh Jireh (Yireh):“The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people (Gen. 22:14). Yahweh Nissi:“The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15). Yahweh Shalom:“The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24). Yahweh Sabbaoth:“The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45). Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13). YahwehRo’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1). Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6). Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 48:35). Yahweh Elohim Israel:“The Lord, the God of Israel.” Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Jud. 5:3.; Isa. 17:6).
• #46: 2 Yahweh (YHWH): Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Gen. 4:3; Ex. 6:3 (cf. 3:14); 3:12). Compounds of Yahweh: Strictly speaking, these compounds are designations or titles which reveal additional facts about God’s character. Yahweh Jireh (Yireh):“The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people (Gen. 22:14). Yahweh Nissi:“The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15). Yahweh Shalom:“The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24). Yahweh Sabbaoth:“The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45). Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13). YahwehRo’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1). Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6). Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 48:35). Yahweh Elohim Israel:“The Lord, the God of Israel.” Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Jud. 5:3.; Isa. 17:6).
• #47: (3) Adonai: Like Elohim, this too is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider (Gen. 18:2; 40:1; 1 Sam. 1:15; Ex. 21:1-6; Josh. 5:14). (4) Theos: Greek word translated “God.” Primary name for God used in the New Testament. Its use teaches: (1) He is the only true God (Matt. 23:9; Rom. 3:30); (2) He is unique (1 Tim. 1:17; John 17:3; Rev. 15:4; 16:7); (3) He is transcendent (Acts 17:24; Heb. 3:4; Rev. 10:6); (4) He is the Savior (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10). This name is used of Christ as God in John 1:1, 18; 20:28; 1 John 5:20; Tit. 2:13; Rom. 9:5; Heb. 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:1. (5) Kurios: Greek word translated “Lord.” Stresses authority and supremacy. While it can mean sir (John 4:11), owner (Luke 19:33), master (Col. 3:22), or even refer to idols (1 Cor. 8:5) or husbands (1 Pet. 3:6), it is used mostly as the equivalent of Yahweh of the Old Testament. It too is used of Jesus Christ meaning (1) Rabbi or Sir (Matt. 8:6); (2) God or Deity (John 20:28; Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9; Phil. 2:11). (6) Despotes: Greek word translated “Master.” Carries the idea of ownership while kuriosstressed supreme authority (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; Rev. 6:10; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4). (7) Father:A distinctive New Testament revelation is that through faith in Christ, God becomes our personal Father. Father is used of God in the Old Testament only 15 times while it is used of God 245 times in the New Testament. As a name of God, it stresses God’s loving care, provision, discipline, and the way we are to address God in prayer (Matt. 7:11; Jam. 1:17; Heb. 12:5-11; John 15:16; 16:23;  Eph. 2:18; 3:15; 1 Thess. 3:11).
• #53: How could God walk and talk with Adam when “no one has ever seen God”? It was Jesus. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:18) If Adam encountered a visible form of God, that form points to Jesus, the “one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known”. (John 1:18b)
• #55: Let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of this “Angel” as given in the various passages. The “Angel” is referred to with masculine pronouns (Genesis 16:13; Judges 6:21). He is identified as God (Judges 6:11, 14; Zechariah 12:8).3 He performed miracles (Judges 6:21; 13:20). Gideon and Manoah thought they would die because they saw the “Angel” face to face (Judges 6:22; 13:22). The “Angel” accurately foretold future events (Judges 13:3). His name is “wonderful” (Judges 13:18; cf., Isaiah 9:6). He destroyed 185,000 soldiers of the Assyrian army in one night (2 Kings 19:35).4 “the Angel of the Lord” cannot be viewed as a normal angel. He is occasionally identified as God, accepted worship, and at least two people who saw Him thought they would die for seeing Him face to face. These same attributes and activities are clearly attributed to God elsewhere in Scripture. There are a few other statements to consider. In Zechariah 3:1–2, “the Angel of the Lord” is distinguished from Yahweh because He talks to Yahweh. John 1:18 states, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” So man has only seen the Son of God, not the Father or the Holy Spirit. Also, the “Commander of the army of :8–9). Finally, “the Angel of the Lord” does not make any appearances after the birth of Christ in the New Testament, although the risen Jesus did appear to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–6; 22:6–10; 26:14–19; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8). These truths have led many students of Scripture to conclude that “the Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament is none other than Christ Himself.
• #58: You will read in Hebrews 6:19-20 that Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, is High Priest "after the order of Melchizedek." The plainer English of the Moffatt translation words it: ". . with the rank of" that is, equal status with "Melchizedek." Melchizedek Was God's Priest First, notice from both Old and New Testaments that the man of mystery, Melchizedek, was a priest of the Most High God. Turn 'low to the account in Genesis 14. During the war between a number of ancient city-states in Canaan and Mesopotamia, Abraham's nephew Lot had been captured. He and his family and goods were carted off. One of their number escaped and brought the news to Abraham, who armed 318 of his own servants and pursued the invaders to what was later named Dan and beyond. Abraham rescued Lot and his family and returned them safely to the Canaanite cities. On Abraham's return a man of mystery bursts upon the scene. Abraham was ministered to by Melchizedek. Here is the account: "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. And he [Melchizedek] blessed him [Abraham] and said, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!' And Abram gave him [Melchizedek] a tenth of everything" that is, a tithe of all, for a tithe means a tenth (Genesis 14:18-20, RSV). Notice that Melchizedek was king of Salem. That is the city of Jerusalem. "Salem" comes from the Hebrew word meaning "peace." That would make Melchizedek the "King of Peace" (Hebrews 7:2). The Hebrew name Melchizedek itself means "King of Righteousness" (Hebrews 7:2). The same individual is mentioned in Psalm 110:4. Speaking prophetically of Christ, David stated: "The Eternal hath sworn, and will notrepent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." This verse is quoted again in Hebrews 5:6, 10 Before we turn to Hebrews for the identification of Melchizedek, remember that this mystery figure is a mystery only to us. Abraham and the King of wicked Sodom knew exactly who he was. They must have seen him before. He could not have been a Canaanite, for they were steeped in pagan customs. And furthermore Canaan was a descendant of Ham, whereas God basically chose the descendants of Shem to accomplish His work. Then who is the mystery man Melchizedek? One other hint before we proceed. The land of Canaan from ancient time, before the days of Moses, was known among the Gentiles as "the divine land" the Holy land" the land of the place of worship!" Why? Was there someone in the Holy Land who was divine, holy, worthy of worship? The Mystery Clears Coming to Hebrews 7, we find Melchizedek identified: "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace" (Hebrews 7:1-2). Since God names individuals what they are, that, then is what this man is.. "King of Righteousness." Think of it! King of Righteousness. Jesus Himself said: "There is none good but one, that is, God" (Matthew 19:17). Human self-righteousness is, before God, as filthy rags. None can be righteous but God—or one made righteous by God's power—Christ in a person! And certainly none but One of the Godhead the divine Kingdom of God would be King of Righteousness. Such an expression, applied to any but God, would be blasphemous. Why? Righteousness is obedience to God's Law. Since God made all laws (James 4:12), He is Supreme Ruler or King. He determines what righteousness is. "All thy commandments are righteousness" (Psalm 119:172). When speaking of one of the points of that Law, Jesus placed Himself superior to it. He is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28). No man is Lord or King over God's Law. Only God could be! All human beings have sinned and broken that Law of righteousness (Romans 3:23). To continue with Hebrews 7. Note, too, that this man was King of peace. "Salem" from which Jerusalem was named means "peace." And remember, Jesus is called the Prince of peace! No human being could be King of Peace. Men know not the way of peace. ReadRomans 3:10 and 17: "There is none righteous, no, not one.... And the way of peace have they not known." Observe further: Melchizedek was "without mother, without father, without descent," or as the Phillips translation renders it: "He had no father or mother and no family tree." He was not born as human beings are. He was without father and mother. This does not mean that Melchizedek's records of birth were lost. Without such records human priests could not serve (Ezra 2:62). But here Melchizedek had no genealogy. He must not have been an ordinary mortal. He had no descent or pedigree from another, but was self-existent. Notice Paul's own inspired interpretation of this fact: "Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life" (Hebrews 7:3). Therefore He has always existed from eternity! He was not even created, like angels. But He is now eternally self-existing. And that is true only of GOD deity, not humanity! Not the Father Nor the Holy Spirit Yet Melchizedek cannot be God the Father. He was the "priest of that Most High God." Scripture says no man has ever seen the Father (John 1:18, 5:37), but Abraham saw Melchizedek. He cannot be God the Father, but rather, "made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually" (Hebrews 7:3). And there it is! In the days of Abraham, He was not the Son of God, for He had not yet been born of the virgin Mary but He was made like unto the Son of God in His manifestation to the ancients. Notice again: Melchizedek, this scripture reveals, abides that is, remains permanently, continually, a priest. God the Father is not the Priest of God, but Christ the Son is! Yet, in the days when the Apostle Paul lived and wrote, shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven as High Priest, the scripture states that even then Melchizedek "abideth "—which means does now abide—"a priest continually." The Moffatt translation states it: "continues to be priest permanently" even while Jesus Christ is High Priest! And notice that the order of Christ's Priesthood is named after Melchizedek. It is the High Priest's name that is placed upon an order just as Aaron's name was upon the Aaronic priesthood. Thus Melchizedek was then High Priest, in Paul's day, and even now, and He will rule forever! And at the same time Christ was, is today, and shall be forever High Priest! Are there two High Priests'? No! Impossible! The conclusion is inescapable. Contrary to many cherished man-thought-out ideas, Melchizedek and Christ are one and the same! Some people have stumbled on the statement that Melchizedek has no "end of life." They contend that since Christ died, He had an end of life! If that be true then Christ is still dead! But Christ is not dead. He is alive. It was not possible for Christ to be held by death (Acts 2:24). Melchizedek would never have fulfilled His office of High Priest if He had not died for the sins of the people and risen again. It is the function of the High Priest to lead the way to salvation. Indeed, Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our salvation (Hebrews 5:9; 12:2). He is "called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:10). And no wonder. Melchizedek and Christ are one and the same Person! © 1972 Worldwide Church of God
• #59: 19Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
• #60: He had promised Abraham that he would. While Muslims may be creating trouble in current times, the day will come when they too will turn to Christ – all Abraham’s descendants in the future through Isaac and Ishmael will belong to Christ.
• #70: A seed who would defeat Satan (God’s judgement to Adam after the fall) Gen 3 A Saviour who provides alternate sacrifice – prelude of Calvary (Gen 22 The Angel of the Lord stops Abraham’s hand from striking Isaac) A Son who enables joint-sonship into God’s kingdom (14:17-20) – Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek – The first Eucharist A Spirit who comforts and perseveres with the lost world A Spirit is wrestling with us to draw us to submission to God Similar powers to God Receives tithes, judges, wins battles, blesses, saves, etc.
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