Ancient Words: Walk to Emmaus, A Walk with Joseph
Jesus talked on the way to Emmaus about all that had been said of him in all of the scriptures. While Joseph, son of Jacob, did not speak directly about the Christ, his life actually embodied the Christ with profound example of how Christ would live and how man should live. Genesis 37-50 contains the life story of Joseph and begins with Joseph the 11th son of Jacob despised and rejected by his other brothers. Jealousy was alive and well within the Jacob household, and Joseph grew up as the recipient, being hated within his own family. This hate and rejection would eventually drive the thought process of his brothers to plan a murder yet stop just short and sell Joseph to slave traders headed for Egypt.
No fond childhood memories for Joseph, except perhaps the multi-colored robe made for him by his father. This robe, however, proved to stoke more envy and unkind words that Joseph would hear constantly in the tents of Jacob. Faking the slaying of Joseph with a bloodstained robe, the brothers presented the stained, torn, garment as proof that Joseph had been slain by a wild animal. While Jacob mourned, Joseph was en route as a 17 year old slave, captive with the Midianite traders.
Persecution could have taken its toll on Joseph but Joseph was faithful to God and God was faithful to Joseph! Joseph rejected the advances of his master’s wife, served his time in an Egyptian prison after false accusations incarcerated him there, and rose to great power and respect with Egypt’s Pharaoh through his God-given ability to interpret dreams. Joseph found himself second only to the king in the Egyptian empire. At age 30, his skill and talent for management and organization was used to lead Egypt thru a great 7-year famine.
The famine caused Jacob to search for food and care for his large family which in turn led to their re-location to Egypt. Joseph knew his brothers yet the years of separation did not harden his heart because of their hateful actions toward him. Joseph knew that God had a plan, he knew that God meant all that had happened to him was for the good of his family: Gen 45:4-8 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 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. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “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.”
On his death bed, Jacob gave Joseph the strongest blessing of all 12 sons: Gen 49:22-24 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel…” Here, Jesus might have explained——“I am that Shepherd, I am that Rock of Israel!”
Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected].
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I Am Not A Rental
Have you ever rented a car? In my younger days my friends and I rented many! The best part about it was that there was no commitment! There was “some accountability” and “some rules” about taking “some care” of it. We really didn’t care that much about it though because it was a rental and not a purchase. When we no longer needed it, or after it had served its purpose we were done until we needed to do it again.
This happens a lot in the lives of so many people who have a “rental relationship” with God. Unfortunately, sometimes we become complacent in our lives, situations, and relationships and only call on Jesus when convenient or needed. Basically, we try and enter into a rental agreement or a temporary contract with Jesus that has no value.
The difference between a “rental” and a “purchase” is the value and appreciation!
Rentals are not valued because they are borrowed and have to be returned. Purchases are priceless because they have been bought at a premium price!
When we purchase the car, we show it off! We brag about it! We keep it clean! We take care of it! We spend time in it! After all, there was a sacrifice and commitment to make it ours! It is a keeper!
Jesus doesn’t want a rental agreement with us, He wants full ownership! In fact He signed the contract in blood! You too can be purchased, in fact you already have been if you will agree to the terms.
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Cor. 6:20 KJV
Captain Jason Perdieu is corps officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado.