"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. " John 15:5 NKJV. In Genesis 43, Joseph's brothers were in his house, eating and drinking. But Joseph sat by himself, and they sat by themselves. We can't let this slip by us, that his brothers were rejoicing in Joseph's presence without being restored fully, without really knowing him and certainly without revelation of love & grace! There is a further step they had to take before a full revelation of love could be given. We see this in Psalm 51 "Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice." verses 16-17 (The Message). His brothers had acknowledged their sin, but they were not broken completely...not at the end of their bitterness and self-reliance, so that Joseph could reveal his love to them! The final test came when Joseph had his silver(redemption)cup put in Benjamin's sack. They were barely out of the city when they were overtaken by Joseph's men & were accused of stealing the cup. They were so sure of their innocence that they said "With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves." What a change in their attitudes! "God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord's slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found." There was no more pride in them, they were humbled and broken as they gave up & surrendered! Then came the revelation of the love of God. Genesis 45:1 reads "Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, 'Make everyone go out from me!' So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. The world doesn't perceive this revelation of love. . Joseph's brothers now had the sense of family, of love without question and acceptance! The world can hear about God's love but only family can experience it !!! We as the family of God, in whom He delights, are tied into this revelation as we rest in His love for us!
Exodus 34:6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering , and abounding in goodness and truth... In this verse IS the disposition of Messiah. The early church used this important verse to judge prophecy and conduct in the church atmosphere. There were three elders who were in charge of hearing and deciding if what was said and done in that time was in the disposition of Messiah. In this very shaky and explosive time we are living in (exciting & wonderful time I might add) it would serve us well if we would write this verse on the tablet of our heart and in every circumstance, situation we find ourselves apply it rightly and justly. By doing this, we, as the body of Christ, will start looking like the "church" the public has never seen!!!
very special to me is your post thank you. because God led me to go here and i saw this which was timely for me. thank you!
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