Through the cooperation of the Believing Pharaoh, Joseph is raised to the second in command over Egypt.

 Joseph’s Pharaoh and his obedience to God is a beautiful act worthy of recognition.  God raised up both Pharaoh and Joseph to collectively save the starving masses during the seven years famine and to preserve the seed destined to birth Messiah.    

Due to a dream from God, Joseph prophesied to his brothers that they would one day bow down to his place of power ( Gen 37:9). Not aware they were helping to bring the dream to life,  Joseph’s brothers cruelly sold him into Egyptian slavery at the young age of seventeen.  But like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob….Joseph believed God. He lived the imprisoned years in humility and service to others knowing the day would come when the dream would become reality. And not even Joseph imagined the roll an Egyptian Pharaoh would play in the salvation of Israel!!

To say Joseph merely dreamed his appointed rise to glory is to grossly minimize the encounter of spirit with Spirit which is the essence of the dream from God. And the soul who experiences such encounter knows it has been visited by the Divine. The dream is vivid, real, powerful, and makes an everlasting imprint on the mind.  Such dreams are alive! They are fuel that fires the soul to great endurance. And Joseph surely endured his afflictions undergirded by the knowledge that God keeps His promises. The dream was a promise of deliverance to Israel.

Years of seeming injustice and humiliation were serving to affirm gentle Joseph as a man of great wisdom and knowledge. The time had come for shaken Pharaoh and patient Joseph to come together because of another visit from God via Pharaoh’s dream.  The benevolent Pharoah believed the reports of those who testified to the authenticity of Joseph’s ability to interpretation

God sends Joseph to Pharaoh to save both the just and the unjust from starvation.

dreams. He believed the reports of Joseph’s humility and kindness throughout his years of imprisonment.  And Joseph became known as a prophet when the dreams he interpreted came to pass. But while Joseph’s faithfulness is much acclaimed, Pharaoh gets little mention though his belief swung open the doors of Egypt’s power to Joseph and, thus, go God. The account of Joseph and Egypt’s Pharaoh is a beautiful reminder that God truly ‘…rules in the kingdom of men and sets over it the basest of men (Dan 4:17)’.  It is a beautiful reminder to not judge nations nor men since God’s decreed, desired, and permissive will is continually shaping, managing, chastising, and rewarding both the just and the unjust.  The Potter rules and there is none above Him!  And because God saw Pharaoh’s heart and knew he would believe, I shine a spotlight of focus on the Believing Pharaoh. I honor him for his cooperation with God in saving both Israel and masses of men through the grievous famine.

All are familiar with the Genesis 41:14 account of Pharaoh’s dream.  The whole of the story of Egypt and Israel is the story of ‘in the world but not of the world.’  It is a type of the deliverance of the people of God from death to Life….to New Jerusalem.  And because the event of Joseph in Egypt is huge in the decreed, desired, and permissive will of God, I honor the benevolent deeds of Pharaoh towards God.

Gen: 41:41 Joseph is given rule over all Egypt

Jospeh embraces Israel and welcomes them to the blessing of Egypt.

42: Pharaoh gives Joseph the ring of power, adorns him with clothes of fine linen, and puts a gold chain about his neck. 

43:   Joseph is ordained by God and permitted by Pharaoh to ride in the second chariot behind Pharaoh’s command of  ‘bow the knee’ to Joseph as ruler over all of Egypt.  

45: Pharaoh gave Asenath to Joseph as a wife and thus set the fate for Ephraim and Mannesah’s birth.    

  Gen 44:17: Pharaoh sent Joseph to bring the seventy members of Jacob’s household (Israel) to partake of ‘the good of all the land of Egypt.’

( Comments are welcome  as together we study the Word of God. To comment click on ‘Leave a comment” found the end of the tag group below).                   

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As I sat in a little country Methodist church on Sunday, the minister used the scriptures about the death of Lazarus. I followed along with the scripture

Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

readings thinking and making the connection with the minister’s text which was  ‘First Things First – Love.’  Fully familiar with the text and its point of Love, I did not expect what happened next.

As I continued reading over the words groan, weeping, dead, stinketh, grave,  stone,  Christ’s groaning within himself as he approached the tomb, and the fourth day…I became deeply aware that the text was speaking not only of the death of Lazarus but of Christ. …of real Death…and of the full suffering Love would endure for the handiwork of God…fallen man. The time of His own suffering, entombment, and Death was near. Already it had become dangerous for Christ to be seen in public.   

   Christ’s grief was about much more than the death of Lazarus.   Christ  made clear that Lazarus was dead by the will and purpose of God. God would reveal His love through resurrection.    Lazarus’s physical death was another tool being used by God that would become a lesson in being moved from death to life….a lesson in rejoicing.   All who experienced its power would be given increased faith to believe Christ’s prophetic promises about His own death, burial, and resurrection.  Jesus was not intended to prevent the death of Lazarus through healing but to heal him through His own death. And Christ’s arrival to the site of Lazarus’s death was full encounter with the Jews whom He knew only a short time away…would shout ‘Give us Barabas!’  

 John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,’. 

 Jesus did not weep until He was face to face with the tomb which held dead Lazarus on the fourth day.( John 11:34,35). . But why weep now??? Why weep just before all glory and rejoicing is about to break forth??? Why weep on the way to see the stone which imprisons the dead???   Why now???  Now because Christ’s terror had already begun. Being both God and man, He is painfully aware that He very soon will be that man who lies in death by the will of the Stone cut out without hands…God.  He is painfully aware of the coming anguish and terror of  being separated from Life…of going into Death in the person of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world!!!  And He is not groaning within himself about physical death but about the pain of (Isaiah 53:6-12) becoming iniquity for all, of becoming the sacrificial Lamb of God, of the highest spiritual oppression, of the greatest of all affliction, of

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

imprisonment, of judgement, of darkness, of being cut off from the land of the living, of making his grave with the wicked and the rich though innocent, of being bruised by the Father, of making His soul an offering for sin, and of pouring out His soul to the horror of all horrors….damnation!!!  It is in this place …in this reality…in this sorrow..that Jesus wept!!!!  As He orders the stone be rolled away so Lazarus can walk forth at the command of God, Jesus’s heart is broken.  Oh…my!        

What an unexpected blessing while seated on a pew in a little country church…to be transported…to be there in spirit with Martha, Mary, Jewish family and friends, and with Christ as He suffers because of Love.  Standing at the tomb of Lazarus, Christ had compassion for the sadness and grief of those He loved. But His suffering was about things

spiritual…about things eternal…and not about a physical body which turns to dust from which it came.

Lazarus was brought from death to Life.  All will be moved from Death to Life who receive the gift purchased by the price of the innocent Life of the Son of God….purchased by the suffering of Love.  

John 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  

 The book of Job speaks to  man’s relationship with the Divine. It affirms God’s intent and promise that man find dominion in the Divine. It affirms that holiness is required of man.  It contrasts

Job, innocent before God but condemned by man.

  natural humanity against  supernatural Creator. It affirms Job as clay in the Potter’s hand.  

 As Job encounters God in  chapters 38-41, he acknowledges his full humanity and fallen nature before God.  In the presence of God, Job’s broken and contrite spirit cries, ‘Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42.6).     But in the darkness and desolation of horrific affliction…separated from God, Job asked,  ’‘Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?’   God who knows all things knew the heart of the perfect and upright Job. Thus, God ends the captivity of Job  and demands blood be shed to cover the sins of the three elder accusers. (Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, Job 42:7  ‘My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath’). But the younger accuser, Elihu, is not mentioned.   Did God not hold babe Elihu accountable?  I don’t know. But beautiful is the end of Job’s suffering when God exalts Job  and involves him in the forgiveness process of his tormentors. (Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job’).

God often puts thoughts of Job in my heart.  I consider the time in which he lived. I consider the simple faith he lived by. I consider the fellowship Job had with God.  I consider the full trust Job had in God. And I consider the resulting awe with which Job reverenced God and all His creation!  Job was the type of

Like Abraham, Job believed God and obeyed His commandments. Abraham was poised to put the dagger into Isaac knowing God would raise him from the dead since God had promised, 'In Isaac shall thy seed be called.' Gen. 21:12

man whom our doctrines and traditions say does not exist….a man following God through relationship…through faithful obedience…a perfect and upright man.

  Through fellowship with God, Job’s heart of Love was a keeper of the Great Commandment though he had no printed Bible. God’s Law was written in Job’s heart ((Matt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself). The Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world was in Job’s heart as witnessed by the following scripture testifying to Job’s love for fellow man…to his charity to the poor…to his servitude.

14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. 17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. 21Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. 25I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

Job’s relationship with God, like that of others, (Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jonah)  was the type spoken of by Christ as he communed with Peter about the foundation on which His church would be built….fellowship and communion with the Divine. …relationship!  God revealed Christ to Peter. Christ acknowledged oneness with Peter because of the Divine fellowship with the Father. And the three were one (John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,

Peter, like Job, had fellowship with the Divine. "Mt 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'

that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me).                                        

 Job believed God and worked the righteousness of God through obedience and servitude. Because of Job’s work of faith (obedience), God judged him perfect and upright.  Faith will result in actions/deeds/fruits born of fellowship with the Divine. (  Ja 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.   18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?).

 Jonah trusted God for deliverance from the belly of hell (…., I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. Jonah 2:2).  Job, too, trusted God for deliverance from the pit of death…from the pit of humanity (Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.’ )  .                              

The Book of Job is one of the most gut wrenching texts in scripture. It’s verbal descriptions allow one to wallow in death with Job… to feel the desolation of Job’s soul as his flesh rots and falls from his body…to feel the anguish of pure suffering ….to feel the rejection and judgement from  friends in ones darkest hour…to know the pain of losing every possession in life including family…to be stripped of all things human…and be brought to the end of self with hope only in God.

Job’s suffering is not even close to that of Christ who suffered the desolate horror of Second Death as Redeemer of those who accept His gift of Life.  But it surely is a type and points in the smallest of ways to the incomprehensible desolation suffered by the innocent Christ who when separated from the Father was left to say “…… My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matt 27:46.’     God uses the natural circumstance of man to show spiritual truths!!  

Like Job, Jonah found himself with nothing left…but hope in God.  Jonah said, ‘Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. Jonah 2:4.    Jonah’s death, burial, and resurrection by the purpose and permission of God is another type that glimpses the horror of being separated from God….and afterwards being resurrected/restored to Life.   Christ used Jonah’s experience as a type of His own fleshly encounter with Death (Matt 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth).  Job’s suffering, too,  shows us the gut-wrenching pain of suffering and the gut-wrenching joy of resurrection….of moving from death to Life.   

 In the early days of Job’s sorrows, he defended himself against the wife and friends whose fiery ‘set on fire of hell’ tongues  judged him as sinner and, thus, deserving of extreme suffering.  And as God separated His divine protection from Job and as Satan’s arrows pierced more deeply by the mouths of his friends and accusers, Job was forsaken. Yet in the desolate place without understanding, Job knew who was at the control panel…knew he was clay in the potter’s hand.    Job 7:20 I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? 21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.’   And Job’s suffering was increased by persecution from those who should have comforted and sustained him…his wife and friends.

One of the sharpest arrows was hurled from young accuser, Elihu, whose self-righteous indignation was aroused when the elder accusers left off punishing Job with words. Elihu says,  35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. 36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.’  Oh my!  Wow!  Job is fully suffering the torment of Satan.  And Elihu desires it to continue????  Wow!  Where is the compassion? Where are the prayers for deliverance? Where is the loving neighbor as self??  Wow!    Elihu chooses to torture Job with words!!! As I read the many words of Elihu recorded in Job chapters 34-37, I am amazed at the level of affliction Elihu is pouring on Job with accusation and cursing…in the the name of God (Ja 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God). 

 Elihu actually believes he is God’s representative. But in his deception he casts forth rantings and railings, not against a guilty man, but against Job who is perfect and upright before God. Elihu’s judgement of Job does nothing but earn his own judgement from God.  Mt 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  Have I been guilty of the same??? Ever??? Probably!!  How often do we speak words without knowledge???  (Matt 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.   37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned).

Elihu’s affliction of Job is stopped when God revisits Job and judges Elihu’s  audacity in speaking for God, ‘Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? The Godly reprimand continues through chapters 38-39.    Chapter 40 begins with God asking Job concerning Elihu, ‘Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.‘  And Job who knows his ‘as dirty rags’ place before God knows there is nothing God needs to know from him. Job knows God’s words are jugement!!!  Thus Job answers, Job 40:4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.’   As Job lies helpless before God,  chapters 40 and 41 records words of God as He affirms creation, good over evil, and affirms the lordship of  Potter over clay…God over Mammon. Job’s response was that of a righteous man. The wicked curse God because of suffering. But righteous and upright Job lay limp, weak, broken, quiet, submissive and awestruck in His presence.

The last chapter of Job is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!  In it Job communes with God in contrition and gratitude. Job is restored and finds greater favor than before. The three elder accusers are offered forgiveness. But young Elihu is not included.  Job 42: 7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job’.     Only God knows. Only God is Judge!  And one question remains. How does God see me????   Do I speak words without wisdom? Do my words increase suffering? Do I dare to have the audacity to speak for God???  Does God see me as He saw Job, ‘ a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?’ 

Religious doctrine and tradition gives me permission to serve mammon and God.  And I have followed doctrine and tradition. But in the past year, God has convicted my heart about the seriousness of Christianity, of righteousness, of holiness…of following the Shepherd…of knowing His voice. I believe I am no different to generations before me who chose to obey or disobey. I believe the fruit of belief is obedience. I believe the fruit of obedience is righteousness. I believe loving God with heart, soul, mind, and neighbor as self is possible only in and through relationship and communion with Christ.

1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.’

Lu 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

world.  Yet the term Christmas cannot do justice to the event it represents.  The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world fulfilled His appointed Death to restore Life to those who will receive. Baby Jesus reflects the heart of God who gave Himself to redeem those who hate evil. Christ was and is a personal hug from God and an invitation to Life.  Incarnate Son of God born a man extends God’s hand of Love to humanity. It connects heaven and earth…God and man. And while many celebrate a mere fun holiday, true believers feel the glory of the season.

Christendom knows Christ’s arrival in the world as atonement for sin is prelude to the Second Coming where he will return without sin unto salvation. Therefore, the birth of the Babe restored eternal Life lost in Eden for those who love God…for those called according to His purpose.   Christmas truly is eternal.

Knowing the magnitude of the words I say to you, Merry Christmas!

Israel is and has always been the beloved of God. Her citizenry is all the children of God who are of the faith of Abraham. The entire Word discusses her earthly and heavenly experience. His promises to her are true, sure, and irrevocable. She suffers hatred and affliction. She is both scattered across the

Mt 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

globe and in Israel.  But her final destination is New Jerusalem.  He trusts her salvation to none other than Himself.  And those who offend her will receive just recompense.

Ezekiel 34:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.  5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.  6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.  7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;  8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;  9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;  10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.  11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.  12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.  13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.  14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.  15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.  16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.  17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.   18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. 20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.  21 Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;  22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.  23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.  24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.  25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.  26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.  27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.  28 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.  29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.  30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD.

Rebekah, thank you for believing God. Thank you for desiring God’s will be done. Your faithfulness is demonstrated through securing the Birthright for Jacob…since faith without works is dead.  

 God said to Rebekah the ancestor of Jesus, ”… Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one

By His foreknowledge and purpose, God said of Jacob and Esau, 'Ro 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. ' Ro 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. '

people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. ”    By God’s foreknowledge of Jacob’s faithfulness and Esau’s unfaithfulness,   Jacob was predestined  to receive the birthright.  Like father-in-law Abraham, Rebekah believed God and became the earthly instrument  by which Jacob received the inheritance  as the elect of God.  Her work of  faith  is worthy of praise and not ridicule.  Not only did Rebekah honor the wishes of God but she saved both Jacob and Esau when she perceived in her heart that Esau, like Cain, desired to murder his brother.  I greatly admire this faithful woman of God.  Like Noah, Moses, Abraham and others, Rebekah believed God and obeyed… not knowing she was accomplishing God’s will in aligning the geneology of Christ.   God has put it in my heart to defend and to honor Rebekah.

According to His foreknowledge of her faithfulness and obedience, God chose Rebekah as  the wife of Isaac and as  the mother of Jacob (Israel).  Ge 24:51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the LORD hath spoken.   Rebekah’s faithfulness to God’s purpose for Jacob has brought the wrath of contemporary Christendom down on her head.  Both she and Jacob are falsely accused and called  ’deceivers’….’thieves of the birthright.’   God forbid.     

 Abraham consulted God for a wife for Isaac…..then followed God’s directions in sending the faithful and believing eldest servant to fetch niece Rebekah…God’s chosen for Isaac. (Gen 24:20 And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house:) The servant faithfully executed the will of God…and, along with the messenger from God…found Rebekah at the well.  Our first glimpse of her in scripture reveals her heart of servitude and humility.Gen 24:46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.   After meeting AND serving Abraham’s representative at the well, Rebekah faithfully answered the invitation to become the wife of Isaac..  She said, “I will.’  (Gen 24:58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.)  She was part of the ‘blessing’ inherent to the Birthright/sonship.      

 Birthright and  blessing are not the same. Esau despised the birthright of  spiritual inheritance yet coveted the material blessing of wealth and power. And after Esau traded the Birthright  for a bowl of beans…(a bargain he never intended to honor), he begged  Isaac for the wealth blessing related to the right of the firstborn.  Jacob loved God and…with his whole heart…desired the inheritance of  sonship.

God’s  made-for-each-other plan about Isaac and Rebekah began to be fulfilled immediately after Abraham’s eldest and most faithful servant returned from the house of Abraham’s brother… with Rebekah….chosen of God to be Isaac’s  wife and the earthly instrument who would fulfil God’s purposed  ‘ inheritance’ for Jacob.    (Gen 24:64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.  67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.)        

We later see Rebekah about to give birth ….but as the time draws near…she does not understand the heightened and vigorous ’struggle’ of the offspring inside her womb. She talks to God. He reveals to her His purpose about the twins who will be born to her. Jacob  is loved and already chosen by God to inherit the Birthright of the first born. Esau is rejected because he despised the Birthright.  It’s Cain and Abel all over again. It is Spirit versus Flesh. It is Good versus Evil. It is Spiritual inheritance versus fleshly inheritance. It is God’s will versus man’s will . It is Israeli versus Arabs . It is Canaan (Jacob) versus Edom (Esau). It is the purpose and judgement of a just God

(Gen. 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.  23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.’) 

Folks …’ it don’t git no plainer n dat!’ lol. As God chose Joseph to rule over his brethren to save Israel during famine….likewise…God purposed Jacob to rule over Esau…to be the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.     

 Rebekah was faithful to the will of God about Jacob and Esau.   Why did God choose Rebekah rather than Isaac to carry out His purposes about Jacob as the seed line to Christ???????   God foreknew Rebekah’s heart, her faithfulness, and her obedience. She could be trusted to carry out God’s desire for Israel.    But in our blindness we have the self-righteous audacity to judge both she and Jacob  as deceivers.  We are blind to the beautiful miracle God wrought when through faithful Abraham, his eldest servant, and through Rebekah….Israel sprang forth.         

 Isaac and Rebekah were married  twenty years before the birth of Jacob and Esau. They were childless until Isaac asked God to open Rebekah’s womb. Isaac was sixty when the twins came forth.  God wanted both Isaac and Rebekah..and all of us today….to be clear that Jacob and  came by the will of God…and not by the will of man.    How dare we judge and falsely accuse the faithful of God!!       

Rebekah, thank you for believing God. Thank you for desiring God’s will be done. Thank you for your faithfulness and your work of obedience in securing the Birthright of Jacob…Israel.  

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Abraham’s belief was manifested in the work of slaying Isaac….in being a doer.   But Abraham’s belief didn’t start there.  His belief was rooted in serious relationship stuff which began with Adam!!!

The biblical history of belief, faithfulness, and works of obedience by the patriarchs has been so watered down that today’s gospel bears little resemblance to true history since true gospel involves relationship. Undeniably…Adam walked with God daily in Eden…face to face…naked and unashamed….knowing only Good/God. If, at that time, Adam possessed the propensity for evil/fallen nature/free will… which came after eating of the Tree of Knowledge and death, he would have been covered and ashamed!!!   Instead he was naked and unashamed….innocent….knowing only Good.  As the innocent son of Good, Adam had real and loving fellowship with the Father. Adam knew Him because of personal encounter. But God ordained that Adam, too, would encounter…know evil after eating of the Tree of Knowledge. And it was only after  encounter with both that God said, ‘Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil Gen 3:22.’  Now…and only now…is man ‘in the image of God’ knowing both good and evil. Now man is ready to fulfil his purpose of ‘choosing whom to serve.’ Now and only now is man ready to love God for goodness sake….to choose Good over evil…Life over death.  Within the realm of relationship with Jesus will man find the dominion promised him by God.

Hebrews 2:5 says, For unto the ANGELS hath he NOT put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.  6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him?or the son of man, that thou visitest him?  7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him

Heb 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. ' WHY?

with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:  8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. BUT now we see  NOT YET all thing put UNDER HIM. 9But we see JESUS,  who was MADE A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS,  for the suffering of death, CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOUR; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.    

But our contemporary gospel says an empowering relationship with Christ is not needed…that as believers we are stamped with a seal of righteousness because Christ is righteous. If that is the whole truth then Satan is saved. He believes. He even trembles!!!. We don’t tremble. Satan knows God better than we????  Contemporary gospel says our sin is righteousness because Christ is righteous. Contemporary gospel says works of obedience are not necessary since Christ’s obedience is sufficient. I say, ‘We have been had by the most subtle deceiver!!!!’   

The most subtle deceiver began tricking us with his lies about Eden. He says, ‘God created all things that were created, put His son and daughter in Eden to

Adam and Eve knew only Good with God. After eating of the Tree of Knowledge God said of them, 'Ge 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

enjoy its glory…. until I came along and threw a cog in God’s perfect wheel! I am so powerful!!! I am bigger than God!!!  I deserve to be the god of all flesh!!! ’  But Satan is a liar!   God ruled Eden.   God invited the most subtle deceiver to the garden that day to fulfil God’s plan for man…which was to equip man with the knowledge of both Good and evil. Man knew Good through experiencing God in Eden. But man did not know the depths or meaning of purity until he experienced the evil of  satan and the separation it brings….death.  The knowing both good and evil activated man’s Free Will…his ability to choose whom to serve….God or mammon.  

Satan has never been bigger than God…not in Eden…not now.  Before God created Adam it was said, ‘Gen. 2:5 …… and there was not a man to till the ground.’  Wait!  Hold everything!  ’Not a man to till the ground?’  But ’till the

ground’ happened only after man was cast forth from Eden to bring forth by the sweat of the brow after old lustful Eve deliberately slapped the face of God with her choice to serve evil!! Right?    Wrong!!!   God said He was creating the man ‘to till the ground’ because he was creating man to ’till the ground.’ . Eden happened according to the perfect plan and purpose of God. God desired man to know both good and evil so he could be equipped to choose by way of informed decision….free will. Eden, then and now, focuses on relationship. It is relationship that the Deceiver continuously lies to thwart!!  Because in relationship with Christ is found dominion over all things…especially over the works of satan.

We have polluted the Gospel of God with the lie that says ‘Christians are only human and, therefore, destined to sin.’  We insist that empowered relationship with Christ and obedience to Good is not possible. We have a form of godliness

Unity with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the foundation of the Church. Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

but we deny the Power which comes only through relationship….through fellowship…through being one with God. Relationship and fellowship with the Christ whose Body/Temple we are is the Life of the Church. Yet the masses of Christendom do not the greater works of the Father via healing the sick, casting out devils, and serving the Living God by deeds of righteouness….because we are separated from Him by our deliberate choice to serve  evil/flesh/mammon over Good.

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Yes, yes, yes….Christ whose righteous and sinless nature allowed Him to die the second or spiritual death in our place is the propiation for sins that are past(Romans 3:25)….for sins fully assigned to us at birth due to the fallen nature born in Eden.   His death on the cross was that propitation… payment for Eden.  But He lives!!!  He lives to ‘destroy the works of the devil’ in us!!! He lives to give us ‘dominion’ promised man by God….to those who ‘chose’ fellowship with God as Adam had fellowship with the Father in Eden. That ‘dominion’ comes through empowered fellowship with the Son of God…Christ… firstborn of many brethren.

Ro 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,’    Yes, yes, yes…’God imputeth righteousness without works’   because  ‘while we were yet sinners , Christ died for us!’  He became the propitiation for our past sins while we were ‘yet sinners.’  Our works were continuously evil. Thus, God imputed righteousness without works.’ Now we are again face to face again with Him as in Eden…. no longer separated by sin.  Now we can ‘come follow me’ in the power of His resurrection!!!

John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

We ‘follow’ Him according to  Matt 16:24 ‘Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’   Thus, is Christ sinful??? Is Christ a servant of the flesh??? Is Christ too weak to destroy the works of satan within our hearts???  So what are we ‘following???’  Is the sins we continually commit to be blamed on ‘following’ Christ?   Are our sins patterned like the behaviors of Christ?   God forbid!!!!  No! We know better! We sin because we choose to sin.      

 Long ago we grabbed hold of the only thing that will justify our continued carnality…the doctrine of the Nocolaitanes…the powerless contemporary doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved. Once Saved Always Saved in its contemporary presentation is the tare planted beside the wheat doctrine of true Sanctification. Sanctification manifests itself in righteous works…..works resulting from true belief…such as that of Abraham when he drew back the dagger to slay Isaac in direct obedience to the will of God. And then, too, there was Noah who did ‘according to all that God

Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. ' Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: '

commanded him Gen 7:5.’  He obeyed God and built an ark to float on water when it had never rained.  Considered what would have happened had Noah believed as we believe…if his belief had not been manifested in works?  He would have drowned with the other unbelievers!!!  But Noah believed God, built the Ark, and the Word says of him, ‘Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9). Walked with God in unbroken fellowship????    Yes, in unbroken fellowship as did Adam (who was not deceived and not in transgression/1 Ti 2:4..but who became sin for the Bride by the appointment of God), and as did Abel, Seth, Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and thousands of the faithful of God in Bible history in whom the power of God was made manifest…..through relationship with the living God.  In every instance we have the choice given Abel and Cain.                                                                                                                                   

Abel believed God and brought the blood offering which God demonstrated in Eden since without the shedding of blood there is no remission (propitiation for sins that are past). Cain rejected the blood offering demanded by God and

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

brought the work of his hands (earthy).  Abel served God and demonstrated his faith through works.  Cain demonstrated his faith in mammon through bringing the work of his hand (earthy).  We are known by the works (fruits) we bring forth. Works are the result of our belief systems. Works are the thoughts of the heart made visible.  According to the historic Bible record….From the heart the mouth speaketh and from the heart the hands and feet do. Righteous works are the deeds performed by the man whose heart has relationship/fellowship/communion with the Holy. Sin is unacceptable and an affront to God.

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.  19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 

1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm

Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;   2   That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.’ 

Be clear! The fruits of the Spirit which produce good works are possible only through Love. God is Love. Thus, the Shepherd of our salvation is Love. There is none Good but God. Therefore, the good works are His…coming through man’s  heart/hands/feet/mouth only because of the presence of the Shepherd who bids ‘follow me.’ Fruit inspectors will know His sheep by their characteristic Holiness, their power to heal the sick and cast out devils, their propensity for agape love/kindness/meekness/mercy/, their ability to love and promote neighbor as self, and by their willingness to lay down their own life to ‘follow’ the Vine from which they derive Life.    Only by/through indwelling Love can one obey God’s command to  love the Lord thy God with all thy heartsoul/mind and to love neighbor as self Matt 27: 37-39.

Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.   

1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.  14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Popular tradition insists that man cannot overcome his propensity to sin  and cannot attain a sanctified state where he is known as righteous/ holy/or ‘perfect as He is perfect’.  Tradition insists that the righteousness and holiness of God is merely imputed or assigned to man as a covering to hide his continuing sinful practice.  But the Word clearly defines holiness as fruit born by the branches who are rooted in the Vine.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

 Sanctification/Righteousness/Holiness  was attained by the disciples/apostles of the early Church  by way of fellowship/relationship with the resurrected

Mt 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Christ by way of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  Fruit  production was the result of such relationship.    Matt 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ’  Too..there is serious peril promised to those who bear no fruit. Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

But contemporary doctrine, like that of the Nicolaitanes, has watered down righteousness and holiness to mere shadows and types and rejects the need for real fruits born out of fellowship with Christ.  Again, the Word insists otherwise.  Ro 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”    Matt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  Matt 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.   8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Like the Doctrine of Sanctification,  the true doctrine of Election has gotten contaminated with a false doctrine which insists that God does not offer redemption to every man. The new Doctrine of Election insists that God chose some to redemption and some to destruction…apart from free will and thereby accuses God of injustice.  It insists that Jacob was chosen heir to the birthright over Esau apart from free will…apart from choosing ‘whom to serve.’   Not so!!!  The God who created both Jacob and Esau foreknew…saw the future…read their hearts…before they were ever conceived and predestined the Birthright for Jacob.   By God’s foreknowledge He knew Esau would despise the Birthright and that Jacob would love the Birthright.  Clearly within the context of foreknowledge  God says  ’…. Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated Rom 9:13′.  Within the context of foreknowledge the Word says, ’ Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.’    

                                                                                                                                                                 Abraham was counted/measured/weighed/judged righteous because he ’followed’  God’s desire.  As Abraham followed God’s command in offering up Isaac, Rebecca followed God’s command about  ’the elder shall serve the younger.’   Before they were born she believed God about the destiny of the two sons (nations) in her womb. When the time was right, she followed the will of God and obtained the birthright for Jacob. Had she merely believed God and not performed the work of securing the Birthright,  she would not be counted righteous. The fruit of her belief…the fruit of her faith in God is her obedient work of securing the Birthright for Jacob.  Therefore, fruits of faith…good works through obedience,  are demanded by God.  Like Jacob, Abel was faithful. Like Cain, Esau served another master. 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Peter, too, affirms the dynamic of foreknowledge related to Election.  1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father…………’

  Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Jo 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Jo 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.    12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that

1pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jo 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

2 Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

God intends Justification to be the forerunner of  Sanctification by way of taking up the cross and following Christ through works of obedience born out of a clean heart.  Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Ti 3:13 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Tit 2: 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  15 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he

2co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,  purge your conscience from dead works (Justification through the Lamb) to serve the living God? (Sanctification by way of His Resurrection…by way of doing the ‘greater works’ of the Father).

Rom 6:16 speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1 Thes 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thes 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

 The text discusses sexual sin and may not be appropriate for all readers.  

From a biblical platform, the Adam/Eve  procreative unit is a type of Christ and the Bride…the Church…the Family of God. (Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Dangerous is  the unproductive  replica of homosexuality the adversary is using to deceive willing participants away from God’s earthly and heavenly plan for man. (  26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:   27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.   28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.’)

The Song of Solomon is a beautiful glimpse into the God ordained love relationship between a man and his bride. It expresses Christ’s love for the Bride and the high and honorable state of the intimate relationship within marriage. While the high and exalted agape love from God in our heart loves the unlovely and loves neighbor as self,  we are aware of the low and dishonorable deception that has  raised its head against the honorable estate of marriage and defiles the marriage bed…homosexuality.   The vile deception attempts to void God’s most beautiful relationship….the Adam and Eve procreative partnership….and replace it with Satan’s replica….the barron homosexual relationship. Not only does Satan want to destroy God’s holy institution of marriage and family, but he desires to replace it with his own reprobate evil. And most evil of all is found in an act that would defile the portion of flesh used by God to both perpetuate human kind and to represent His covenant with man through circumcision….Israel…the Church. Acts 7:8  And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.‘

 God’s use of the natural to show the spiritual begins with the Adam and Eve union with  Adam as a type of Christ who became sin to redeem his bride.  Ro 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.)  

God’s First Family:    Ge 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  Ge 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Matt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Ge 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

The very core of man’s life on earth is his procreative propensity….his ability to reproduce…to perpetuate the species upon the earth.   Designed by God, it is a type of Christ and the Bride whose offspring are the children of God.  Ge 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.    

The Holy Family is the ultimate purpose of God for his children. He desires renewed fellowship with the Adams and Eves like the original loving and personal relationship enjoyed in Eden.   (John 17: 22 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.)  God continues to

CHRIST PRAYS FOR HIS FAMILY - THE CHURCH : I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

intensely want personal fellowship and relationship like that revealed to Peter.  Matt 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’    The offspring of intimate relationship with God are called the Children of God…the Church.   So, of course, the Destroyer/Uncreator who hates the Family and what it represents….has constructed his own version of family…the homosexual lust relationship that is totally depraved and nonproductive….evil.   The homosexual relationship robs its participants of offspring, of life-giving fulfillment, and replaces holy love with unholy lust which leads to death. It is the opposite of God’s procreative and life-giving union between and man and a woman.  Not only is the homosexual relationship fruitless…but it destroys both body and soul with its dangerously vile roots. (Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:   25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.   26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:   27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.  28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers   30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 As with all sin man is given ample opportunity to turn from it. But when man insists on embracing its deadly fire…he chances reaching a point of no return. God will not be mocked. Sin when finished is death.  The failure of the masses within the apostate church of today has led to the growth of evil and is powerless to stop it.  Like Sodom and like the days of Noe, we find ourselves in the face of wickedness. Some mourn in the face of such depravation…but others embrace it as normal.   Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Many hold to the scientific answer for homosexuality which says they are victims of genetic malfunction.  If the homosexual is a product of genetic malfunction… then God is unjust, unmericiful…and a liar for pouring out wrath on the homosexual men of Sodom and of Gomorrah who attempted to rape the messengers sent from God ( Gen chapter 19).  But the following Word reveals God’s purpose for the body of man…and gives evidence about why the Destroyer seeks man’s destruction.  

 Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;   

 1 cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

 Satan wishes us to believe man’s scientific explanation for homosexuality….and does not wish us to know his vile purpose in destroying God’s most prized possession….man whom God desires to be His dwelling place on earth.  The  Destroyer/Hater of God not only hates the procreative relationship that reflects the family of God…he hates God.   His hatred is matched only by God’s love. Satan’s destructive propensity is matched only by God’s creative propensity.  A spiritual war of historic proportions is raging and since only God has power over Satan…we clearly see the carnage. Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  He who wishes to indwell us is Greater than he that is in the world (satan) and is the only Victor.                                                                      

 The homosexual man or woman are victims of their evil general…but they enlist voluntarily and chose to serve in his forces….not realizing in the beginning that they are grasping fire in their bosoms…and that the fire is deadly. (Matt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.)  All sin is dangerous since ‘sin when finished is death.’   But sin against the body has particular consequence.  God’s desire for offspring is accomplished only through spiritual relationship and fellowship by way of the Holy Spirit…and is accomplished in and through the Christian’s physical body.     1 Cor 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.  Homosexual practice is perversion, is vile, is rooted in the father of flesh, and is purposed to destroy both the soul and body of the practitioner.

God is faithful in His promise of redemption!!!     Matt 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Too, He is faithful in His promise to those who refuse sonship. Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  Yet the loving and pure heavenly Father continues to seek and to save those that are lost. He continues to desire that none perish….but that all come to repentance.

Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Fifty-seven tornados ripped through my Alabama and other southern states on April 27th, 2011, leaving unbelievable destruction. Four of the tornadoes were F4s.  Because  of

April 27, 2011 F5 tornado doing catastrophic damage at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Forty one people died.

the depth and breadth of the destruction…it would be days before the death toll was set at 238 in the state of Alabama. According to Mike Marshall of the Huntsville Times, the 1932 tornado killed 332. Many agencies are reporting that the  April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak has a death toll to date of 315 across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi.  

Across Alabama countless homes, businesses, and schools (16) are damaged or destroyed….including Rainsville’s Plainview High School which received heavy damage.   Here in DeKalb county we are stunned and humbled by the destruction and death left by the

Ginger Graham, Special Education Teacher at Plainview High School, is seen picking up books from the rubble left when portions of the school were destroyed by the F4 tornado that swept through Rainsville, DeKalb County, Alabama on April 27, 2011. Across the state...sixteen schools received minor to heavy damage.

F5 tornado. Numerous cell phone pics documented the monstrous storm as it authoritatively moved over the landscape.  It cleared out a reported

path  twenty-five miles long … half  to three quarters of a mile wide and took 32 lives as it moved though portions of my home town of Rainsville, Alabama and neigboring areas in DeKalb County.  We were safe in our Geraldine underground storm shelter which was built after the  1973  tornado that killed two neighbors. 

My husband and I stood outside the door of our underground shelter and watched the monstrous storm approach us.  As it approached we saw a vortex move out of the monster on its right. Two streaks of lightning flashed within the vortex before it danced its way back into the huge rotating cloud. I remember thinking that the vortex was dancing until it rejoined its mother.   As it slowly moved directly above us…I stared up into its core which was continuing to lower.  As it moved above me …..my skin tingled with its energy.  My heart fell to its knees knowing the awesomeness of God’s mighty whirlwind.  I could not believe it stayed above us. It began forcing down trees and power lines a mile beyond us before it began its major damage three miles away. Afterwards … it moved towards Rainsville and north DeKalb County  …continuing its catastrophic damage to lives and property (32 killed).   Text messages to warn family and friends we knew were in its path were unsuccessful because of the storm’s interference.  Why did it just wave its vortex at me as it passed and later drop its power and hurt down on many others?   I don’t know.

As it rains on both the just and the unjust,  tornadoes affect both the righteous and unrighteous.  Only God knows why one person is taken and the man next door is left. Only God knows. We dare not say!!!!

As we were left alive in Dekalb County…Our daughter was ’left’ in Tuscaloosa and other students ‘taken’ as an F5 tornado did incredible destruction there ).   In the aftermath, she and six friends filled their backpacks with bottled water and trekked fifteen miles round trip to the poorest and hard hit area known as  Alberta City where stunned residents walked around in disbelief . Near the end of their journey they met an

In Tuscaloosa, five minutes from the University of Alabama campus, Search and Rescue continued for days before 41 fatalities were counted.

elderly woman who broke forth in tears as they handed her the water. They hugged her as she cried and assured her how much they cared for her pain. My daughter and her friends  understand what they carried to the elderly woman whom they met walking amidst the rubble.  They handed her a bottle of water…but what they gave her was compassion, caring, and love from God.

These storms destroyed and spared both the rich and poor, churched and unchurched, old and young…secular and religious properties.  As I try to absorb it all, I do know that those who had underground shelters and basements survived.  Many who were above ground did not survive.  Many above ground did survive.  Alabama landscape is forever changed. Alabama’s people are changed…for the better. Today, in the midst of the rubble, there is no Democrat or Republican, no rich or poor, no religious or non-religious….all are people needing people.

Man’s days are few and full of trouble. Tribulation of the past few days has certainly brought a calm of reality over the people as we are again reminded of Ecc 5:15: ‘  As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.’

As people, we are never better than when we are serving others. Amidst  the wood, stubble, and hay that has been destroyed, we see man’s spirit rise to new heights.  We know, see, and experience man as God intends him to be…loving neighbor as self.   It is only in weakness where strength is found. It is only in need where giving is glorified.  And among so many things one cannot know, I know that it is in death where Life is found.  God’s very nature brings restoration, regeneration, and renewal. Like a tree, we have been hewn down. But the roots remain and we will spring forth new life from what has been destroyed. We will come forth humbled, grateful, ….a stronger people…a wiser people.   As I said earlier, the Alabama landscape is forever changed….and the hearts of her people are bettered for the experience.