Heralds Digest

  “And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”” Exodus‬ ‭2:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When Moses celebrated the blessing of Gershom as a memorial “ I have been a stranger in a foreign land ”, it should be clear that he was made to reflect over the essence of his existence in life, right from his childhood in the palace of Pharaoh. Earlier, when he felt his brethren would help resolve the problem of his lost identity, he got stranded by their rejection. And until Moses met God at the mountain of Horeb, none of this world’s achievements and possessions could provide relief to his conception or contraption as a stranded stranger. Likewise, we are both pilgrims in this world and stranded by our relationships with all its elements. Whereas, those who labour to build castles out of their family possessions, career progression, and business accomplishments are often deceived by the strange satisfaction in their material riches and wealth. ...

  “And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering.” Genesis‬ ‭50:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Social influencers are made more greatly on the basis of their sport, musical, and comedy entertainments than on the pursuit of faith and righteousness. Even in the assembly of believers and Christian homes, trending stuff is not necessarily truthful stuff. However, as the popularity of Joseph soared amidst the magical entertainment and cultures in Egypt, the pursuit of unpopular burial arrangements in line with Israel's instruction shouldn’t have attracted a great gathering; but it does. “ So his sons did for him just as he had commanded them ” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Unfortunately, today, parents are more threatened by the risk of losing the attraction of their children to themselves than the building of faith in them. But just like Joseph was a faith-based social influencer, the youth of these days can also soar high on the confidence of their faith in God ...

  ““Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭49:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The pursuit of the right instead of righteousness has always been the albatross of religion from time immemorial. Right or wrong is the passing of judgment and should be the prerogative of the council of heaven. Unfortunately, like Simeon and Levi, even when religious people do refrain themselves from the cutting of one another’s heads in the pursuit of their acclaimed knowledge of the right, their silent actions and body language do often disrespect all contradictory opinions and the views of others. When Jacob, even while breathing his last breath on earth, pleaded for his soul not to indulge the audience of cruel council, it portend the absolute danger of the council against the pursuit of righteousness f...

  “So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.”” Genesis‬ ‭46:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Apart from the symbolic sinfulness around the concept of Egypt, it is equally a downward trip; and anyone with significant Canaan experience and the understanding of its promises should be greatly concerned. However, a downward drift down to Egypt with God is always a great deal. When God had to say “ I am God, the God of your father ” before sending out His admonition for believers to take a downward drift, we should understand that the deal is not always about Egypt or Canaan. Either upward or downward trip in life, the deal is always about the presence of God. Unfortunately, believers have often been careless and comfortable to accept seemingly upward deals with coloration of personalities other than God. Wh...

  “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis‬ ‭45:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The final disclosure of Joseph’s glory after his brethren’s full fall into the pit of their carnal confidence revealed that only confidence in God can guarantee a perfect perspective in life. Who would have thought that right from the act of selling Joseph to slavery 13 years ago to their present-day signing off of themselves to become Joseph’s slaves constitute a perfect example of carnal confidence in human abilities or the lack of it? Likewise, all of human’s abilities, inability, and the receipts of people’s actions or inaction have limited scope; and they are subservient to God’s sovereignty and plans. And the scriptures admonished elsewhere “ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward ” (Hebrews‬ ‭10:35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Christ confidence is the only hope for an unfailing fulfillment of God’s purpose ...

  “Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.” Genesis‬ ‭43:30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The similarity in hearts with either hurtfulness or helpfulness is that both expressions represent the reaction of the heart to the actions of others. And in a world ridden in wickedness, unfairness, and unrighteousness, it is understandable why hurtful hearts prevail in family, social, and workplace relationships. Likewise, Joseph had the right to express the feelings ridden with a hurtful heart for the wickedness received from his brothers; but instead, he expressed his tender, helpful heart with compassion for their pains while he was assumed lost. We can learn that when the righteous focussed on the enormous pains suffered by those who perpetrated wickedness, rather than the expression of hurtful feelings, he is always able to receive inspiration to offer help with compassion. Therefore, a hurtful heart imprisoned th...

  “And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41:38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The story of Joseph and the turning of his 13-year old dreams into reality is surely a food for thought, especially for proponents of evolution or unintelligent design. Even Pharaoh had to confess, after discovering Joseph, that “ Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? ” Truthfully, he had searched for Joseph among his magicians and the team of scholars in Egypt; and found none. Meanwhile, God just merely presented Joseph at the appointed time to Pharaoh; but He had been preparing him, through the pit, Potiphar’s place, and prison, after the revelation of His intention through dreams all these passing years. Likewise for all believers in the Creator’s divine design of life and its circumstances ‘whenever we are down to nothing, God is always up to something ’. Unfortunately, we are often tempted to continue the search fo...