Daily Musings ~ Part 6

There are times I read through the Bible and I look at areas I’ve highlighted or underlined in past readings. Just recently, the verse Genesis 45:24 stood out to me like a Rhema word. Joseph was providing his brothers with supplies and donkeys and carts to carry them to his father Jacob in Canaan and bring them back to Egypt where they would survive the famine that was in the land. These were the same brothers who approximately 20 years earlier sold him into slavery. As they were departing, Joseph spoke to them in Genesis 45:24, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.” In the midst of promised blessings for his family and reunion with his father, Joseph sees the potential for trouble. Some translations say do not quarrel along the way. In the midst of what would be life-saving provision and promised blessings from the Lord, Joseph prophetically sees the propensity for strife leading to division.

Joseph’s brothers had hated the dreams he shared with them which always seemed to place Joseph in authority over them and they wanted him dead. They sold him into slavery and covered up their crime by telling their father, Jacob, that a wild animal had killed Joseph. And now here was the one they betrayed showing God’s love and provision to them. And now Jacob would know the truth to what really happened. Proverbs 17:14 says, “The beginning of strife is like releasing water, therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.” It’s like breaching a dam and rushing water can swoop up everything in its path. So, Joseph warns them so that the good being done is not ruined. He knew this was God’s plan to save his family.

This contention, quarreling and jealousy is as old as the beginning of brothers. In Genesis 4 we see this with Cain and Abel. Cain was jealous of how his offering was received by the Lord compared to his brother Abel. The Lord warned Cain in Genesis 4:7, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at your door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Some translations say sin lies at your door like an animal waiting to attack. Sort of like the animal Joseph’s brothers said killed Joseph. And yet Cain still killed Abel.

We’re told in 1 Corinthians 3 that where there is envy, strife and divisions among us we behave like ordinary men. We’re supposed to show the love and character of Christ. Yet betrayal, unforgiveness, hatred and strife seem to be what we see wherever we turn. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 4 that we should show brotherly love toward one another, not hatred. Give preference to one another. Honor one another. Bless and do not curse. Even with those who persecute you. Rejoice with one another. Weep with those who weep. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own opinion. Do not repay evil for evil. And if possible, and this depends on us, live peaceable with all men. Can we honestly say this is what we see on a regular basis?

We are in the midst of a conflict that has been going on for the past decade that has produced some terrible quarrels and division. Its roots go back a long way. Just like Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 and Joseph in Genesis 37. We may not face the famine in America that we read of in Genesis, but I feel that the warning here is that which was spoken of in Amos 8. A famine not of bread and water, but of hearing His true word. Of seeking it as we would water in a barren and arid land. We hear so many words that seem to contradict, yet purport to come from the same source. And we see people running to and fro seeking the word of the Lord. How is this possible when we have been given all that pertains to life and godliness? So, we continue to get caught up in quarrels and division. And through our words we throw many into captivity because we don’t like their opinion. And we seem to not have the wherewithal to call on the Holy Spirit who should be our guide. These quarrels and the dissension we see in the midst of us only bring further division and hate. So much seems to be political opinions, but it’s deeper than that. It’s what is in the heart of man.

We read in 2 Timothy that in this great house there are those who produce honor and good and those who produce dishonor and disputes. It is incumbent on us to know the difference and follow the path of truth. If you see one path that is strewn with lies, deceit and ungodly character that only leads to more dissension, turn from that path. When you hear one that revels in stirring up strife and feels he can benefit from the ensuing chaos, turn away from that person. See that you do not render evil for evil. Pursue that which is good. Pray without ceasing for we are on a fraught filled road that will reveal even more ill will in less than two months. See that you do not become troubled along the way. Blessings.