Trials

14. “All… against me” Part II

a writer Sharing Christ Practical 0 Comment

This is an expanded version of post #8

Lessons from Trials in Jacob’s family

I. Plight of the trials

a. Jacob – Gen. 42:36 — Circumstances

i. Emotional: Son he loved is “dead”; Simeon imprisoned, Benjamin taken
ii. Practical: Famine; unable to provide for family

b. Brethren — Sin

i. Emotional: Felt unloved, neglected
ii. Practical: Not given dreams as Joseph

c. Joseph — The World

i. Emotional: Hated, despised, forgotten
ii. Practical: Sold, imprisoned, mistreated

II. Purpose of the trials

a. Jacob-Gen. 45:27-28

i. Must surrender his heart (dearest son) to the will & working of God
ii. Learned: Goodness and greatness (sovereignty) of God
iii. His view: “All these things are against me” How could things get worse?
iv. God’s view: “Who can be against us?” How could things be better?

b. Brethren – Gen 50:18-20

i. Must surrender their wills to the chastisement/correction of God
ii. To learn: Government & grace of God
iii. Their view: It’s hidden to man
iv. God’s view: “All things… opened”

c. Joseph

i. Must surrender his life to the ways of God
ii. Learned: Guidance (protection & provision) & Glory of God
iii. Joseph’s view: Prison, humiliation
iv. God’s view: Throne, exaltation & blessing

III. Power for the trials

a. Jacob-Rom. 8:28,31 “all things…for good”; “who can be against us?”

i. Certainty of the past (calling, v32), present (in control of God, v31), future (crown, v32,39), Rom. 8:14-34
ii. Comfort of the Scriptures, Son, Spirit, “God of all comfort”

b. Brethren- Mark 7:37 “all things well”

i. Care of Son/Father, Rom. 8:35-39; Heb. 12:6

c. Joseph-Rom 8:35-37 “all things…conquerors through Him that loved us”

i. Christ, Rom. 8:35-39; Heb 2:18; Phil 4:13

d. More “all things”: Matt 19:26, 2Cor 4:7-18; 1Cor 3:21,23

e. God brings Sweet out of Bitter, Strength out of Weakness, Triumph out of Tragedy, Blessing out of Broken hearts (Jerry Jennings)

f. God can bring feast out of famine, fruit out of failings, faith out of floundering

8. “All these things are against me.” Gen. 42:36

a writer Sharing Christ Exhortation, Practical , 0 Comment

It seemed everything was against Jacob. He was still grieving over the apparent death of his beloved Joseph, he had no idea if Simeon would ever return, and his youngest son was about to be made to leave home. They were experiencing a great famine and they would starve without a long trek back into Egypt to buy food from a seemingly hostile ruler. What more could go wrong?

Yet, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). Things are not always as they appear, and to faith, God’s good purpose will be fulfilled regardless of appearances to the contrary. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28 ) “Joseph is yet alive!”, Simeon would soon return, Benjamin would meet his brother, the family would be united, sin would be dealt with and put away, and the whole family would soon have their fill of the very best of the land of Egypt. Really, how could things have been better? 

Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but
“I can do ALL THINGS through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13)
“With God, ALL THINGS are possible” (Matt 19:26)
“He hath done ALL THINGS well” (Mark 7:37)
“ALL THINGS are yours… and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1Cor 3:21,23
2Cor 4:7-18 ALL THINGS (tribulations) are for the benefit of others.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 
No, in ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35-37) 

I’ll pass along a few thoughts given to us from Jerry Jennings last night:
God brings:
Sweet out of Bitter
Strength out of Weakness
Triumph out of Tradgedy, and
Blessing out of Broken hearts.

If you’re like me, you sometimes find yourself repeating Jacob’s words. Yet God’s strengthening words, all-sufficient hand, and sympathizing heart are ever near. May you enjoy His feast out of famine, fruit out of failings, and faith out of floundering today.

~NEB