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This week's Emphasis  is Joseph: From Slave to Deputy Pharoah.

(Readings are from Genesis 37; 39-45)

Here is an interesting comparison of the life of Joseph with God's plan in Jesus. Note the similarities as God telegraphs His plan of salvation.

Joseph & Jesus

• The favored son of his father
• His father sent him to his brothers who rejected him
• Robes taken from him
• Taken to Egypt to avoid being killed
• Sold for the price of a slave
• Tempted
• Falsely accused
• Condemned between two prisoners
• 30 years old at beginning of recognition
• Forgave those who wronged him
• His suffering eventually led him to a place of prominence and honor
• His suffering was to save the lives of those he loved
• His brothers bowed their knees to him at last

INTERESTING BACKGROUND ABOUT THE BOOK OF JOB:

Who Wrote The Book of Job?

The author is anonymous...no one really knows  who originally  wrote or passed on the story. It was not written by Job himself but probably by an Israelite, since it is included in the Hebrew canon. The best scholars can conclude is that this magnificent epic poem was written by an author who was from a class of sages in the ancient world, called wise men (See 1 Kings 4:30-31; Job 34:2; Ecclesiastes 12:11); but not the same as the ones mentioned in the Christmas story. These wise men collected and compiled wise sayings, stories, and examples from history to illustrate truths about life. One theory is that Elihu (one of Job’s friends) wrote the book since his speech is included later in the epic.

When Was Job Written?

The events that are described probably took place during the Patriarchal Age (between 2000-3000 BC). Job may have been a contemporary of Abraham. It is also possible that Job lived long before even this, since there is a possible reference to the age of dinosaurs (Job 40)!  The book itself may have been a story that was passed on from Abraham to Israel. Also, there is no mention of Israel, the Law, or other Levitical Covenants which indicates the date precedes Moses. The writing of the present form of the book itself possibly took place in 600-400 BC during the Wisdom Age of Solomon.

Do Other Books in the Bible Mention Job?

Job was obviously a respected man in Hebrew and Christian culture. However, only the prophet Ezekiel refers to him as one of the greatest of Israel’s ancestors & heroes (Ezekiel 14:14 & :20). James, the brother of Jesus, uses Job as an excellent example of patient and persistent faith (James 5:11). These references, however, do not tell us anything about when and where Job was written.

Job does allude to, but not quote, other biblical passages (especially Genesis 1-3), and various Psalms of David. Job 7:17-21 even seems to be based on Psalm 8.

What Kind of Book is This?

Job is a book unlike any other, but it illustrates a type of writing that was common in the ancient world called “wisdom literature.” It is also “apocalyptic.”  This means it is a type of literature that encourages believers to persevere in their faith in the face of persecution or evil. Apocalyptic literature often uses fantastic animals or visions and provides the Spiritual Reality of the triumph of God. This, in turn, contradicts the earthly/physical semblance of reality that teaches that evil is victorious.

Job also has similarities to other Biblical literature including the following:

 HYMN: many psalm-like hymns that praise God are present. See that 5:9-16, 26:5-14 are similar to Psalm 94 & 97.

 PROVERB: many pithy sayings are quoted to make a point. Compare 5:2 to Proverbs 29:11 and 28:28 to Proverbs 1:7.

 LAMENTATION: Job repeatedly “cries out” about what has happened to him, similar to Psalm 22 and the Book of Lamentations.

WISDOM Literature: Job includes several lengthy poems on behavior and wisdom. Compare Chapter 28 to Proverbs 30:2-4 and 8:11-22 to Psalm 1:3-6). Job also challenges conventional wisdom (21:17-19) similar to Ecclesiastes 9:2-3).

PROPHECY: The friends claim to have visions and revelations (Compare 4:12-14 & 32:18-20 to Isaiah 6); which also indicate they knew God as well.

PERSONALITY PROFILE: JOB

JOB:  Said to be the greatest of all the people in the East, who lost everything he had, including his children and health, when Satan accused God of buying his loyalty.

NAME MEANS: “FOE” or” HOSTILE ONE” or “WHERE IS MY FATHER?”

*Not to be confused with a son of Issachar (Genesis 46:13), also called Jashub (Numbers 26:24; I Chronicles 7:1).

HOME: The Land of UZ, possibly located in the region of Edom or Bashan; No one knows for certain.

FAMILY: Job had at least one wife (see Job 2:9) and apparently had several brothers and sisters (42:11). He was the father of seven sons and three daughters (1:2) until they were killed by a great wind (1:18-19). Job later had seven more sons and three more daughters named Jemmimah, Keziah, & Keren-Happuch (see 42:13-14).

OCCUPATION:  Job was an extremely prosperous rancher and probably a nomad. He was said to be the “greatest of all the people in the East” before his adversity. Job had 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 pairs of oxen, 500 female donkeys and numerous servants (1:3); Job was later restored with twice as much wealth (42:10-12).   Job also acted in the role of a justice of the peace for his city (29:7-25) and as a priest for his family (1:5) and friends (42:7-9).

BEST KNOWN TODAY AS: One of Scripture’s many examples of steadfast, persevering faith in the face of extreme suffering. (See James 5:11).

KEY PEOPLE IN JOB:

Job’s WIFE: (2:9) Although her name is unknown, this grief-stricken woman (over the loss of her children) counseled her husband to “curse God and die.” Ultimately Job was given more sons and daughters, probably through this wife.

ELIPHAZ: This man could have been the oldest of three friends who came to comfort Job in his troubles.

BILDAD: Job’s friend suggested that Job’s children must have sinned because they were killed suddenly.

ZOPHAR: This man asserted that Job deserved even more suffering because he would not admit he was wicked and a hypocrite.

ELIHU: The most perceptive of Job’s counselors...perhaps younger than the others. Elihu may have written the Job-epic since he suddenly appears to give his speech in Chapter 32.

If Joseph’s life nearly gave the whole redemption thing away, then the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt removes all doubt;

God doesn’t just telegraph where He might be going, He shows His hand, lays His cards on the table, and makes His long-term plan – (The Upper Story) – as clear as day.

The two main events of the whole Bible are the Exodus and the Christ.  The importance of either cannot be underestimated.  The first event points directly to the second. 

Comparing Moses & Jesus:

• Called from a distant land
• Called to true heritage
• 400 years of silence precedes arrival
• Survived infanticide
• 40 days
• Prince of Egypt, Prince of Peace
• Rejected
• Delivered from bondage

• Series of miracles led up to final salvation
• Final victory:  death of firstborn/one and only Son
• Victory over tormentors:  Egypt & Satan
• Passover – blood on doorpost
• Even after deliverance, doubt, fear, rebellion, effects of sin still linger.

And just as God shot down the paper-mache props the Egyptians trusted in, so today he is careful to lovingly but deliberately bring us to our knees by defeating our gods:

• The god of work, where everything is sacrificed on the altar of the next promotion, next rung on the ladder
• The god of self-sufficiency, that denies the need for new manna every day
• The god of legalism that demands to always be right
• The god of pride that requires I get what’s coming to me (“my boss owes me this, my wife owes me that, my kids owe me”)
• The god of addictions to alcohol, sex, gambling or work
• The Vending Machine god who exists only to cater to MY preferences
• The 9-1-1 god who dispatches a wrecker when I get into trouble

The deliverance from Egypt teaches us to be careful of the "gods" we construct, because the One True God has demonstrated he has a rather harsh way of dealing with competition.

No sooner has God given these blessings to his children, than their patience wore thin and they fell into disobedience, starting at the very top of the Ten Commandments and flaunting rule #1:  “You shall have no other gods before me.”  They choose an artificial image of their own making over God, flaunting rule #2:  Do not make yourself idols of any kind.

The words of God had not stopped echoing on the mountain.  The dust had not yet settled from carving the tablets.  Moses’ knees had not stopped shaking, and there they are, dancing around an idol.  Surely, God must have  said, “AHEM! What did I just say?” 

The gravitational force of sin is something that each of us must reckon with.  The Apostle Paul did his own dance around a golden calf:

The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master.  I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong…But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things. Romans 7:14-17

Things haven’t changed when it comes to the effects of sin.  And if you don’t think so, listen to Aaron when Moses confronted him about the golden calf.  He was caught red-handed, and this was his response:

Aaron answered, “Don’t be angry, master. You know that these people are always ready to do wrong.  The people said to me, ‘Moses led us out of Egypt, but we don’t know what has happened to him. Make us gods who will lead us.’ ^ So I told the people, ‘Take off your gold jewelry.’ When they gave me the gold, I threw it into the fire and out came this calf!”  Exodus 32:22-25

Did you catch what Aaron said?  He gave Moses the same excuses we use today when we try to diffuse mistakes, or deflect bad choices:

• “Oh, you know how it is…”
• “What have you done for me lately?”
• “Well how did that happen??”

Today we see that the nature and effects of sin never change – its gravitational force pulls us away from God and if we’re not careful, our sin nature wreaks havoc in our lives and the lives of those around us.  

Do like Moses: 

• spend a lot of time with God, and then share with your family what you sense from him. 
• Like Moses, when your children sin, remind God of his promises of mercy and grace to all of His children, including yours. 
• Like Moses, offer yourself to God and ask Him to change you, before you ask him to do a number on your family or friends

As the spiritual leader of your family, just as Moses was the spiritual leader of Israel, you are to be an intercessor.

After God relents and forgives the people, a tent of meeting, or Tabernacle, is constructed where the Lord would be seen and heard.  This tabernacle would lead them, show them the way, and represent God’s presence among them.  This was God’s promise in establishing the tabernacle: 

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14

This is echoed again in Matthew’s account, where Jesus invites all into his presence – one of my favorite verses in the Bible:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

The gift of the presence of God in the structure of the Tabernacle, has now become Immanuel, God with us: Jesus Christ!

The laws concerning “clean” and “unclean” emphasize the following three principles:

1. Identification: The Israelite, by observing the laws of the clean and unclean, would be identifying himself/herself with the God Who gave those laws. Each Israelite also would be demonstrating a visible distinction setting them apart from the heathen peoples living around them.

“For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God” (Lev 11:45a).

See also Deuteronomy 14:2 (this statement is placed at the head of the parallel enumeration of clean and unclean animals).

2. Consecration: To “be holy” (Lev 11:45; 19:2; 20:7) is to be set apart unto God and from sin and from that which hinders service. Even that which is amoral must sometimes be given up in order not to hinder one’s service for God. This was a vital lesson for Israelites as much as it is for New Testament believers. Separating cases of infectious disease and a variety of bodily emissions from the congregation was as much for preventing the spread of disease as for a cure. Sin is not involved in all cases, as can be seen regarding the mildew found in the structure of a house (Lev 14:33-53).

3. Dedication: For the Israelite to keep the smallest of such laws required personal dedication. It required that one recognize the sovereign authority of the God Who gave the laws — He has the right to place such demands upon His people and to change those demands any time He chooses (see Acts 10–11, especially 10:15).

Today is our first historical flashback. Numbers 13 takes us back in time almost forty years before what is recorded in Deuteronomy 1. This story is one of the pivotal points in biblical history. Israel had made the 11-day, 150-mile march from Mount Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land at Kadesh Barnea. All that remained was to enter the land and take possession.

The decision to send twelve spies into Canaan was apparently the people's idea, one that Moses (Deut. 1:22-23) and God agreed to (Num. 13:1-2). God gave the specific command that one man be selected from each tribe. By the way, note the quiet inclusion of Caleb and 'Hoshea,' or Joshua, on that list (Num. 13:6, 8).

Moses gave the spies very specific instructions on the facts and impressions he wanted them to bring back (vv. 17-20). The men did their job even bringing back a cluster of grapes from Canaan that was so big two men had to carry it on a pole between them.

The report that the spies brought to Moses started out fine. They told about a 'good land' (Deut. 1:25) that 'flow[s] with milk and honey!' (Num. 13: 27). That shouldn't have surprised anyone. After all, their generous and loving God had prepared this land for His people.

But then came the bad news, at least according to ten of the spies: in a nutshell, the people and the walled cities of Canaan were too big for a band of Israelite shepherd-nomads to handle. Caleb tried to deliver a positive minority report on behalf of himself and Joshua, but their voices were drowned out by the other spies. The people opted for disobedience, forfeited God's blessing, and brought a death sentence upon themselves.

So we ask: Are we 'conquered' today, or are we conquerors? There's a world of difference between the two. The Israelites were beaten exactly at the point where God was ready to give them victory. When He calls us to do something, the obstacles aren't really the issue. Is God asking you to do something that seems impossible? If He is in it, even giants and walls cannot keep you from being more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:37).

After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites were on the eve of entering the promised land. Before they did, it was necessary (lest they forget what God had done and who they were) that they be reminded about all that God had done for them and about God’s holy law which was so vital to their ability to remain in the land and function as God’s holy nation and as a kingdom of priests to the nations (Deut. 4:1- 8). Therefore, shortly before his death Moses preaches three sermons urging the people of Israel to live in faithful obedience to the covenant laws given at Mt. Sinai 40 years earlier.

Moses’ three speeches can be divided as follows:

Deuteronomy 1:6-4:43

Through a rehearsal of covenant history, Moses traces Israel’s experience with the Lord from Horeb, to Kedesh-barnea, through their wilderness wandering and up to their taking of the land from Beth-peor so that they will remember the character of the Lord and obey Him as they prepare to enter the Land.

Deuteronomy 4:44-26:19

Through a rehearsal of Israel’s covenant responsibilities with glimpses of national prophetic history, Moses proclaims obedience as the means by which the Lord will bless the nation in the Land.

Deuteronomy 27:1-30:27

Through a covenant renewal with the nation on the plains of Mob, Moses proclaims the blessing and/or cursing which will come upon the nation depending upon whether they obey or disobey the word of the Lord.

In his final words, Moses challenges Israel as he foretells a turbulent future. Moses wants the people to know that their failure to keep the covenant will mean troubled times. However, he does not warn them so that they will live in the knowledge of future doom but so that they will heed the warning and amend their ways.