What Shall You Make of Your Life
A. By Plotting and Planning
B. By Pleading before the Lord
We live in a glorious place here in Dillingham, Alaska and Bristol Bay. We see clearly the hand of God around us in his creation and in the wonderful people he has placed here.
I often am amazed at were this young Cajun boy has come to in life.
Why am I serving in Alaska?
Why am I serving in “bush” Alaska?
Why has God taken our path here?
What does God seek to accomplish here?
Have you ever tried to plot our how things would be?
As a young boy growing up in Louisiana and as a young man in the military, I had a vision of doing my time in the military and going home to a job in law enforcement or maybe fishing crawfish and crabs.
I am amazed that God protected me in my youth to allow me to be able to join the military in the first place. The way God drew me into a recruiters office with absolutely no intention on my part of signing any papers—especially those that might cause me to spend time outside of my home.
I imagine that I surely would have ended up in jail on multiple occasions if I had stayed home. I ran with a group of young men that were called “The Pas Bons” this means the No Goods. There were a lot of reasons we were called this, but we were pretty much the group of guys that were involved in about everything and anything going on—especially if it involved risk and the promise of adventure.
At seventeen my high School English teacher, Janice Bordis told me I needed to get serious and pass my English course. I told her in French that I didn’t need to take English to weld and to fish crawfish—most of the people I worked with talked French and about all the people that fished talked French too. Mrs. Bordis said “But you do not know where you will go or what you will do.”
I know that God placed Mrs. Bordis in my life and several other significant people in order for me to be where I am today. I praise God for the path He has led me on and to the place we are now walking, and for the future He has promised me and you.
Let’s walk with Joseph this week and discover through our study what most of us know already. We plot and we plan and we often reap the rewards of our plots and wonder why. Much as if we ask in prayer amiss—if we plot without seeking God’s will in our lives—then we shouldn’t be surprised when the outcome is different from what we are truly seeking. Let’s start by looking at some plotting and planning by Joseph.
A. By Plotting and Planning
Genesis 44:1-17 (KJV)
And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth. [2] And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. [3] As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. [4] And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? [5] Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
[6] And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. [7] And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: [8] Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? [9] With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen. [10] And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words; he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. [11] Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. [12] And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. [13] Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
[14] And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. [15] And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? [16] And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. [17] And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
You may know that we all plot and manipulate to some extent. To plan for you future in a wise and stewardly manner is a blessed thing that is upheld by the bible. You manipulated to some extent to get your mate and/or you were willingly manipulated by your mate as he or she sought you. This again is in keeping with the word of God. What is not in keeping with God’s word is when we plot and manipulate to the sole foundation and with the sole intent of making yourself happy or fulfilled. This type of feeling indeed becomes destructive of personal, intimate, friends, and community relationships.
Joseph does choose to test the sincerity of his brothers intentions towards his family once more. Joseph has his cup, a silver cup put in Benjamin’s bag, after which, when daylight comes, they are dismissed and sent on their way.
They are scarcely out of the town when Joseph’s steward is ordered to overtake them, and charge them with stealing the cup.
“And whereby indeed he divineth.” Divining by cups, we learn from this, was a common custom in Egypt (Herodotus ii. 83). It is here mentioned to enhance the value of the cup. I would say that Joseph has proven over and again what his source of knowledge comes from and it is indeed not a cup—but God himself that Joseph says answers all.
Have you ever perhaps in pride or arrogance stated something that you could not possibly hope to brings about? Here the brothers make a promise or challenge without the possibility of knowing the future—instead of having learned from the wise Steward Jacob—seek and pray for the leadership of God.
Instead they try to mitigate and make a decision--“Spake unto them these words.” He with whom the cup is found shall become a slave for life, and the rest be acquitted. The steward searches from the oldest brother to the youngest for the missing cup. The cup is found where it was put in Benjamin’s bag…
“They rent their garments;” the natural token of a sorrow that knows no remedy. “And Judah went.” He had pledged himself for the safety of Benjamin to his father. And here he was waiting for the life sentence to be given to Benjamin.
I find it amazing that even we as Christians look for the negatives in life instead of seeing them as the promise of God. While I was a member of the Filipino Bible Church we often said “Praise God for the problems”. If we had no people, we would have no problems—but God has called us to witness HIM personally to people—so in all things we should praise God for the things that He is bringing about to complete his good and perfect will.
The brothers--“They fell before him on the earth.” It is no longer a bending of the head or bowing the body, but the posture of deepest humiliation. How deeply that early dream penetrated into the stern reality! I also think it significant that this is the third time that they are bowing before him—shortly he will reveal himself to them. I just find it interesting that they bowed to the triune power to which Joseph owed his skill of discerning dreams—God.
“Wot ye not that such a man as I doth certainly divine?” Joseph keeps up the show of resentment a little longer, and brings out from Judah the following plea: “The God,” the great and only God, “hath found out the iniquity of thy servants—as if anything that we do is in hiding;” in our dark and treacherous dealing with our brother. “Behold, we are servants to my lord.” He resigns himself and all to perpetual bondage, as the doom of a just God upon their still-remembered crime.
Joseph allows a slight vision of Christ in that he allows Benjamin to remain in bondage for all. “He shall be my servant; and ye, go up in peace to your father.” Now this is the true test.
Will they sell my brother into bondage as they did me?
Do they harbor ill will towards my family are or we truly brothers now?
Now is a moment of agony and suspense to Joseph. Will my brothers prove true? Will Judah prove adequate to the occasion? His pleading with his father augured well.
Judah did not mince words when he states that to leave Benjamin would be the end of Jacob—for Jacob had himself made the statement.
What about you? Have you been plotting and pleading on how to make it in this world? How you might become rich and live the life of luxury to which you feel you have been called? Have you been seeking that life of ease?
We can see that in life our plotting for things can bring about changes. Will you have to sit in suspense as Joseph here or are you willing to seek and do only God’s will in your life. This will necessarily mean that you give up plotting. When we live by God’s leading, we seek, see, and move. We seek God’s leading through his holy word, prayer, church fellowship, we see in the circumstances only God can open up for us, and then we take the action that God has called us too.
We do see Judah start to plead. This is a good example. We should always plead before our God and Savior—for He alone is able to bring about his good and perfect will in our lives.
B. By Pleading before the Lord
Genesis 44:18-34 (KJV)
Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. [19] My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother? [20] And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him. [21] And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him. [22] And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die. [23] And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more. [24] And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. [25] And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food. [26] And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man’s face, except our youngest brother be with us. [27] And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons: [28] And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since: [29] And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. [30] Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life; [31] It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. [32] For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. [33] Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. [34] For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.
“And Judah came near unto him.” He is going to surrender himself as a slave for life, in order that Benjamin might go home with his brothers, who are permitted to depart. This is quite a change in the Judah that allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery. When people see you today do they see the change in your life brought about by Jesus Christ being in your heart?
“Let thy servant now speak a word in the ears of my lord.” “And let not thine anger burn against thy servant.” Judah approaches Joseph in humility.
How do you approach the thrown of God today?
How do you speak and act towards your parents and those appointed above you?
It should be in respectful humility. We are here to accomplish one thing—God’s good and perfect will by calling people to accept the “Good News” that Jesus offers for and in their lives.
You can notice that the form that Judah approaches Joseph is not that different from the way that Jesus said we should come to God in prayer. We should start with a simple statement of fact. Pray in like manner, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed would be thou name… In this situation Judah expects to have its native effect upon a rightly-constituted heart. In our situation, what should we expect? God is light, in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5b. We should expect God’s very best if we are truly striving to accomplish HIS will.
Judah then asks Joseph to take him in place of Benjamin. I think another great vision of Jesus Christ. He came and took our place on the cruel tree, He who was sinless gave himself freely for all who would believe and call upon HIS name. Oh what a Savior.
Jesus himself talks of the paternal bond, seen even in such sinners. Judah points out that the bond between Judah and Benjamin is great, much greater than any of the other brothers—and this time they are not jealous and envious—they are concerned. “And now let thy servant now abide instead of the lad a servant to my lord.” Such is the humble and earnest petition of Judah. He calmly and firmly sacrifices home, family, and birthright, rather than see an aged father die of a broken heart.
Are you prepared today to make whatever requirement God lays on you in your life?
What shall you make of your life?
If Christ has placed a call on you, you have a very important role in your home church and community. Each of us is called to the task of the Great Commission.
Whenever, where ever, and to do whatever God calls us to do in completing HIS good and perfect will.
But, we must start to walk in newness of life. The only way to start is to allow God to mold you into something useful in HIS kingdom.
If you are asking today “I really don’t know what I am making of my life” consider the following:
We must come to a point in our lives that we truly call upon the name of the lord, Jesus Christ and ask him to come into your heart. Ask Jesus to change you as he has Judah this week, ask him to give a heart like only Jesus and God have, a love that is above all loves, all hurts, and all mistakes. If this is the feeling of your heart today we ask you to come forward and we would love to pray with you. Jesus is always seeking to come into your life, but only you can ask him in.
If you or any family members would like prayer, we ask for them at this time. We would love to pray for you and your needs.
Remember, we have discipleship on Wednesday evenings, Bible Study on Friday evening and the Kid’s Club on Sunday Evening. Come and be a part of God’s work in Dillingham.
Closing Prayer.
