Plunder the Egyptians

Exodus 11

Plundering the Egyptians. Odd concept, that. When you leave slavery, you take the wealth of the land with you. Anyone care to offer a modern interpretation?

A. Socio-Economic: In the interest of justice, the wealth of former slaveholders should be redistributed to former slaves.

B. Spiritual: When you leave you life of bondage to sin, you don't lose anything, because the righteous life actually offers more wealth, pleasure, and contentment.

C. Practical: We should take the best that the "world" has to offer--ideas, material goods, wealth--and use it for better purposes. It matters little how we acquire these things, so long as we use them for good.

D. Historical: God needed a way to fund the startup of this people (Israel) at that time in history (about 3,400 years ag0). That's it. There is no further application.

Are there other interpretations? What's yours?

God Made Me Do It

Exodus 10

God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Most people either love that concept, or hate it. It's pleasant to think that some people are rotten because God causes them that way--rather than their depravity being a result of the fall. Instead of "the devil made me do it," "God made me do it" could be their legitimate excuse for doing evil.

I wonder.

Does this chapter show how God deals with all people, or how he dealth with one man?
Is anyone beyond the reach of God's grace? Pharaoh? Judas? You?

I don't know about you, but I don't normally blame God when I do wrong. And I don't blame the devil either. When I'm looking for whose responsible for my life, I look in the mirror.

Alright Already

Exodus 9

I'm trying to discern what was in Pharaoh's mind as he watched the plagues grow closer and closer to his own household and himself. His advisors, some of them anyway, were saying "Uncle." Pharaoh seems to believe he could manipulate God. Or wait him out.

I'm certain nobody in this room has ever tried that.

What is it that keeps you from being fully obedient to God, right now?

Color Tour

I'll be out of town for the next several days--speaking engagements with Heather in the Empire State (New York), visit to my daughter inside the Blue Line (the Adirondacks), and visiting an author in the Green Mountain State (aka Vermont).

I won't be able to keep up blogging, but I'll be reading along with you. Throw me a comment now and then to let me know you're alive :-)

Oct. 23 Exodus 3
Oct. 24 Exodus 4
Oct. 25 Exodus 5
Oct. 26 Exodus 6
Oct. 27 Exodus 7
Oct. 28 Exodus 8

The Dark Side

Exodus 2

Your greatest strength may also be your greatest weakness. It was for Moses. His passion for justice caused him to defend the women at the well. That same passion is what flashed into rage, causing him to murder the Egyptian taskmaster. Moses could not tolerate injustice.

What is your great passion? What is its dark side?

Offer your greatest ambition to God.

These Are the Names

Exodus 1

In Hebrew, the books of the first words of a biblical book form its name. So rather than being called "The Way Out" (Exodus), this book is known as "These Are the Names."

Names, as you may have noticed, were extremely important in the culture of the Patriarchs, as were genealogies. It was important to know who you were and where you came from. How else would you know where you were going?

Who are you, and where do you come from?

Faith in the Future

Genesis 50

This is a lovely ending to the story of Joseph and his brothers. Except that it's not the end. it's nice to see the brothers all getting along, finally. And it's lovely to see how the Egyptians treated Joseph and his family with resepect, and that the boys honored their father's dying wish and carried his body out of Egypt.

But this story is far from over, and Joseph knew that. He seems to have known that it would take an act of deliverance to get this clan out of Egypt and back to the land of promise. He, too, made an act of faith by making his children swear to take him with them--someday.

Your story cannot end when you die. There is more to your life than what you see here. What is your act of faith, the statement you make that proves you believe in a life beyond what you have here?

Nature or Nurture

Genesis 49

To what extent do the forecasts made by your parents determine the course of your life?

Moments before he died, Jacob took out his broad brush and painted the future for his sons. Upon some, he pronounced blessing. Upon others, a curse. His predictions more or less came true, most notably for Judah, which became the dominant tribe among the twelve.

Yet Jacob seems mostly to have ratified the course the the sons had already set for themselves. Jacob did not predict that Joseph would be hardworking and care for others. Joseph had already done that. Reuben, too, had already proven his lack of integrity. Did Jacob curse Reuben's future, or merely announce that it would be cursed based on Reuben's proven character?

What have other people predicted for you? Will you live up to it--or down to it?

Is the choice theirs, or yours?

Pick Me

Genesis 18

Life doesn't always turn out the way you expect. That was true for Jacob. It turned out to be true for Joseph and for Ephraim and Manasseh. It's probably been true for you too. God's blessing comes to unexpected people at unexpected times.

Who knows why God does the things he does?

That's one of the big lessons of the whole Bible, and we've got it mastered after only 48 chapters.

Whom has God blessed "out of turn," as you might say? I mean besides you.

Just Don't Bury Me Here

Genesis 47

Economic Note: During an economic downturn (famine, depression, etc.), wealth is consolidated in the hands of the few and the many become their slaves. That's what happened in Egypt, and that's what the credit crisis is accomplishing now. How many people are now paying one-fifth of their income in interest on borrowed money to Pharaoh ... er, um, big banks?

But that's not the point of the story.

"Few and hard have been the years of my life." These are the words of Jacob, whom God had promised to greatly bless. The one request in his old age? "Don't bury me in Egypt."

What does it mean that God has blessed you? Was that blessing given for your benefit alone, or on behalf of those who could be blessed through you?

Does blessing equal prosperity?

To Egypt

Genesis 46

Jacob had the right instinct, which was to stay out of Egypt. How it must have seemed when God instructed him to go there, and that it would be in Egypt that Jacob's clan would finally prosper.

Would you have gone?

How odd it must have been for Joseph, a thousand years later, to do the same--flee to Egypt for deliverance.

Where is the place God has called you to prosper? Is the place you had imagined for yourself?

For Better or Worse

Genesis 45

"What you meant for harm, God used for good." Joseph had had a long time to process that thought, but it was news to his brothers. It's probably news to most of us too. I'm used to thinking of the bad things I've done as bad, and the bad things done to me as worse.

May we safely say that none of us have experienced worse than being sold into slavery by our own brothers? If God is sovereign in Joseph's life, why not yours?

What is the best evidence that God is really in control of your life, and the world?

Me and Mine

Genesis 44

The world is round, my friend, and what goes around surely comes around. Today, Joseph's brothers realize the helpless feeling fo being falsely accused and at the mercy of another.

At least they begin to take responsibility.

Judah was willing to sacrifice himself for his brother. Remember that it was Judah who came up with the idea to sell Joseph in the first place. Transfomration complete?

When you face a crisis, do you think of protecting others or protecting yourself?

Power in Forgiveness.

Genesis 43

I have never understood why Joseph simply didn't announce his identity to the brothers from the start--or at least now, when Benjamin was present.

This is the power of rejection, I suppose. Joseph seems still to fear that his brothers may hate him or that he may lose the opportunity to be reunited with his father. Perhaps we are never fully aware of how our actions will affect others.

I'm not sure that Joseph realizes the power he now has. Although he rules the nation, he still seems helpless before his big brothers. Here is the beauty of Jesus teaching: there is power in the ability to forgive.

Hawaii?

Genesis 42

It's not a Dickens novel. This is Michner. The intergenerational saga played out across two continents, the birth of a son, a dream, a people. And here is where all the threads come together in one big knot.

I'm looking at the way character is revealed through action (I'm a writer, what can I tell you).

Joseph hides his identity from his brothers--does he still fear them somehow? He weeps when they discuss the old plot; his wound is still fresh.

Reuben resorts to "I told you so" when the brothers realize their dilemma. This is the fallback of a weak leader, nagging and pleading rather than action.

Jacob once again betrays his favortism for Rachael and her sons, the bitter root his his family's misery. This great man, who had dared so much and gained so much, is now, for the first time in his life, fearful of the future.

Drama! Intrigue! What as story!

During a crisis, what do your actions reveal about your character? About your level of trust in God?

Please, Sir, May I Have Some More

Genesis 41

It's a Cinderella story. The one good character in the entire book is falsely accused and lives in prison for two years. Even his freinds forget about him. Prior to that, he was sold--sold!--into slavery by his brothers. Finally, he comes under the notice of the benevolent despot who has the power to set things right.

Is this a Dickens novel?

Where was the big turn in your life? What changed when God took notice of you--or, more accurately, you took notice of him?

Get Me Out of Here

Genesis 40

Did you ever feel as if God had forgotten you? Joseph never gave in to that, apparently, in spite of his circumstances. Other than saying, "I'm innocent," he does nothing to lay blame for what has happened to him.

This imprisonment was one step in his development as prime minister of Egypt. But only God knew that, not Joseph. Or did he know it? Joseph trusted God as if he believed that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

Do you?

I Need a Hero

Genesis 39

Finally, a hero. Joseph is a study in integrity in this chapter. Compared with his brother Judah in the previous story ... well, there really is no comparison. Joseph is successful, handsome, diligent, bright and above all, trustworthy.

Where do you get guys like that? More to the point, how do you become one? What are the disciplines that you or I can practice that strengthen our integrity?

Please don't say, "Just do it."

No Honor

Genesis 38

Once again we have a story without a hero. This little episode makes everybody look bad. Only because they were bad. Why is it in the Bible? Perhaps to heighten our appreciation for Joseph and his life of integrity (illustrated over the following few chapters). Abraham and Isaac lied about their wives, Jacob cheated his brother, Judah, well, not sure where to begin there--but Joseph behaved with honor regardless of the circumstances or consequences.

It can be done, folks. It can be done.

BTW ... I wonder why Judah didn't suggest having himself burned when it was revealed that he had slept with a prostitute. I'm just sayin.

Oh Grow Up

Genesis 37

Maturity is a wonderful thing. Neither Joseph nor his brothers had much of it. Maturity enables us to share our dreams without sounding arrogant or naive. And it allows us to acknowledge the superiority of another person without feeling worthless.

Can you think of a person who irks you to know end because they either (a) seem to be arrogant or (b) seem always resistant to good ideas?

Perhaps the real issue is a lack of maturity--theirs or yours?

See Ya, Wouldn't Wanna Be Ya

Genesis 36

I know. The genealogies are all boring to read, and Esau's is the most boring of all. But there is a point:

In spite of the fact that Jacob inherited their father's birthright and blessing, Esau and his descendants had a 400 year head start on creating a civilization, and had kings reigning over their various cities while Jacob's brood were all slaves in Egypt.

It takes a lot of patience to follow God's plan for your life, and I mean a lot of patience.

Do you ever become envious of people who are not living for God, believing that their lives are turning out better than yours? How do you cope with that?

You Can Call Me Ray

Genesis 35

There is great power in naming things. This is why politicians work so hard to control the labels used in a debate. "Voting to eliminate the middle class" sound much worse than "standing up for economic fairness." Etc. What you call something determines what it is.

This is why God so often renames people and things.

From Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of nations).
From Jabbok (pouring out) to Peniel (the face of God).
From Jacob (deceiver) to Israel (he struggles with God).

What change has occurred in your life since you met God? I you were to choose a new name for yourself, one that reflected that change, what would it be?

Mixed Blessing

Genesis 34

There's not a lot you can do with this story. Yes, rape is wrong. Yes, revenge killings are wrong too. So is lying, for that matter.

Our boy Abraham and his many descendants still have a long way to go if they are to become a blessing to the whole world.

God is patient with his children. But for how long?

Stet

Genesis 33

Old feuds often die if not tended, which is why distance was the best tonic for Jacob and Esau's wounded relationship.

Reconciliation was one thing, however. Re-establishing relationship was something else entirely, which is why Jacob had sense enough to head for Shechem as Esau went back home to Seir. Jacob humbled himself to repent. Esau humbled himself to forgive.

That was enough.

Broken.

Genesis 32

I've been wondering aloud what is heroic about Jacob. I've suggested that he's a wretch, totally undeserving of God's favor. I've pointed out (as the Bible does) his many, many flaws.

But I love Jacob. He occupies an honored place in my pantheon of Bible heroes. I honor Jacob because he is relentless in his pusuit of God. He is humbled and throws himself on God's mercy. He perseveres.

All great people of faith are wounded in their struggle to surrender their will to God's, and Jacob was deeply wounded. He walked with a limp from that day on.

Do you.

Goodfellas

Genesis 31

I'm still looking for something admirable about Jacob. You remember Jacob, the peson God specifically chose to receive his blessing and transmit it to the entire world? Jacob the no good, deceiving, con-artist. Jacob the guy you would never let your daughter date.

The only reason Jacob looks sympathetic at all is that Laban is actually worse. Its' like watching a Martin Scorcese movie starring Pacino and DeNiro. Everybody is so rotten that the hero is the one you hate the least.

Apparently God is willing to put up with quite a bit. He's patient with the people he loves. I guess that's a good thing. Let's hope it pays off for Jacob. And for us.