Worship: For Heaven’s Sake We can learn many lessons from the story of Joseph. But in this two-part series on the life of Joseph, we see the value of faithfulness to God and the power of forgiveness to man. Joseph’s father favored him and spoiled him; and this infuriated his eleven brothers. In time, they sold him into slavery.
In time, it all turned out for their good. But it wasn’t until years later: after a series of seemingly impossible circumstances Joseph was propelled from slavery, to prison, to prison management, then out of prison, immediately to second in command as governor of all Egypt. And during this time, he was divinely and strategically positioned to meet the needs of his brothers, who sought provisions from Egypt during the famine.
“Joseph was satisfied. He had seen in his brothers the fruits of true repentance. Upon hearing Judah’s noble offer he gave orders that all but these men should withdraw; then, weeping aloud, he cried, ‘I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?’ {PP 230.3}
“His brothers stood motionless, dumb with fear and amazement. The ruler of Egypt their brother Joseph, whom they had envied and would have murdered, and finally sold as a slave! All their ill treatment of him passed before them. They remembered how they had despised his dreams and had labored to prevent their fulfillment. Yet they had acted their part in fulfilling these dreams; and now that they were completely in his power he would, no doubt, avenge the wrong that he had suffered. {PP 230.4}
“Seeing their confusion, he said kindly, ‘Come near to me, I pray you;’ and as they came near, he continued, ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.’ Feeling that they had already suffered enough for their cruelty toward him, he nobly sought to banish their fears and lessen the bitterness of their self-reproach.” {PP 230.5}
Joseph generously forgave them and cared for all their needs and the needs of all their families. Had he been unforgiving, bitterness would have taken root. Harboring bitterness in the heart, says Pastor Flemons, is damaging to your health and to your eternal salvation. Bitterness raises your blood pressure. Bitterness elevates your blood sugar. It prevents your immune system from functioning well. Stress will kill you, both physically and spiritually, says Pastor Flemons.
Joseph’s response to the criminal treatment that he received at the hands of his beloved brothers serve as a principle of right-living to all the world for all time. Joseph’s steadfast faithfulness to God and his forgiving spirit to his unworthy brothers places him as a type of Christ. Joseph’s life lessons to the world is the reason that he is one of the few to whom so many owe so much.
[For further details, read Hebrews 12:15 and Ellen G. White’s Patriarchs and Prophets (PP 224-240.2). Also, please listen to the recording to hear the commentary of Pastor Flemons.]
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Sharing and Caring Time Sis. Maria encouraged listeners with a passage of Scripture that fittingly followed the special segment.
Ephesians 4:29-32 says this:
4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Pastor Flemons announced that he will be speaking at the Inwood SDA Church, 2041 Buckhill Road, Gerardstown, West Virginia, this Sabbath.
Special Prayer Please include in your prayers today Listener 0562 (Sis. Chester), who asks that we pray for her family. Pray that she will have divine guidance as she makes important decisions that affect her family.
Pray for a listener’s friend whose disturbed son and her car are missing, that there will be no hurt that will come to anyone.
One listener asks for special prayer for her daughter-in-law, who has been led to the truth through her son (grandson of the listener). The son (grandson) has been learning the truth from attending the SDA school. Please pray that the funds will come for the son to be able to return to the SDA school for the next year.
Please pray for Sis. Odessa and all listeners, that no bitterness will be harbored in the heart.
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FaceBook Worship / Wellness Segment – Never have so many owed so much to so few – Joseph part 2
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TOPICS THIS WEEK – June 14 – July 20
Worship Sunday – The Marriages of Lot and Isaac: To Whom So Many Owe So Much; Monday – Jacob, One of the Few; Tuesday – Joseph, One of the Few, Part 1; Wednesday – Joseph, One of the Few, Part 2
Wellness Sunday – Challenge: Eat a Plant-Based Diet! Monday – The Challenge: Rely on God; Tuesday – Challenge! Be Temperate; Wednesday – Joseph, One of the Few, Part 2
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Words of Encouragement
1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. (Also read 1 Kings 21 and Conflict and Courage for July 17, CC 204.)
Psalm 42:8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. (Also read With God at Dawn for July 17, WGD 200.)