For generations, God had promised to make them a great
nation.
To Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He promised to give them
the land flowing with milk and honey.
That was the part of God’s Word we would’ve memorized,
underlined and highlighted.
We like the milk and honey stuff, the Phil. 4:13 I
can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, stuff. The, Deuteronomy 28:12-13, I’m the lender, not the borrower, the head and not the tail, above
only and not beneath. We like that stuff.
But not so much Luke 9:23, anyone who comes after
Me must deny himself take up his cross daily and follow me. Not, 2 Timothy 3:12, all who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Not so
thrilled about, lay down your life, turn the other cheek, wash your brother’s
feet.
So, if we were them back then, there was this little caveat
we wouldn’t memorize, underline or highlight.
It was the little conversation God had with Abraham
over 200 years prior, before Isaac and Jacob were ever born.
God told Abraham your descendants will be strangers in
a foreign land, they’ll be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years.
After that, I’ll bring them out, with a strong arm and
great possessions and give them the land flowing with milk and honey.
We’d say, Lord, can’t we just skip the part where You said we’d be strangers, foreigners, enslaved and mistreated? It was just a little part. If I remember right, it was only about three sentences back in Genesis 15:13-16?
Just skip a little of God’s Word?
Yeah, just a little, straight to the great nation
flowing milk and honey part.
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8.
Sure, but Lord—
Forever,
O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89.
Yeah, but—
All flesh is as grass, and all
the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower
falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1:25.
What if—
So
shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11.
Just once, can’t we make an excep—
My
covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
Psalm 89:34.
Oh. Who asked that dumb question about skipping God’s
Word?
If God said it, every jot, every tittle
will be fulfilled.
So, that’s where we find Israel in our text today,
near the end of Genesis 47, fulfilling God’s little caveat to Abraham.
Israel is not in the Promise Land, but over 300 miles
southwest, in Egypt.
Why were they in Egypt?
Due to a severe seven-year famine, they had no food.
But there was food in Egypt.
Why was there food in Egypt?
Because God warned Pharaoh in a couple dreams what was
going to happen. But Pharaoh didn’t have a clue what the dreams meant. So, God
gave Joseph, Jacob’s son, the interpretation, and the wisdom to know what to do
about it.
Pharaoh was so impressed he put Joe in charge of the
whole country.
What was Joseph doing in Egypt?
Over two decades earlier Jacob’s other sons had sold
their brother Joseph into slavery, out of jealousy. (It’s like a soap on
steroids).
So, imagine their surprise when they went to Egypt to
buy groceries and found Joe running the store
Okay, so now, at the request of Joseph, Jacob and his
entire family of 70 people have packed up and moved to Egypt.
Genesis 47:27 So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the
country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied
exceedingly. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the
length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. 29 When the time
drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now
if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and
deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me
lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial
place.”
And he said, “I will do as you have said.”
31 Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel
bowed himself on the head of the bed.
Outline:
1.
Bloom Where You’re Planted (v 27)
2.
Prepare to be Planted (v 28)
3.
Plant for the Promise Land (vv 29-31)
Bloom Where You’re Planted
27 So Israel dwelt in the land of
Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew
and multiplied exceedingly.
Have you ever had to relocate?
Ever had to change plans that you thought were set in
stone?
Marriage? Health? Job? Home?
Ever said, this isn’t what I signed up for? This isn’t
how it’s supposed to be. This is not what I was promised, (or at least not the
way I remember the promise). It’s not what I expected, planned, or wanted. This
is not the Promise Land. It sure doesn’t feel like home.
They were, (we are) strangers in a foreign land, just
as God had said.
Nevertheless, the Israelites dwelt in the land
of Egypt, they worked hard and prospered well.
Note: they did not
prosper just because they were Joe’s family, they did not obtain possessions because
of their relationship with the big guy Joe running the show. That could never
happen, right?
They didn’t just sneak across the border and get a free
ride, free food, clothes, cell phone, hotel, health care. That could never
happen, right?
Remember, the first question Pharaoh asked Joseph's family
was: “What’s your occupation?” Genesis 47:3.
He expected them to show up with something to offer.
They were shepherds, they brought their flocks. They
came humbly, respectfully, willingly, ready to work.
Even though Egypt was not their home. They bloomed
where they were planted.
God honors that.
They were blessed and grew and multiplied
exceedingly.
But it wasn't always like that. Before they got to
Egypt growing was slow. It took 215 years to grow from one man, Abraham, to 70
people with Jacob and family.
Then, because of the exclusive, segregated nature of
the Egyptian lifestyle, Israel grew as a distinct nation, inside
a nation. One nation under God.
In Egypt but not of Egypt.
And just as God had said, in about 400 years they grew
into a great nation, about two million strong.
Likewise, as Christians this earth is not our home, we
are in the world, but not of the world, as per Jesus’ prayer for us, in
John 17.
According to 1 Peter 2:9, God's people, (Ekklésia)
are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, set apart, to proclaim
His praise, called out of darkness into His marvelous Light.
Set apart, called out, but not to bury our head (or
gifts and talents) in the sand, but to bloom where we’re planted.
Like the parables of Jesus that show how those who
used their gifts and talents were rewarded, however the one who buried his, was
called a wicked and lazy servant and cast into outer darkness where there is
weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:14-30, and Luke 19:11-27.
Whether you know it or not, as a child of God, you
have Seed, gifts, talents, a God given Divine Eternal Purpose, with potential
to feed many.
But it’s of no value hiding underground.
However, when it breaks out of its shell, shakes off
the dirt and presses toward the Son, then, it buds and blooms and bears much fruit,
fulfilling your Divine Eternal Purpose and calling.
You are surrounded by opportunities to bloom where
you’re planted. They come in the unlikeliest of ways.
Like with Sherri.
My sweet God loving, joy filled, peacemaking sister
Sherri, never dreamed she’d have opportunity to bloom where she was planted,
into a local gang.
Just the other day, I had this sudden desire to call Sherri.
She said, “I’m so glad you called, I was going to call
you today.”
She told about how a couple of gang members had
painted graffiti on the new vinyl siding of her garage.
The cops explained that it was from a local gang.
The neighbor’s security camera caught the culprits in
the act, but it was too dark and grainy to identify. A couple of other neighbors
had similar incidents.
Sweet Saint Sherri's thinking. Wait. What? Gang
members? In my town? We’re a small, sleepy, peaceful, conservative, farming community. This isn’t what I signed up for. This isn’t
how it’s supposed to be. This is not what I was promised in the small-town
Promise Land brochure. Graffiti? Gangs? That sure doesn’t feel like home.
But then, a little Seed started to break out of its
shell. She heard herself say regarding talk of removing the graffiti, “No wait,
leave it there.”
Why?
If you’re listening to and following the Lord’s
leading, sometimes you’ll say and do things that don’t make sense in your head,
but it makes peace in your heart.
A few minutes later I heard myself say, “You know,
maybe Katie (her daughter who’s a good artist) could paint a response. Perhaps
something like: “Jesus loves You. He made you a talented artist.” Write
it in Spanish, since reportedly the gang is Hispanic.
So, Doug, somebody vandalizes the garage with graffiti
and your answer is to add more graffiti?
I know the idea might not make sense in your head, but
it made peace in Sherri’s heart, and she said, “I’ve been thinking the same
thing.”
For her, it was confirmation.
That’s how God works.
Maybe it will open a dialogue. Plant a Seed. Lead to
the saving of a soul. A whole gang. A book and movie, instead of The Cross and
the Switchblade with Nicki Cruz and David Wilkerson, it’ll be The Cross and the
Paintbrush. 😊
Lord, we pause and pray for that gang. You
know them and love them, we pray you reach them, help them to turn to You and
use their gifts and talents to honor You. We pray for Your dear daughters
Sherri and Katie, please protect them, give them Your wisdom and favor, and
cause them to bloom and blossom and bear much fruit. Thank You.
Wherever you’re at today, you are Seed.
Bloom where you’re planted.
Watch God give the increase, and through you, bear much
fruit.
28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the
length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. 29 When the time
drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph...
Prepare to be Planted
Here the Lord pauses to glance at the calendar.
Periodically providing years and ages throughout the
Bible is one of the ways God gives undeniable proof of the accuracy of
Scripture.
The more we discover through archeology, the more we uncover
the historical accuracy of the Bible.
But of course, the Bible’s not just a history lesson,
it’s His Story lesson to us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17. All scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Additionally, our text pauses not just to point at the
Biblical calendar, but also at our own.
Jacob is 147 years old. Even by Florida Snowbird
standards, that’s no spring chicken.
Our bodies get old, break down and die.
Psalm 90:12. So teach us to number
our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
So, wisdom tells us to prepare to be planted.
Which is exactly what Jacob is about to do.
We should too.
Get our house in order.
It’s not morbid, it’s wise, and kind to loved ones left
behind, when you die.
Speaking of being left behind.
Something more important
than getting our house in order physically, is to get our house in order Spiritually.
Which brings us to our final point.
29 ...and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight,
please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me.
Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers; you
shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”
And he said, “I will do as you have said.”
31 Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So
Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.
Plant Toward the Promise Land
So that we’re not distracted, wondering, let’s first talk
about the phrase please put your hand under my thigh.
In America when saying the pledge, you place your hand
over your heart.
In court, when being sworn in to tell the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the Truth so help me God, you place your hand over
the Bible, God’s covenant.
In the Bible, back in that day, there was a peculiar way
of taking an oath. It was placing your hand under the thigh, (some
say loins) near, or on, the sign of the covenant.
The sign of the covenant was circumcision. Genesis
17:11.
We’ve seen the hand under the thigh oath taking
twice.
First in Genesis 24:2-3 where Abraham instructed his servant
not to take a wife for Isaac among the Canaanites, but to go to his family over
500 miles north in Haran and find a wife from there.
Then again here in Genesis 47:29, when Jacob has
Joseph swear to not bury him in Egypt, but in the place, Abraham purchased as a
burial place, in Hebron.
Both times the oath giver (Abraham and Jacob) were
basically saying, “I’m putting my trust in you; my future is in your hands.”
By the way, today you can visit (if it’s safe) the
burial place in the cave of Machpelah, purchased by Abraham some 3,900
years ago.
Today it’s called the Cave of the Patriarchs, in
Hebron (about 20 miles south of Jerusalem). It's the world’s most ancient
Jewish site and second holiest site for Jews, after, the Temple Mount.
There lies, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob
and Leah. Ancestors of Christ.
Do not bury me in Egypt. More
than giving instructions for his physical burial, Jacob was saying do not let
my memory die with this world but live on with the God of our fathers in the land
of Promise.
Even after he was gone, he left instructions that pointed
and sent his family to the Promise Land.
More valuable than all the silver and all the gold in
all the world is to leave behind a Godly legacy that points to Eternity.
It’s not too late.
Plant toward the Promise Land.
Start right now.
I don’t know how.
That’s okay. God does. Let’s talk, let’s pray, let’s hear
from Him. He has a plan He wants to show you. Guaranteed.
As much as depends on you, plant toward the Promise
Land, toward Eternity for all those God’s given you, so none are lost.
There’s no excuse.
But I’ve made too many mistakes, I haven’t lived
right, it’s too late, they won’t listen.
It doesn’t matter.
Their response isn’t your responsibility. Your responsibility
is to plant the Seed in Love. Water it with prayer and live a Godly example.
Then, trust God to give the increase.
In a moment, we’ll be in Eternity, and then, only what’s done for Christ will last. The rest is just wood, hay and stubble.
Swear to me. Notice
Jacob didn’t just settle with an “Okay, dad fine, I’ll do it.” He made him swear
to it.
Serving God is a command, not an invitation with an
it’s okay either way.
Jesus tells us the greatest command is to “Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is
this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater
than these.” Mark 12:29-31.
The most important thing we can do is plant toward the
Promise Land for all those we may leave behind, for in the twinkling of an eye,
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Cor. 15:51-52 will happen:
For the
Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the
dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then
we who are alive and remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And
thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore
comfort one another with these words.
Compared to eternity, life is just the blink of an
eye.
When Jacob first got to Egypt, Pharaoh asked, “How old
are you?” Jacob said he was 130, and few and evil are the days of his pilgrimage.
Genesis 47:9.
He called his life a pilgrimage. He knew Egypt
was not his home, the earth was not his home, he knew he was just passing
through.
In Hebrews 11, the Faith Hall of Fame, Jacob is listed
among those faith super heroes who were, stoned, sawn asunder, tempted,
tortured, slain by the sword, who wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins, destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not
worthy.
For those super saints, this world had nothing to offer, they knew their home wasn't here, they searched for the far greater city whose Builder and Maker is God.
Bloom
where you’re planted
Prepare
to be planted
Plant
toward the Promise Land
Let's pray.
Holy Lord Jesus thank You for revealing to
us that this world is not our home, we’re in it, but not of it. Help us, and
all those You’ve given us, to be ready to meet You and hear You say, “Well
done, welcome to your forever, Home.”
Thank You Lord.
We love You, forever.
Amen.
Prayer Requests:
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Email: pray4measap@aol.com
Facebook: Church at WPV
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Watch online:
Facebook: In Egypt but Not of It,
Genesis 47:27-31
You Tube: In Egypt but Not of It,
Genesis 47:27-31
This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you
to sow.
Thank you for sharing.
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