"And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him." Genesis 42:8; "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:4

When Joseph became ruler over Egypt, his name was changed, and his identity was altered so that he no longer appeared or lived as a shepherd son of Israel from the land of Canaan but as an Egyptian Prime Minister. The transformation was so thorough that when his ten brothers arrived in Egypt, he was totally unrecognizable to them. This true story beautifully illustrates (Messiah/Jesus at His first coming) and contains a prophetic picture pointing to Yeshua and His Jewish people living today as we approach the Second Coming. Several details elaborate on this amazing parallel. After Joseph was rejected by his brothers and sent to Egypt, his life naturally began to develop in the nation of his exile, including learning its language and culture. Constantly proving his capacity, responsibility, and leadership, Joseph was ultimately embraced by the Egyptians, exalted, and given an Egyptian bride (Asenath, daughter of the priest of On). In like manner, the rejection of Jesus by the Jews of His day resulted in His becoming a light to the Gentiles, who rightly accepted and exalted Him so that, in many ways, He seemed to take on a Gentile identity and characteristics. As He betrothed Himself to this predominantly Gentile "Church" (with its Jewish roots), He ironically became virtually unrecognizable to His own Jewish people. To illustrate further, Jesus and His disciples had lived and worshiped according to the Biblical Jewish calendar: Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, and Feast of Dedication (Chanukah). The later Christian (largely Gentile) church instead adapted and transformed pagan festivals and used them in their worship calendar, changing the cultural expression of the Jewish Messiah and His original followers to a Gentile expression and even prescribing the use of Jewish festivals in "Christian" worship. All the while, Jesus's true nature and identity remained, even as Joseph's did. But through these parallels, we can begin to understand the portent of Joseph's experience with his brothers; weeping bitterly when he first recognized them; then carefully arranging the circumstances which would bring them to repentance, and finally, removing the Egyptians for the dramatic revelation of his true identity to his brothers, the sons of Jacob. Likewise, Yeshua, weeping over His Jewish brothers, finally gathers them back into the Promised Land, and begins to arrange the circumstances which will bring them to repentance so that finally, at some final private revelation, "they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn for Him" in amazed gratitude. [Zechariah 12:10]. God, Himself, working behind the scenes, has allowed Satan to do his blinding work on Israel for a season while gathering the Gentiles into His fold. But this season is ending. The mystery of Israel's blindness is being broadly revealed, prompting the prayers of millions of Gentile believers, and their love for Yeshua and His Jewish brethren is making Israel jealous; so the veil is being removed from Jewish eyes, just as it was from Joseph's brothers. And what is our part? To understand the times and seasons in which we live, to pray and labor for both the fullness of the Gentiles and the spiritual revival of Israel which will usher in the coming of Messiah and life from the dead! Through the story of Joseph and the prophetic revelation of both Testaments, we know that all Israel will be saved with the fullness of the Gentiles. Since much of the world is still blinded to Messiah, we need to make the most of every opportunity to open blind eyes, Jewish or Gentile. Brothers & Sisters, let us reveal Jesus to the entire world, especially reaching those whom the Lord has placed in our lives. Every time Jesus is truly revealed, another one of "Joseph's brothers" can weep with joy, gratitude, and amazement that a humble Suffering Servant is also a great and glorious King! AS BROTHERS WHO ARE BLINDED -- OPEN THEIR EYES!

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:10-11; "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 5:4

Joseph, the son of Jacob, grew up caring for flocks as a shepherd boy (Genesis 37:2). While we might have a romantic view of an easy pastoral life among sheep and goats, the main responsibility of a shepherd was to protect the flock against hungry predators (wolves, lions, etc.) looking for an easy meal, actually quite a dangerous job. The shepherd loved his sheep, and Joseph was a good shepherd. Jesus, " the "Suffering Servant" Messiah, was illustrated in the life of Joseph. Jesus came as a good shepherd to protect His flock against the enemy whose sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. Our Shepherd Messiah, was ready to give His life to protect us. And He is still watching over us – He gave His lifeblood to protect us because He loves us, and we are incalculably precious to Him, each one. Brothers & Sisters, do you know how precious and loved you are? How the Son of God exposed Himself to the ultimate danger because of His incalculable love for you? How He protects you from unseen danger every day of your life? We can rest in His protective love, no matter what happens, especially because where we're going, there will never be danger again. YOU'RE IN THE HANDS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD!

"For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." Hebrews 4:3-4

The creation of the world was completed by God in 6 days. He rested on the 7th day, and sanctified it, the Sabbath, Shabbat. When Jesus died for the sins of the world his followers hurried to take Him down from the cross so they would not violate the commanded time to rest. [Luke 23:54-56] So the Messiah completed His work of redemption just before entering into Shabbath. As He died, He said, "It is finished!" [John 19:30] Finishing His work and entering the grave opened the way for humanity to enter His rest, the rest He entered after creating the world. Brothers & Sisters, Jesus's "It is finished" is your invitation into His REST. Take time and refresh your awareness of it, the rest that belongs to those who truly believe. Cleanse your conscience through confession, and examine your relationships, knowing His forgiveness is able to restore you completely to peace, joy, and love. Shalom! IT IS FINISHED!

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Titus 3:8

Does it ever happen to you - that something terribly simplistic just suddenly becomes clear? I realized something about us the other day. We, humans, are such addictive creatures. I always hear stories of addictions such as gambling, drinking, and using illegal drugs -- most of which many of us have either never allowed ourselves to touch or been able to conquer at some point in our lives. But it occurred to me that these are just a few of the many things to which we can become addicted. I mean, think about it. The more we work and the more money and material things we acquire as a result -- the more we want to work in order to purchase more of those things. The more television we watch, the more we don’t want to miss that next episode. The more we win at the leisurely games we enjoy, the more we want to play and win more at those games. The more we sleep, the more we want to sleep! The more we complain, the more we want to complain! The more we eat, the more we want to eat! We have even created nightly support group meetings for our addictions, to which, if we’re not careful, we can also become addicted! And there are countless other earthly examples we can probably add! It seems that mankind is hopelessly given to the substances and circumstances around us. So wouldn’t it be great if we could switch our focus from majoring on our daily grind to majoring on the things of the Lord? And then, I'm sure we would find that the more we pray and see God answer our prayers -- the more we’ll want to pray and see those victories! The more we share our faith and see people come to know the Lord through us -- the more we’ll want to share and see others come! The more we read the Word and gain wisdom for our lives and others' lives -- the more we’ll want to read the Word and gain that kind of wisdom! The more we serve God and those around us-- the more we’ll want to serve them! And there are countless other heavenly examples we can probably add! Brothers & Sisters, how about it? Let’s begin doing more of the things of the Lord and watch how they multiply! I have a feeling that we might experience more joy, peace, and contentment than we ever have! ADDICTION CAN BE A GOOD THING!

"Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

This verse in Nehemiah connects the observance of a Holy day with the joy of the Lord. Our identity as "saints" (literally, "holy ones"), called to be holy, means we are and ought to be set apart from the world. But does that mean a solemn and joyless life of boredom as some have been led to believe? I have heard statements like, "I'm miserable, but at least I'm holy!" No, to be simultaneously holy and miserable is "oxymoronic" (if I may coin an adjective). It contradicts the very Spirit of God! The Lord has given us life and life abundantly; [John 10:10] that is a life full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, and self-control. [Galatians 5:22-23] When someone truly sets himself/herself apart for God and His purposes, he/she will be filled with God's supernatural joy. It is not a superficial "happiness," an inability to mourn or empathize with others in pain, but a deeply positive strength that comes from above, a joy that imparts God's power by His spirit. Brothers & Sisters, holiness and joy are intimates. Turn your frown upside down and take hold of a deep spiritual truth, "The joy of the Lord is your strength!" HOLINESS IS A JOY!

"It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth." Isaiah 11:11‭-‬12 ; "Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD." Jeremiah 31:37; "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." Song of Solomon 2:4

In 70 AD Jerusalem finally fell to the mighty Roman army led by Titus after a long siege. To commemorate the Roman victory over the Jewish rebellion an arch was erected in Rome known to this day as the Arch of Titus. This famous arch depicts the fall of the Temple and its artifacts paraded in a processional described by the historian Josephus' in his account, "The Jewish War." The arch of Titus stands to this day, a horrific monument to the defeat of the Jewish people. Yet history and God have a way of inverting such things, since when the nation of Israel was reborn in 1948, the exact depiction of the Menorah on the arch of Titus was used as a symbol of Israel's rebirth. While the Roman empire has long been vanquished the nation of Israel has remained and been resurrected despite utter defeat and decimation. How could this tiny nation survive 2,000 years of dispersion and persecution? A promise (Jeremiah 31) and a prophetic sign are indicated by this "banner to the nations" of Isaiah 11. And just as the symbol of the menorah on the Roman victory arch has been resurrected to symbolize Israel's rebirth, this little nation of Israel is also a banner and a sign for us. Israel is a monumental marker indicating our time in history (God's story) and the absolute surety of God's promises. Her resurrection signals the time of the end, the last of the Last Days, and the soon coming of Messiah for His Bride. Brothers & Sisters, the Roman empire expressed terrible power and pretension with persecution and plunder, appearing victorious for a season. In these days of the final "Beast" system the enemy of our souls is also marching triumphantly corrupting culture and government and destroying righteous foundations. Persecution of God's saints is increasing greatly and we may need serious endurance. But we also have a "banner". His banner over us is love, which endures all things, and never fails. OUR PROPHETIC MARKER HAS BEEN SET!

"And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.” Genesis 24:8; "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." Revelation 18:4; "and the light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the voice of the groom and bride will never be heard in you again; for your merchants were the powerful people of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your witchcraft." Revelation 18:23

Genesis 24 recounts the marriage of Issac and Rebekah. As the offering of Isaac by his father Abraham was a clear picture or type of our Heavenly Father's offering of His Son Jesus, we may also view this marriage as a picture or type of Jesus's marriage to his Bride. As Eliezer, Abraham's servant was sent into Mesopotamia (Babylon) to find a bride for His son, so God our Heavenly Father sends his Holy Spirit into the world, (now a "Babylon" out of which God's people are called), to find a bride for His Son. And just as Rebekah had to be willing to go with Eliezer, leaving her Babylonian home, the Bride of Christ must be willing to leave Babylon! Brothers & Sisters, Babylon is the present world system, deceiving the world. Leave it behind. You are a Bride preparing to be married soon, to the Lamb of God. THE BRIDE IS WILLING!

"And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things." Luke 10:41

Watchman Nee, once said something profound about entering the rest of God. He said, "Carnal Christians crave works; yet amid many labors, they are unable to maintain calm in their spirit. They cannot fulfill God's orders quietly as can the spiritual believers... their hearts are governed by outward matters. Being "distracted with much serving" (Luke 10:40) is the characteristic of the work of any soulish believer. They have not yet entered the rest of God.” Now that Martha is in Heaven (for some 2000 years) I have often wondered how she feels about being an example of distraction and carnality, and to what extent it's possible to move away from that kind of activity into a place of rest and peace and relationship as we serve the Lord. The Sabbath is certainly an opportunity to discover and practice the kind of rest and abiding in Jesus that Watchman recommends here. All of us have experienced "spiritual" activity which is distracted, performance based, and undoubtedly less fruitful and effectual than it could be. But must it always be so? The Lord would not have rebuked Martha if He didn't hope and expect her to learn from His admonition. Brothers & Sisters, there's no question that we can learn a more mature way of serving. Mary has shown us the way, and Shabbat is the perfect opportunity to learn it. Sit at His feet, quietly, attentively, and learn of Him. Entering deeply into His rest will change the way you work, all the following week. And by resting well, we improve the quality of our work and even multiply our time. We give, He adds. We divide, He multiplies. We rest, and because of our abiding, He works. Shalom! LEARNING TO REST, EVEN IN LABOR.....

"The Lord gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; Who can endure it? "Now, therefore," says the Lord, "Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm." Joel 2:11-13

In this prophetic passage, the critical question is immediately followed by the powerfully convicting answer. Joel prophesies the Day of the Lord, and asks, "Who can endure it?" The next word "therefore", is followed by the prophet's urgent counsel: "Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning!" Real repentance -- not some superficial, wimpy, "I'm sorry God", but a deep, sorrowful, heart-wrenching cry with fasting, that means business and recognizes the terrible danger ahead -- is what is required. I have to ask myself, how willing am I to enter into this depth of repentance in order to restore, or deepen my relationship with my Lord, or to cry out in identification with a dying world full of lost souls. Are my emotions and my soul willing to be passionately engaged with the grim reality in and around me? How does this affect my prayer life? or my attitude toward my sins? As I look at this world, I clearly see the Day of the Lord looming on the horizon. This prophecy may never be more applicable than it is now, in our very day. Brothers & Sisters, let's take a serious account of things, and allow ourselves to be truly, profoundly moved by what we find. If, as the Lord told us, those that mourn are blessed, then let's not shrink back from what we see in ourselves and in the world around us.."There is a time to mourn"...the Lord will be rejoicing. He is seeking those who will recognize and deeply repent of their sin...and He longs to forgive and restore us. WHO CAN ENDURE IT?