WHEN PHARAOH CALLS
Genesis 46:31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me; 32 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. 33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? 34 That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
There are two presentations at this time. First Joseph presents himself to his father Jacob, whom he has not seen for over twenty years. Genesis 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And then Joseph presents his brothers to Pharaoh. Genesis 47:2 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
And so it is in the believer’s life of which the Lord Jesus is our pattern. For immediately when he rose up out of the baptism waters, he was led of the Spirit to be tempted of the devil. And just as soon as the Lord Jesus presents himself to the poor sinner, saving him by grace alone, that newborn’s faith is begun to be tested by the ruler of this world. Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Therefore as soon as the believer has the sovereign Ruler presented, (represented by Joseph), for his salvation and safety, he is immediately introduced to the worldly ruler, (represented by Pharaoh), for the development of his faith, while living in a foreign realm. Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Remember that Satan is referred to as this world’s god! Not that he really is a god, but it is just that the world prefers him as their ruler. 2 Corinthians 4:4 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.
And Satan is always close at hand to tempt the believer, in order for the Lord to develop his faith! Zechariah 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Revelation12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
But never forget that Satan is a servant of the most High God! Therefore he is always close at hand to only do as benefits the purposes of God! 1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
He may be ‘our adversary.’ But he is certainly not God’s adversary! He is a created being, and servant of the uncreated God! 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Take careful notice of that term, whom he may devour! For he cannot do as he wills. He must seek permission from the Lord God to do his work! Carefully read Job 2:1-6 and see that Satan must give account of his activities to God, and must obtain permission, with limitations, to carry out his evil deeds.
And even though that tender, just-issued faith might be as smoking flax, or bruised reed, it is still the God-granted, God-pleasing, world-overcoming faith! Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
For the spirit in the new-born, redeemed is most resilient! Consider these few scriptures speaking of the strength of the redeemed spirit. Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
1 Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
Zechariah 12:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
But true faith is tried faith! 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
And these offensive afflictions, being not only necessary, are most beneficial. Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
In fact, they are the only way true, inner peace can be known in the believer’s heart. 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. For this is the only way to rid the soul of the remaining, inner corruption of the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? The great Apostle Paul recognized this within his own soul. Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
The heart is the battle ground. For it is there that either the belief in God, or the denial of his existence may reside! Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. Therefore mortification of the soul, although painful to endure, is of great benefit to every believer.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
These are those who have endured the great tribulations of the true church down through the ages. (The Harlot Church promotes the lie that there shall only be one period of “great tribulation,” and that church goers shall escape this in some secret rapture! But the Scriptures set forth a far different picture.) 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
For all those who stand glorified in the presence of the enthroned Christ are come from the endurance of great tribulation. Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
Therefore Satan is allowed to ‘sift’ the believers, which works together for the good of them who love the Lord, and who are the called according to his purpose. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Notice that Satan was only allowed to ‘sift’ Peter as wheat! For he was not a tare! And the sifting of wheat is essential to assure its separation from the chaff! Psalm 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Rest assured, dear Reader, none but cross dwellers are truly in the spiritual kingdom of Christ! Therefore we know far more church members than we do true Christians! Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
And this striving against sin and temptations will certainly make the believer conscious of the spiritual world! He cannot doubt that there are demonic forces at work, although not seen with the natural eye, as he struggles hard with his sin! And he will be brought to a stronger realization of the presently reigning Christ. For he will learn that there is no other advocate to assist him in his trials but the Lord Jesus Christ!
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
For the Lord Jesus Christ not only defeated Satan FOR us, but he also now defeats sin IN us! Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Pastor Gene Breed
November 5, 2016
