PRAYER - "When Slaves Pray"
I have often wondered why God told Abraham his descendants must spend time in bondage in Egypt. Typologically, Egypt represents the world of sin. Every man and woman must suffer bondage in the world of sin. But when we earnestly cry out to God, He hears and He delivers.
Exodus 2:23-24 - "...and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob."
PRINCIPALS - "Benjamin"
Joseph's dear mother, Rachel, was dead, and he had not seen his little brother, Benjamin, for more than twenty years. He yearned to see him. When the older brothers came to Egypt for corn, Joseph threatened them not to come back without Benjamin or they would be convicted as spies. Someday, Benjamin would be a very great tribe, but first, Joseph would be his savior.
Genesis 43:29-30 - "And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, ...he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there."
PRINCIPLES - "Subtle Clues"
If we could always see how God is working in our lives, we would never doubt Him. Joseph's brothers marveled that they had been seated at Joseph's banquet table in perfectly chronological order, oldest to the youngest. That was a subtle clue that somebody knew them intimately. They did not yet realize that their host was their long-lost brother, or that God was working magnificently in their behalf.
Genesis 43:33 - "And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another.""
PROPHECIES - "Dreams Remembered"
When Joseph's brothers showed up on Egypt's doorsteps, it must have been an awesome sight for Joseph. A million thoughts must have crossed his mind. They did not recognize him. He could have easily avenged himself of all their past cruelties. But he only toyed with them. He knew that God was in the whole matter. By God's will, he would be their wealthy benefactor.
Genesis 42:9 - "And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come."
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
– Luke 6:38
Give and it shall be given unto you. That statement came straight from the mouth of Jesus. Yet there are a great many believers who flatly refuse to believe it. In fact, they actually have the mistaken idea that it’s wrong to expect to receive when they give.
The truth is—it’s wrong not to!
What would you think about a farmer who planted seeds, then let his crop rot in the field? You’d think he was a fool, wouldn’t you? And if he did it when others were starving, you’d think he was criminally irresponsible.
Well, it’s just as irresponsible to give financial seeds and ignore the harvest God promised. Especially when that harvest could help send the gospel to people who are starving to hear it. It’s just as wrong to ignore the key to prosperity that Jesus Himself gave us as it is to let a wheat crop rot in the field.
God wants us to receive from the financial seeds that we plant. He wants us to be prepared to require no aid ourselves and to be “furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation” (2 Corinthians 9:8, The Amplified Bible). He wants us to have plenty—not so we can hoard it selfishly—but so we can give generously.
Next time you give, don’t be afraid to expect a harvest! Release your faith for the financial rewards Jesus promised. Then, when they come, turn right around and plant them again. Keep the flow of giving and receiving going so that the Lord can bless the world through you
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