A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to support our ministry.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition "Seeing The Bigger Picture" (Note: Due to the historical detail that is in this study it is longer than normal. The spiritual application is summed up in the last several paragraphs.) "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones" (Hebrews 11:22). 1) Opening Illustration  Several years ago I noticed my lower shower faucet leaked even after it was turned off, beginning with a slight drip and then worsening to a slow stream. Since this was the hot water side I knew it would increase my electric bill. I intended to get it fixed but since I didn't know how to repair or replace the faucet myself I cut a small hole in the wall behind the shower stall and placed two valves in the supply lines right before the faucet. For several years I have had to open these valves prior to taking a shower and also had to advise our guests to do the same, calling it our "innovative water saving system". Since this hole can be seen when the door is closed we cover it with the picture (right) especially when others visit.  Rick, our friend who is visiting us from New England, has plumbing skills and told me he would replace the faucet. As we began working on the project he examined the small rectangular opening I had cut out and determined that he would need to make an even larger access cut. He then teasingly suggested that we might want to get a bigger picture to cover the even larger hole. Being spiritually minded he quipped, "It's always good to see the bigger picture."I began to think about his words and considered that it's easier to fix our eyes on the "smaller picture" that affects us personally and ignore the bigger picture that has more far-reaching effects. But we should be learning to focus on the bigger picture as our perspective matures over the years. Today we will draw a lesson from a little known ancient account concerning Joseph. Of all the accounts that describe Joseph's unwavering faith this is the only one the author of Hebrews uses: "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones" (Hebrews 11:22). 2) A Lesson From History  In recent years Muslim extremists have desecrated a sacred Jewish site called "Joseph's Tomb." Up until this time I had not been aware that the location of the tomb of Joseph was even known or still had significance to devout Jews. (But I shouldn't have been surprised!) Allow me the opportunity today to trace its history in the Bible. It's one more incredible way in which the ancient events of the Bible have a bearing on modern man.Joseph, the clearly favored son of the patriarch Jacob, is well-remembered for his coat of many colors. Many of us will remember from our childhood memories how the plain flannelgraph board suddenly brightened with many hues of color as the Sunday School teacher added the coat of many colors visual aid to help us remember and treasure this timeless story.  The suspense builds as Joseph gets sold into Egyptian slavery by his jealous brothers and through a series of providential events including a time in prison he becomes the Prime Minister in Egypt, prospering immensely. But he never loses his identity and faith in God nor does his heart wane. Because of this, God raises him up for the deliverance of the fledgling people of God as recorded in the latter chapters of Genesis. Joseph knew where his real home was and, just prior to his death, made this very explicit request: "And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place'" (Genesis 50:25). The truths of God were transmitted orally in those days, passed down from generation to generation before Moses first placed the Scriptures in written form. I believe Joseph surely was aware of a very specific promise made by the Lord to his great-grandfather Abraham. "Know for certain that your descendents will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions" (Genesis 15:13,14). This promise was made even before Abraham's son Isaac was born! Many years later Joseph died and the people of God were enslaved in Egypt. Moses, as their leader, was ready to pull out of Egypt during the Exodus, but he remembered this important request from Joseph and acted to fulfill it. "Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place'" (Exodus 13:19). Somebody had to haul those bones around! First across the Red Sea and through the wilderness for 40 years under Moses, then across the Jordan River and all during the time of conquest under Joshua. Finally, after Joshua died, they fulfilled an old promise by laying these bones to rest. "And Joseph's bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph's descendants" (Joshua 24:32). And for some 3,400 years this tomb has been a place of remembrance for faithful Jews. 3) The Spiritual Application What motivated Joseph? After all, when he made the request he had become very comfortable and prosperous in Egypt. He was revered by both the Egyptians and the Israelites, who were at the time of his death honored and welcome guests of the Egyptians. Bluntly speaking Egypt had been good to Joseph. The answer is found in the only biographical statement made concerning Joseph in Hebrews 11, the great "Faith Chapter". "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones" (Hebrews 11:22). Joseph, by faith, saw the bigger picture. He knew where his real home was as a great-grandson of Abraham. I believe one of our biggest faith challenges on this side of eternity is seeing the bigger picture and keeping it our major focus as we journey below. This is true during the good and bad times. By faith we who have trusted in Jesus are also children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Today, let us, like Joseph, get our focus on the bigger picture and align our priorities accordingly! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, there are so many enticements this world has to offer that rival for my devotion. I must be careful not to let the allurements this world has to offer deter me from the bigger picture; my eternal home in heaven or the promises that are yet to be filled. So that I don't lost sight of the kingdom of God I desire godly discernment day in and day out in the choices I make that will help me remain faithful and fully committed to You in my Christian walk. I ask for Your help in the strong name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Amen.Stephen's note: I have some interest in my genealogy and today there are websites to assist in this such as ancestry.com. I wonder how many of us have any knowledge at all of our ancestors beyond three or four generations? In my case I knew my grandparents on both sides but none of my great grandparents, who had passed away by the time I came around. What little I remember about my great-grandfather is that he went back to visit his homeland in Germany on a steamship with my grandfather, as told by my mother. That would have been around 1900. I have been told on my father's side I am an descendant of Abram Clark who signed the Declaration of Independence. But incredibly Joseph lived and died some 3800 years ago! The Israelites were carrying his bones prior to his final burial in Shechem some 400 years after his death. Amazing!!  Yesterday we had a time of fellowship with Rick Steudler, a friend of ours, and also visited with his 96 year old mother. We all enjoyed her resident duck who sings "You Are My Sunshine" which left us all with a sunny disposition. John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace" was 82 years old and blind who said shortly before he died, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." See here.  Rick took our photo in Jeanette's back yard while we were admiring her Chinese Dogwood. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Going Home" Video Ernie Haase & Signature Sound "There Will Be A Day" Video Jeremy Camp "No More Night" Video David Phelps "Save A Place For Me" Video Matthew West |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online. 2013 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 5/29/13: $8,528.00 SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. Personal Mission Statement "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."  How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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