I'm still reading my way through the Book of Jubilees (aka "Little Genesis" ) and today I was reading in the story of Joseph. It's a strange version of the story - no mention of the technicolor dreamcoat - but mostly because Potiphar is a eunuch, but he has a wife, so go figure. It took me back to my days in the theatre (see how I spelled it "re" like the fancy people do?) - and at one time I actually directed a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (also not super faithful to actual Genesis), so I'm very familiar with it. But it's so easy to forget the whole point of that story. Here it is from Jubilees 43:18, where Joseph says, "for the Lord sent me before you to set things in order that many people might live." In other words, Joseph is saying that God used his brothers' crime of selling him into slavery for a divine purpose. That's Divine Providence. St. Paul refers to this in Romans 8:28, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." BTW, since it doesn't make any logical sense that a person might be "called" but not "according to his purpose" you have to read this verse more like this:
We know that, for those who love God, all things work together according to his purpose.
It's so easy to forget this, and even to live like we really don't believe it. It's a bold statement, and it takes real faith to trust that God really can and does use even great suffering to fulfill a greater plan. It's also easy to go to the other extreme and think that the verse means that everything works out for everyone - but that's not what it says. It says that all things work together according to God's will, for those who love God.
What do you think about the idea that God reserves this promise for those who love him? And what do you think it means to love God in this context?
Dear friends - Please take 10 minutes to watch this personal update from me:
I'm back, up and running, and ready to go - I should have a new JOURNEY episode within the next week or so - and because you are my loyal peeps, here is an exclusive, just-for-you, behind the scenes SNEAK PEEK into my new office:
I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
I hope you like the song!
The problem with us men is that often we don't have the wisdom to be a father until we're a grandfather.
This may sounds like some ironic statement that makes you nod your head in agreement but shrug your shoulders in resignation, thinking, well there's nothing we can do about that. But the practical application of that is that it demonstrates how important it is for kids to grow up around their grandparents. But as in our culture the family becomes ever more fractured and spread out, that is harder and harder to do.
Lately I've been thinking that part of the problem is the whole concept of college. It used to be that everyone thought a person had to go to college to make a good living. Not only is that not the case (truck drivers make more money than I do) but now college has gone from useless to actually ruining our kids. But when I went to college, what you were supposed to do is figure out what career you wanted (as if anyone knows that at age 18) and then go away to the college ...
And don't forget, if you would like to read my latest novel:
The Sword and the Clover - just let me know by email.
I'm happy to send you the PDF version, even if you haven't been a monetary supporter of the community - all I ask is that you don't share it with anyone else.
My email address:
Keep in touch!
JIm
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