Update: I have altered this post after receiving constructive criticism from Sister. I no longer agree with everything I wrote in the first version but am keeping the first version in the public domain as a PDF (link). It can also be found at the Web Archive — Barbara Roberts, April 16th, 2021 *** Joseph’s… Continue reading Joseph’s treatment of his brothers — reflections and applications
Tag: Christian maturity
Reconciled with his brothers
Joseph would have been glad to see his older brothers again, but he still did not know how far he could trust them. In order to test them he had set them up with charges of theft (see part 2 of this series). Now he needed to see how they would respond. (Gen 44:14 -16… Continue reading Reconciled with his brothers
The second test Joseph gave his brothers
Joseph, as Governor of Egypt, had begun testing his brothers by falsely accusing them of being spies. He had retained Simeon in custody and instructed the other nine brothers to return home and come again to Egypt bringing their youngest brother Benjamin with them. (see part 1 of this series) Their father Jacob was very… Continue reading The second test Joseph gave his brothers
Joseph tested his brothers by falsely accusing them
In order to probe whether his older brothers had repented, Joseph falsely accused his brothers, raised a false report and uttered a lie. Yes — that's the same saintly Joseph, eleventh son of Jacob, whose humility in suffering is held up as a model for how we ought to respond when we are mistreated. The… Continue reading Joseph tested his brothers by falsely accusing them
What happens when sheep are led by hirelings and wolves?
Society and especially the churches are in perilous times. It is imperative to understand what can happen when evildoers are controlling the masses. A brief review of Part 1 and Part 2 of this series: There are three kinds of people: Sheep, Shepherds and Wolves. Shepherds are focused on caring for the sheep. Shepherds are… Continue reading What happens when sheep are led by hirelings and wolves?
How can you tell if someone who has the office of shepherd is actually a hireling?
Discerning good leaders from incompetent / bad leaders is vital in these perilous times. This is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Part 1 Part 3 In Part 1, I set out some basic differences between good leaders (true under-shepherds) and hirelings. Sooner or later, hirelings will abandon the sheep to the wolves. All true… Continue reading How can you tell if someone who has the office of shepherd is actually a hireling?
Have you been told to keep your focus at the foot of the cross?
"Keep your focus at the foot of the cross" is often dished out by those who consider themselves Christians. It's a common mantra in Christianese. It's used by accredited Christian counselors, church leaders, pew warmers, tin-pot evangelists....you name it. The saying is easy to learn and repeat parrot fashion, like a mantra. Or like the… Continue reading Have you been told to keep your focus at the foot of the cross?
A Cry For Justice 