Do I Have Free Will or Is God in Control? Yes!

For centuries people have questions about how much control they really have over their own lives. Some believe in free will in an extreme way that limits God's sovereignty. Others believe in God's sovereignty in an extreme way that limits man's free will. Either extreme is full of dangers and do not follow biblical teaching.

For instance, if you put too much emphasis on free will, you have no reason to hope in the future. How do we know God will win in the end? Or, how do we know that a nuclear war won't start at any moment and wipe out the planet? More importantly, how do you know that the pain and suffering you are going through has any purpose? Maybe bad things just happen, and you have had bad luck. If God is not in control, there is no reason to truly believe that "all things work together for the good for those who love God," (Romans 8:28).

On the other hand, consider what happens when you doubt that free will is real. If God determines every event and every decision, one begins to lose a sense of individuality. Do I really decide what I am going to do? Am I responsible for my actions? If God has decided everything I will do and think, aren't I just a puppet with no influence on others or even my own direction in life?

Consider Romans 9:17-19: For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"

Paul points our attention in this debate to the Pharaoh of the Exodus. Interestingly, the account about Pharaoh's hard heart in the book of Exodus alternates between saying that God hardened his heart and that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. 

For instance, "The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." (Exodus 4:21)

But, in Exodus 8:15, "But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

These are just two of many examples. I believe they reveal that the Bible teaches God's complete sovereignty and man's freewill work together.

First, understand that God knows everything about the future. He knows what people will do before they do it. This does not mean that he causes them to do things, only that he knows what they will do. For example, imagine you watch a recorded football game with your friend. Your friend saw the game last night, but you haven't. You are excited when your team wins the game with a last second touchdown. Your friend knew exactly what was going to happen, because he already saw the game. Does this mean your friend caused your team to win the game? Should you thank him for giving your team the victory? Of course not. He simply knew what would happen.

However, God's knowledge of the future goes beyond this. He knows more than what will happen. He knows what will happen in every possible scenario. Going back to the football game, God doesn't simply know who will win the football game and how, he knows who would win the game in every possible scenario. Would there be a different outcome if the weather was 10 degrees warmer and the wind was 5mph stronger? God knows the answer to questions like that, and he also has the ability to influence the weather (and an infinite number of other things).

Consider 1 Samuel 23:10-13: David said, "O LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant." And the LORD said, "He will."  Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will." So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.

God was able to tell David what would happen if David did not leave the city of Keilah. David did not stay, so these events did not happen, but they would have happened if he did stay.

In this instance we can say that David determined whether or not the citizens of Keilah would hand over David and his men to Saul. It was his choice. If he stayed, the citizens would have done so. Since he left, they did not. David was ultimately in control of their actions. Notice, however, that the citizens of Keilah still acted according to their free will. David did not force them to do anything, he simply knew what they would do in certain circumstances and made choices to bring about the circumstances he wanted. David was able to do this because God told him what would happen in the future in different circumstances.

God's sovereignty works in the same way. The difference is that he knows what would happen in an infinite number of circumstances and has an infinite number of ways of directing those circumstances. 

God knew that Pharaoh would harden his own heart if Moses and Aaron approached him a certain way. God decided to send Moses and Aaron to him. Thus, it is completely accurate to say that God hardened Pharaoh's heart. God made the decision as to what was going to happen. However, it is also accurate to say that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. It was his choice to do what he wanted in the circumstances he was in. It is true that God determined the circumstances knowing what Pharaoh would do, but Pharaoh is completely responsible for his choice.

Understanding events this way is helpful when it comes to trusting the Bible. We can have confidence that all events are part of God's good and perfect plan. We can also understand that we are not simply robots that have no control over our lives. We are responsible to obey God.

Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Meme Responses

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April 11-15 was "Meme Week" on Trust the Bible. I have posted 5 memes that challenge whether or not you can trust the Bible. Here are my responses.

The Bible teaches that Jesus' death and resurrection makes payment for our sins. This was planned out and accomplished by God the Father ("It was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer," Isaiah 53:9). Now, the wrath of God that was pointed at us because of our sin is satisfied by Christ, for all who believe in him (John 3:36). 

This basic message of the Gospel is the hope of all true Christians. Yet, it is often ridiculed. Really all the memes for the week criticize some aspect of this teaching, known as "substitutionary atonement," (Jesus is our substitute, taking God's wrath upon himself in our place). 

The problem with all criticisms of the Gospel are that they take part of the Bible's teaching out of the context of all the other things that the Bible teaches about God. They demonstrate that you cannot pick and choose which essential Bible doctrines you will believe in. They all stand or fall together. 

For instance, the Bible does teach that a man cannot die for the sins of another. The context is that human governments cannot execute someone for a crime that only their father committed. This is a basic principle of justice. But Jesus was not only a man, he was also God. Without the Trinity, the biblical teaching that God is three persons in one being, this meme would correctly identify a contradiction in the Gospel. The reason the Trinity is so important is that it demonstrates that Jesus is not a different being from God the Father. When Jesus suffered on the cross, it was in accordance with the Father's will AND Jesus' will. He went to Jerusalem knowing exactly what would happen. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit accomplished our salvation together. 

These memes imply that the Father took some innocent bystander, a man named Jesus, and killed him so he wouldn't have to kill guilty people like us. That is not the Bible's message. In addition, when the Bible says that human governments cannot kill someone for the sins of someone else, the Bible is not talking about atonement. It is saying that the innocent can't suffer because it violates justice. The idea of someone suffering to make payment for someone else's sins isn't addressed at all. But much of the Bible does teach the principle of substitutionary atonement. It is in the sacrificial system, in Passover, and in many of the stories of the Old Testament. Jesus was the fulfillment of these prophetic events. He willingly became our substitute, demonstrating God's love (John 3:16), not his injustice. God the Father did not enjoy causing the suffering of his Son, but he did it in coordination with the Son to display his great love and that he is "just and the one who justifies sinners" (see especially Romans 3:25-26). In short, the problem with all of these memes is that they rip one of the Bible's teachings out of the context of the others, creating an apparent "problem" that is solved by placing the teaching back into the full context.

*Note: I removed the face of God in the second meme because I think any imagery of God violates the second commandment, you shall make no graven images. Images of Jesus are fine because he was a man who walked on earth, but not of God the Father because any human made image will necessarily detract from the glorious appearance of God.

The God of the Bible does kill people. Bible skeptics are often frustrated when they read numerous passages in the Bible that say just that (two examples should immediately come to mind: the flood and Sodom and Gomorrah), but Christians seem to gloss over them and pretend that God is always nice to everyone. I really have two responses to two different groups. 

First, to Bible skeptics: you use this meme to suggest there is something immoral about God, that he is cruel. Once again, the problem is that you have separated one Bible teaching from the others. You are taking it out of context. If God swooped in from somewhere out in the universe, he would be cruel to kill people. But this is not the God of the Bible. He created the universe. No one would exist at all apart from his will. Since we are his creation, he has ownership of us and we reflect his glory (much like a painting reflects the abilities of a painter). God is not out of place when he judges, his own glory is at stake. We cannot ask God, "Who are you to judge?" He is God, he is the judge of all, because we are all his, by definition, because he is our creator. In addition, God himself came to the cross to die for us! God kills people in judgment because he is just, but much more shocking is that God himself actually died for us. The fact that God doesn't kill everyone of us in judgment for our sin is a shocking display of his mercy and love. 

The second group to address is Christians. Do you feel the need to defend God about this? Don't. Sometimes it seems that we are embarrassed by God when someone points out that he kills and judges. We don't need to be. He is demonstrating his justice. We simply need to point out that this just judge has also offered us forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus.

Jesus does command love (Mt. 22:37) and will send people to hell (see especially Matthew 25:31-46). But something seems wrong about this meme. Once again, it is out of the context of all the other things Jesus says and does. According to the Bible, people are headed towards hell because of sin. Even if you have an admiring love for Jesus, you have sinned in other ways, and deserve to go to hell. The only people who avoid hell are those who are saved by Jesus. He does not want anyone to go to hell, and his choice to experience the agonizing death on the cross was so that a great multitude would not go to hell. The Bible says that because of Jesus' great love for us, we can repent of our sins and trust in Jesus to save us from hell.

Many do go to hell, because God is just. He cannot simply forget about our sin. That is good news. If God was not just, there would be no perfect being that we would have the opportunity to spend all eternity living with and worshiping.  

Love in the Bible is not a romantic feeling. It is action. It is action that benefits others even at a personal cost to you. Jesus loved us while we were sinners. Being a sinner means you do not obey God's commands - you do not really love Jesus. You actually don't and can't love Jesus until you are already saved and promised eternal life in heaven. Even then, we often fail to love Jesus by our actions, and yet, Jesus continues to love us no matter what!

This one is easy. God will ultimate stop all these things. God is also not responsible for them. God created the world without any of these things, man's sin has brought them into the world. God allows pain and suffering for a time in order to accomplish a greater good that is coming.

In addition, this argument once again leaves out the context of suffering. God is not unfamiliar with suffering, but went to the cross, suffering because of our sins. He could have simply wiped out the world in the flood and left no survivors. He would be perfectly right and just to do so. But his love is far greater than we can imagine. I finish my response to the meme above by remaking it into the meme below:

Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Marriage

Jesus taught his followers that the Bible guides us to true success in life. Down to the smallest detail, if there is something we need to know in order to live a successful life, God has included it in the Bible. Certainly we should expect the Bible to have a lot to say about one of the most important aspects of life, marriage. In an ideal situation, you will spend more time with your spouse than anyone else in your life. Marriage can bring the greatest joys, and also some of the greatest sorrows in life. More importantly, your view of marriage, how strong your commitment to your spouse must be, when to get married, who to marry, what you can and cannot do outside of marriage, and more present some of the greatest challenges to living a life faithful to God's teachings. As a pastor I find people struggle with these kinds of questions more than any other when it comes to choosing God's ways rather than what seems right in our own eyes.

What are some basic biblical teachings on marriage? First, marriage was created by God as a blessing for humanity. God says in Genesis 2:18, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." The Bible says some have a special ability given by God to be satisfied without a "helper," or companion in life, others are prevented from this blessing due to tragic circumstances. However, the normal pattern is that a man and a woman are created to be together.

Second, marriage is for a lifetime. Jesus says, "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." (Matthew 19:19). Why? Jesus quotes from Genesis 2 in his explanation of marriage: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Matthew 19:5-6)

The idea is that a marriage occurs when God joins two people together. A divorce that a government issues does not undo what God has done. Divorce and remarriage in God's view is adultery. Who is guilty of adultery in a divorce? Sometimes both are, sometimes one spouse was faithful and the other spouse left the marriage to be with someone else. That is why Jesus adds, "except for marital unfaithfulness." Only the spouse who broke the marriage vows is guilty of adultery. The point is that even in circumstances that may require a legal divorce (abuse, drug problems, etc.) in God's view this does not free you to be with someone else. Only when the other spouse has abandoned the marriage is the marriage really over. Marriage cannot end without sin on the part of one or both parties.

Third, marriage is between one man and one woman. Although there are many instances of polygamy in the Bible, these relationships are never condoned. Genesis teaches that "the two will become one flesh," and Jesus quotes this as the authoritative teaching on marriage. Jesus also rules out any type of marriage that is not between a man and a woman, once again citing Genesis: "The Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'"? (Matthew 19:4-5). "Male and female" is a quote from Genesis 1. In other words, Jesus goes out of his way to emphasize that marriage is a special relationship designed for a man and a woman. Despite the interpretive gymnastics done by some to suggest the Bible might allow for same-sex marriages, Jesus clearly disagrees.

Fourth, and perhaps most controversial, the Bible teaches that sex is reserved for those in a marriage relationship. "The two will become one flesh," is a reference to the sexual relationship that displays physically what is happening spiritually between the two. Sex is not designed to be enjoyed outside of the bond of marriage. There is an assumption in Israelite law that when sex does occur between two people who are not married, they should then marry (see Exodus 22:16 and Deuteronomy 22:28). While this is the preferred response, it is not absolute (see Exodus 22:17). The implication is that sex is an act that is designed as part of the marriage relationship. Leviticus 18 also gives a rather lengthy list of outright prohibited sexual activities, including homosexuality. The context demonstrates that this list is not simply Old Testament commands that are for the Israelites alone, but for all cultures and times (see Leviticus 18:24-28).

In conclusion, God has created marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman for a lifetime, and sexual intimacy is reserved for the husband and wife who have entered into this covenant relationship.

A number of questions and objections immediately come up. What if I have already broken one of these principles? Paul writes, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then the question is, what does God want you to  do now? Once you answer that, the next question is, will you obey? Never use the offer of God's forgiveness as an excuse to sin.

Another response is, "Why does God want me to be miserable?" Or, "Why doesn't he want me to have any fun?" Here is where trusting God is so important. You may feel like this is what following God's law will do. In fact, it may require sacrifices. However, following God's law will always be for your good in the long run. God is more concerned with your holiness than your level of happiness right now. God is your creator and knows everything about you - even your eternal future. He is infinitely better equipped to know what is really best for you.

Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Peacemaking

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
                                                -Matthew 5:9

Calling someone a "son" of something means they are following the path of that person, or that they are like that person. "Son of a gun" does not mean that someone has a gun as a parent, it means that they are like a gun in that they are explosive or can cause damage. Jesus is the "Son of God" in a unique way. He is the "one and only" Son of God. Given that there is only one God, the title also affirms that he is God. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says that we can be called "sons of God," meaning the usual sense. We can be like God in one of his key characteristics, peacemaking. God is the ultimate peacemaker and we can follow his path. Peacemaking is the single way identified in the Sermon on the Mount that can bring about the "son of God" description.

Jesus goes on to emphasize peacemaking in Matthew 5:23-24, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."

I don't think Jesus is commenting about when you can and cannot make an offering. His real point is that peacemaking is a priority for Christians, and it needs to happen quickly.

Consider Ephesians 4:26-27,  "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Notice, "Do not give the devil a foothold." Paul is saying that when we don't urgently make peace with others, we are giving the devil an opportunity to accomplish his purposes. Peacemaking is a critical component of spiritual warfare!

These are just a few examples of how much the Bible emphasizes peacemaking in the Christian life.

Peacemaking is not about looking the other way when there is conflict. Ignoring conflict is one of the surest ways to "let the sun go down while you are still angry." Peacemaking means actively using biblical tools to resolve conflict.

Here is a quick summary of those tools, taken from Ken Sande's "The Peacemaker."
1. Examine yourself and identify where you are at fault in a conflict (Matthew 7:1-5)
2. In small conflicts, choose to overlook an offense. When you do this, you must decide to give up your desire or even right to use the conflict against that person in the future. For example, telling a joke about someone for spilling water on your pants. Overlooking is not ignoring conflict, but dealing with it actively in a simple way.
3. Make an effective apology for your role in conflict. Remember to: Address everyone involved, Avoid "if," "but,"" and "maybe," Admit specifically what you did, Acknowledge the hurt you caused, Accept the consequences of your behavior, commit to changing your behavior, and Ask for forgiveness.
4. Be ready to offer forgiveness. Forgiving a person is to promise not to dwell on what happened, not to use it against them in the future, not to talk to others about it, and not to allow it to interfere with your relationship.
5. Seek help from others with godly counsel on handling conflict.

This is a brief overview of an area we all need to work on. Always ask God for help. His act of forgiving us at the cost of sending his Son is what can give us the power to forgive and be peacemakers ourselves.


Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Ten Reasons to Celebrate Easter

1. The resurrection gives Jesus victory over his enemies!

Acts 4:10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

2. Believing in the resurrection brings salvation.

Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

3. It fulfills Bible prophecy.

Acts 2:31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. (Psalm 16:9)

4. It proves the Gospel message.

Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

5. It is necessary for forgiveness of sins.

Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

6. It is the basis of our new birth (regeneration).

Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

7. It is the basis for our hope that death is defeated and we will be reunited with loved ones.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

8. It is the basis for our hope in a new, eternal, and sinless body.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

9.  It displays God’s sovereignty and power

Ephesians 1:19-20 His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰ which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

10. It means we will see Jesus in the flesh one day!

Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."


Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Did the Resurrection Really Happen?

On Easter morning, John tells us that he went running to the tomb with Peter. They heard a report that Jesus had risen from the dead, but they didn't know what to make of it, so they went to see what they could find out. The Bible invites us to investigate the facts as well. The accounts in the Bible acknowledge that initial skepticism is a natural reaction to such an amazing event.

Did Jesus rise from the dead or not? To some, this may seem like a question for history buffs or the very religious. Outside of being able to have an informed conversation about a topic that interests many, what difference does it make? Did Alexander the Great die of a disease like Malaria or was he poisoned? It might be an interesting conversation to have, but does it really matter?

According to the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus is no ordinary historical fact. If it did not happen, the Bible says everything about the Christian message is a complete hoax that has deceived billions (1 Corinthians 15:15). On the other hand, if the resurrection did happen, Jesus' message is authenticated and your eternal destiny depends on whether or not you will put your trust in his death and resurrection for salvation. This is a historical question that directly impacts your life like nothing else, historical or otherwise, ever could!

And make no mistake, it is a question of history. Many think of a question like this as a "religious" question. It is a matter of faith, not a matter of fact. However, Jesus of Nazareth was a real person who was crucified in 33 A.D. Did that person come back to life and appear to many, or not? This either happened or it didn't. It doesn't really matter what your religious beliefs are. It is a question of history.

Some historians will claim that it is a question that is impossible to answer. Supernatural events are beyond the scope of what history can investigate. Others deny that it could have happened simply because it is supernatural- and those kinds of events don't happen. However, looking at the evidence has convinced even many hardened skeptics that the resurrection is real.

Following the biblical presentation, I think it is reasonable and right to begin with a degree of skepticism about a miraculous account like the resurrection. However, there are a number of natural events surrounding the resurrection that you can evaluate first. For instance, Jesus was executed by crucifixion. The tomb where he was buried was found empty within a few days. Many followers of Jesus soon proclaimed that Jesus had risen from the dead and that they had seen him. These are the kinds of facts that atheists and skeptics of all kinds can agree with. There is an extraordinary amount of historical data to support them, in historical accounts that are included in the Bible and outside the Bible. These basic facts are attested at least as well, if not far more than, just about any other basic fact from ancient history.

The question then becomes, what is the explanation? Was it a hoax? Were the disciples tricked? Was there some simple mistake, like going to the wrong tomb, that grew into a greater and greater legend over time? Or did Jesus really rise from the dead? Answering all of these questions goes beyond what I can cover in one blog entry. However, I can tell you that every suggested alternative to a real resurrection is met with enormous challenges. There really is only one reasonable explanation to all the facts. Jesus Christ really did rise from the dead! After looking at the evidence, it is hard for me to imagine how anyone really could believe anything else. I recommend "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist," by Norman Geisler, for an explanation of the alternative theories.


Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Does the Joseph Story Tell Us About End Times?

After Jesus rose from the dead, he taught his disciples "what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." He did this "beginning with Moses," meaning the first five books of the Bible (Luke 24:27). One of the remarkable evidences for the Bible is the way that verses and stories in the Bible have layers of meaning that fit together in a beautiful way. Even in Genesis, there are stories that teach important lessons but also fit a pattern of prophecy that even speak of events in our future.

Take the story of Jacob wresting with a "man" in Genesis 32:24-30. Multiple times the text says that Jacob wrestled with a "man." But Jacob concludes that this man was actually God (32:30). Yet, for the entire night, God could not "overpower" Jacob. Does this story teach that Jacob had superhuman strength, making him an equal match with God in physical strength? Clearly not. The story shows us the possibility of a God-man, pointing us to Jesus. In addition, God limits his power and wrestles with Jacob all night as an occasion for making a prophecy. The point of the whole story is explained in Genesis 32:28 when God tells Jacob, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." The wrestling match was really a mini-version of the much longer story of the nation of Israel. As the ancestor Jacob/Israel wrestled with a God-man all night, so the nation of Israel will struggle with God and man throughout their history, and ultimately prevail. Israel has struggled with men, facing possible annihilation from the Assyrians, Romans, Persians, Arabs, Crusaders, Germans - just to name a few. Yet they are still a nation today! They have struggled with God. The prophets in the Old Testament warned them to turn to God in repentance or face God's judgment. Throughout history, the majority have rejected God's Messiah, Jesus. Yet here too, they will overcome! The Bible speaks of a time when Israel will recognize Jesus as the true Messiah (Zechariah 12, Romans 11, Acts 3).

I would call the wrestling story a "prophetic mini-drama," an acting out in one night the basic elements of another story that would take place over the many following centuries. I think the same thing is true of the Joseph story in Genesis 37-50. Much of the story speaks about the first coming of Jesus, but one part speaks about the second coming.

Consider the parallels between Joseph and Jesus:

Joseph was Jacob's favorite son (Genesis 37:3)

Jesus was God’s beloved son (Mat. 3:17)

Joseph was born when God opened Rachel’s womb (Gen. 30:22-24)

Jesus mother Mary also had a miraculous birth. (Luke 1:26-27)

Joseph’s brothers envied him (37:11), Jewish leaders envied Jesus (Mt. 27:18).

 

Joseph was sent to his brothers by his father (37:4). Jesus was sent to Jewish people by the Father (Acts 3:26).

 

Joseph was betrayed by brothers and sold for twenty pieces of silver, the going price for a slave (37:28), Jesus was betrayed by Judas for thirty pieces of silver, the going price for a slave.

 

Joseph was handed over to foreigners (37:28), Jesus was handed over to the Roman governor, Pilate and the Roman soldiers.

 

Joseph was "killed" by his brothers. While they did not literally kill him, they slaughtered a goat and put the blood on Joseph's robe. For the next several chapters, the brothers and Jacob refer to Joseph as dead. In Genesis 42:22 Reuben says "we must give an accounting for his blood." Jacob says Joseph is "dead" (Genesis 42:36, 38). The slaughtered goat immediately draws parallels with the Passover lamb or goat, the ram that replaced Isaac, and the two goats from the Day of Atonement. All picture the sacrificial death of Jesus that saves us from sin. Jesus died as a sacrificial lamb in our place.

 

Joseph went to Egypt and later returned to Canaan (After his death, see Gen. 37:28, 45:5). Jesus also went to Egypt and returned to Canaan (Mat. 2).

 

Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph, but he remained blameless (39:7-12), Satan tempted Jesus and he remained sinless (Mat. 4).

 

Joseph was 30 years old when he began to serve Pharaoh (Gen. 41:46)

Jesus was 30 years old when he began his public service to Israel (Luke 4:1).

Two men imprisoned with Joseph, one restored, the other executed. (Genesis 40). Two men were crucified with Jesus, one saved, the other lost (Luke 23).

Joseph was not bitter toward his brothers (41:39-40), Jesus forgave from the cross.

Joseph was made second in authority only to Pharaoh (41:44), Jesus was seated at the right hand of God the Father (1 Cor. 15:27).

Joseph’s actions bring salvation from starvation to all Israel and to the Gentiles. Jesus’ actions bring salvation from sin and death to Jews and Gentiles.

All bowed to Joseph (41:43), every knee will bow to Jesus (Phil. 2:10).

Joseph's brothers report that Joseph is "Alive again!" (Genesis 45:26). Many translations say, "still alive," but "alive again" is more literally correct. Joseph is symbolically resurrected from the dead, Jesus is literally resurrected from the dead.  

Jacob (Israel) was deceived and thought Joseph was dead (41:29), Jews today think of Jesus as dead.

Joseph appeared like a foreigner to his brothers in language, dress, and appearance. Jesus appears like a foreigner to the Jews today.

Joseph’s brothers repent and embrace Joseph, Jews will repent and embrace Jesus.

While much of Joseph's story applies to Jesus' first coming, the last three  parallels listed above apply to Jesus' second coming. Joseph looked Egyptian to his brothers. He spoke Egyptian and wore Egyptian clothes and make-up. Jesus appears foreign to Jews. In paintings he does not look Jewish. The Jesus most Jews are familiar with does not practice the Jewish customs (although the real Jesus did), he does not speak Hebrew, and he seems to be a god for foreigners. However, these perceptions do not match reality. Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.

Peter picked up on this in his preaching to the Jews at Pentecost. Compare what Joseph says to his brothers when he reveals himself to them with what Peter says about Jesus:

Joseph:

         Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. ⁵ "Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. ⁶ "For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. ⁷ "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. ⁸ "Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. ⁹ "Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. ¹⁰ "You shall live in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children and your flocks and your herds and all that you have. ¹¹ "There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished."'

Peter:

        "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified,” and “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" (Acts 2:36, 39-40).

There are many parallels in these two speeches. If the Joseph story is prophetic, it means that one day the Jews will embrace Jesus just as Joseph's brothers finally recognized and embraced Jesus. The exciting thing is that we are seeing this beginning to take place right before our own eyes! Jews are coming to see that Jesus is the Messiah like never before. The other exciting thing is that Peter connects this event with the return of Jesus. Consider Acts 3:19-20 where Peter is preaching to the Jews in front of the Temple:

"Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration"

I think the greatest evidence that we are nearing the return of Christ has to do with the growing numbers of Jews who recognize Jesus as the Messiah!


Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html