17 March 2010
Psalm 101, 109; Gen. 50:15-26; 1 Cor. 12:1-11; Mark 8:11-26

The brothers have apparently been wary of Joseph the entire time they lived in Egypt, believing that his only motive was to see his father again. Now that dad is out of the way will he pursue revenge against them for what they did so long ago? Joseph, however, has forgiven their sin against him. There is a similarity here between this story and the prodigal son, who has sinned against his father and offers to be his slave, just as the brothers do here. It is also one last fulfillment of the dream of Joseph’s youth. What Joseph has come to see is the sovereignty of God over all things and that God has used what was a terrible sin to preserve the lives of the entire family. I wonder how long it took for Joseph to get this perspective? “I wonder how God intends to use this?” isn’t generally our first thought when someone has betrayed us.

Here come the Pharisees. The movement was forward with the people until they show up, true to form. They are completely unable it seems to grasp the larger picture, their interest is in form and rule and they are still with us today. The disciples seem utterly clueless about Jesus’ meaning when He warns them about the leaven of the Pharisees, but what we are seeing is that when they come into the midst of the people their influence spreads abroad. The people were soaking in Jesus’ teaching until the Pharisees begin to cause doubt and question Jesus’ teaching in light of their law. Sadly, every denomination or church has their legalists today whatever the issue, whether ritual legalists or denominational theological emphases.

One of the great benefits of the outpouring of the Spirit is the gifts that enable us to discern truth. We no longer need people like the Pharisees who are the keepers of truth and law, we have the law written on our hearts and we are capable of discerning truth on our own. That doesn’t mean we have no need of teachers and leaders, it should, however, mean that we are not led astray by false teaching. When we hear something that is out of line with what we know or believe we should take it to the Lord and ask Him. He is capable of communicating truth to us in our inmost being. Joseph seems to have a measure of the Holy Spirit enabling him to see God’s action and plan in his life in difficult circumstances, in the interpretation of dreams, and most of all in his ability to utterly forgive his brothers.

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.