Bible Class – Study #17 (Gen 41-42) – Notes and Discussion questions

Genesis Study #17: The elevation of Joseph

Main passage of study: Gen 41:1 – 42:38

Related passages: Pt A: Dt 32:14; Eze 17:10; Da 2:1-3; 4:5 Pt B : 1Sa 2:8; Da 2:28; 4:7; 1Co 2:10

Pt C: Ge 47:24; 2Ki 8:1; Job 33:14-15 Pt D: Da 5:14, 29; 6:3; Mt 13:54; Ac 7:10; Php 2:9-11

Pt E: Ge 48:5; 49:22; Ps 105:16-17; Jn 2:5 Pt F: Ge 12:10; 37:7,9; Ac 7:12 Pt G: Pro 17:3; Jn 1:11

Pt H: Ge 37:21-22; Lu 23:41; Ro 2:4, 15; 12:20 Pt I: Ge 37:33; 43:9, 14, 21; 44:29

Outline & Notes

1. Pharaoh’s dream received– Gen 41:1-13
   1. The sovereign’s overnight revelations – vv.1-8
   2. The servant’s overdue recollections – vv.9-13
2. Pharaoh’s dream recounted– Gen 41:14-24
   1. The detainee summoned – vv.14-16
   2. The details shared – vv.17-24
3. Pharaoh’s dream revealed – Gen 41:25-36
   1. The unity of the dream – vv.25-27
   2. The urgency of the dream – vv.28-32
   3. The utility of the dream – vv.33-36
4. Joseph’s ascent in Egypt– Gen 41:37-45
   1. Joseph’s pronounced appointment – vv.37-41
   2. Joseph’s public acknowledgement – vv.42-45
5. Joseph’s administration over Egypt– Gen 41:46-57
   1. Joseph’s storing of grain – vv.46-49
   2. Joseph’s sons – vv.50-52
   3. Joseph’s selling of grain – vv.53-57

6. The brothers’ condition threatened– Gen 42:1-6
   1. A pressing need – vv.1-2
   2. Paternal nervousness – vv.3-4
   3. A prophesied kneeling – vv.5-6
7. The brothers’ character tested – Gen 42:7-20
   1. A test of their intentions – vv.7-13
   2. A test of their integrity – vv.14-20
8. The brothers’ conscience troubled – Gen 42:21-28
   1. The brothers’ accusation of heart – vv.21-22
   2. Joseph’s affection of heart – vv.23-24
   3. Joseph’s abundance of heart – vv.25-26
   4. The brothers’ alarm of heart – vv.27-28
9. The brothers’ concerns transmitted – Gen 42:29-38
   1. The brothers’ recounting – vv.29-34
   2. Jacob’s reaction – vv.35-36
   3. Reuben’s responsibility – v.37
   4. Jacob’s refusal – v.38

Since Joseph had those prophetic dreams as a teenager in his father’s house, he had to endure a number of trials and afflictions from the hatred and rejection of his brothers to being falsely accused, unjustly incarcerated and seemingly forgotten in a dungeon. But God had not forgotten and God’s time for Joseph to be exalted had come. God’s sovereign hand is on display as He disturbs the sleep of one of the most powerful men in the world and confounds the mystical minds of Pharaoh’s magicians so that the way might be paved for Joseph to rise to prominence in God’s program. The severe circumstances of the foretold famine will not only bring all of Egypt into a position of crucial dependence upon Joseph and his administrative abilities but will also force Joseph’s brethren to come face to face with the one that they had wronged so many years before. Though they don’t yet recognize their brother, the wheels of the journey toward true repentance and reconciliation are set in motion, Joseph shows them tough love and undeserved kindness in order to ascertain whether they truly are the honest men that they claim to be.

Textual notes

● Pharaoh’s ‘magicians’ would have been some sort of sorcerer-priests with claimed knowledge of sacred arts and astrology and the ability to foretell the future.

● Joseph told Pharaoh that his dream was given to him twice “ because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” As we have seen previously, two is the number of witness in Scripture and though God needs not to repeat something to make it true, He often does so graciously to impress upon us the importance of His truth.

● The meaning of Joseph’s new name given by Pharaoh, Zaphnath-Paaneah (41:45), is rather obscure and difficult to determine. The Bible often gives us the meaning of names (as with Joseph’s sons) but that is not the case here. Undoubtedly, the name was of Egyptian origin and was given so that Joseph, as a ruler of Egypt, could be known by an Egyptian name. Scholars have suggested that an Egyptian interpretation might be ‘the god speaks and he lives’ . Based on a Hebrew etymology, scholars have suggested a meaning of ‘the revealer of secrets’. Then, influenced by the Greek rendering of the name in the Septuagint and the Latin rendering in the Vulgate, the meaning, ‘saviour of the world’ has also been suggested.

● Ge 42:28 is the first time we read of any of Joseph’s brothers mentioning God directly.

Discussion questions

1. Waiting upon God is a common theme in Genesis. What can we learn from Joseph having to wait ‘two full years’ from when the butler was released and 13 years to see his own dreams from ch.37 begin to be fulfilled?

2. What elements of Pharaoh’s dreams would have been particularly disturbing to the Egyptian sovereign?

3. What lessons can we draw from Joseph’s redirecting Pharaoh’s focus to God and off of himself as regards the interpretation of his dreams?

4. The Lord always equips and prepares His servants for the work that He calls them to do. How did the Lord use the trials and tribulations of Joseph’s life before this to prepare him for this period of exaltation and responsibility?

5. There is prudence in making practical preparations for future needs with resources that God gives us today but the Lord Jesus also taught that we should not lay up treasures on earth but rather in heaven so where might a Scriptural balance be found?

6. What pictures of Christ can we see in Joseph from Genesis 41?

7. The way of spiritual progress and healing is often through trials and difficulty. How do we see God’s providence in the lives of Jacob and his family in the arrival of the severe famine at this point in the narrative?

8. Is Joseph being too harsh on his brothers when they come to Egypt to buy grain? Is he being vindictive because of the hurt that they have caused him or is there wisdom in his approach?

9. Why do you suppose that Joseph pretended not to know his brothers or to understand their language? Was he being deceitful by doing so?

10. Why might Simeon have been chosen as the one to be detained in Egypt? What else do we know about him?

11. How do we see development in Reuben’s character in this chapter?

12. When the brothers discover their money returned to them in their sacks, they seem to assume the worst. What role does our conscience play in our relationship with God and what should the believer’s response be to a troubled conscience?

Bible Search for (lemma.g:=ἀγαπάω OR lemma.g:=ἀγάπη) WITHIN 3 WORDS lemma.g:=ἀλλήλων

The New King James Version 35 results in 16 verses

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:17
These things I command you, that you love one another.

Rom 13:8
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Gal 5:13
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Eph 4:2
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

1 Thess 3:12
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

1 Thess 4:9
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1 Pet 1:22
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1 John 3:11
For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

1 John 3:23
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:12
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

2 John 5
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.

Ways God Speaks to His People

His Voice: The Spirit of God

God audibly spoke to Samuel, and He did so to others as well. When Jesus came, He told His disciples that He had a great many other things to teach them; but when He went away, the Spirit of God would come to teach them, guiding them into the truth (John 16:12,13). In the Gospel of John, truth has a name, and it is Jesus. So the Spirit of God reveals Jesus. But the Gospel of John also affirms that the Holy Spirit would continue to teach and bring to remembrance all that God has said through His Word (see John 14:26).

Greear, J. D., & Thomas, H. A. (2016). Exalting jesus in 1 & 2 samuel (p. 63). Holman Reference.

Created Purpose – Why Are We Here?

To The Godhead:

Paul had a strong desire to get to know the Godhead, and so should we.

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

In some measure, Paul did gain much knowledge of his God. Have we?

2 Timothy 1:12

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

The bent of our lives should be to bring glory to God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

To Self:

We should be daily more like our Lord.

Romans 8:29

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

We should seek to follow those more Godly than ourselves, and as we learn of Him to follow more closely to Him.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

We need to be constantly in the Word of God to learn of Him, enabling us to follow ever closer.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What we learn must be put into practice.

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

To Saved:

The New Testament says over 16 times we are to love one another. The word “another” is “another of the same kind” or other Christians.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 15:12

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

1 Thessalonians 4:9

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

1 Peter 1:22

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 John 3:11

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:23

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1 John 4:12

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

2 John 5

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

We are to “build up” one another.

Romans 14:19

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

To The Church:

We are to edify… build up both the church which is His body and the local church.

Ephesians 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

1 Corinthians 14:12

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

To The Unsaved:

We have been given the great commission. We need to carry it out! Preach! Witness!

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Ch1Vs28

Vs28 Paul & Co. Preach – Negatively – Warning, Positively – Teaching
EVERY man, in ALL Wisdom, Their Goal – Present EVERY man Perfect (spiritually mature) in Christ Jesus.

Col 1:29 The word “labour” means toil to the point of weariness or exhaustion. This is Paul’s side.

It is followed by “striving”, a verb also in Luke 22:44 (the Lord Jesus in His agony in Gethsemane).

Paul gives credit for the progress to the Godhead. “his working, which worketh in me mightily”

The noun of this same root is found in Col 2:1 “conflict”

Greek “πᾶς” “ALL”, 40X (More than other NT books if the size is taken into account)

Greek “Complete”, 8X

Col 1:9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be
filled (S4137, verb) with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col 1:19
For it pleased the Father that in him should all
fulness (S4138, noun) dwell;
Col 1:25
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to
fulfil (S4137, verb) the word of God;
Col 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the
full assurance (S4136, noun) of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Col 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the
fulness (S4138, noun) of the Godhead bodily.
Col 2:10
And ye are
complete (S4137, verb) in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Col 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and
complete (S4137, verb) in all the will of God.
Col 4:17
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou
fulfil (S4137, verb) it.

Devotion, to me at least, seems difficult to discuss at greater depths without some personal references. It cannot be a topic that is discussed “at arm’s length”. Therefore I would ask that you please excuse the personal references.

Although now over 72 yrs. old, to set the emotional stage requires going back to my childhood. I was the youngest of nine children, and to make ends meet, my father spent a good portion of his time at work. I, therefore, didn’t have that much time with him. He worked hard, was focused on his work, and by his nature, although not without his moments, was not overly free with compliments.

Getting back to me, I would have been probably between 5 & 10 yrs. old at the time of this event. We lived in a small town in Ontario called Southampton, in a small house on the edge of town. The front veranda required painting, and I don’t recall if it was my idea or my parents, but I was assisting in the project. Funny how an emotion can lodge so deep in the soul that even after many years, it can be brought to the surface with such clarity, and force. A perfect reproduction of the event played out on our emotions again at will, or sometimes against our will! Only three people are in my memory as I look back on the event – my two parents, and myself. The conversation was casual and all but a few words have long since been forgotten. With our focus being on the job at hand, my father was speaking (mostly to my mother) of the skill of a local painter, and added at the close of his comment something like “and his son is becoming a really good painter too”. I have no idea the quality of the job I was doing before that statement, but I remember being arrested by it, and hearing something from deep within begin to quietly ask, then louder, then louder, “How about me dad? Am I doing well dad? Am I a good painter dad? Any former carelessness slipped away. I became intent on doing the best job I could. My ears were tuned to my father’s voice … and I waited … I don’t remember finishing the job, or even any farther conversation, but I remember the disappointment of not hearing my father’s “well done”. The years have passed, and I have become a Christian. I now think back to that moment, that emotion, and opening my Bible, I hear my Heavenly Father speak.
He speaks of Abraham in Genesis 18:19

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he bath spoken of him.

…and again in James 2:23

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Could He say any of this about me? Does he have that confidence … could he call me his friend? (John 15:14)

He speaks of Daniel in Daniel 9:23, 10:11, 10:19 as “greatly beloved”

He speaks of David in 1 Samuel 13:14

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD bath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD bath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

…and again in Acts 13:22

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.

Am I too late? Has He found His man? Or is there room in every generation for many who share in the bent of the divine heart?

God enters the “Faith Hall Of Fame” (Hebrews 11), and like a tour guide, brings before the mind, one after another … Heroes of Faith, and then in summary
He says in Hebrews 11:33-34,35-36,37-38

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth.

Imagine! to be counted among those of whom it could be said
“Of who the world was not worthy”
Not maybe a full statue, or even a bust … perhaps just a small engraved metal plate on the wall bearing my name! … from my Heavenly Father’s hand.

But my father is not the only source from whence encouragement could come. How Timothy would enjoy reading and re-reading, the words of his “father in the faith” 1 Timothy 1:2, Paul, regarding him:

Philippians 2:20

20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. 22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Or Demetrius … wouldn’t the day to day battle seem more bearable after he read John’s words?

3 John 1:12

12. Demetrius bath good report of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, and we [also] bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

Or Onesiphorus … wouldn’t the effort seem even more worth-while after hearing:

2 Timothy 1:16

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

Or Barnabas … of whom Dr. Luke could say:

Acts 11:24

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

What excellent company I’ll be in if ever it could be said of me “he is a good man”:

Luke 23:50

50. And, behold, [there was] a man named Joseph, a counsellor; [and he was] a good man, and a just:

John 7:12

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

Life, as described by many, reminds me of that first hill of a roller-coaster. It moves ever faster, and how soon we’ll stand before our Lord that CANNOT LIE. Will he TRUTHFULLY be able to say of me … of you?

Matthew 25:21

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

But what of the females among us, what would you like to hear? I searched in vain to find a scripture referring to “a good woman”, but wait … while God Describes a GREAT woman.

2 Kings 4:8

8. And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where [was] a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And [so] it was, [that] as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this [is] an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
   11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.

This woman perceived, persuaded, and prepared. – Perceived he was a man of God – persuaded him to eat once, and welcomed him thereafter, then persuaded her husband to help her provide for his needs. But let us look at the things she thought he would require: a chamber (protection & separation) a bed (rest) a table, stool, & candlestick (study)

How many “good men” owe much to a “great woman” (often behind the scenes?)

Or to have God record of you as in Acts 9:36

36. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

And I’m sure you saw this one coming from Proverbs 31:29

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

As I serve, as a master or servant, could I be called “faithful and beloved”?
as in 1 Timothy 6:2

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them], because they are brethren; but rather do [them] service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Could “worthy” ever be associated with me as in Revelation 3:4

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

It has been said “If you reach for the stars, you may not reach them, but you’re not likely to wind up with a mouthful of sand”. And so for an ultimate goal consider Revelation 14:5

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Devotion in the heart will cause goals to be set, and goals will cause behaviour to be altered. The result, seen in the actions will be a moving toward the goal. Though it be slow, though it be a great way to go, the movement will begin. Is not Paul’s devotion seen here? ” … not … already attained … I press toward the mark for the prize”:

Philippians 3:7

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What better prize than to be so devoted to His Majesty’s service that some of these things could be said of us and the glory might go to the one worthy of all praise!
Bob Diebel

Obtaining peace with the God of the Bible

 
Pray!
We are living in a time of dreadful suffering. A time when medical professionals may want desperately to help everyone but may have to make Heart wrenching decisions. The reality of the situation they face will dictate their actions. The constant question before them again and again. “Can this dear person be saved?” Knowing their limits, they must admit at times certain ones are beyond the scope of their ability to help. Patients are monitored in the hope that there is a change… a kicking in of the immune system… an improvement for whatever reason that changes things and requires a re-evaluation. Then with great joy, the doctors and nurses work to prevent the life of the precious soul from being taken away.
This is a message from the Bible about the God of all Christians. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, true and trustworthy. In it we read of the gospel, or “good news”
The good news is sent to mankind by the God of the Bible. It is offered to everyone, but there are conditions. The word of God makes these conditions clear.
Like the triage of a hospital, when we turn to the gospel, the message of hope sent to us by God, there are a number of mindsets, a number of beliefs people could hold that would render them outside the conditions of this good news.
There are some who can be helped and some who cannot without a change of mind.
One problem is the belief there is no God.
This person would not move toward a God they believe does not exist. They would not seek a relationship with HIM. (Ps 14:1, 53:1) Twice in the Psalms God points out how unwise this is! The letter written to the (Hebrews 11:6) states clearly that faith in the existence of God is a requirement.
Another person may have no opinion about God. Like Adam & Eve after they sinned, the tendency is often to seek to hide from any thoughts or interactions with God. Again, the letter to the (Hebrews 4:13) states that eventually we will all be held accountable to the God of the Bible. (Amos 4:12) prepare to meet your God. (Rom 13:11) awake!
Or one may think God exists but does not care. This brings to mind the verse called “The gospel in a nutshell” The gospel of (John 3:16; John 3:16 CSB)
16For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Another may think of God “He is totally good, and I am not, so I cannot have peace with HIM”
For whatever reason some may believe “God cannot, or will not, save them”.
There is also those who think their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds, so they are OK, they are good enough. They are doing their best. They do not need to be saved.
Without a change of mindset these folks fall outside the conditions of the gospel. A change is required if they are to enjoy the gift of God through the gospel (Rom 6:23); that is eternal life!
But if you are listening to this message, it is most likely you are not solidly in any of those mindsets. Hopefully you are open to hear from God.
We cannot know where you stand in all this, but we hope and pray the requirements for salvation will be part of your journey through this wilderness before that journey ends.
And so, our message to you begins like a trip though the mall. We approach the “Information Sign” and look for the first required piece of info. An arrow points to the words “YOU ARE HERE”.
Those people described above would not trust the Bible as a source for the answers to life’s most important questions.
We believe it is the only place to find the absolute truth about these crucial issues.
Therefore our “Information Sign” to show us our starting point is the Bible.
In the letter written to the Christians at Ephesus, Paul the apostle, describes the Christians there before they accepted the gospel of their salvation. He describes them as having been
“DEAD in trespasses and sins”. (Eph 2:1)
Oh, they were alive physically back then before salvation, but once that life ended the gospel of John states they would
“DIE in their sins” (John 8:21,24)
It may be I am speaking to someone in that situation. You have not figured out the gospel and made sure you have complied with all it’s conditions. You do not feel certain it has brought you safety, peace with God, eternal life!
It may be this is your starting point. And while this does not sound like a pleasant place to be, it accentuates the need for the good news.
But we also wish the “Information Sign” to guide us to the desired destination. When your journey here ends where do you want to be?
A missionary was speaking about his work with the natives of the Canadian north.
Although people around the world have different outlooks on what they desire… what they feel they need, the folks he works amongst desired “PEACE WITH GOD!”
There are a number of reasons someone may feel they are not at peace with God.
When entities are not at peace, there is a separation between them.
In the prophesy of (Isaiah 59:2) we read “your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you”.
In the letter written to the Christians at Rome (Romans 10:15) we read of “the gospel of peace”. And the next verse reveals it is something that is obeyed or disobeyed.
5 times over in the NT we read of the “God of peace”, and twice, the “gospel of peace”.
And so, we can conclude God’s goal is peace. But how is the separation caused by sin to be dealt with? Again, in the letter to the (Romans 5:1,16,18) (CSB) Rom 3:19,24
1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Present: Justification – removing guilt, to cause someone to be in a proper or right relation with someone else
These folks who have accepted the gospel, who had met all its conditions are described as having been given a great gift – they have been brought into a right relationship with God.

The Path: Faith – “a firm persuasion,” a conviction , a firm commitment, a belief
The path they took to obtain it; the principle involved. It rests on a belief, but a belief in what?

The Prize: Peace – a harmonious relationship with God!
There is no more valuable place to have peace than with God!
What did the Hymn writer rejoice in many years ago?
As he considered his situation he could say “It is well with my soul” We see this also in (Romans 5:10) where Paul speaks of having been “an enemy” but having become “reconciled to God”
1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Person:” our Lord Jesus Christ”
When he says “our” he highlights the close relationship these folks have with the Lord.
When he says “Lord” he speaks of The Lord’s authority over them, and the need for submission to Him.
He mentions His name: Jesus – a man who came into the world to accomplish the will of His Father, God. He was here until He could cry the cry of the greatest victory ever won; “IT IS FINISHED!” The will of His Father was accomplished in full. The debt of sin was paid in full by His death.
Finally, He is Christ – the anointed Servant prophesied in the OT. His purpose was, as stated in Luke’s gospel (Luke 19:10 CSB)
“to seek and to save the lost.” But how are the lost to be saved?
We can see from many scriptures our salvation would be accomplished by our Lord, taking the place of a substitute for us, taking our punishment. As Peter tells us “He bore our sins in his own body on the tree, ” (1 Peter 2:24)
Paul explains the gospel to the Corinthians saying: (1 Cor 15:1,2,3,4)
1Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, ~~~~~~~~
3For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Isaiah pulls back the curtain far enough for us to see clearly what is happening as our saviour pays for our sins on the cross. (Isaiah 53:4–7,8,10 NKJV)
4Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
8 For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 10 When You shalt make his soul an offering for sin ,

Paul mentions to the Galatians “I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ” (Gal 2:20)
And so we see salvation based on the sacrifice of a substitute. But the Lord’s purpose again is
“to seek and to save the lost.” But how are the lost to be sought?
In John’s gospel the Lord states:
44No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
And the Lord says of Himself:
32And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32 NKJV)
and the Holy Spirit speaks:
7Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. (Hebrews 3:7–8 NKJV)
Does this not suggest the Trinity speak on the inside to people wanting them to come The Lord Jesus for salvation; wanting them to soften any hard heart and accept God’s mercy and grace?

But there is another God appointed witness. As seen in (1 Corinthians 1:21 DARBY)
~ God has been pleased by the foolishness of the preaching to save those that believe.
In time past we were preached to, and accepted God’s offer of mercy, deliverance from sin, and eternal life.
So now we are following God’s plan and preaching to you the same message that saved us.

But what, more exactly, are we preaching? We are preaching a person – The Lord Jesus.
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – He came with a purpose.
When on the cross He cried “IT IS FINISH” He was affirming He had completely fulfilled that purpose

We can summarize by acknowledging our RUIN
We can now turn back to ourselves. God says we have a sin problem (Romans 3:23 DARBY)
23for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(Numbers 32:23 DARBY) 23 ~ be sure your sin will find you out.
I have already mention that eventually God will demand accountability for those sins.
But our RUIN is not to be the end of the story.

God has paid that great price though the death of His Son. He now offers you His REMEDY
Those who have accepted the substitute God provided will rejoice. They will be able to point to God’s word where it states they are
“Therefore being justified by faith” (Rom 5:1)
“Being now justified by his blood” (Rom 5:9)
But God has also in His word made it clear we have a RESPONSIBILITY.

If we want His salvation, we need to ensure we meet the conditions He has set out in His word. No, not many conditions. Just TWO

The first condition has to do with how we see ourselves:
You need a change, a turning, to see yourself as God sees you. You can no longer assume you are OK. You need to see yourself as a sinner in need of salvation. This is taking sides with God against yourself. This is repentance.
We need to repent. This fact is mentioned by John the baptizer, Our Lord Jesus, and the apostles Paul, and Peter

The second condition has to do with how we see the Lord Jesus:
You need to believe what the Lord Jesus did on the cross; the work He FINISHED there, you need to believe it was for you, and completely solved your sin problem. The message to the Philippian Jailor is short and clear:
(Acts 16:31 DARBY) 31 ~ Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved ~ .
And Mark’s gospel sums it up with the words of our Lord:
(Mark 1:15 DARBY) 15 ~ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn nigh; repent and believe in the glad tidings.
But when should we repent and believe?
(2 Corinthians 6:2 CSB) And God’s word states:
2 ~ now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!
(Rom 3:11) awake!

(Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB)
8For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—
9not from works, so that no one can boast.

Deacons in the Local Assembly

Sweetnam, Mark

When it comes to the exposition of the Scriptures, there are some subjects upon which an author can embark in the assurance that, while everyone might not agree with him, the overwhelming preponderance of his readers will. Then there are other subjects on which he ventures into print in the knowledge that almost everyone will disagree with some – if not all – of what he has written. The subject of deacons falls firmly into the second category. The scriptural data are so relatively sparse and the layers of tradition so thick that, if you were to ask any three people what they thought about deacons, you might very well end up with four different responses.

This being so, it behooves us to approach this subject with considerable care and the minimum of dogmatism, to speak where the Scriptures speak and to extrapolate from them as little as possible. With this aim in view, we will proceed by examining the scriptural references to deacons to see what sort of picture they give us of this role and of the individuals who fill it.

This approach, however, is complicated by the fact that the Greek word diakonos, like the English word servant which translates it, can cover a wide range of meanings. In secular usage, it could refer to service in a range of different spheres, though it always includes the idea of service carried out by the commission and with the authority of a superior.^[1] So, in the New Testament, the word is sometimes used of domestic servants, without any spiritual context being implied. In John 2, for instance, it is used of the servants at the marriage feast in Cana (vv5,9), and in Matthew 22:13, of the servants of the king, who are commanded to eject the unworthy guest. Diakonia, or ministry, is used of Martha’s “much serving” in Luke 10:40.

More commonly, though, the NT uses deacon words of those who serve in a spiritual sense. In Romans 13:4, deacon language is used of secular rulers: “The power … is the minister of God to thee for good.”^[2] It is used of every believer to describe our service to Christ and to each other (Joh 12:26; Mat 23:11-12; Mar 9:35). It is used of Christ, Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, the household of Stephanus, Archippus and John Mark (see, inter alia, Mar 10:45; Luk 22:27; Act 12:25; 20:24; 21:19; Rom 11:13; 15:8; 1Co 16:15; Gal 2:17; Col 4:17; 2Ti 4:5,11). The word diakonia (ministry) is used of the service of the apostles (see Act 1:17,25; 20:24; Rom 11:13) and of the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas (Act 12:25). It is used of the gospel in 2 Corinthians 3 and 4 and of the work of meeting the material needs of saints (Act 6:1; 11:29; Rom 15:31; 2Co 8:4; 9:1,12,13). All of these usages have in view a particular and specific undertaking or task – Paul’s special responsibility to minister the gospel, for example, or the work involved in bringing the gift for the saints to Jerusalem. In each context, there is the concept, not just of a specific task, but of specific individuals who have been commissioned to carry out that task. In each of these contexts, “ministry” is a term heavy with a sense of dignity and responsibility. And while the administration of financial resources is involved in some of these passages, it is by no means the case that all, or even most, of them are concerned with the handling of material things.

This is clear in Acts 6. This passage has played an important part in discussions about deacons. Often, a good deal of weight has been placed on this passage in a way that seems inherently problematic, given how unusual the circumstances were in Jerusalem and how little evidence there is in the NT, more widely, that the pattern of Acts 6 was to be understood as normative. This is especially so, given how much of the material recorded in the opening chapters of Acts is transitional in nature. We are wise to seek confirmation from the epistles before we attempt to use the events of the early Acts as a template for assembly life.

Even if we do regard Acts 6 as a template, however, we should note that it still does not support the idea that the work of the deacon relates specifically to material or financial responsibility. In the first place, the “seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (v3) that are put in charge of the daily ministration (diakonia) are never referred to as deacons. More significant, however, are the words of the apostles as they addressed the situation that had arisen in Jerusalem: “Then the twelve … said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve [diakoneō] tables. … We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry [diakonia] of the word” (vv2-4). The passage presents not one but two different forms of deacon work: service of tables and service of the Word. There is no suggestion that these were mutually exclusive; indeed, the example of Stephen demonstrates that they were not. Rather, this was a division of labor that allowed the work of God, in all its aspects, to make orderly progress. Nor would it be correct to describe one service as spiritual and the other as material; the requirement that these seven men be “full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” makes that about as clear as it could be. And, as in the passages mentioned above, there is a clear sense of commissioning (and of the necessity of suitable qualification for that commissioning) as well as a clear and identifiable responsibility.

It remains to be considered what deacon service looks like in the context of a local assembly, for, while the principles outlined above are undoubtedly important for our understanding of what deacons are and do, it must be acknowledged that the specifics of passages like Acts 6 or 2 Corinthians 3 and 4 are not directly replicated in the context of twenty-first-century local church testimony.

Two passages are relevant to this question: Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The reference to deacons in Philippians 1:1 is glancing: “Paul and Timotheus … to all the saints … at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” Why Paul should here, uniquely amongst all his epistles, address the deacons is an interesting question; the answer probably lies in the epistle’s emphasis on the unity of the assembly as well as in its foregrounding of the importance of service. What is notable for our present purposes, however, is that the deacons in Philippi were, just like the elders, an identifiable group of men; when Paul addressed them, everyone knew who they were. This suggests that, just as the elders had been formally recognized, so too had the deacons.

That impression is strengthened by the more extensive discussion of deacons in 1 Timothy 3. Here, too, the paralleling of deacons with elders is significant; deacons and elders are clearly not the same thing, but it is equally clear that they are the same sort of thing. Moreover, the detailed criteria for deacons, while they are undoubtedly important for an individual who is exercised about service to consider, are best understood as setting the standard for those who are to be recognized as deacons. And, while “let them use the office of a deacon” (v10) is an unhelpful rendering of what is really just the verb “to deacon” (diakoneō), the instruction, “let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (ESV), clearly contemplates a process of probation followed by recognition of qualified deacons by the assembly.

The criteria are detailed and searching, and, like those that apply to the elder, have much to do with character, reputation and the moral authority to lead God’s people. As is the case with the requirements for elders, there is nothing here that would not be expected of all believers; they are essential for deacons. But, though it is clear what a deacon must be like, Paul is not explicit about what he is to do. The only indication of the sort of responsibility that a deacon might have occurs in verse 9: “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” Here “the mystery of the faith” summarizes truth that has been revealed and is believed; it is one of the near synonyms that the pastoral epistles use for the truth of Scripture. The deacon must hold this revelation fast; that is, he must take possession of it for himself and preserve it against all attacks. And he must do this “in a pure conscience”; unlike the false teachers of whom Paul warns in this epistle, his life is to be in accordance with the message. Of course, every believer should hold fast the mystery of the faith. But that it is stressed here suggests that the role that Paul envisages for the deacon is primarily and predominantly one of teaching. That is confirmed by the promise of recompense in verse 13: those who “deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” That is, their faithful discharge of deacon duty will give them a good standing among God’s people; they will be known and respected for their diligence in teaching the Word of God. And as they teach, they will achieve “great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” This is probably not saying that their own faith will be strengthened, but rather that as they teach “the mystery of the faith” their assurance about what they teach will increase. While we cannot rule out the possibility that some of these deacons handled material or financial responsibilities, these responsibilities are not primarily in view here.

One of the clear implications of these verses is that deacons are to be men. This is clear, notwithstanding egalitarian commentators’ fondness for suggesting that verse 11 refers to women (and thus female deacons) rather than wives. While the Greek word for woman and wife are the same, the immediate context here makes this reading improbable and the requirements of verse 12 make it impossible. This does not contradict Paul’s commendation of “Phebe our sister, which is a servant [diakonos] of the church which is at Cenchrea” in Romans 16:1. As we have seen, the term deacon is a flexible one, and Paul here could mean that Phebe was generally a servant to the believers in Cenchrea or that she was carrying out some task – perhaps carrying a message – on their behalf. The verse provides no more support for women having some sort of official deacon office in the local assembly than Romans 13:4

 does for the president or prime minister having one.

The scriptural teaching on deacons in the local assembly, then, stresses character and qualification. It requires that the deacons in a church should be identifiable. While their responsibilities will be primarily spiritual, and while they must always be spiritual men, the fact that Scripture does not definitively pin down their role does give us the flexibility to apply these principles to a variety of areas of assembly life. Historically, the implementation of these teachings has veered between two extremes. Most often, perhaps, and in common with the fate of other roles in the local church, the scriptural teaching has been lost, and the idea of a deacon has been transformed into an office to be filled rather than a work to be done. On the other extreme, and oftentimes driven by a healthy distaste for established ecclesiastical practice, the role of the deacon has been de-emphasized almost into non-existence. Neither extreme is scriptural, and we have much to gain as companies of the Lord’s people from the NT teaching about deacons in the local assembly.

^[1] See John N. Collins, Diakonia: Re-Interpreting the Ancient Sources (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990) for a comprehensive discussion of the background to the concept of deacon service. He demonstrates that diakonos could be involved in a range of activities, including conveying messages, carrying out errands, and communicating words of information or exhortation. See also the discussion in Clarence DeWitt Agan III, “Deacons, deaconesses, and denominational discussions: Romans 16:1 as a test case,” Presbyterion 34/2 (2008), 93-108.

^[2] Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.

Norman Crawford

GATHERING UNTO HIS NAME

THE ELDERHOOD

“Oh look, there is our Pastor.”

I wonder what comes to mind when you read that sentence. How did you know he was a pastor?

What does he do that makes him a pastor? How did he get to be a pastor? What even makes him eligible?

We grow up in our various persuasions/traditions/denominations and our perception of a pastor may vary.

If you are of the opinion that truth is relative… that truth is changing with the times… that there is no absolute truth…

If you are of the opinion that the Bible is not the infallible, unerring Word of God, then your opinion is as good as anyone else’s, is it not?

But if the Bible is absolute truth; if it can be trusted to define this crucial work, then we can dig in it to uncover the Mind of the God of the Bible on this topic. I would like to attempt that.

The commentaries generally group 3 epistles together. They are 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus and are generally referred to as the “pastoral epistles”. They are rich in instruction as to the character and work of the pastor.

But what else can we learn about the pastor according to the whole Bible?

The English word “pastor” (in the King James Version of the Old Testament) is found 8 times in Jeremiah 2:8, 3:15, 10:21, 12:10, 17:16, 22:22, 23:1, 23:2

The Hebrew word used in Jeremiah translated “pastor” 8 times is translated 57 times “feed“, 65 times “shepherd” and 7 times “herdmen”

In the NT it is found once in Ephesians 4:11

The Greek word in Ephesians 4:11 translated “pastor” is used 18 times in the NT. All 17 other times translated shepherd(s)

Does this not equate “pastor” with “shepherd?” Does the Bible not use the work of the physical shepherd as an example for the spiritual shepherd? In the word of God, a pastor is a shepherd, he cares for the sheep, literally or figuratively.

In his excellent book “A shepherd looks at the 23 Psalm” Phillip Keller describes the work of a literal shepherd and extrapolates it to examine the figurative or spiritual shepherd. Sheep must be fed. Sheep must be tended, guided, lead, protected… lost sheep must be sought.

Shepherds more concerned about sheep are commended and encouraged.

The Shepherd in Psalm 23, John 10, and Matthew 18:12-13 is viewed in a positive light.

Shepherds more concerned about shepherds are rebuked.

In Ezekiel 34 the bad shepherds (if they can be called shepherds at all) are described.

In 1 Samuel 16:11 David’s father tells Samuel regarding David “behold, he keepeth the sheep” using the same work translated “pastor” 8 times in Jeremiah.

In 2 Samuel 5:2 “and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.”

Again, same word. David was to shepherd people.

Then in Psalm 23 David acknowledges being shepherded by “The Good Shepherd… The Great Shepherd… The Chief Shepherd…” The Lord, using the same word.

The Shepherd is responsible for the sheep, whether Jacob of Gen 31, or the bad shepherds of Ezekiel 34.

Back to our original questions:

What does he do that makes him a pastor? How did he get to be a pastor? What even makes him eligible?

Many kings saw their responsibility to care for their people as a shepherd might his sheep.

Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Pharaoh saw the value of Joseph’s connection with God. He perceived the presence of the Spirit that allowed Joseph to prophesy the future and formulate a plan to save his care… his nation. Would this not be necessary in a shepherd of people in the New Testament as well?

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV 1900)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (a new creation!)

John 3:3 (KJV 1900)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7 (KJV 1900)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Now Nicodemus could have expostulated “Oh no, you do not understand… I am way past that, I study God’s Word, follow God’s Word and teach God’s Word already. I have been a leader among the Jews for years!”

But he was humble enough to accept the Saviour’s requirement and after the crucifixion we see him caring for the body of his Lord.

John 19:39-40 (KJV 1900)  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Can you shepherd God’s people without “having the Spirit of God dwell in you” or “being a new creation” or “being born again”? Can you be an under-shepherd to the people of God without a Spiritual connection to the Great and Chief Shepherd who’s the sheep are? No! But if you pretend to be, you will be held responsible!

Let all who purport to be “pastors” examine themselves! Do you have the Spirit of God indwelling you?

Has that Spirit given you the tremendous gift of a shepherd’s heart?

One thing is clear today, as throughout history. The world is in desperate need of true shepherds and Godly shepherding.