Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 47

God’s Ambassador

Gen 50:14 And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.

The trip to the land of Canaan escorted by chariots and elders of Egypt must end with return to Egypt. Jacob had told Joseph that a time was coming when they would all be brought out Egypt. Joseph knew he was returning – but one day …he must also be brought back to the land of Canaan. The timing was in the hands of God not in the hands of Joseph. Joseph had a job to do. He obeyed God in returning but knew his bones cannot be left in Egypt. He is God’s ambassador reporting for duty – or at best a pilgrim but will he never be buried an Egyptian.

An ambassador is a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. He represents God on a temporary assignment. Pharaoh thinks Joseph is protected by him and is his appointee. Joseph knows God has appointed him and that God will protect him – not any man …not even Pharaoh. His prime role is to defend the ways of God and ensure the interests of Israel are always protected. Pharaoh may or may not know this – but he needs Joseph. As you reflect on life, ponder over the truth that you are God’s ambassador. God is your employer … your rewarder and you carry His authority. Let this encourage you. But it is God that must not be offended and not Pharaoh. Do not postpone answering to the call to being God’s ambassador.

Song.

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,

The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet,

O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet!

As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given,

So seems my Savior’s cross to me, a ladder up to Heaven.

There lies beneath its shadow but on the further side

The darkness of an awful grave that gapes both deep and wide

And there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save

A watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.

Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;

And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;

The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

Prayer : Lord, Let me never forget my true identity, rewarder and employer and the cross. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

His Sons carried Him

Gen 50:13 For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a burying place of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

When your time is done …my prayer is that your sons will carry you and not the other way round. God will protect your children to supervise this final duty not to be executed in your absence. There are burdens and roles that cannot be carried by any. Duties that God wants executed by saints and not by the heathen.

For example, the ark was supposed to be borne by priests in the time of David. David decided a more convenient approach and thought to use oxen instead. When the cart stumbled, Uzzah put his hand to steady the ark … and he was struck dead. We are created to give God pleasure and the creator is entitled to define how the created should do things. David’s innovation did not go down well with God. The sons of Jacob were preserved so they would obey their father and pass on the ways of God to their children. The priests were to carry the burden of bearing the ark. In the new covenant, we are priests and expected to bear the presence of God and this has its implications. Following God involves a yoke of obedience – which the Bible says is easy … but there are responsibilities and things God asks us to do that should not be delegated to “Oxen” … Is there any burden that God has asked you to carry … preaching the gospel to members of your family who do not know the Lord, calling on a sick neighbor no one visits ..etc.

Can God trust me to carry the many things for which He has preserved my life? For example we must put on our armor ourselves …no one carry for us the armor to win the personal battles we must fight. We must pray fervently.

Song.

Soldiers of Christ, arise,

And put your armor on,

Strong in the strength which God supplies,

Through His eternal Son;

Strong in the Lord of Hosts,

And in His mighty pow’r,

Who in the strength of Jesus trusts

Is more than conqueror.

Pray, without ceasing pray,

Your Captain gives the word;

His summons cheerfully obey,

And call upon the Lord:

To God your every want

In instant prayer display;

Pray always; pray, and never faint;

Pray, without ceasing pray.

Prayer : Lord, Help me not to choose the flowery beds of ease. Let me not be overcome by the spirit of ease. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Sons of Greatness

Gen 50:12 And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:

Teaching our children to obey parents is important. The commanding of sons and daughters by parents was also commended in the days of Abraham. God places a lot of premium to this issue. Our greatness is linked to how we raise our children. The worldview of today weakens the role of the parent and the government is emerging as a replacement to protect and guide the child. This seems to be the modern thing but needs a closer look. God is Great and so can be trusted to teach us about greatness.

Gen 18:18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 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 hath spoken of him

If you are a parent, you do have a responsibility to know God and the way of the Lord. Jacob commanded according to the way of the Lord. Do not experiment with your children. As you know the way of the Lord, you can then provide guidance that is compelling and not vague. Abraham founded a clan of greatness though him or his sons were not perfect. God said he was sure they would be a great and mighty nation. This is because children and household are commanded and instructed according to the way of the Lord. We owe a lot to our parents. Thank God for your parents or an elderly guardian God has placed in your life. Seek more grace to be obedient to them. Pray for them.

Another reason why you need to know God is to be able to put your children on the right path in all things. Commanding our children does not mean we are “overbearing” … we select the important events requiring guidance – expecting obedience. This is also a picture of God commanding us and of an obedience that must be complete …with His help and grace.

Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Song.

Can you be obedient to the Lord of all,

Though the earth should totter, though the heav’ns should fall?

Face e’en a disaster with a faith-filled heart,

Knowing naught can harm him – Who with Christ will start?

Can you be obedient to the Lord you serve,

Never even flinch, friend, never even swerve;

Though your next step onward – seem to lead to death?

Can you then obey Him without bated breath?

Prayer : Lord, I want to obey you fully and completely. Help me. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Abelmizraim

Gen 50:11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which is beyond Jordan.

Abelmizraim means “this is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians”. When Egypt observe the mourning they were somewhat perturbed or at best surprised if not aggrieved by it. The world does not understand why the Lord Jesus would say “Blessed are they who mourn ….” Why should God’s children mourn …for a man that has lived to such a mature age. The world will urge us not to mourn, but instead to laugh and be happy …essentially …just live for pleasure. Any further sorrowing or grave soberness when Egypt has offered the best of Goshen is not quite what Egypt expected. Why should the brethren mourn when the best of Egypt is at their beck and call? The call to repent, to fast …to mourn for sin when the world tells us we are doing well is a call that irritates the world. The message of the world is enjoy… but your best life is certainly not now !

Luke 6: 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

The Bible is full of pictures that lets us see He saves the best for the last. His Eternity in Heaven is His best. His way is to serve the best wine last…the way of the antichrist is the exact opposite. Eternal damnation is the worst of all worst case scenarios…and it is saved also for the last. Christians are told especially in the end-times to endure … and that it will be worth the wait. The antichrist says there is nothing to wait for so don’t miss out on the joys of the moment at the expense of your soul. Christ suffered and was acquainted with grief … initially … before His glorification.

Egypt is still going to mourn many generations later when it is plagued and its soldiers drowned in the sea. Then Israel will truly laugh and dance. It will be worth the wait. Wait on God. God has saved the best for the last. Rejoice that there is a tomorrow that is assured. Those who wait for God to complete His processes in their lives and bring His victory at the right time will laugh last. Many in the world who are grieved at the soberness of the saints will one day mourn unstoppably…when the saints find eternal bliss as tears are finally wiped away. Remember … Israel laughed last. You will laugh last.

Song.

Alas! and did my Savior bleed – And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head – For such a worm as I?

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine— And bathed in its own blood—

While the firm mark of wrath divine, His Soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done – He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide – And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face – While His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, – And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay – The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give my self away – ’Tis all that I can do.

Prayer : Lord, teach me to wait and set my eyes on the glory that is ahead. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

The Threshing floor of Atad

Gen 50:10 And they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

There is an interesting relationship between worship and the “threshing floor”. This verse is the first mention of the threshing floor in the Bible. We are told Joseph and his brothers mourned the death of their father, Israel. Why mourn at a “threshing floor”? I believe the reason becomes more apparent as we see its significance in Old Testament typology. It was at the “threshing floor ”, that Uzzah was struck dead for taking hold of the Ark of the Covenant (II Samuel 6:6-7). The Temple was built at the threshing floor David had purchased from Ornan the Jebusite (I Chronicles 22:1). Ruth came to Boaz at the “threshing floor” (Ruth 3:6-14). Boaz represents Christ (our kinsman redeemer) and Ruth, the Bride of Christ.

At the center of the threshing floor, one finds two large flat stones, one resting on the top of the other. They were “fitted and joined” together. The top stone was known as the “female” and the bottom stone the “male”. The “grinding of grain” was a depiction of the act of marriage (Job 31:10). The act of marriage is a physical depiction of the “spiritual communion” God desires between Himself and Man. When God’s covenant people stray from Him and worship other gods, God calls it “adultery” or “playing the harlot” (Ezek. 23:37, Hosea 4:12). Notice what God says to Israel in Hosea 9:1, “You have loved harlots earnings on every threshing floor”.

The “threshing floor” speaks to us about a place of encounter with God, a place of worship. Worship for us is to be a time of “threshing”, when God separates the “wheat’ from the “chaff” in our lives. When we enter into worship, we are stepping onto God’s “threshing floor” where He deals with those things which need to be “winnowed” out of our lives. Joseph and his brothers mourned at the threshing floor. I do not think they just mourned for the loss of their father in very ripe old age … but for their wickedness and evil ways even as God exposed their terrible deeds and evil motivations to them. May we receive grace to mourn for the things of God not in our life and seek repentance rather than just the blessings we lost. May we worship at the threshing floor … meaning we also come, as we worship, to the realization of what needs to be winnowed out of our lives. May we meet God at the threshing floor…and mournfully rediscover our need for fresh consecration.

Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

I pray that I will begin to see worship from the perspective of the “threshing floor”.

Song.

Purify my heart – Let it be as gold as precious silver.

Purify my heart – Let it be as gold – pure gold

Refiners fire – my heart’s one desire is to be holy – set apart for you Lord.

I choose to be holy. Set apart for you my master – ready to do your will.

Prayer : Lord, Bring me to the threshing floor where the rubbish in my life can be revealed and separated. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Great but Incomplete

Gen 50:8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father’s house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.

What is a great company? I already said this trip was accompanied with the elders of Egypt and the servant of Pharaoh but now we have more details of what they took with them and what they did not take with them. What does this mean? We know that they would return to Egypt because they left behind their little ones and flocks.

One knows a revival that will last and one that will not. Observe the youth and the teachings on wealth and how people give. When our young ones and substance are in the clutches of Babylon, we can be assured that … this revival will return to Egypt. When our young ones are leading and active in serving God and our substance is truly given to God, we can be sure of the stability of the revival and the work of God. This was described as a great company because of their chariots and horsemen but it was an incomplete company without the little ones and their herds to be sacrificed for worship. Where are the little ones … where are your herds? Ponder this day on the location of your young ones … that is where you will eventually return. May our young ones join us in praising God.

Song.

Children of Jerusalem – Sang the praise of Jesus’ Name:

Children, too, of modern days – Join to sing the Savior’s praise.

Hark, hark, hark! While infant voices sing,

Hark, hark, hark! While infant voices sing

Loud hosannas, loud hosannas, Loud hosannas to our King.

We are taught to love the Lord, We are taught to read His Word;

We are taught the way to Heav’n: Praise for all to God be giv’n.

Parents, teachers, old and young, All unite to swell the song;

Higher and yet higher rise, ’Til hosannas fill the skies.

Prayer : Lord, Do not permit our children and young ones to be left in Egypt. Help us – O Lord. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Vain Followers

Gen 50:7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,

Serving God is not about leading multitudes. It matters that we know God and love Him. People follow men for different reasons. We do not know exactly why many from Egypt followed Joseph … I suspect it was from the respect and admiration for Joseph or perhaps a duty in respect of the office he carried. But they did not know the God of Joseph, nor did they understand why Joseph had to travel so far out of Egypt only to bury his father. Going up out of Egypt is not always a deliverance … this time it was a temporary trip in the escort of many Egyptians. Perhaps the Egyptians escorted Joseph with the agenda of ensuring that he came back to Egypt. What is the agenda of the many who follow you? Any following of a man of God that does not reveal the God of that man to the followers is a vain following no matter how many they are.

First, they followed Joseph out of Egypt – escorting the brothers of Joseph and others only to attend a burial. This is very different from the Exodus out of Egypt. Notice there was no conflict with Pharaoh … it was peaceful and quiet – there was no confrontation with Egypt and its culture and no need for the plagues. But it was a vain following like many followings. Is your assembly in your church a crowd of servants of Pharaoh, mixed with elders of Israel and elders of Egypt? It may be a well-intended following but they do not know God. As you meditate on this devotional, remember that coming out of Egypt is not just a physical exit but must be accompanied with a spiritual liberation requiring conflict, confrontation with the status quo and the mighty hand of God. How do we explain the crowd that follows you? Where are they going and who do they serve? You will know if you have a vain following from the warfare. If there is no warfare, be assured that none have been delivered. Captives are not released so easily.

God knew there was still going to be a coming out of Egypt generations later that would be completely different.

Song.

Ascribe greatness to our God the rock

His work is perfect and all His ways are just.

Ascribe greatness to our God the rock

His work is perfect and all His ways are just.

He is a God of faithfulness without injustice

Good and perfect is He

He is a God of faithfulness without injustice

Good and perfect is He.

Prayer : Lord, Help me to know you and serve you as God the rock, the God of faithfulness without injustice, the good and perfect God – incomparable to all the false gods of Egypt. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

Commitment

Gen 50: 5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again. 6 And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.

There are things we have to put behind us … for there is work to be done. Dwelling in the past is a sad error. It is good to mourn, but we must learn to move forward. Joseph said I will come again. This is a lesson in commitment. Christians must be people of commitment. Indeed Egypt was not the promised land but Joseph had commitments to serve in Egypt. Many make mistakes to think they cannot serve God by serving in secular roles. Even in Egypt, there is a role that God wants us to play but we do not look to the cultures and ways of God. The immorality of Egypt and the witchcraft notwithstanding Joseph was to be a blessing to Egypt. What promises have you made? … and have you fulfilled that promise …Commitment is very important to God. Have you done all that you will say that you will do? When you said you will come again … did you come again? Disloyalty is extremely obnoxious to God … no matter the guise in which it is presented. Many made promises to God and men but only seek to use God and manipulate men … they ended up like Gehazi. May God helps us. Be careful to fulfill your commitments. The love of God should not be an excuse to abandon contractual responsibilities and be disloyal to your word. Pharaoh released Joseph for a while but knowing he will return to do that which he has promised. Joseph was committed to his destiny in Egypt. Be a man or woman of integrity.

Song.

It may not be on the mountain’s height, or over the stormy sea;

It may not be at the battle’s front my Lord will have need of me;

But if by a still, small voice He calls to paths I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Yours,

I’ll go where You want me to go.

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,

O’er mountain, or plain, or sea;

I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,

I’ll be what You want me to be.

Perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak;

There may be now, in the paths of sin, some wand’rer whom I should seek.

O Savior, if You will be my Guide, though dark and rugged the way,

My voice shall echo the message sweet,

I’ll say what You want me to say.

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest fields so wide,

Where I may labor through life’s short day for Jesus, the Crucified.

So, trusting my all unto Your care, I know You always love me!

I’ll do Your will with a heart sincere,

I’ll be what You want me to be.

Prayer : Lord, Help me to be committed … give me strength to finish that which you have helped me to start. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

The Love of God

Gen 50:1 And Joseph fell upon his father’s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.

There was an uncommon love between Joseph and his father. It was not faked, it was a love so real and palpable that the brothers of Joseph in his early years envied him. Joseph was pained when separated from his father and thrown into a different culture and not because he remembered the coat of many colors … Joseph never asked what happened to the coat … but his father was always on his mind. Joseph had lived many years in luxury as a senior official – but the attachment between him and his father remained strong till death. There is no greater pain for the saint than that of separation with God. Those in love cannot bear separation.

Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

The Pharisees tithed and obeyed in many ways but passed over the love of God. It is possible to be in the church doing many things and not love God. The love of God is so strong … Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How can we know if we truly love God? 2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

There are many decisions we could have taken in one direction, but we decide differently because we love God. The love of God makes us different – constraining us in a willing consecration even in the most private moments. We fear to engage in hidden and private sins more than the open ones because we love the God who sees all. We care about what God thinks and how he sees us. The question today could be “do you love God ?” and how does that constrain you … Joseph was very attached to his father and was mentored by a very deeply spiritual man who knew and loved God so deeply. Joseph loved his father deeply … loving even more the God that his father loved more than anything else. We see the evidence of this in the constraints that he placed on his life. That love survived the depths of prison and the heights of the office of prime minister …constraining him to live a God-fearing life.

Song.

The love of God is greater far – Than tongue or pen can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star – And reaches to the lowest hell.

The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled – And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure – The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away, and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;

When men who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call;

God’s love, so sure, shall still endure, all measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race— The saints’ and angels’ song.

Prayer : Lord, O for grace to love you even more. Amen.

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa

The Final Moments

Gen 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people..

The staging of the final moments of Jacob are very vividly detailed in this verse. First – he made an end of commanding his sons … he did not advice his sons or give them elegant options. He commanded as Abraham and Isaac commanded their sons. We must learn to speak the will of God to our sons as commandments which must be hearkened to. We are in a culture which deemphasizes fathers and idolizes children. Children are given options and encouraged to do as they wish instead of obeying the commandments of their fathers… this is great error that displeases God.

Second, he made final physical preparations of gathering his feet and released his spirit. It was not taken from him unwillingly. His work was done and it was time to go. He gathered his body and yielded the ghost. Finally, he was gathered unto his people. The pilgrim crosses into another phase. It does not say he perished or that all ended for him …instead the Bible records that he was gathered to his people, the family of God waiting for him. The saints who have gone before and angels of God in eternity are waiting for you. You will not miss this ultimate gathering.

Song.

Someday the silver cord will break,

And I no more as now shall sing;

But oh, the joy when I shall wake

Within the palace of the King!

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story—Saved by grace;

And I shall see Him face to face,

And tell the story—Saved by grace.

Someday my earthly house will fall.

I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;

But this I know—my All in All

Has now a place in Heav’n for me.

Someday, when fades the golden sun

Beneath the rosy tinted west,

My blessèd Lord will say, “Well done!”

And I shall enter into rest.

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait,

My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,

That when my Savior opens the gate,

My soul to Him may take its flight.

Prayer : Lord, may the day come when I shall be gathered unto your people in eternity. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa