Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 48

Purchase of God

Gen 49:32 The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.

Gen 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead. 16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. 17 And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure

Abraham was offered to buy this field for any price he wanted although the actual price was 400 shekels. Abraham insisted on paying the full price. The rest – the salvation we have in Christ was purchased …the price was to be the blood of an unblemished lamb, the kinsman Redeemer …the blood of Christ.

On the cross, Christ said it is finished. The price for the rest of the saints, the promised land that Abraham saw … the Heaven of the redeemed – has now been fully paid as the blood of Christ was shed at Calvary.

Jacob rested in the fields that he did not pay for …someone else – father Abraham had paid for the field. Christ has paid the price for our salvation and he did not negotiate the price. He paid in full. Rest in that truth. It is all paid for.

Song.

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;

Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I – Whereby Thy grace to claim;

I’ll wash my garments white – In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness,

Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest.

Lord, now indeed I find – Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,

Can change the leper’s spots – And melt the heart of stone.

When from my dying bed – My ransomed soul shall rise,

“Jesus died my soul to save,” – Shall rend the vaulted skies.

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,

I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet.

Prayer : O Lord, Lead me into your purchased rest. 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

Rise again from Burial

Gen 49:31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.

All that was buried in the cave in the field of Machpelah will one day rise up. Jacob knew this …it was a guarded family secret … passed on by his fathers to him. The family of faith will still meet again after death. Teach your children and grandchildren that there is a day by the grace of God when all that are saved will meet with other Christian ancestors. All these ancestors were buried but there is a day in eternity when they will gather together. The cave – was a place of burial…but pictures to us that there is a place of rest where we will all be. Saints are not to fear death. Saints should also be familiar with the saints that have gone… their teachings – promises and the prophecies and blessings they pronounced. What is buried will come back again to life. One day we shall see Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah.

What men buried – God will one day bring back to life. This refers also to dreams, joys, aspirations and destinies. God can bring back again …that which men have buried and forgotten. All that is buried by men, circumstances and time by the special grace of God comes back again to life. The early fathers continued to bury their dead knowing there is a day that they will be gathered and rise again to a place unseen.

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. …9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Song.

Go ahead, drive the nails in My hands Laugh at me where you stand

Go ahead, and say it isn’t Me The day will come when you will see

‘Cause I’ll rise again … Ain’t no power on earth can tie me down!

Yes, I’ll rise again …Death can’t keep Me in the ground

Go ahead, mock My name – My love for you is still the same

Go ahead, and bury Me – But very soon, I will be free!

Go ahead and say I’m dead and gone But you will see that you were wrong

Go ahead, try to hide the Son But all will see that I’m the One!

‘Cause I’ll come again! Ain’t no power on earth can keep Me back!

Yes, I’ll come again Come to take My people back

Prayer : O Lord, Help me to keep seeing the promised rest. Help my faith. 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 Cave

Gen 49:30 In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a burying place.

Jacob is buried in a cave though he lived in a culture where pyramids are erected and people buried with earthly treasures. The ways of God and the ways of the culture differ even in death. Quiet humility that typified Israel disdains the pyramids of Egypt and memorial statues and instead a poverty in spirit is the hall mark of the early fathers.

The cave is also a picture of a place of rest in the field of Machpelah. Now the cave is concealed by a mosque; this was formerly a church, built by the Crusaders between 1167 and 1187. But we know that in the time of Christ, the graves opened and the patriarchs came out of this cave… and were briefly seen. Abraham who was given a vision of great lands died possessing only this field… and was still accomplished.

The cave and this field of rest pictures Heaven and eternity … the ultimate promised place which we cannot enter but through death or bodily transformation at the rapture. Comparing Heaven and Egypt is like comparing in the physical – pyramids with caves. The doors to God’s eternity are the humble and simple life for which earthly possessions count for nothing. Many of the saints do not have great memorials erected and we may have forgotten them because they made no effort to immortalize their names …but God has His roll of honor in the humble caves of eternity. May God reveal what it truly means to be humble. His humility is the door to His eternity. Jacob lived and died as a pilgrim. Many erected pyramids to eternalize their memory …only to be rejected from God’s eternity.

Song.

He who would valiant be ’gainst all disaster,

Let him in constancy follow the Master.

There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent

His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round with dismal stories

Do but themselves confound – his strength the more is.

No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight,

He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, Thou dost defend us with Thy Spirit,

We know we at the end, shall life inherit.

Then fancies flee away! I’ll fear not what men say,

I’ll labor night and day to be a pilgrim.

Prayer : O Lord, Help me not to be trapped in the lies of the heathen culture that surround 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

The Gathering to come

Gen 49:29 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

Jacob was dying but still speaking that there is more coming. He now speaks concerning his own future having explained what would happen to his children. He does not say I am dying just bury me somewhere. He says there is a day that me and my fathers will be gathered and there is a location from which this can happen and it is not Egypt.

Many think how we are buried does not matter. It mattered to Jacob that he was with his fathers. He knew that there was a day of gathering. Many Bible scholars will say that this happened at the death of Christ when the graves of the saints were opened and the saints were seen resurrected.

Today, many saints need to be reminded that the dead in Christ shall rise first when Christ comes at the future event called the rapture. Jacob says very little about Egypt apart from his reminder that they will be brought out. There is no attraction for Egypt to Jacob whatsoever. He looks forward to this gathering and identifies where he needs to be buried. Jacob is not influenced by Egypt in his last words.

As you meditate, reflect on what adjustments or instructions need to be given before you leave the physical world …it may not be the location of your burial …it may be the way and manner of burial …it may be people you need to forgive…we should be more concerned with eternity … it may be prayers we need to pray for loved ones …our dying moments are not to be wasted with trivialities. One may not have the opportunity to make those adjustments and so the time to make vital corrections is now.

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The Bible says the rapture of the saints will be sudden … in the twinkling of an eye. Be ready therefore to be gathered now. Our preparations for gathering depends on the gathering that is to come. For us the gathering is at the rapture … coming without like a “thief in the night”. The time to do anything for the kingdom is NOW. The time to make any adjustment or urgent arrangements for the gathering is NOW.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Song.

Will you be ready when the Lord shall come

I will be ready – I will be ready – I will be ready when the Lord shall come

I will be ready – I will be ready – I will be ready when the Lord shall come.

Prayer : O Lord, Help my readiness for the coming of the 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

Your Blessings

Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them

Everyone is blessed according to his blessing. Blessings had been decided by God and Jacob merely was instrumental to speak that which each already had been decided. The blessings are not general statements that could have been picked up by any. The blessings of Judah could not be given to Naphtali. When were the blessings original owned … It was already known before the foundations of time that Christ will be borne in the tribe of Judah. Judah did not earn this blessing. Again, it was all grace at work. God has already determined to bless us with our own blessings. But again, the blessings need to be spoken by a father who is honored. Hence we are told to honor parents. God has given fathers accuracy in the spirit to match blessings with heads. Joseph could not bless himself. All the food and care in Egypt was not enough to multiply the Israelites so much as to alarm Egypt. It required the specific blessings of the father uniquely revealed to Jacob. It takes a true spiritual father and not anyone to bless us with our own blessings. Jacob may be old and blind but he was still needed for a most important task that only he could accomplish. Only Jacob could know of the archers … only Jacob could remember Reuben’s indiscretions … only Jacob had the revelation of the coming Lion of Judah.

What is the lesson? Honor your father – physical and spiritual. Do not be anxious to get rid of them when they are old and their steps are faltering … for you will need their spiritual insight someday. They will see what you can never see and more importantly what others do not see…concerning you.

This is why the devil hates fathers and destroys fathers and fatherhood … making homes fatherless and turning churches into clubs without spiritual fathers … the devil knows that a blessed people are invincible and the blessing of the father is not just powerful but spiritually accurate. Blessings are not random good words that any can pronounce.

Song.

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,

Forgive our foolish ways!

Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,

In purer lives thy service find,

In deeper reverence praise.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!

O calm of hills above,

Where Jesus knelt to share with thee

The silence of eternity,

Interpreted by love!

Drop thy still dews of quietness,

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our souls the strain and stress,

And let our ordered lives confess

The beauty of thy peace.

Prayer : O Lord, The Father of all mankind – thank you for blessing me. Thank you for my physical and spiritual Father. Bless them 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

The Wolf can Change

Gen 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

The tone of blessings suddenly changes as Jacob must speak to Benjamin. Jacob is not guided by affection but by God – the Spirit of Prophecy. He is not as tender with Benjamin who is clearly one of his favorite children. He describes this tribe as a war like strong and daring tribe that devours the prey and plunders the spoil which is divided. They are feared by the enemies of God – but their lack of tenderness will sometimes place them as allies of darkness. The image of a wolf is always negative especially in the New Testament but this blessing also may mean they change for the better. Wolves do not share spoil … but at night … when others rest, the tribe becomes an instrument of charity.

The Apostle Paul is often singled out from this tribe as an example of a fulfillment of this prophecy. In his early years he went about persecuting Christians. But in his old age, he was a preacher, wrote letters that blessed many and was poured out for thousands … even by his writings to this very day. Benjamin has different temperaments.

Do not give up on any. There may be many “Benjamins” in our midst – favored but spoilt souls who start very badly acting in a fiercely destructive manner who God will use in future years to share the gospel of peace. Do not write anyone off. Do not give up on yourself in being used by God. His ways are not our ways. The miracle of late night transformation is the story of Benjamin … the last that becomes the best …the least likely that becomes the most gentle … the destroyer that becomes the helper …the friend of the enemy that is transformed to God’s ally.

Let the unique blessing of Benjamin give you hope for that brother, friend or soul you see raving as a dangerous wolf …keep praying and wait patiently for the night. The night also represents a time when none can work .. old age, or a difficult circumstance. Sometimes brethren are transformed by night seasons in their life to much better vessels and instruments …yielded to the patient hands of the master potter. Do not give up on any situation whatsoever. The wolf is only an act … soon Benjamin emerges.

Song.

Jesus – you are changing me,

By your Spirit – you are making me like you;

Jesus – you are transforming me

May your loveliness be seen in all I do.

You are the potter and I am the clay,

Help me to be willing to let you have your way.

Jesus – You are changing me

As I let you reign supreme within my heart.

Prayer : O Lord, Remember the Benjamins – touch their hearts even now… change the heart of stone to that of flesh.

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

Prevailing Blessings

Gen 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren

The blessings of the ancestors of Jacob seemed somewhat limited. We do not understand why both Jacob and Esau could not be equally blessed or why of all the children of Abraham … only Isaac seems remarkable. It seems there was a limit or barrier of some sort … a boundary – one that Jacob prevailed over. Jacob blessed all his children lavishly … passing the blessings of growth to all such that after his death, there was an incredible multiplication. The seventy that came into Egypt became rapidly a great nation. The Bible says there were 600,000 fighting men among the Israelites, a figure which excluded the entire tribe of the Levites. Scholars say that this would correspond to at least two and a half million people, including women, children, the elderly and infirm. The Israelites were so prolific in birth that the Egyptians were alarmed.

Joseph was separated from his brothers and this served in future to mark him out for unusual blessing. In a similar way, our sanctification is our ticket to a different crown of glory. We are told “Be ye separate” … “be not unequally yoked” … denying us much that we may have wanted to partake in but this also marks our heads for a different basket of divine blessings. How can God single us out to be uniquely blessed if we live like children of darkness. We are chosen, called out to show forth the virtues of Him who has called us out of darkness. We are called out to be blessed and to show forth a different lifestyle that causes us to be peculiar. Even from the beginning, it would seem that the extent of our separation for God has been the measure to which we can expect our blessings to be outpoured. Joseph was pulled out of everything he knew and cherished for God’s purpose – even from his own blood brothers – but it was not in vain.

Song.

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,

To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,

By the power of grace divine;

Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,

And my will be lost in Thine.

O the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God

I commune as friend with friend!

Prayer : O Lord, Draw me nearer to you … bid me come up higher. 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

Categories of Blessings

Gen 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of Heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Joseph is encompassed with divine help and blessings of different kinds. Joshua came from the tribe of Joseph …the chief commander in the wars of Canaan – helped by God as the walls of Jericho fell down flat …and as victories followed victories. Jacob blesses Joseph – pronouncing the blessings of Heaven above – the good things that come from the physical Heaven – rain, good weather and favorable winds. The blessings of the deep that lieth under refer to all the mineral wealth, fruitful fields and the cooperation of the earth to favor Joseph. The blessings of the breasts and of the womb … refer to safe delivery and nursing of infants … none will still be barren, none will be still born … nor will any infant die at the early stages of nursing and nurturing … this refers to fruitfulness and expansions and a prolific unusual fertility. May all these blessings be also yours in the name of Jesus. The Almighty shall bless you with all manner of blessings. May you be singled out for all categories of blessings like the tribe of Joseph.

Joseph has become a blessing not just to Egypt, but to all that will be born through him – his many descendants will enjoy a rare grace to flourish that will cause others to stare in amazement. All of creation was commanded to favor the descendants of Joseph and so it was. To be blessed by all categories of blessings is an incredible favor that has far reaching effects to generations even yet unborn.

Song.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;

O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

Prayer : O Lord, Bless me indeed – O Lord bless me like you blessed Joseph. 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

Strengthened by God

Gen 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel

May your own bow abide in the strength of the Almighty. It is one thing to be strong and it is something else to abide in the strength of God. It is one thing to be made strong by knowledge, support of men, funds and political positioning – it is another to be made strong by the Almighty God. When God makes you strong, you become undefeatable. Nothing can be more plain and simple. Nothing can defeat you – whether internal, external … subtle or direct. You will win eventually … when you fall it will only be to rise up to a higher level.

The faith of Joseph did not fail until he came out a conqueror. He was strengthened with wisdom, courage, and patience, which are better than all weapons of battle. He maintained his integrity and bore all his burdens … refusing to be drowned by the tumultuous floods. But it was God. His grace was more than sufficient and his strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Joseph was like a shepherd and a stone to his brothers. A shadow of Christ, the shepherd of our soul and the stone the builders rejected that became the chief cornerstone … a sure pillar to carry our destiny. Christ our Savior was hated, despised … the man of sorrow … acquainted with grief … but still advanced to be the shepherd and stone of Israel. The lesson here is that you can fight your battles with your strength – you have already failed before you started. Similarly, how can you fail if God is fighting for you – impossible. He who has helped us till now will help us in the future. Do not risk annoying Him or losing His favor on your life. Seek to always remain in Him – no matter what and you will always know His victory.

Song.

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

O how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Prayer : Lord, keep me leaning on the everlasting arms. 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

A Target of the Archers

Gen 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

Every promise and bearer of that promise is countered by a different agenda and archers bearing arrows. Perhaps Joseph was not wise to disclose the dreams he had. But if he had not disclosed the dreams they would not have come true. God works with what we call our mistakes and errors and is not unmindful of the activity of the archers. The archers bring grief … they aim and shoot bullets and can destroy … the archers are behind the hatred of Joseph – finding allies in his brothers.

Have you been sorely grieved? Has every promotion propelled you to a place of being shot at with fresh arrows … have you encountered the archers …spiritual devils assigned to monitor and truncate destiny. Have you been greeted by a strange hatred that has forced you into an unbearable isolation? Think not that your experience is unique for many of your fathers have been brought to ruin by their incessant onslaughts. But you have survived. You are still alive only because God has helped you. How could you ever have survived the bullets of the unseen hosts of darkness … if God had not been on your side.

Another character well familiar with the archers is David. They became his everyday company – living with them not knowing which aspect of his life would be attacked next. David survived the arrows and hatred of his brothers, Goliath, Saul, Ahithophel, and Absalom . He overcame the spiritual arrows of lust, greed, sorrow, depression, accusation and isolation. He was sorely grieved and put all his faith in God — producing the most beautiful verses of poetry that continue to inspire and encourage others in the Psalms.

Be encouraged. Encourage yourself. Celebrate your life. It only means God is still on your side and He that began a good thing and sustained you till today will keep you till you accomplish your goals.

Psa 57:2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 3 He shall send from Heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. 4: My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the Heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Song.

Why so downcast O my soul – put your hope in God,

Put your hope in God – Put your hope in God

Why so downcast O my soul – put your hope in God,

And bless the Lord – Oh my soul.

Prayer: Lord, Save my soul from the wicked archers surrounding 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