Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord,
the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and
love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
This scripture really moved me. I often relate my life to journey of Joseph. Seeking good, then finding imprisonment, only to be restored with nothing but forgiveness in my heart.
I find it interesting that the English translation uses the word "gracious" to the remnant of Joseph. As I thought of that word, I wondered why God would need to be gracious.
When I learned about Joseph in Sunday School, he was the ultimate hero. However, I assume sibling rivalry wasn't completely unjustified. I am sure Joseph had his flaws and mishaps. (I don't think sharing his dreams was one of them.) I am sure his older brothers saw attributes that drove them crazy. The probably wanted their mother to be honored, and couldn't look at her disgrace without getting angry.
However, Joseph was the child of the promise. He was the carrier of the blessing. Therefore, their complaints were considered mute. Joseph saved them from peril.
As I consider our culture the remnants of Joseph, is the church. Will be the light to the world? Now that we live in the metaphorical palace of Pharaoh. (That is we a Christ's bond slaves.) Will we reach out to the poor? Will we seek God's favor to bring justice to the land? Will we feed the hungry?
As Amos asks, will God be "gracious" to us, if we don't? Jesus is the hope for the nations.
This scripture really moved me. I often relate my life to journey of Joseph. Seeking good, then finding imprisonment, only to be restored with nothing but forgiveness in my heart.
I find it interesting that the English translation uses the word "gracious" to the remnant of Joseph. As I thought of that word, I wondered why God would need to be gracious.
When I learned about Joseph in Sunday School, he was the ultimate hero. However, I assume sibling rivalry wasn't completely unjustified. I am sure Joseph had his flaws and mishaps. (I don't think sharing his dreams was one of them.) I am sure his older brothers saw attributes that drove them crazy. The probably wanted their mother to be honored, and couldn't look at her disgrace without getting angry.
However, Joseph was the child of the promise. He was the carrier of the blessing. Therefore, their complaints were considered mute. Joseph saved them from peril.
As I consider our culture the remnants of Joseph, is the church. Will be the light to the world? Now that we live in the metaphorical palace of Pharaoh. (That is we a Christ's bond slaves.) Will we reach out to the poor? Will we seek God's favor to bring justice to the land? Will we feed the hungry?
As Amos asks, will God be "gracious" to us, if we don't? Jesus is the hope for the nations.
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