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TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I NE S S
VII. Jacob (chapters 25-50). Here again we urge, the reader to become thoroughly familiar with the amazing story of God’s dealings with this life. Jacob’s spiritual development is marked by three great crises. The first is recorded in chapter 28. Up to this time, Jacob had no firsthand contact with God. This experience is compa rable to what we now call “ conver sion,” for in our conversion we have our first spiritual contact with God by accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour and by being born again. The next great crisis, Jacob at Peniel, came twenty years later and is narrated in chapter 32. Here Jacob’s name was changed from Jacob, “supplanter,” to Israel, “prince with God.” In v. 24 we read, “and there wrestled a man with him.” According to Hosea 12:4, this "man” was “the angel” in human form. It is to be noted that “the angel” wrestled with Jacob, and that night-long struggle ended by Jacob’s being entirely broken, and when “the sun rose upon him, he halted [limped] upon his thigh” (v. 31). Down through the ages, God has been obliged to deal with many of His children in like manner, breaking down self-will, pride, selfishness and other things - which hinder spiritual growth and service. The third great crisis is recorded in chapter 35. Jacob is called to go “ back to Bethel,” the house of God, but first it was necessary to bury all idols (vs. 2-4). If the ears were un stopped, many a child of God today would hear the Lord calling: “Back to Bethel!” If the call were heeded, many an idol would be put out of the life. VIII. Joseph (chapters 37-50). In Jo seph, we have one of the very few characters in Scripture against whom nothing disparaging is recorded. This does not mean that Joseph was per fect, but that he lived a singularly pure and devoted life. Joseph’s experiences are remarkable illustrations of the truth of Romans 8:28. The reader is urged to thoroughly trace this, noting the various things which seem to be against Joseph, but which God made to “work together” for Joseph’s good, and to carry out His purposes. Joseph also affords us a remarkable type of our blessed Lord from the dispensational aspect, as suggested by Rev. N. Fay Smith in his excellent- outline, which follows: 1. His father’s well-beloved son (Gen. 37:3; Mark 12:6; Matt. 3:17). 2. Sent by his father on an errand of mercy to his brethren (Gen. 37: 13,14; John 8:42; Matt. 15:24), 3. Hated «nd rejected by his brethren (Gen. 37:5,8; John 1:11; Isa. 53:3). 4. His brethren plot to kill him (Gen. 37:18,19,20; Matt. 12:14; 26:3,4).
5. Delivered to the Gentiles (Gen. 37:28; Matt. 20:19; 27:1, 2). Pilate (Roman, Gentile) Government. 6. Sold for money (Gen. 37:28; Matt. 26:15). 7. Takes a servant’s place (Gen. 39: 1, 2; “his master” Phil. 2:7). 8. Sorely tempted, but steadfast (Gen. 39:7-12; Matt. i4:1-11; Heb. 4:15). 9. False witness borne against him (Gen. 39:13-18; Matt. 26:59-61). 10. Cast into a dungeon (Gen. 39:20; Matt. 27:57-60). Dead to father and brethren; Dead to outside world. 11. Exalted, and through his exalta tion made savior of many (Gen. 41:39-44; 41:53-57; Acts 5:30,31; Rom. 4:25; Heb. 7:25). 12. For a long time ceases to deal with his brethren, and turns to the Gentiles (Gen. 41:46-57; Acts 13:46; 28:28). Our Lord now deals with Jews as | Once Haydn, the master I musician, was conversing with two of his friends on the sub- | ject of depression. Said one: “ When I am 'down,' I take to wine and that cheers me up." The other remarked: "I take ) to my music and that com- ] forts me." Then Haydn de- | clared: “When I feel sad, I j take to prayer. Nothing can I cheer and comfort me like my j Lord." Dr. A. C. Dixon made j the following comment on j Haydn's statement: “It was sweeter than any melody the great composer ever wrote." individuals, not as a nation. 13. Wins a Gentile bride (Gen. 41:45; Acts 15:14; Eph. 5:22-32). During His absence from the earth, the Church is being gathered. 14. In due time he again deals with his brethren: (a) At first in judgment. (Gen chs. 42-44; see 42:7, “spake roughly” ; 42:9, “spies” ; 42:19, prisoner; 44:4,12,14, cup. Cf. Matt. 24:21, “great tribula tion” ; Jer. 30:3-7, “Day of Ja cob’s trouble.’’) (b) Afterward makes h i m s e l f known to them (Gen. 45:1-4; Zech. 12:10). (c) Resulting in the salvation of Israel (Gen. ch. 46; 47:1-11. Rom. 11:25,26; Acts. 15:16). 15. Then he administers the kingdom (Gen. 47:13-26; Psa. 2; Psa. 72:8, 11; Isa. 9:6,7, and many other passages). j i \ i i i ! j f i I I i 1
The Atomic Bomb ( Continued From Page 9)
one” (2 Thess. 2:7 R.'V.)V Can it be that we are within five years of that event? If so, then those who know the Lord as Saviour have nothing to worry about. World Destruction? I have said this world is not to be completely destroyed—not yet. But eventually it will be. Let me present what Dr. Cyril Forster Garbett, arch bishop of York, England, recently is reported as saying: “The biblical dec laration that the end of the world will come suddenly is driven home with fresh meaning: ‘The heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works which are therein shall be burned.’ “The writing on the wall of threat ened doom and destruction can now be read by all thoughtful men. The nations have discovered some of the greatest secrets of nature without learning how to use them rightly.. The atomic bomb ( has suddenly brought us to the edge of a precipice. Fear that we may be compelled to plunge into its depths may make us realize that science and material property cannot save us from destruc tion.” The ,verse quoted is from 2 Peter 3:10. Many interpret this to mean a ienovc-tion process, but there is not a word in the passage that can even remotely suggest such a meaning. The effects indicated could easily de scribe the results of the experimental explosion of the atomic bomb in New Mexico. The intense heat melted the sand and turned metal into gas. The damaging effect of most explosions seems to be the result of air concus sions, but this caused the “elements to melt with fervent heat.” Future of the Church The time Peter refers to, however, is the end of time and the beginning of eternity. So, from the Scriptural standpoint, we rule out the possibil ity of world destruction, but in so do ing we have the other alternative- world dictatorship. To the “church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood,” and to troubled Israel we can say “Look up, for your redemption draw- eth nigh.” To this g o d l e s s , Christ-rejecting world God declares: “Weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.” To those outside of C’l’-i««- our mes sage is: “Do not delay the mailer cf your personal salvation, 'ine darkness is fast closing upon this sin-cursed world. Repent and believe the Gospel before it is eternally too late.”
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