Ministry Can Be Very Difficult

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Ministry Can Be Very Difficult

Paul’s letter was coming to an end.

Paul was hoping to see two responses from his letter.

      • Repentance (involving obedience to God) for wrong. (Getting right with God.)
      • An affirmation of loyalty to himself and his associates as authentic servants of Christ. (Getting right with Paul.)

This letter is not ending on a high note.

There are still issues in the church that need to be dealt with.

Paul is not the “bad guy”.

Paul is not the problem.

Paul’s intentions are right.

The letter (not including the benediction) ends with a warning from Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:11-20 NLT
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
Ministry Can Be Very Difficult
11 You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. 12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
14 Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. 15 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.
19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 12:11-20 NLT
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
Ministry Can Be Very Difficult

11 You have made me act like a fool.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

11 You (the Corinthian church) have made me act like a fool.

You ought to be writing commendations for me,

  • The Corinthian church had not come to Paul’s defense against the innuendos (a remark that suggests something but does not refer to it directly) of the false apostles.

for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” 

  • Paul knows that he is not inferior to the “super apostles”. 

even though I am nothing at all. 

1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT
10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NLT
4 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. 5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. 

  • Paul always credits God for his accomplishments. 

12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle.

  • Paul was able to give proof of his apostleship.

First and foremost:

2 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT
1 Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not! 2 The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. 3 Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

  • The conversion and gifting of the Corinthians are proof of Paul’s apostleship.

Secondly: 

For I patiently did

  • Paul was able to deal patiently with difficult people.

many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 

All these are the evidence that mark an apostle.

Acts 2:22 NLT
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.

Acts 14:3
3 But the apostles stayed there (Iconium) a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Romans 15:18-19 NLT
18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. 19 They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.

 Hebrews 2:4 NLT
4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. 

  • The many signs and wonders and miracles Paul did among the Corinthians are proof of Paul’s apostleship.

 13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

Tongue in cheek – a touch of irony

14 Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. 

Paul is planning a third visit with the Corinthian Church. 

I don’t want what you have—I want you.

  • Paul’s concern was for the Corinthian people, not their money.

After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.  

15 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you,

  • Paul was willing to sacrificially serve the church.

even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me. 

16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. 

But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 

Paul’s opponents circulated a vicious rumor that he was using craftiness and cunning to deceive the Corinthian church.

  • Apparently the false apostles were suggesting that Paul was planning to take from the funds the Corinthian Church had collected for the church in Jerusalem.

17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?  

18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No!

2 Corinthians 8:16-22 NLT
Titus and His Companions
16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you.

  • Paul rejects the idea that he used the collection to take money from the Corinthians.

For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way. 

  • The credentials of all of Paul’s coworkers were good. 

19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. 

No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness.

  • Paul understood that he was accountable to God, not to the Corinthian church.

Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 

  • Paul’s goal was to strengthen the Corinthian church, not exonerate himself.
  • Paul loved the Corinthians and was looking out for the well-being of the church.

20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 

  • Ministry Can Be Difficult

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

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Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

A short, but powerful passage of scripture.

You may want to be asking yourself how this lesson applies to you personally.

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 NLT
7 …. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Examine the scriptures:

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 NLT
7 …. So to keep me from becoming proud,

  • It’s not good to be proud. (This is not a given in today’s secular society.)

Pride: a preoccupation with self and one’s own importance, achievements, status, or possessions.

Note how many of today’s current commercials focus on one’s own importance, achievements, status, or possessions.

Proverbs 16:5 NLT
5 The Lord detests the proud;
they will surely be punished.

Proverbs 16:18 NLT
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.

Pride leads to one’s downfall.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud …

Romans 12:3 NLT
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 

  • The Lord detests the proud.
  • God did what He had to do to keep pride from hindering Paul’s ministry. 

I was given a thorn in my flesh,

We do not know what the thorn was, but we do know that it was to keep Paul from becoming proud.

A thorn in the flesh suggests some sort of physical condition.

Some even think this thorn was a (demon-possessed) person.

A constant reminder. 

  • Paul was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming proud.

a messenger from Satan

God permitted Satan to do this. (However, Satan’s plan backfired and Satan was defeated.)

Romans 8:28 NLT
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

 to torment me

Thorns are certainly a deterrent.

Numbers 33:55 NLT
55 But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live.

Ezekiel 28:24 NLT
24 No longer will Israel’s scornful neighbors
prick and tear at her like briers and thorns.
For then they will know
that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Hosea 2:6 NLT
6 “For this reason I will fence her in with thornbushes.
I will block her path with a wall
to make her lose her way. 

  • Thorns are certainly a deterrent. 

 and keep me from becoming proud. (repeated)

We do not know what the thorn was, we know it was to keep Paul from becoming proud. 

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 

Paul prayed three times for its removal and each time He said “no”. 

9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need.

James 4:6 NLT
6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” 

Philippians 4:13 NLT
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Colossians 1:29 NLT
29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. 

  • God’s grace is all we need.
  • Grace rules out all human merit.

Ephesians 2:8 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

My power works best in weakness.” 

1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT
27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

Paul’s human weakness was an opportunity for the power of Christ to work through him.

John 3:30 NLT
30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. 

Isaiah 55:8 NLT
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

  • God’s power works best in weakness.
  • God’s ways are far beyond anything we can imagine.

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

  • Paul’s affliction brought glory to God and allowed Paul to experience the mighty power of God in his life.

Christ’s strength showed itself through Paul’s weakness.

“It must be God at work in my life because I know it sure isn’t me.” (My quote)

10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. 

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

  • When I am weak, the stage is set for God to display his power (through me). 
  • A proud person is not a good ambassador for Christ. 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to the Book of Ruth – Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab

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Introduction:

The Book of Ruth

Introduction to the Book of Ruth

Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab

 

Author unknown (possibly Samuel)

The date of the writing is uncertain (shortly before or during David’s reign.)

The book is named for a Gentile woman. (Ruth and Esther are the only two books in the Bible named for women.

Today’s lesson:

Ruth 1:1-5 NLT
Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab
1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.
3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah (or pa), and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.

Examine the Scriptures

Ruth 1:1-5 NLT
Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab

1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel,

The story of Ruth took place around 1100 BC

The Judges ruled from the death of Joshua (1376 B.C.) to the beginning of Saul’s reign. (about 1050 BC) 300+ years

Some commentators think that this was during the reign of Gideon others say Jair.

Judges 17:6 NLT
6 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

Life in Israel:

Each tribe looked out for its own interests.

Discord existed between the tribes.

Many of the original inhabitants had not been driven out of the area and still maintained control of large tracts of land.

The Israelites were influenced by the idolatry of Canaan and the surrounding countries.

Judges 2:11 NLT
11 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal.

Judges 3:7 (ditto)

Judges 8:33 (ditto)

Judges 10:6 NLT
The Ammonites Oppress Israel
6 Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They served the images of Baal and Ashtoreth, and the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia. They abandoned the Lord and no longer served him at all.

God punished His people each time they turned to idols. When they repented, God raised up judges to deliver them. But during times of peace, Israel fell in love with idols again. Notice the cycle that the Israelites kept repeating.
Sin – slavery – sorrow – salvation

  • The story of Ruth took place somewhere around 1100 BC when judges ruled in Israel. 

a severe famine came upon the land.

Famines were not uncommon in the ancient world.

God acting in judgement on His sinning people. (?)

Genesis 47:13 NLT
Joseph’s Leadership in the Famine
13 Meanwhile, the famine became so severe that all the food was used up, and people were starving throughout the lands of Egypt and Canaan.

Famine occurred early in the lives of Abraham (12:10) and Isaac (26:1).
Famine was a devastating catastrophe in an agrarian society.  It was often accompanied by starvation, disease, or war that brought adversity at many levels of society. Famines had far-reaching results in price inflation, robbery, social exploitation, agricultural collapse, migration, and even cannibalism.

  • Famines were not uncommon in the ancient world. 

So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home

Main characters:

Elimelech was married to Naomi.

Elimelech and Naomi had two sons, Mahlon and Kilion (A Hebrew family).

Orpah and Ruth were Moabites

Boaz 

Bethlehem (a place where significant events of Biblical history takes place).
5 miles south of Jerusalem

Naomi and Ruth will move back to Bethlehem

Both David and Jesus were born in Bethlehem.

and went to live in the country of Moab,

Elimelech was forced to move his family to a foreign land.

  • Elimelech moves his family from Bethlehem in Judah to Moab.

(View this on a map)

The Moabites were the decedents of Lot’s oldest surviving daughter.

Genesis 19:30-36 NLT
Lot and His Daughters
30 Afterward Lot left Zoar because he was afraid of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters. 31 One day the older daughter said to her sister, “There are no men left anywhere in this entire area, so we can’t get married like everyone else. And our father will soon be too old to have children. 32 Come, let’s get him drunk with wine, and then we will have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.”
33 So that night they got him drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had intercourse with her father. He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.
34 The next morning the older daughter said to her younger sister, “I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.” 35 So that night they got him drunk with wine again, and the younger daughter went in and had intercourse with him. As before, he was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.
36 As a result, both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father. 

Moab was the son of the older daughter.

Ben-Ammi was the son of the youngest daughter.

These sons became the founders of the Moabites and the Ammonites, nations that often warred against Israel.

God is amazing and uses WHOEVER He chooses to use! 

taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech (My God is King), and his wife was Naomi (pleasant). Their two sons were Mahlon (sick) and Kilion (pining). 

They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah.

Inhabitants of Ephrath (Ephratah or Ephratha) another name for Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 NLT
A Ruler from Bethlehem
2  But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on my behalf.

And when they reached Moab, they settled there. 

3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons.  

  • Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi in a foreign land without a husband. 

Note: In verse one we read, “a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home”. 

Elimelech left his home in Bethlehem because of the famine.  We can assume that he intended to return to Bethlehem after the famine in the land ended.

  • We can assume that Elimelech intended to return to Bethlehem after the famine in the land ended.

4 The two sons married Moabite women.

Hebrew men marrying Moabite women.

Marrying a Moabite did not violate Mosaic Law, (marrying a Canaanite was forbidden) however marrying foreign women often proved to be unwise (learn a lesson from Solomon).

  • Elimelech’s sons marry Moabite women.

One married a woman named Orpah (stubborn), and the other a woman named Ruth friendship). But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died.

  • Both Mahlon and Kilion die leaving Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth without husbands.

Note: Ruth had been barren for years in Moab before her husband Mahlon died.

  • God’s sovereignty is jumping off the pages in this story. 

This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.

At this point in the story Naomi is sad, discouraged, and without hope, having lost her husband and two sons.

If the family name were to carry on, there had to be an heir.  But having no sons, Naomi was left without hope.   Her Moabitess daughters-in-law offered her no apparent means to an heir.

  • At this point in the story Naomi is sad, discouraged, and without hope, having lost her husband and two sons.

A Lesson of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

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We are coming to the end of Genesis.

The end of another era of Biblical history.

A lesson in a lesson.

A lesson of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Genesis 50:14-26 NLT

The End of Another Era of Biblical History

A lesson of forgiveness and reconciliation.

14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
The Death of Joseph
22 So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110. 23 He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own.
24 “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.” 26 So Joseph died at the age of 110. The Egyptians embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 50:14-26 NLT

The End of Another Era of Biblical History

A lesson of forgiveness and reconciliation.

14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 

 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful.

A lesson in a lesson.

A lesson of forgiveness and reconciliation.

  • Joseph’s brothers were experiencing feelings of guilt for their sinful behaviors

and

they underestimated the genuineness of Joseph’s forgiveness and affection for them. 

“Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.

Had Joseph forgiven his brothers?

The brothers were “guilt-ridden” (consumed with guilt).

The brothers did not feel forgiven.

  • Joseph’s brothers did not feel forgiven and expected Joseph to “pay them back” for all the wrong they had done to him.

16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’

If Jacob, in fact, said this he too underestimated the genuineness of Joseph’s forgiveness and affection for them.

Discuss:
Reconciliation
Forgiveness (is not a feeling)

People often confuse forgiveness with reconciliation, as if they were the same thing. They aren’t. Reconciliation is the final step in the forgiveness process, but it might not happen. Forgiveness can take place without reconciliation taking place. It takes two people to reconcile, but only one to forgive.

Reconciliation – restore broken relationships.

  • Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same things.
  • Forgiveness is not a feeling.

So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.”

  • Joseph’s brothers begged Joseph to forgive their sin.

When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 

Why did Joseph weep?  I believe Joseph wept because his brothers had not experienced the forgiveness he had intended to extend to them.

Forgiveness is
a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness. … Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses.

Understanding God’s forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 NLT
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Hebrews 8:12 NLT
12 And I will forgive their wickedness,
and I will never again remember their sins.”

Forgive as God forgave.

Ephesians 4:32 NLT
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

  • I believe Joseph wept because his brothers had not experienced the forgiveness he had intended to extend to them.

18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.

Genesis 37:5-8 NLT
5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”
8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 

Genesis 44:12-16 NLT
12 The palace manager searched the brothers’ sacks, from the oldest to the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack! 13 When the brothers saw this, they tore their clothing in despair. Then they loaded their donkeys again and returned to the city.
14 Joseph was still in his palace when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him. 15 “What have you done?” Joseph demanded. “Don’t you know that a man like me can predict the future?”
16 Judah answered, “Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we explain this? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves—all of us, not just our brother who had your cup in his sack.” 

  • Joseph’s brothers recognized the reality of the relationship (roles) that existed between themselves and their brother.

1 Corinthians 12 – One Body with Many Parts 

19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 

Forgiveness never includes revenge.

Romans 12:19 NLT (17-21)
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.

  • Forgiveness can never include revenge.

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. 

He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 

Another example of God’s sovereignty.

Esther 4:13-14 NLT
13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: … 14 Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

Psalm 139:16 NLT
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” 

So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. 

  • Joseph reassured his brothers that he had forgiven them of their sin against him.

Genesis 45:4-11 NLT
4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.
9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! 10 You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 11 I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.’” 

  • Joseph recognized God’s role (God’s sovereignty) in the events of his life.

The Death of Joseph

22 So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110. 23 He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim,

Great-great grandchildren

and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own.

Great-grandchildren

A sign of God’s blessing.

Psalm 128 NLT
1 How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
all who follow his ways! …
5 May the Lord continually bless you …
6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.

 Proverbs 17:6 NLT
6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; …

 Proverbs 3:5-6 

  • Joseph experienced God’s blessings in his old age.

24 “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

Genesis 17:8 NLT
8 And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

  • Joseph understood the promises God had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.”  

Besides being a physical place (the land of Canaan), the Promised Land is a theological concept. In both the Old and New Testaments, God promised to bless his faithful followers and bring them into a restful place. Faith and faithfulness are the conditions of entering the Promised Land (Hebrews 11:9). 

26 So Joseph died at the age of 110. 

Joseph’s death signified the end of his generation and of the patriarchal age.  From this point forward, God dealt with Israel as a nation. 

The Egyptians embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt. 

Joseph’s body was kept in Egypt as a pledge of hope for the slaves awaiting the Promised Land.

Exodus 13:19 NLT
19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this. He said, “God will certainly come to help you. When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place.” 

Joshua 24:32 NLT
32 The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought along with them when they left Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the plot of land Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor for 100 pieces of silver. This land was located in the territory allotted to the descendants of Joseph.

  • Joseph’s dying wishes were carried out.

Paul’s Vision

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Introduction:

 Paul is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

Paul’s Boasting (continued)

Paul’s Vision

2 Corinthians 12:1-7a NLT
1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 12:1-7a NLT

Paul’s Boasting (continued)

Paul’s Vision
1 This boasting will do no good,

  • Paul is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

  • This boasting will not build up the church. 

but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.  

Six of Paul’s visions are recorded in Acts:

Acts 9:12, 16:9-10, 18:9, 22:17-18, 23:11, 27:23-24.  (Due to the timing and content of these visions, these visions can’t be the visions Paul is referring to in these verses.)

Paul also talks about visions in Galatians 1:12, 2:2, and Ephesians 3:3. (The content in these verses is very “general”.

As a boast, it was crucial that the Corinthians know that he was outmatched by no one in revelations and visions.

He did it to silence his critics and enable him to minister freely.

… listen to me, (2 Corinthians 11:16 NLT)

2 Corinthians 12:11 NLT (next lesson)
11 You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing at all.

  • Paul boasted to silence his critics and enable him to minister freely. 

2 I was caught up to the third heaven

A Jewish expression for the immediate presence of God.

When Paul says that he went to the third heaven, he means that he went to the place where God dwells.

fourteen years ago.

AD 43 (After his conversion and prior to his 1st missionary journey.)

Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 

  • Paul wasn’t sure whether he was in a trance or actually taken to heaven, but he did know that he was in the presence of God.

3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise (into the presence of Jesus) and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

  • Paul experienced something we will not experience until Christ returns and takes us home to be with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT
17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

This experience may have been similar to what John experienced in Revelation 1.

Revelation 1:12-19 NLT
12 When I (John) turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. 

  • Paul’s experience was certainly something many of us would be tempted to boast about.

In addition to the boasting Paul did about

his physical struggles,

his long and hard work,

and his spiritual struggles (discussed in the previous lesson)

Paul states that he could boast about his experience of being caught up to paradise and hearing things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words. 

  • Paul did not share the details of his experience. 
  • Paul believed that this boasting would not build up the church. 

I will boast only about my weaknesses. 

2 Corinthians 11:30
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 

  • Paul wanted to point away from himself and toward God.

John 15:5 NLT
5 “Yes, I (Jesus) am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth.

But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

  • Paul doesn’t want anyone to give him credit beyond what they could see in his life or hear in his message, (certainly not some mystical experience). 

 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. 

Redeemer Day School verses are Psalm 78:4-7, “We will… tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord… so that they should set their hope in God.” The entire fourth verse reads, “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done.” Verses 6 and 7 go on to say, “that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God.” Our prayer is that all of our students “set their hope” in Christ. This hope is what we are all about. What a privilege we have in our obedience to the Lord to plant seeds in the hearts of these little ones! We pray that the Lord would cause those seeds to grow!

What do these verses NOT include?

Boasting about the achievements of individuals in the school.

Paul’s Boasting (continued)

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Paul’s Boasting (continued)

Introduction:

 Paul is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

Paul’s Boasting (continued)
2 Corinthians 11:21-33 NLT
21 … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.

 Examine the scriptures:

Paul’s Boasting (continued)
2 Corinthians 11:21-33 NLT

21 … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 

Paul is ready to begin comparing the external qualifications apparently believed by the Corinthians and false apostles to be matters of great importance.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT (from the previous lesson)
… The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

  • Paul’s boasting continues.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 

Philippians 3:4-6 NLT
4 …  I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 

  • From a human viewpoint, Paul’s credentials were impeccable.

Genesis 17:7 NLT
7 “I (God) will confirm my covenant with you (Abraham) and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 

23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! 

I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 

Synagogue’s punishment.
Deuteronomy 25
39 lashes were given so as not to violate this Old Testament law.

 25 Three times I was beaten with rods.

This was a Roman punishment administered in public. As a Roman citizen, Paul sometimes avoided being beaten in this way. Citizens were supposed to be given a trial first. Here, though, Paul shows that he did not always escape it.

History indicates that many men died from these Roman beatings!

Acts 16:22-24 NLT
22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Once I was stoned. 

Acts 14:19 NLT
19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.

Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. (Acts 27) 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.

  • Paul faced danger from the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. 

I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

  • The apostle Paul suffered more than most as a follower of Christ. 

27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.

2 Thessalonians 3:8 NLT
8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 

  • Paul worked hard and long, sometimes without adequate food, clothing, or shelter. 

28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

  • Paul’s spiritual struggles were even a greater burden than his physical hardships.

1 Corinthians 12:26 NLT
26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 

30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.  

31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.  

  • Paul understood his total dependence on God.

Colossians 1:28-29 NLT
28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 

Paul’s hardships started early in his ministry. 

32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him. 

Started early in his ministry.
Acts 9:19-25 early in his ministry.
Some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. 

  • Paul’s hardships started early in his ministry.

Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Jacob’s Death and Burial

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Jacob’s Death and Burial

Genesis 49:29-50:14

We are coming to the end of Genesis.

The end of another era of Biblical history.

Genesis 49:29 – 50:14 NLT
Jacob’s Death and Burial
29 Then Jacob instructed them, “Soon I will die and join my ancestors. Bury me with my father and grandfather in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30 This is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a permanent burial site. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried. There Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, are buried. And there I buried Leah. 32 It is the plot of land and the cave that my grandfather Abraham bought from the Hittites.”
33 When Jacob had finished this charge to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and joined his ancestors in death.
50:1 Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. 2 Then Joseph told the physicians who served him to embalm his father’s body; so Jacob was embalmed. 3 The embalming process took the usual forty days. And the Egyptians mourned his death for seventy days.
4 When the period of mourning was over, Joseph approached Pharaoh’s advisers and said, “Please do me this favor and speak to Pharaoh on my behalf. 5 Tell him that my father made me swear an oath. He said to me, ‘Listen, I am about to die. Take my body back to the land of Canaan, and bury me in the tomb I prepared for myself.’ So please allow me to go and bury my father. After his burial, I will return without delay.”
6 Pharaoh agreed to Joseph’s request. “Go and bury your father, as he made you promise,” he said. 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. He was accompanied by all of Pharaoh’s officials, all the senior members of Pharaoh’s household, and all the senior officers of Egypt. 8 Joseph also took his entire household and his brothers and their households. But they left their little children and flocks and herds in the land of Goshen. 9 A great number of chariots and charioteers accompanied Joseph.
10 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan River, they held a very great and solemn memorial service, with a seven-day period of mourning for Joseph’s father. 11 The local residents, the Canaanites, watched them mourning at the threshing floor of Atad. Then they renamed that place (which is near the Jordan) Abel-mizraim, for they said, “This is a place of deep mourning for these Egyptians.”
12 So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them. 13 They carried his body to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre. This is the cave that Abraham had bought as a permanent burial site from Ephron the Hittite.
14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial.

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 49:29 – 50:14 NLT
Jacob’s Death and Burial

29 Then Jacob instructed them (his sons), “Soon I will die and join my ancestors. Bury me with my father and grandfather in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 

  • Jacob instructed his sons to bury him with his father and grandfather in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.

Jacob’s request represented hope for the future.

Jacob had made this same request earlier.

Genesis 47:29-30 NLT
29 As the time of his death drew near, Jacob called for his son Joseph and said to him, “Please do me this favor. Put your hand under my thigh and swear that you will treat me with unfailing love by honoring this last request: Do not bury me in Egypt. 30 When I die, please take my body out of Egypt and bury me with my ancestors.”
So Joseph promised, “I will do as you ask.”

  • This is a testimony of Jacob’s understanding and belief in the promises God had made to him as well as to Abraham and Isaac.

Review.

Genesis 23:9 NLT
9 … let me (Abraham) buy his cave at Machpelah (Mach pe lah), down at the end of his field. I will pay the full price in the presence of witnesses, so I will have a permanent burial place for my family.”

This is the only land in Canaan owned by Abraham

Abraham paid the full price and became the legal owner.

Hebrews 11:9 NLT
9 And even when he (Abraham) reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.

Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT
13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 

Acts 7:5 NLT
5 “But God gave him (Abraham) no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants—even though he had no children yet. 

30 This is the cave in the field of Machpelah (Mach pe lah), near Mamre in Canaan, that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a permanent burial site. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried. There Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, are buried. And there I buried Leah. 

 Abraham and his wife Sarah.
Isaac and his wife Rebekah.
Now Jacob and Leah.

Notice that Jacob mentions Leah, not Rachel.

Genesis 35:18-20 NLT
18 Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”). 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Jacob set up a stone monument over Rachel’s grave, and it can be seen there to this day.

  • Leah appeared to receive more honor in death than she did in life. 

32 It is the plot of land and the cave that my grandfather Abraham bought from the Hittites.”

Not in Egypt where he was currently living.

33 When Jacob had finished this charge to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and joined his ancestors in death.

Genesis 47:28 NLT
28 Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all. 

Jacob’s life had not been easy.

Jacob was both deceptive (with his father) and crafty (with his uncle Laban).

In the end, Jacob died as a man of genuine faith.

Death Is Inevitable

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NLT
A Time for Everything
1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.

Psalm 90:10 NLT
10 Seventy years are given to us!
Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
soon they disappear, and we fly away.

James 4:14 NLT
14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Hebrews 9:27 NLT
27  …. each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

  • Death Is Inevitable for all of us.
  • Scripture recognizes Jacob as a man of faith. (Hebrews 11:21)

Hebrews 11:21 NLT
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. 

  • Jacob’s death was the end of another era of Biblical history.

50:1 Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him.  

2 Then Joseph told the physicians who served him to embalm his father’s body; so Jacob was embalmed. 3 The embalming process took the usual forty days.

This appears to be embalming by Egyptian physicians using Egyptian processes.

Usually in Egypt, mummifying was a forty day process, which included gutting the body (the heart was removed not because the ancient Egyptians believed that the heart was the center of intelligence, emotions, and feelings), drying it, and wrapping it. (MacArthur) 

  • Jacob was embalmed by the physicians who had served him. 

And the Egyptians mourned his death for seventy days.

The period of mourning for a pharaoh was 72 days.

Jacob was obviously a greatly honored man.

Note the details recorded in the Scriptures.

4 When the period of mourning was over, Joseph approached Pharaoh’s advisers and said, “Please do me this favor and speak to Pharaoh on my behalf. 5 Tell him that my father made me swear an oath. He said to me, ‘Listen, I am about to die. Take my body back to the land of Canaan, and bury me in the tomb I prepared for myself.’ So please allow me to go and bury my father. After his burial, I will return without delay.”

Another brief look at the character of Joseph.

Love and respect for his father.

Respect for authority (the Egyptian government). Romans 13

6 Pharaoh agreed to Joseph’s request. “Go and bury your father, as he made you promise,” he said. 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. He was accompanied by all of Pharaoh’s officials, all the senior members of Pharaoh’s household, and all the senior officers of Egypt. 

This Egyptian escort was a display of honor and respect for Joseph by the Egyptian dignitaries.

8 Joseph also took his entire household and his brothers and their households. But they left their little children and flocks and herds in the land of Goshen. 9 A great number of chariots and charioteers accompanied Joseph.

  • This was Joseph’s first time back to his homeland in 39 years.

This journey was made in sorrow to bury a man, the next journey into the land would be to live there.

10 When they arrived at the threshing floor of Atad (At id), near the Jordan River, they held a very great and solemn memorial service, with a seven-day period of mourning for Joseph’s father. 11 The local residents, the Canaanites, watched them mourning at the threshing floor of Atad. Then they renamed that place (which is near the Jordan) Abel-mizraim (A bel miz ram), for they said, “This is a place of deep mourning for these Egyptians.”

A place of deep mourning for these Egyptians.

12 So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them. 13 They carried his body to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre. This is the cave that Abraham had bought as a permanent burial site from Ephron the Hittite.

  • Jacob’s instructions to his sons about his burial had been carried out.

Genesis 46:2-4 NLT
2 During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called.
“Here I am,” Jacob replied.
3 “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. 4 I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.”

God had promised Jacob that Joseph would be with him when he died and Jacob would be brought back to the land of Canaan.

14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial.

Joseph’s second trip to Egypt.

The brother’s fourth trip to Egypt.

The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

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The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

Introduction:

In previous verses (7-12) Paul discussed the issue of financial support for himself.

 In verses 13-15, Paul described the false teachers in the Corinthian church as servants of Satan.

      • Paul described the false apostles at Corinth as servants of Satan.
      • Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption.

 Now he is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

2 Corinthians 11:16- 21 NLT
The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting
16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 11:16- 21 NLT
The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. 

Some of the Corinthians were comparing Paul unfavorably to the false apostles.

“don’t think that I am a fool”

  • Some of the Corinthians thought that Paul was a fool.

Foolish here means ignorant. (Lacking in knowledge, education, or experience. Uninformed.)

Who is being foolish? 

  • The Corinthians were viewing these false apostles (false teachers) from a human perspective.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

  • People judge by outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.
  • By rejecting Paul in favor of the false apostles, the Corinthiasn would be rejecting the true gospel for a false gospel.

But even if you do (think that I am a fool), listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 

2 Corinthians 11:1 NLT
1 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 

  • Paul plays the part of a boastful fool so that he may present his true credentials (as a suffering apostle).
  • Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption. (repeated point) 

17 Such boasting is not from the Lord,

Jesus would not talk this way.

In his arrogance the fool boasts in himself, not in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 NLT
17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Jeremiah 9:24 NLT
24 But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken! 

but I am acting like a fool. 

Acting like a fool in order to counter the false doctrine threatening the Coriinthian church.

 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 

 BE CAREFUL if you choose to imitate Paul with this behavior.

  • Paul is using this approach out of necessity.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

  • Paul’s motive was to correct the Corinthian church.

19 After all, you think you are so wise,

Sarcasism

The Corinthians were viewing themselves as being wise.

1 Corinthians 4:10 NLT
10 Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.

but you enjoy putting up with fools! 

  • Those who are truly wise would not put up with fools. 

20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 

  • A description of the actions of the false teachers.

1 Someone enslaves you,
2 takes everything you have,
3 takes advantage of you,
4 takes control of everything,
5 and slaps you in the face.

Paul is describing the actions of the false teachers.

(Who else does this describe?)

Mark 12:38-40 NLT
38 Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. 39 And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 40 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

  • Beware of false teachers!

21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!

Paul was too weak to exploit the Corinthian church.

Ironic, tongue-in cheek, or sarcastic statement.

  • Paul knew how wrong it was for the false teachers to treat the church as they were doing.

But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.

Paul is ready to “take on” his opponents.

Paul is about to boast a little in his own identity to make his point.

In Corinth many boast according to the flesh.

Repeat:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law,[a] I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 

  • Quoting Paul, “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons (Part 3)

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Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons (Part 3)

Genesis 49:3-28

These prophecies are broad in scope, foretelling the future of the different tribes in general terms.

In the last lesson, we read Jacob’s words to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, and Issachar.

In this lesson, we will read Jacob’s words to Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin.

Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons (Part 3)
Genesis 49:1-2 NLT
49:1 Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, “Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.
2 “Come and listen, you sons of Jacob;
listen to Israel, your father.

Genesis 49:16-28 NLT
16 “Dan will govern his people,
like any other tribe in Israel.
17 Dan will be a snake beside the road,
a poisonous viper along the path
that bites the horse’s hooves
so its rider is thrown off.
18 I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!

19 “Gad will be attacked by marauding bands,
but he will attack them when they retreat.

20 “Asher will dine on rich foods
and produce food fit for kings.

21 “Naphtali is a doe set free
that bears beautiful fawns.

22 “Joseph is the foal of a wild donkey,
the foal of a wild donkey at a spring—
one of the wild donkeys on the ridge.
23 Archers attacked him savagely;
they shot at him and harassed him.
24 But his bow remained taut,
and his arms were strengthened
by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,
by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.
25 May the God of your father help you;
may the Almighty bless you
with the blessings of the heavens above,
and blessings of the watery depths below,
and blessings of the breasts and womb.
26 May my fatherly blessings on you
surpass the blessings of my ancestors,
reaching to the heights of the eternal hills.
May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph,
who is a prince among his brothers.

27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf,
devouring his enemies in the morning
and dividing his plunder in the evening.”

 28 These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said as he told his sons good-bye. He blessed each one with an appropriate message.

 Examine the Scriptures

Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons (Part 3)
Genesis 49:1-2 NLT (previous lesson)
49:1 Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, “Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.
2 “Come and listen, you sons of Jacob;
listen to Israel, your father.

Genesis 49:16-28 NLT

Jacob is telling his sons what would become of them in the days ahead. 

16 “Dan will govern his people,
like any other tribe in Israel.

Dan was one of Jacob’s 12 sons, he will be the head of one of the 12 tribes.

The name Dan means “judge”.

Dan was called to provide justice.

  • In many ways, the tribe of Dan will be like the other tribes of Israel.

But the tribe chose treachery.

17 Dan will be a snake beside the road,
a poisonous viper along the path
that bites the horse’s hooves
so its rider is thrown off.

This is not a prediction of success and prosperity.

  • The tribe of Dan had trouble taking possession of the land assigned to them.

Joshua 19:
The Land Given to Dan
40 The seventh allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Dan.
41 The land allocated as their homeland included the following towns: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, 42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, 43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron, 44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, 45 Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, 46 Me-jarkon, Rakkon, and the territory across from Joppa.
47 But the tribe of Dan had trouble taking possession of their land, so they attacked the town of Laish.  They captured it, slaughtered its people, and settled there. They renamed the town Dan after their ancestor.
48 The homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Dan included these towns and their surrounding villages.

Judges 1:34-35 NLT
34 As for the tribe of Dan, the Amorites forced them back into the hill country and would not let them come down into the plains. 35 The Amorites were determined to stay in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim, but when the descendants of Joseph became stronger, they forced the Amorites to work as slaves.

Judges 18:27-29
27 Then, …, the men of Dan came to the town of Laish, whose people were peaceful and secure. They attacked with swords and burned the town to the ground. 28 There was no one to rescue the people, for they lived a great distance from Sidon and had no allies nearby. This happened in the valley near Beth-rehob.
Then the people of the tribe of Dan rebuilt the town and lived there. 29 They renamed the town Dan after their ancestor, Israel’s son, but it had originally been called Laish.

  • The tribe of Dan was not known for moral stature or religious faithfulness.

The tribe chose to worship idols.

Judges 18:1-31 tells us that the tribe of Dan turned idolatrous and abandoned God after they entered the Promised Land and moved north.

Judges 18:30-31 NLT
30 Then they set up the carved image, and they appointed Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses, as their priest. This family continued as priests for the tribe of Dan until the Exile. 31 So Micah’s carved image was worshiped by the tribe of Dan as long as the Tabernacle of God remained at Shiloh.

1 Kings 12:28-30 NLT
The Northern Tribes Revolt
28 So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. He said to the people, “It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. Look, Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!”
29 He placed these calf idols in Bethel and in Dan—at either end of his kingdom. 30 But this became a great sin, for the people worshiped the idols, traveling as far north as Dan to worship the one there. 

********************

 18 I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!

(This follows all we know about Dan)

At this point, Jacob interjects an expression of hope.
“I trust in you, O Lord!)
There are a lot of tough years ahead for the Children of Israel.

Revelation 7:4-8 NLT
4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:
5 from Judah                12,000
from Reuben               12,000
from Gad                     12,000
6 from Asher                12,000
from Naphtali              12,000
from Manasseh           12,000
7 from Simeon*           12,000
from Levi                      12,000
from Issachar              12,000
8 from Zebulun            12,000
from Joseph                 12,000
from Benjamin            12,000

(No mention of Dan)

  • The tribe of Dan is not mentioned with the 144,000 marked with the seal of God in Revelation 7:4-8.
  • Samson known as a judge and deliverer of Israel was from the tribe of Dan.

********************

 19 “Gad will be attacked by marauding bands,
but he will attack them when they retreat.

The name Gad means “attack”.

Tribes located east of the Jordan River were often raided.  This resulted in the development of valiant fighters.

They were all skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows.

1 Chronicles 5:18 NLT
The Tribes East of the Jordan
18 There were 44,760 capable warriors in the armies of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They were all skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows.

1 Chronicles 12:8 & 14 NLT
8 Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains.

14 These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand!  

  • The tribe of Gad was skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows. 

The demise of Gad

2 Kings 10:32-33 NLT
The Death of Jehu (The 11th king of the separate kingdom of Israel – the Northern kingdom)
32 At about that time the Lord began to cut down the size of Israel’s territory. King Hazael conquered several sections of the country 33 east of the Jordan River, including all of Gilead, Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh. He conquered the area from the town of Aroer by the Arnon Gorge to as far north as Gilead and Bashan.

 ********************

 20 “Asher will dine on rich foods
and produce food fit for kings.

Asher was located on the agriculturally rich coastal region of the Mediterranean Sea.

  • The land of Asher was fertile and productive producing rich food. 

********************

 21 “Naphtali is a doe set free
that bears beautiful fawns.

  • Naphtali, like a doe, would be a free mountain people.

(The hilly region northwest of the Sea of Galilee.)

 Their lives were not always carefree.

Judges 5:18 NLT
The Song of Deborah
18 But Zebulun risked his life,
as did Naphtali, on the heights of the battlefield. 

********************

The next blessing is addressed to Joseph but applicable to his two sons.

  • Jacob reserved his longest blessing for Joseph, confirming his special standing.

 22 “Joseph is the foal of a wild donkey,
the foal of a wild donkey at a spring—
one of the wild donkeys on the ridge.

Genesis 49:22 KJV
22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

Genesis 49:22 ESV
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough,
a fruitful bough by a spring;
his branches run over the wall.

Genesis 49:22 NIV
22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.

23 Archers attacked him savagely;
they shot at him and harassed him.
24 But his bow remained taut, – the promise of victory
    and his arms were strengthened
by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,
by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.
25 May the God of your father help you;
may the Almighty bless you
with the blessings of the heavens above,  (rain for crops)
and blessings of the watery depths below, (streams and wells of water)
and blessings of the breasts and womb. (Abundant offspring)
26 May my fatherly blessings on you
surpass the blessings of my ancestors, (Abraham and Isaac)
    reaching to the heights of the eternal hills.
May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph,
who is a prince among his brothers. (A reflection of both his character and position)

1 Chronicles 5 NLT
1 The oldest son of Israel was Reuben. But since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to the sons of his brother Joseph. For this reason, Reuben is not listed in the genealogical records as the firstborn son. 2 The descendants of Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation, but the birthright belonged to Joseph.

Samuel was from Ephraim

Gideon was from Manasseh

 ********************

 27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf,
devouring his enemies in the morning
and dividing his plunder in the evening.”

A description of a violent tribe.

  • The Benjamites were a cruel and violent tribe.

Read Judges Chapters 19 and 20.
The Levite and His Concubine
Israel’s War with Benjamin

  • Both Sauls in the Bible were from the tribe of Benjamin.

Both exhibited streaks of cruelty.

Old Testament Saul

1 Samuel 9 NLT
1 There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. … 2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.

1 Samuel 19:10 NLT
10 Saul hurled his spear at David. But David dodged out of the way, and leaving the spear stuck in the wall, he fled and escaped into the night.

New Testament Saul

Philippians 3:5 NLT
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin …

Acts 8:3 NLT
3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

********************

 28 These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said as he told his sons good-bye. He blessed each one with an appropriate message. 

  • These prophecies are broad in scope, foretelling the future of the different tribes in general terms.

 

Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)

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Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)

Introduction:

In this passage, Paul continues to defend his position as the spiritual authority in the Corinthian church.

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.

Paul continues to boast (in the Lord) in this passage.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

 

2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT
Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)
7 Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 9 And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.
12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT

Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)

7 Was I wrong when I humbled myself

Greek culture measured the importance of a teacher by the fee he could command.

and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 

Normal practice

Luke 10:4-7 NLT (Instructions from Jesus)
4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 

1 Corinthians 9:4 NLT (Paul)
4 Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?

 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 NLT
13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 

  • The normal practice, at the time when Paul was an apostle, was that those who preached the Good News were supported by those who benefited from the teaching.

Paul’s choice

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.

2 Thessalonians 3:8 NLT
8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.

Acts 18:1-3 NLT
Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth
1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila … (and) his wife, Priscilla. … 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. 

  • Paul preached God’s Good News to the Corinthians without expecting anything in return. 

8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 

Paul said it was like robbery when he took money from poor people (churches).

  • Paul accepted financial contributions from other churches so that he could serve the Corinthian church at no cost to them.

9 And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone.

Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Learn how to be content with whatever you have. 

For the brothers who came from Macedonia (Silas and Timothy) brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 

Philippians 4:15 NLT
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 

  • Paul did not want to be a financial burden to the Corinthian church.

God provided.

10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 

 2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 

Review from the previous lesson:

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

However, if necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry (Paul’s boasting was in the Lord.)  to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

  • If necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. 

11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.

Paul’s refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians may have embarrassed the Corinthians.

This verse suggests that the Corinthians felt that Paul did not love them.

Paul certainly loved the Corinthians.

Paul was the loving “spiritual” father wanting to protect his children. (Previous lesson)

12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. 

  • Paul stood his ground (refusing financial support from the Corinthians), which may not have felt like love to the Corinthians. 

This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 

  • Unlike Paul, the false apostles were being supported by the Corinthian church. This made their work different from Paul’s work.

 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

Don’t be surprised by false teachers.  They are deceitful workers disguised as apostles of Christ.

15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

  • Paul described the false apostles at Corinth as servants of Satan.
  • Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption. 

In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.