Musing – What do we have in common with Joseph and Daniel?

Hebraic Musing – What do we have in common with Joseph and Daniel?

Both Joseph and Daniel were ripped away from their families as young men when they were taken to foreign countries – Joseph to be alone in Egypt and Daniel to Babylon with other exiles.  Both excelled, becoming part of the leadership of their adopted countries.  Outwardly they appeared as accepting their new culture, but they never forgot the God of their Fathers.  Daniel continued his prayer life and eating a diet free of unclean animals.  Joseph advocated for his family and their separation from the idolatrous culture of Egypt.  

When you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, did you find yourself living in a foreign land?  We haven’t left our city, state or the United States, but we have been ripped away from the Bible based moral culture of the past and now live in a new culture we realize is rather hostile toward God.  It is hard to escape when the media is leading the charge against the God of the Bible.  Truth has been the first casualty of this war as we are immersed in evil.  Ever feel as alone as Elijah, not knowing whether anyone else has the gift of discernment of evil?

What did the NT say about the OT saints in Hebrews 11:13-16   “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. … they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. ….” NIV  

As Bible believers, we seem to be attacked on all sides, and can no longer innocently trust others, especially the media, to lead us.  We need to recognize that we are living in hostile country, akin to Egypt or Babylon.  So, like Joseph and Daniel, we need to keep our real identity as children of God, King’s Kids, even though we are in a foreign land, living behind enemy lines.  

We must be constantly seeking God in Bible reading and prayer; because, as our culture gets darker and darker we have more opportunities to let our light shine.  The book of Revelation is becoming more and more relevant in these days, especially regarding those who gave testimony of their faith.  Testimony is a legal term referring to evidence.  We are to give evidence of our faith.  Remember "They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Rev 12:11 NIV 

Sometimes people aren't interested in listening to our testimony because they are too wrapped up in what is going on in their own lives.  But let’s recognize there is a hunger for this message in the world today.  People are looking for the truth despite the distractions of life; so let’s focus on being “overcomers” by keeping our eyes on Jesus and His Word.   Rev.2 & 3

Is our role as Christians here on earth any different than Paul’s role?  “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”  Ephesians 6:19-20

And here’s what Peter had to say – “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11-12  NIV

 Point to ponder

Are we living in a foreign land as “Ambassadors for Christ”?

Or, are we too much “at home” here?

♫ This world is not my home I'm just a passing through… ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                  November 21, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s “Joseph & Daniel, heroes of the faith”  Nov.16, 2017