Tag Archives: Canaan

The Relationship Between Posterity and God’s Remnant

Posted on November 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former teacher who has taught a history class, not many Americans have heard about the spiritual heritage of the United States. Did you know that local education began at churches serving as an outreach to the illiterate in their communities? Or that the New England Primer introduced each letter of the alphabet with a verse from the Bible? While completing his summary on the life of Joseph, Moses refers to the relationship between posterity and God’s remnant.

God sent me before you to preserve for you a posterity and to continue a remnant on the earth, to save your lives by a great escape and save for you many survivors, Genesis 45:7.

Posterity refers to all future generations of people. Meanwhile, remnant is a small remaining quantity of people from a specific place or share a common interest. What Moses is trying to say in the passage above, Joseph’s life via God’s providence protected and secured the future of the Israelites. By moving from Canaan to Egypt, God will provide all they need to survive this drought.

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things [n]impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:38-39.

Due to the shrewd and shift actions taken by Joseph as governor of Egypt, the Pharaoh welcomed Joseph’s family with opened arms. However, over the years as Israelites prospered, new Pharaoh’s forgot how Joseph saved their country and placed them into slavery for 400 years. This is why the promises of God in the Bible are needed to carry on through from the tough times in life so that future Christian generations will endure the trials of today.

by Jay Mankus

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The First Purging in the Bible

Posted on July 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon the translation of the Bible that you prefer to read and study, there are approximately 100 passages that directly or indirectly reference purging. From a cultural perspective, there are two types of purging. The abrupt or violent removal of a group of people from an organization or place with the latter focusing on cleansing and purifying your body.

And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. And make there an altar to God Who appeared to you [in a distinct manifestation] when you fled from the presence of Esau your brother. 2 Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, Put away the [images of] strange gods that are among you, and purify yourselves and change [into fresh] garments; 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make there an altar to God Who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me wherever I went. 4 So they [both young men and women] gave to Jacob all the strange gods they had and their earrings which were [worn as charms against evil] in their ears; and Jacob buried and hid them under the oak near Shechem, Genesis 35:1-4.

The first examples of purging in the Bible is found in today’s featured passage. After a strange turn of events at the end of Genesis 34, Jacob is concerned about the spiritual state of his family. After his wife Rachel stole images of gods that her father worshipped without being caught, other woman rummaged through vacant houses in Canaan, taking everything that they liked or looked good on them. This plundering inspired God to speak directly to Jacob by addressing this issue.

So kill (deaden, [a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). 6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will), 7 Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices]. 8 But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips! 9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices, 10 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect [b]knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it, Colossians 3:5-10.

Possessions like good luck charms seem innocent but can lead to ungodly beliefs about why good and bad things happen in the world. From a New Testament perspective, the apostle Paul explains why spiritual purging is necessary. If a Christian never relinquishes former addictions, bad habits or unwholesome cravings, where is their faith, James 2:26? One of Paul’s consistent messages throughout the first century, if you want to live you must first die to self, Galatians 5:24. May today’s blog inspire you to begin practice purging your soul of evil, Colossians 3:1-4.

by Jay Mankus

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Household Gods

Posted on July 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I first studied Genesis 31, I thought I had found a typo in my Bible. The end of Genesis 31:19 reads Rachel stole her father’s household gods. I assumed that Rachel took possessions that she thought were rightfully hers. However, in the passage below, Moses clearly states that Laban possessed images of gods worshipped by the people in Paddan-aram.

So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he went from Leah’s tent into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images (gods) and put them in the camel’s saddle and sat on them. Laban searched and felt through all the tent, but did not find them. 35 And [Rachel] said to her father, Do not be displeased, my lord, that I cannot rise up before you, for the period of women is upon me and I am unwell. And he searched, but did not find the gods, Genesis 31:33-35.

This passage struck a nerve in my soul, causing me to wonder, “what households gods do I possess?” Is the Lord lifted up on high or do I display graven images that have led guests and visitors astray? Meanwhile, what kind of activities, games, or hobbies inside my home distract me from spending more time daily with the Lord? – Mark 1:35-36

Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. 4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, Exodus 20:1-5.

Compared to Canaan, growing up in Paddan-aram was likely a much more suitable place to become a good and decent human being. Yet, every city has bad influences which divert your attention toward idle practices. According to Moses, Laban had collected images of gods worshipped in Paddan-aram or nearby towns. If the book of Genesis serves as God’s ultimate display of free will, the Ten Commandments places a limitation on exercising free will, starting with household gods.

by Jay Mankus

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Awakening the Soul

Posted on September 23, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The word wake refers to 3 different aspects in life.  The first relates to emerging from a state of sleep.  The second is an act, participating in a vigil, pouring out your soul to expedite the process of healing of a dead family member, friend or loved one.  Finally, wake are turbulent waves following the passing of a large vessel on water.  Inside the pages of Genesis 50, lies an event which awakens the soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJsjNNp0foE

While there may be ancient books that refer to a wake, I believe Genesis 50:10-11 contains a glimpse of the first documented religious ceremony.  Following a mass funeral procession from Egypt to Canaan to bury Jacob with his ancestors, Joseph stops along the banks of the Jordan River.  According to Moses, Joseph observed a 7 day mourning period for his father, lamenting and weeping, crying out to express his bitterness to God over losing his dad.  Observing from a distance, the Canaanites were so moved by Joseph’s display of emotions that they named this site “Abel Mizraim,” meaning a solemn ceremony of mourning.

I find that many men hide their true feelings, trying to be cool or adhere to the world’s belief, real men don’t cry.  Others sweep their emotions under a proverbial rug, deadening their soul.  Though I am by no means an expert in this area, I get the sense the Bible is urging individuals to “let it all hang out.”  After a good cry, I tend to be rejuvenated by practicing this form of releasing the burdens deep inside your heart.  If you have been holding back tears, maybe, just maybe, you need a waterfall of emotions to awaken your soul.  May the promise of Psalm 34:18 be fulfilled this day!

by Jay Mankus

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Not A Laughing Matter

Posted on July 22, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Comedy and humor have been turned upside down over the past 50 years in America.  If you examine sitcoms from the last 5 decades, you will find that each entertainer tries to push the envelope a little further than the person before them.  Somewhere between the 60’s and 70’s, Hollywood crossed the line, leaving courtesy, dignity and honor out in the dark.  As cursing, indecency and swearing have replaced natural wit in recent years, the content of most comics is not a laughing matter.

When I read Genesis 9:20-24 today, I was reminded of the days of my youth.  If this event took place in the early 80’s, most of the audience would be in shock, not sure how to respond.  Thirty years later, souls have been desensitized by the acts of the sinful nature, Galatians 5:19-21.  Films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Animal House have stolen the innocence of our children’s generation.  Thus, instead have following in the footsteps of Shem and Japheth, our culture is now laughing with Ham.

It’s only fitting that the father of the Canaanites, Ham, became the thorn in Israel’s side.  In fact, God demanded that the Israelites destroy the Canaanites so that their life style would not corrupt God’s chosen people.  One of Jesus’ disciples has given us a new command today, to live in the world, but not of it, 1 Peter 2:11-12.  God doesn’t want us to become Amish and move to Lancaster or Puritans who isolated themselves from society.  Rather, we need to be salt and light, Matthew 5:13-14, refraining from laughing at inappropriate jokes, yet enjoying good and decent comedy.  I am just as guilty of the next guy or girl, smirking at comments made on talk radio as I drive to work.  However, its time to stand in the gap, Ezekiel 22:30, defending the principles of the Bible, Psalm 1:1-2, by proclaiming this is no longer a laughing matter.

by Jay Mankus

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