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Does man make his own choices according to his own desires in this life?
Or...
Is there a CAUSE, working behind the scenes, that impacts those decisions?
What a question to start off with!
First, let's look at some examples found in Scripture.
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Joseph and his brothers
Many of you already know the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. I won't bother pouring over every little detail, but you'll soon see something that maybe you've missed before. I know that was true for me.
I'll try to make this brief...
Genesis 37 tells us how Joseph's brothers conspired to kill him as they were jealous and envious of him:
Gen 37:18 ... they [the brothers] conspired against him [Joseph] to slay him.
First, they decided to kill him and then blame his death on a wild beast:
Gen 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast has devoured him...
One of the brothers, Reuben, talked them out of spilling Joseph's blood and suggested that they just put him in a pit and let him die... he didn't want Joseph's blood on his hands:
Gen 37:22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness...
Once again, their plans changed... a band of Ishmaelites passed through on their way to Egypt. Judah suggests that they sell Joseph as a slave instead:
Gen 37:26-27 And Judah said unto his brothers, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh.
For 20 pieces of silver Joseph was sold, shipped off to Egypt, and sold again to Pharaoh's captain of the guard:
Gen 37:36 And the Midianites sold him [Joseph] into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
Genesis 38-41 tell us of the many trials of Joseph and how he eventually found favor with the Pharaoh because of his ability to interpret dreams. So much favor, that Pharaoh inducts Joseph as his number two man over all of Egypt.
We then read of the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine that was prophesied through Pharaoh's dream.
During the years of famine, all countries came to buy grain from Joseph:
Gen 41:57 And ALL countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Jacob received word of the grain of Egypt and sent his 10 sons to buy grain.
Joseph recognizes his brothers, but hid his own identity from them.
Joseph plants his personal gold in their grain sacks and then accuses them of stealing in order to cause them fear.
Finally, Joseph can no longer contain his compassion for his brothers and reveals himself to them.
Gen 45:1-4 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brothers.
And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brothers, I am Joseph; does my father yet live? And his brothers could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
That's the basics of the story in a nutshell.
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Now - let's see how God is always in control of everything!
Who was responsible for selling Joseph as a slave to Egypt?
You may be answering "Joseph's brothers... we just read that above."
The brothers are the ones who conspired against Joseph, first wanting to kill him, then wanting to just put him in the pit, then wanting to sell him as a slave to the Ishmaelites... all of these choices, and ultimately we see how time after time, they changed their minds.
"Well... in the end, their will was accomplished, right?"
Was it the will of the brothers that was accomplished? The brothers wanted to get rid of Joseph and ultimately - they were rid of Joseph.
Joseph, himself even tells us - it was the brothers that sold him away:
Gen 45:5a Now therefore be not grieved [brothers], nor angry with yourselves, that YOU [brothers] sold me hither:
Joseph admitted that it was his brothers that sold him off... of this, there is no doubt.
Oh, but wait... there's more!
When Joseph tells his brothers of the dream:
Gen 37:8 And his brother said to him [Joseph], Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?
And they HATED him YET even more for his dreams, and for his words.
Then Joseph has another dream:
Gen 37:9 & Gen 37:11 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold the sun and the moon and the eleven stars [his eleven brothers] made obeisance to me [bowed down to me] ... And his brothers ENVIED him...
It is at this point that we pick up with the story I started with. Joseph heads out to meet his brothers in the field:
Gen 37:18-19 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer comes.
God inspired Jacob (later named Israel) to love Joseph more, and to make him a fabulous coat.
God gave Joseph those dreams and inspired him to tell of those dreams to his brothers.
At that point, all it took was the carnal minds of his brothers to rampage off into jealousy and envy. Out of the heart proceeds...
Were the dreams that God gave to Joseph evil dreams? No... but God knew they would inspire Joseph's brothers into rampage.
The dreams themselves were prophetic and picture the salvation of the children of Israel (the brothers and even their own children) in the future, at the hand of Joseph in Egypt.
Think about it!
If God hadn't started by providing those dreams to Joseph... if He hadn't inspired Jacob to love Joseph more... and make him the coat of many colors... if the brothers had not turned to rage... if Reuben had not been inspired to have a change of heart and intervene on behalf of Joseph... if God hadn't inspired those Ishmaelites to be passing by... if God hadn't inspired brother Judah to greed... if God hadn't given Pharaoh a dream to be interpreted... if God hadn't caused seven years of plenty, and seven years of famine... etc., etc.
The children of Israel (Jacob) would have starved to death! Not only Jacob and his family, but "all countries came to Egypt to Joseph" to buy food!
Gen 45:7 And God sent me [Joseph] before you [brothers] to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
All of this brought Joseph into a position of power in Egypt, of which the brothers and Jacob would later come to depend upon for their very own salvation!
Gen 50:20 But as for you [brothers], you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, TO BRING TO PASS, as IT IS this day, to save much people alive.
Believe me... God knows what He's doing. You may not realize what He's doing at the time, but God is orchestrating every detail in our lives to bring about His perfect will.
What about:
Peter
Jesus says to Peter:
Luk 22:31 And the Lord [Jesus] said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
To which Peter replies:
Luk 22:33 And he said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death.
Sounds like a man who is pretty secure in his faith to me!
Jesus, says "Oh, really?!":
Luk 22:34 And He said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that you shall thrice deny that you know Me.
We all know the end to this story... three times before the rooster crowed - Peter denied Jesus three times:
Luk 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter [that's gotta sting...]. And Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice.
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
The other Disciples also said that they would remain loyal.
But, Jesus... said that they would all be offended because of Him.
Was there a reason for God causing the Disciples to "will" loyalty to Jesus face, and then in the same night to "will" to deny Jesus?
Does God do anything in vain without a reason?
This was all part of their conversion process.
God totally, and utterly humiliated them, in front of Jesus, by proving to them that their own decisions, their own desires, their own will - was not free to do what they wanted, but that:
Php 2:13 For IT IS GOD which WORKS IN YOU both to will [determine from obedient impulse] and to do of HIS good pleasure [desires].
In just one night God smashed the presumed free-will of all the Disciples. They lost confidence in their flesh after that night. What a valuable lesson for all of us today!
James later shows us just how well he learned this lesson of so-called free self determinism:
Jas 4:13-15 Go to now [come now], you that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that you ought to say, IF THE LORD WILL, we shall live, and do this, or that.
James certainly understands and agrees with both Scripture and science in that man has the ability to "will". But... James also understands that there are two things that constantly oppose and change the "will" of man.
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Two Factors
[1] Circumstances
What did God inspire (cause) James to explain?
One major factor in what determines the actual outcome of man's desire is:
"you know NOT what shall be on the morrow", or - you don't have a clue as to what's going to happen tomorrow.
You may have plans to go to the city and make some money for a year, but you don't have a clue as to what tomorrow brings - let alone a year from now.
God changes our minds constantly through circumstances that "you know not". Those circumstances are the "cause" of our choices, and the "cause" of our change of mind...
For example, my intent this morning was to get to work on "Whence Hell? - Part 14".
I haven't even looked at that blog today! I heard something on the news this morning that made me think "this guy doesn't have a clue as to what he's talking about!". When I heard that, I was instantly reminded of the lessons I've learned and am sharing with you now.
Years ago, when I moved from Colorado - I boastfully declared "No way will I ever move to that state!" In fact, I hung up on the recruiters multiple times... there was no way I would ever move from beautiful Colorado - to that state!
But, God... He has different plans for me. Here I am now... typing from that state!
How did all the Disciples "will" to remain loyal to Jesus no matter what, at one moment in time, and in the next moment in time, they all changed their "will" to forsake Him?
What changed their wills?
Circumstances.
One moment they were at ease and safe in the upper room with Jesus professing their loyalty boldly to His face, and at a later moment they were in the garden surrounded by Roman Soldiers!
In this case, fear was the circumstance that caused their (un-free) wills to change.
So it was the presence of certain circumstances that caused the Disciples to "will" as they did.
But what caused the circumstances to be as they were to ensure that they would "will" appropriately to fulfill Christ's prophecy concerning their denying and forsaking Him?
Christ proclaimed they would deny Him... was there any chance at all that they wouldn't deny Him?
No!
[2] God's Will
Notice the second thing James was inspired (caused) to write:
"you ought to say, IF THE LORD WILL, we shall live, and do this, or that."
Who is in complete control of ALL?
God, of course.
The Disciples did not want to change their will, they did not desire to deny Jesus, they did not wish to makes liars and fools of themselves - especially in front of Jesus Himself, they did not want to be shown to be cowardly, etc.
Who would want to do that in front of Jesus?!
Were they free to do otherwise? NO! God had other plans for them, and Jesus declared those plans before the events even took place.
There's NO CHANCE of the Disciples NOT doing exactly what Jesus proclaimed they would do! Jesus' prophecy was fulfilled that night.
God has a Master Plan... He knows how to bring about change in order to accomplish His Plan.
His Plan will come to complete fruition... it WILL be accomplished.
What about:
Pharaoh
Rom 9:15 For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
According to the passage above - Who is in control? The puny will of man, or God?
God - of course.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that wills [not puny man's will], nor of him that runs [to have a course], BUT OF GOD that shows mercy.
Pharaoh is a great example:
Rom 9:17 For the Scripture says unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show My power in thee, and that My Name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore [for that reason...] has He mercy on whom He will have mercy...
... and whom He will He hardens.
Pharaoh did not harden his own heart.
We were just told that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, and He did it intentionally. He created Pharaoh, and "raised him up" for the express purpose of accomplishing His (God) own will and purpose.
Pharaoh had no choice in the matter... none whatsoever.
God "states" His will:
Exo 9:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve me.
Pretty clear, right? God wants Pharaoh to "let My people go".
BUT! Does God expect, or even want His "will be done on earth" at the particular time that He declares it to Moses?
Nope... in fact, it is God Himself Who prevents Pharaoh from His own "stated will" of letting His people go.
Exo 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he [Pharaoh] hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that Pharaoh refused to "let My people go".
Pharaoh would have let God's people go... otherwise, God would not have had to purposefully "hardened the heart of Pharaoh".
Pharaoh's heart was soft and weak - he would've let them go!
But, God... God hardened his heart so that he would not let them go.
Yeah, but... God stated that He wanted Pharaoh to let His people go, and then He prevented it from happening at that time... what's going on with this?!
He didn't want Pharaoh to let them go this easily. His plan is much bigger than just letting His people go...
God has to do something to get Pharaoh to go against God's "stated will".
God wants Pharaoh to resist His "stated will"...
So what does God do?
[1] Exo 7:3-5 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you [Moses], that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth Mine armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
And the Egyptians shall KNOW that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
As planned, Pharaoh resists God's stated will ("let My people go"), and then God turns up the heat with greater and greater plagues upon Egypt until even "hard-hearted" Pharaoh has had enough... his hardened heart finally goes soft again... and then -
God's "stated will" is accomplished and Pharaoh lets the Hebrews go.
But, wait! There's more!
[2] Exo 14:3-4 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart [again], that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
God knew that Pharaoh would be too soft-hearted... God needed to use Pharaoh to pronounce His Name through all of Egypt. It wasn't solely about the release of the Hebrews - God had other plans as well... he's using both Israel and Pharaoh as He wishes to accomplish His will!
He displayed His strength to the Egyptians... He hardens Pharaoh's heart once again so that Pharaoh takes his armies, chases after the children of Israel, and is totally decimated in the Red Sea.
From Pharaoh's birth until his death... this dishonorable vessel that the Potter formed, of the same lump of clay, was controlled by God.
You may be thinking "poor Pharaoh!". No - not poor Pharaoh.
God knows the reasons that He intentionally created this vessel of dishonor and God alone is responsible for Pharaoh.
This "dishonorable vessel" was of GREAT VALUE to God! Pharaoh was a great tool in the hands of Almighty God! He intentionally created Pharaoh and "raised him up" to put on display His Majesty and His Sovereignty!
Not only that, but this story is recorded in Scripture for us to learn from today!
God is STILL using Pharaoh to this very day!
Now... let me ask you - Do you believe that God will deal righteously with Pharaoh in the end?
I KNOW He will!
What about:
Paul
I've discussed this in other blogs, so I won't belabor it here, but I've got to include it in this post as well. Paul was set for an example... how could I exclude his story?
Paul didn't ask for that Grace... but he got it anyway. God's plans are much higher than our plans, and His plans were more important than Paul's plans:
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Paul is the pattern case (we've discussed Paul in other blogs).
1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has enabled [empowered] me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Paul didn't voluntarily enlist... He was drafted - he was "put" into the Ministry.
1 Tim 1:13-16 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME [Paul] first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering [patience], for a PATTERN to them [us!] which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting [G166 - aionion].
God used Paul so that those who "hereafter believe" would know that He could take the worst sinner to ever live and change his stony heart in a flash!
Salvation does not depend on the puny, broken will of man, but rather on the Sovereign Will of an ALL-Powerful God... and Paul is an example of EXACTLY that!
Saul (soon to be renamed Paul) HATED Christians:
Act 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord...
He was on his way to Damascus to gather permits which would legally allow him to gather up Christians:
Act 9:3 ... and suddenly there shined round about him a Light from Heaven:
Has anyone ever considered what would happen if God were to strike down Adolf Hitler with a blinding "Light from Heaven"?
Do you really think that Adolf Hitler would have shaken his fist toward heaven in total human defiance?
Not a chance! God had a plan for even Hitler! Hitler was His pawn!
Paul was the CHIEF of sinners. Scripture says he was the worst sinner in the history of the world.
Paul despised the Church of the Loving God. He hated it with every fiber of his being. He went to great lengths and personal hardship to seek out and TORTURE the Saints of God.
But when God struck him down with a blinding light from heaven, Paul "trembled" [G5141 - tremo, dreadful and terrifying fear], and was "astonished" (G2248 - thambeo, to stupefy, astound, amaze], and Paul melted like ice cream in the noonday sun!
He went from despising Christians to: "Lord, what will You have me to do?" in a matter of seconds!
Jesus said:
Act 9:6 ... Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what you MUST do.
There's no question as to what Paul did next.
Why did God require Paul?
That Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering [patience], for a PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting [G166 - aionios].
It didn't matter what Paul wanted. It didn't matter what Paul desired. Paul's plans went out the window! He didn't ask for this... Paul's "will" mattered NOT...
God's Will be done!
Php 2:13 For IT IS GOD which works in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.
One more... what about:
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Jesus
What does Jesus have to say on this topic?
Joh 6:38-40 For I [Jesus] came down from Heaven, NOT to do Mine own will, BUT the will of Him [The Father] that sent Me.
And this is the Father's will which has sent Me:
That of all which He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again AT THE LAST DAY.
And this is the will of Him that sent Me:
That every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting [aionion] life: and I will raise him up AT THE LAST DAY.
What else did Jesus say?
Joh 4:34 Jesus says unto them, My meat is to DO THE WILL of Him that sent Me, and to FINISH His work.
Jesus was sent to FINISH the work that His Father had begun!
Jesus didn't even speak His own words:
Joh 8:28-29 Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall you know that I am He, and that I DO NOTHING of Myself; but as My Father has taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father has not left Me alone; for I do always those things that PLEASE HIM.
Joh 12:49-50 For I have NOT spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He GAVE Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting [aionion]: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, SO I SPEAK.
Not only did The Father do the speaking, He also did the works:
Joh 14:10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak NOT of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me, He does the works.
Jesus knows full well that God's exclusive will MUST, and WILL BE accomplished:
Joh 14:24 He that loves Me not keeps NOT My sayings: and the Word which you hear is NOT Mine, but the Father's which sent Me.
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If Jesus, or any of the above Saints, were unable to go against the will of The Father, what makes us think that we will be able to?
You can't seriously think that any of us have a greater power of will than that of the Father, and our Lord Jesus.
No - we're not puppets on a string... no - we're not little "mini-me" robots...
But I guarantee you - God is orchestrating everything in our lives behind the scenes to accomplish His will through our lives and we're not even aware of it most of the time!
Why would you even want to put faith in your own desires?
I would much rather know, and live my life according to whatever He desires... He has our best intentions in mind, and He's got a better grip on what's best for us!
So... take your seats! The final scene is soon upon us, and the curtain is about to be drawn!
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More later...
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
CLICK HERE! for an index to previous blogs.
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Does man make his own choices according to his own desires in this life?
Or...
Is there a CAUSE, working behind the scenes, that impacts those decisions?
What a question to start off with!
First, let's look at some examples found in Scripture.
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Joseph and his brothers
Many of you already know the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. I won't bother pouring over every little detail, but you'll soon see something that maybe you've missed before. I know that was true for me.
I'll try to make this brief...
Genesis 37 tells us how Joseph's brothers conspired to kill him as they were jealous and envious of him:
Gen 37:18 ... they [the brothers] conspired against him [Joseph] to slay him.
First, they decided to kill him and then blame his death on a wild beast:
Gen 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast has devoured him...
One of the brothers, Reuben, talked them out of spilling Joseph's blood and suggested that they just put him in a pit and let him die... he didn't want Joseph's blood on his hands:
Gen 37:22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness...
Once again, their plans changed... a band of Ishmaelites passed through on their way to Egypt. Judah suggests that they sell Joseph as a slave instead:
Gen 37:26-27 And Judah said unto his brothers, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh.
For 20 pieces of silver Joseph was sold, shipped off to Egypt, and sold again to Pharaoh's captain of the guard:
Gen 37:36 And the Midianites sold him [Joseph] into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
Genesis 38-41 tell us of the many trials of Joseph and how he eventually found favor with the Pharaoh because of his ability to interpret dreams. So much favor, that Pharaoh inducts Joseph as his number two man over all of Egypt.
We then read of the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine that was prophesied through Pharaoh's dream.
During the years of famine, all countries came to buy grain from Joseph:
Gen 41:57 And ALL countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Jacob received word of the grain of Egypt and sent his 10 sons to buy grain.
Joseph recognizes his brothers, but hid his own identity from them.
Joseph plants his personal gold in their grain sacks and then accuses them of stealing in order to cause them fear.
Finally, Joseph can no longer contain his compassion for his brothers and reveals himself to them.
Gen 45:1-4 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brothers.
And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brothers, I am Joseph; does my father yet live? And his brothers could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
That's the basics of the story in a nutshell.
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Now - let's see how God is always in control of everything!
Who was responsible for selling Joseph as a slave to Egypt?
You may be answering "Joseph's brothers... we just read that above."
The brothers are the ones who conspired against Joseph, first wanting to kill him, then wanting to just put him in the pit, then wanting to sell him as a slave to the Ishmaelites... all of these choices, and ultimately we see how time after time, they changed their minds.
"Well... in the end, their will was accomplished, right?"
Was it the will of the brothers that was accomplished? The brothers wanted to get rid of Joseph and ultimately - they were rid of Joseph.
Joseph, himself even tells us - it was the brothers that sold him away:
Gen 45:5a Now therefore be not grieved [brothers], nor angry with yourselves, that YOU [brothers] sold me hither:
Joseph admitted that it was his brothers that sold him off... of this, there is no doubt.
Oh, but wait... there's more!
... for God did send me before you to preserve life. (Gen 45:5b)
God sent Joseph to Egypt for His purposes... how did God accomplish this?
By "causing" decisions to be made and even by "causing" those choices to be changed...
By "causing" decisions to be made and even by "causing" those choices to be changed...
God orchestrated the whole matter in order to accomplish His will.
God used Jacob, He used Joseph's brothers, He used the Ishmaelites, He used the captain of the guard, and He used Pharaoh, etc...
Ok, but just how did God actually CAUSE Joseph's brothers to do what they did.
Did God supernaturally make them all murderers at heart? Did God FORCE Joseph's brothers to hate Joseph and do this evil to him?
No, God did not force them... He didn't need to force them.
God would bring about the exact necessary circumstances, in which they would all agree to do this dirty deed VOLUNTARILY.
God tells us exactly how He did it and what it was that caused Joseph's brothers to do this evil to him.
Let's read it:
Gen 37:3-5 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.
And WHEN HIS BROTHERS SAW that their father loved him [Joseph] more than all his brothers, they HATED him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers: and they HATED him even more.
When Joseph tells his brothers of the dream:
Gen 37:8 And his brother said to him [Joseph], Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?
And they HATED him YET even more for his dreams, and for his words.
Then Joseph has another dream:
Gen 37:9 & Gen 37:11 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold the sun and the moon and the eleven stars [his eleven brothers] made obeisance to me [bowed down to me] ... And his brothers ENVIED him...
It is at this point that we pick up with the story I started with. Joseph heads out to meet his brothers in the field:
Gen 37:18-19 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer comes.
God inspired Jacob (later named Israel) to love Joseph more, and to make him a fabulous coat.
God gave Joseph those dreams and inspired him to tell of those dreams to his brothers.
At that point, all it took was the carnal minds of his brothers to rampage off into jealousy and envy. Out of the heart proceeds...
Were the dreams that God gave to Joseph evil dreams? No... but God knew they would inspire Joseph's brothers into rampage.
The dreams themselves were prophetic and picture the salvation of the children of Israel (the brothers and even their own children) in the future, at the hand of Joseph in Egypt.
Think about it!
If God hadn't started by providing those dreams to Joseph... if He hadn't inspired Jacob to love Joseph more... and make him the coat of many colors... if the brothers had not turned to rage... if Reuben had not been inspired to have a change of heart and intervene on behalf of Joseph... if God hadn't inspired those Ishmaelites to be passing by... if God hadn't inspired brother Judah to greed... if God hadn't given Pharaoh a dream to be interpreted... if God hadn't caused seven years of plenty, and seven years of famine... etc., etc.
The children of Israel (Jacob) would have starved to death! Not only Jacob and his family, but "all countries came to Egypt to Joseph" to buy food!
Gen 45:7 And God sent me [Joseph] before you [brothers] to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
All of this brought Joseph into a position of power in Egypt, of which the brothers and Jacob would later come to depend upon for their very own salvation!
Gen 50:20 But as for you [brothers], you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, TO BRING TO PASS, as IT IS this day, to save much people alive.
Believe me... God knows what He's doing. You may not realize what He's doing at the time, but God is orchestrating every detail in our lives to bring about His perfect will.
What about:
Peter
Jesus says to Peter:
Luk 22:31 And the Lord [Jesus] said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
To which Peter replies:
Luk 22:33 And he said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death.
Sounds like a man who is pretty secure in his faith to me!
Jesus, says "Oh, really?!":
Luk 22:34 And He said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that you shall thrice deny that you know Me.
We all know the end to this story... three times before the rooster crowed - Peter denied Jesus three times:
Luk 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter [that's gotta sting...]. And Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice.
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
The other Disciples also said that they would remain loyal.
But, Jesus... said that they would all be offended because of Him.
Was there a reason for God causing the Disciples to "will" loyalty to Jesus face, and then in the same night to "will" to deny Jesus?
Does God do anything in vain without a reason?
This was all part of their conversion process.
God totally, and utterly humiliated them, in front of Jesus, by proving to them that their own decisions, their own desires, their own will - was not free to do what they wanted, but that:
Php 2:13 For IT IS GOD which WORKS IN YOU both to will [determine from obedient impulse] and to do of HIS good pleasure [desires].
In just one night God smashed the presumed free-will of all the Disciples. They lost confidence in their flesh after that night. What a valuable lesson for all of us today!
James later shows us just how well he learned this lesson of so-called free self determinism:
Jas 4:13-15 Go to now [come now], you that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that you ought to say, IF THE LORD WILL, we shall live, and do this, or that.
James certainly understands and agrees with both Scripture and science in that man has the ability to "will". But... James also understands that there are two things that constantly oppose and change the "will" of man.
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Two Factors
[1] Circumstances
What did God inspire (cause) James to explain?
One major factor in what determines the actual outcome of man's desire is:
"you know NOT what shall be on the morrow", or - you don't have a clue as to what's going to happen tomorrow.
You may have plans to go to the city and make some money for a year, but you don't have a clue as to what tomorrow brings - let alone a year from now.
God changes our minds constantly through circumstances that "you know not". Those circumstances are the "cause" of our choices, and the "cause" of our change of mind...
For example, my intent this morning was to get to work on "Whence Hell? - Part 14".
I haven't even looked at that blog today! I heard something on the news this morning that made me think "this guy doesn't have a clue as to what he's talking about!". When I heard that, I was instantly reminded of the lessons I've learned and am sharing with you now.
Years ago, when I moved from Colorado - I boastfully declared "No way will I ever move to that state!" In fact, I hung up on the recruiters multiple times... there was no way I would ever move from beautiful Colorado - to that state!
But, God... He has different plans for me. Here I am now... typing from that state!
How did all the Disciples "will" to remain loyal to Jesus no matter what, at one moment in time, and in the next moment in time, they all changed their "will" to forsake Him?
What changed their wills?
Circumstances.
One moment they were at ease and safe in the upper room with Jesus professing their loyalty boldly to His face, and at a later moment they were in the garden surrounded by Roman Soldiers!
In this case, fear was the circumstance that caused their (un-free) wills to change.
So it was the presence of certain circumstances that caused the Disciples to "will" as they did.
But what caused the circumstances to be as they were to ensure that they would "will" appropriately to fulfill Christ's prophecy concerning their denying and forsaking Him?
Christ proclaimed they would deny Him... was there any chance at all that they wouldn't deny Him?
No!
[2] God's Will
Notice the second thing James was inspired (caused) to write:
"you ought to say, IF THE LORD WILL, we shall live, and do this, or that."
Who is in complete control of ALL?
God, of course.
The Disciples did not want to change their will, they did not desire to deny Jesus, they did not wish to makes liars and fools of themselves - especially in front of Jesus Himself, they did not want to be shown to be cowardly, etc.
Who would want to do that in front of Jesus?!
Were they free to do otherwise? NO! God had other plans for them, and Jesus declared those plans before the events even took place.
There's NO CHANCE of the Disciples NOT doing exactly what Jesus proclaimed they would do! Jesus' prophecy was fulfilled that night.
God has a Master Plan... He knows how to bring about change in order to accomplish His Plan.
His Plan will come to complete fruition... it WILL be accomplished.
What about:
Pharaoh
Rom 9:15 For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
According to the passage above - Who is in control? The puny will of man, or God?
God - of course.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that wills [not puny man's will], nor of him that runs [to have a course], BUT OF GOD that shows mercy.
Pharaoh is a great example:
Rom 9:17 For the Scripture says unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show My power in thee, and that My Name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore [for that reason...] has He mercy on whom He will have mercy...
... and whom He will He hardens.
Pharaoh did not harden his own heart.
We were just told that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, and He did it intentionally. He created Pharaoh, and "raised him up" for the express purpose of accomplishing His (God) own will and purpose.
Pharaoh had no choice in the matter... none whatsoever.
God "states" His will:
Exo 9:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve me.
Pretty clear, right? God wants Pharaoh to "let My people go".
BUT! Does God expect, or even want His "will be done on earth" at the particular time that He declares it to Moses?
Nope... in fact, it is God Himself Who prevents Pharaoh from His own "stated will" of letting His people go.
Exo 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he [Pharaoh] hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that Pharaoh refused to "let My people go".
Pharaoh would have let God's people go... otherwise, God would not have had to purposefully "hardened the heart of Pharaoh".
Pharaoh's heart was soft and weak - he would've let them go!
But, God... God hardened his heart so that he would not let them go.
Yeah, but... God stated that He wanted Pharaoh to let His people go, and then He prevented it from happening at that time... what's going on with this?!
He didn't want Pharaoh to let them go this easily. His plan is much bigger than just letting His people go...
God has to do something to get Pharaoh to go against God's "stated will".
God wants Pharaoh to resist His "stated will"...
So what does God do?
[1] Exo 7:3-5 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you [Moses], that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth Mine armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
And the Egyptians shall KNOW that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
As planned, Pharaoh resists God's stated will ("let My people go"), and then God turns up the heat with greater and greater plagues upon Egypt until even "hard-hearted" Pharaoh has had enough... his hardened heart finally goes soft again... and then -
God's "stated will" is accomplished and Pharaoh lets the Hebrews go.
But, wait! There's more!
[2] Exo 14:3-4 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart [again], that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
God knew that Pharaoh would be too soft-hearted... God needed to use Pharaoh to pronounce His Name through all of Egypt. It wasn't solely about the release of the Hebrews - God had other plans as well... he's using both Israel and Pharaoh as He wishes to accomplish His will!
He displayed His strength to the Egyptians... He hardens Pharaoh's heart once again so that Pharaoh takes his armies, chases after the children of Israel, and is totally decimated in the Red Sea.
From Pharaoh's birth until his death... this dishonorable vessel that the Potter formed, of the same lump of clay, was controlled by God.
You may be thinking "poor Pharaoh!". No - not poor Pharaoh.
God knows the reasons that He intentionally created this vessel of dishonor and God alone is responsible for Pharaoh.
This "dishonorable vessel" was of GREAT VALUE to God! Pharaoh was a great tool in the hands of Almighty God! He intentionally created Pharaoh and "raised him up" to put on display His Majesty and His Sovereignty!
Not only that, but this story is recorded in Scripture for us to learn from today!
God is STILL using Pharaoh to this very day!
Now... let me ask you - Do you believe that God will deal righteously with Pharaoh in the end?
I KNOW He will!
What about:
Paul
I've discussed this in other blogs, so I won't belabor it here, but I've got to include it in this post as well. Paul was set for an example... how could I exclude his story?
Paul didn't ask for that Grace... but he got it anyway. God's plans are much higher than our plans, and His plans were more important than Paul's plans:
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Paul is the pattern case (we've discussed Paul in other blogs).
1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has enabled [empowered] me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Paul didn't voluntarily enlist... He was drafted - he was "put" into the Ministry.
1 Tim 1:13-16 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME [Paul] first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering [patience], for a PATTERN to them [us!] which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting [G166 - aionion].
God used Paul so that those who "hereafter believe" would know that He could take the worst sinner to ever live and change his stony heart in a flash!
Salvation does not depend on the puny, broken will of man, but rather on the Sovereign Will of an ALL-Powerful God... and Paul is an example of EXACTLY that!
Saul (soon to be renamed Paul) HATED Christians:
Act 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord...
He was on his way to Damascus to gather permits which would legally allow him to gather up Christians:
Act 9:3 ... and suddenly there shined round about him a Light from Heaven:
Has anyone ever considered what would happen if God were to strike down Adolf Hitler with a blinding "Light from Heaven"?
Do you really think that Adolf Hitler would have shaken his fist toward heaven in total human defiance?
Not a chance! God had a plan for even Hitler! Hitler was His pawn!
Paul was the CHIEF of sinners. Scripture says he was the worst sinner in the history of the world.
Paul despised the Church of the Loving God. He hated it with every fiber of his being. He went to great lengths and personal hardship to seek out and TORTURE the Saints of God.
But when God struck him down with a blinding light from heaven, Paul "trembled" [G5141 - tremo, dreadful and terrifying fear], and was "astonished" (G2248 - thambeo, to stupefy, astound, amaze], and Paul melted like ice cream in the noonday sun!
He went from despising Christians to: "Lord, what will You have me to do?" in a matter of seconds!
Jesus said:
Act 9:6 ... Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what you MUST do.
There's no question as to what Paul did next.
Why did God require Paul?
That Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering [patience], for a PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting [G166 - aionios].
It didn't matter what Paul wanted. It didn't matter what Paul desired. Paul's plans went out the window! He didn't ask for this... Paul's "will" mattered NOT...
God's Will be done!
Php 2:13 For IT IS GOD which works in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.
One more... what about:
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Jesus
What does Jesus have to say on this topic?
Joh 6:38-40 For I [Jesus] came down from Heaven, NOT to do Mine own will, BUT the will of Him [The Father] that sent Me.
And this is the Father's will which has sent Me:
That of all which He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again AT THE LAST DAY.
And this is the will of Him that sent Me:
That every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting [aionion] life: and I will raise him up AT THE LAST DAY.
What else did Jesus say?
Joh 4:34 Jesus says unto them, My meat is to DO THE WILL of Him that sent Me, and to FINISH His work.
Jesus was sent to FINISH the work that His Father had begun!
Jesus didn't even speak His own words:
Joh 8:28-29 Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall you know that I am He, and that I DO NOTHING of Myself; but as My Father has taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father has not left Me alone; for I do always those things that PLEASE HIM.
Joh 12:49-50 For I have NOT spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He GAVE Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting [aionion]: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, SO I SPEAK.
Not only did The Father do the speaking, He also did the works:
Joh 14:10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak NOT of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me, He does the works.
Jesus knows full well that God's exclusive will MUST, and WILL BE accomplished:
Joh 14:24 He that loves Me not keeps NOT My sayings: and the Word which you hear is NOT Mine, but the Father's which sent Me.
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If Jesus, or any of the above Saints, were unable to go against the will of The Father, what makes us think that we will be able to?
You can't seriously think that any of us have a greater power of will than that of the Father, and our Lord Jesus.
No - we're not puppets on a string... no - we're not little "mini-me" robots...
But I guarantee you - God is orchestrating everything in our lives behind the scenes to accomplish His will through our lives and we're not even aware of it most of the time!
Why would you even want to put faith in your own desires?
I would much rather know, and live my life according to whatever He desires... He has our best intentions in mind, and He's got a better grip on what's best for us!
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More later...
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
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