December 12, 2011 Monday Message:

First, God made a b’rit, a covenant with Abram, patriarch of the Jews. God changed his name to Abraham (father of many) and blessed him and Sarah (princess) with a son, Isaac or Yitzchak (laughter.)

Isaac was the father of Jacob (Israel), and Jacob’s 11th son was Joseph, who wore the coat of many colors. Wearing such a fancy coat, such an ornately bejeweled coat, a coat with sleeves, meant that Joseph would be doing very little physical work. His jealous brothers soon took matters into their own hands and plotted to kill Joseph. Ironically, many years later, Joseph would be the only one who could rescue God’s chosen people. The brothers eventually sold Joseph into slavery for 20 pieces of silver.

Jesus came to our world to rescue mankind from sin. The Pharisees, leaders of God’s people, would conspire to have Jesus executed. He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. The parallels are remarkable.

But when God is in charge of the rescue, it cannot be stopped. Joseph became CEO of Egypt, and Jesus walked out of the tomb, both unlikely scenarios. God put Joseph in place to rescue his covenant people, and God sent his Son, Jesus, to rescue us, to make a new covenant with us.

Isn’t that Good News?

May God’s blessings be with you during this Christmas season.

Norton Lawellin

We’ll look at Jacob & Jesus as we unpack Genesis 37-38 at New Hope Center this Friday, 7pm.