“…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17b
“And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:33-34
It is a very common thing for people to only concern themselves with what is an abomination in the sight of the “Egyptians”, while at the same time ignoring what is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. It is possible for this confusion to deceive people. Some cry a church should not take a stand on certain Biblical issues, that if some hear of it they won’t want to come to church. But if that be the case, the church should quit preaching the true gospel, because it would be disagreeable to all who don’t believe the truth.
Contrary to those ideas, the law of the Lord, which exposes sin and identifies the will of the Lord, is what God uses to affect the conversion of sinners: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making the wise simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Pslam 19:7-8 So the manifestation of God’s laws is not a stumbling bloc to sinners, but is the eye opener unto the reality of sin– “…I had not known sin, but by the law…” “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:7,12 The offense to God’s laws comes from people rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit, which convicts the sinner unto the knowledge of the truth. John the Baptist wasn’t out of line when he told Herod it was unlawful for him to have his brother Philip’s wife, but rather Herod and his gal, Herodias, were offended due to their refusal to let the Holy Spirit convict their hearts unto repentance and faith in God (Matthew 14:1-5).
When the children of Israel came down to Egypt, Joseph knew ahead of time that shepherds were an abomination in the eyes of the Egyptians. Joseph instructed his brethren, not to conceal the fact they were shepherds, but rather to declare openly that they were shepherds unto the Egyptians. WHY? Not as a matter of offense, but as a matter of their true occupation.
Joseph knew that the ways of the Egyptians were contrary to the ways of God’s people, especially in matters of the worship of God (see Exodus 8:26–their sin offerings were an abomination to the Egyptians.) Joseph knew when the Egyptians found out the Israelites were shepherds, they would want to separate Israel from their company. This separation would work to Israel’s advantage, keeping them out of Egypt’s influence, ways, and persuasions, as well as keeping them a separate people unto the Lord’s blessing, favor, and distinct watch care.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:22 Wherever there are lives after the order of Christ, the reproaches of unbelievers will be upon them.
Anytime our identity with the teachings of God’s laws causes people to separate from us, we need to see it as a needed separation. And rather than refrain from those things that those who reject God’s laws are offended at, we need to be up front with our identification with the truth. Whenever God’s Word turns people away, we need to recognize it to be the working of God’s “two-edged sword, as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
SHARING
