Today we return to the second part of Psalm 105, and in the narrative of verses 12-22, we learn something additional about Joseph that we were not told about him earlier. Back in Genesis, we did not read that Joseph’s “feet were bruised with shackles or that his neck was put in irons” (verse 18). In addition, God certifies here that “what he foretold came to pass, and the Word of the LORD proved him true” (verse 19). Joseph was a prophet to whom God spoke in dreams – revealing to him not only God’s plan for his exaltation before his brothers, but also the accurate interpretation of the dreams of others – the cupbearer; the baker; and Pharaoh (cf., Genesis 37, 40, and 41). Joseph prophesied about the seven years of Egyptian plenty followed by the seven years of famine. I want to emphasize that – regardless of the topic – if God’s Word addresses it, God’s Word always proves true. His Word is 100% accurate and reliable – 100% of the time. Why? Because God, by His Word – in whatever form it may appear – decrees the reality and existence (i.e., the truth) of everything that is. Here in Psalm 105, we learn that Joseph “instructed the princes as he pleased, and he taught the elders wisdom” (verse 22). Indeed, God exalted Joseph above his brothers, and his wisdom saved the then-known world from starvation.
In Isaiah 3:1-5:7, we see the prophet’s message of God’s coming judgment on Jerusalem and Judah for the sins of the nation. “The LORD Almighty is about to take from them both supply and support – food and water – the hero and the warrior; the judge and the prophet; the soothsayer and the elder; the captain and man of rank; the counselor, the craftsman, and the enchanter … boys and children will govern them” (verses 1-4). Isaiah is telling the Israelites that God will begin to humiliate them by way of reduction and removal – taking away their resources, and to His extractions, He will add “oppression” (verse 5). The sins of Judah require the judgment of God. “Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling – defying God’s glorious presence; the look on their faces testifies against them – they parade their sins like Sodom and do not hide it – bringing disaster on themselves” (verses 8-9). Their faces are unable to conceal the sin in their hearts. In chapter 4, we see that God will preserve a remnant in Israel, and the remnant will respond to “the Branch of the LORD” (verse 2) – a picture of the deity (“beauty and glory”) and the humanity (“fruit of the land”) of Christ. In chapter 5, Isaiah proclaims a parable of a vineyard which produced only bad grapes. Israel is the vineyard (verse 7), and God says, “What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it?” (verse 4). Was it not enough that Christ shed His blood for all mankind? God looked "for justice but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress” (verse 7). Today, our culture would do well to pay close attention to today’s reading in Isaiah.
In 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1, Paul contrasts man's approval of temporal, material, and worldly values with God’s approval of those all-encompassing, everlasting values that really matter. Harmony, agreement, and fellowship between righteousness and wickedness cannot exist together - they are mutually exclusive. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (verse 14). Paul is saying that the Corinthians must decide to live sanctified (i.e., separated) lives – if they desire for God to “live and walk among them” (verse 16). “Therefore,” Paul says, “come out from them and be separate, and He will be a Father to us, and we will be His children” (verses 17-18). Paul calls for the Corinthians to “purify themselves” (cf., 7:1). We, too, must decide to live sanctified lives.
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