by Darrell | May 22, 2026 | Articles
There are many ways we might describe someone. If it is someone close to us, we probably use terms that relate to what we see as their most memorable qualities. If someone is describing us perhaps we would want words like kind, honest, dependable, strength of character, etc. For Moses in 12:3 it says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”
Meek really isn’t a word we use much today. Perhaps that is why so many people seem to misunderstand the word. Maybe because it sounds so much like the word weak, that is how people associate it. This is inaccurate though. The best way to define it is “strength under control.” It is not weakness, it is self-control! That is how Moses was described. Was he perfect? Of course not. Did he always exercise perfect self-control? No. But he did stand out as a man under control.
Horses are very strong. Back in the days of chariots and horses for war, horses were bred for strength and endurance, but that wasn’t enough. A strong horse going and doing as it pleased was of no use on the battlefield. They had to be trained. They had to weed out the ones who were too self-willed to be controlled. What they ended up with were massive horses that could be still and calm, but then charge across the battlefield at great speed and without fear of everything going on around them. They had great strength, but it was under control.
We need great strength — of character and spirit. That means we are fully committed, unwavering, and able to exercise control in the face of adversity and temptation. Without self-control, we cannot choose our own path. We will be moved by every event and circumstance that comes our way. It is listed as part of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. It is spoken of negatively when it is lacking in 2 Timothy 3:3. Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Our walk with God and our reinforcement by His word should be strengthening us. We should be able to exercise greater degrees of self-control as the days go by. We need to be like Moses – meek.
by Darrell | Feb 21, 2026 | Articles
In Genesis 45, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers tearfully. He explains how God has blessed him and he is now Pharaoh’s right hand man. He also wants them to go get the rest of the family and bring them all back to Egypt, where there will be a place for them to live, food to eat, and safety. Pharaoh also extends this invitation, promising they will “eat the fat of the land.” Chapter 45 ends with Israel saying he would go.
In chapter 46, we see Israel stopping at Beersheba, where Isaac had built an altar. This was along the border of the land of Canaan, and was also a last stopping place before he leaves the land that was promised to Abraham. He offers sacrifices, and we can surmise two important things from this: first, he still worships the God of his fathers and second, he wants God’s approval before going all the way to Egypt. This is important since Abraham had gone to Egypt during a famine and it had serious consequences. Later, God forbade him from going to Egypt (12:10-20; 26:1-2). His decision to seek God’s approval is a wise one. God tells him not to be afraid and that He will be with him, that Israel would see Joseph and his life would end with him at his side.
Israel and his family would be settling in the land of Goshen. It’s important to note now that there is going to be a natural separation between Egyptians and Israelites. Chapter 46 ends with an explanation, “for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” They are going to dwell in Egypt, but not to become Egyptians. Pharaoh is honoring them, and even puts them in charge of his own livestock, but they were going to dwell separate from the Egyptians, which will, in my opinion, lend itself to later being seen as an external force and a source of forced labor. God never intended them to be Egyptians, but to set the stage for his plan to make them a great multitude, bring them out of Egypt, and take the land that was promised. That was a very long way off and the people would grow from a sizable family to a large nation.
Trusting God isn’t always easy. Facing the unknown provokes anxiety and fear. God had a plan, but Israel was unsure until God reassured him. God has a plan today — the salvation of souls by the blood of our Savior – Jesus who is the Christ! We need to trust that plan. Search out the details in His word and then follow them, for they ARE a word from the Lord. He wants you to be saved!
by Darrell | Feb 19, 2026 | Articles
I could write many articles covering the life of Joseph, but this week included Genesis 39 which is a snapshot of Joseph that is revealing. As a reminder, Joseph had some dreams that he shared with his brothers and it created jealousy (on top of his father’s doting that already sparked jealousy). They conspired against him, sold him into slavery, and told their father that he was dead. Now, we find him in service to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. We see in verse 2 that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success. This was recognized and he rose to a position of prominence in Potiphar’s house so that the only part of the household not under his care and authority was Potiphar’s wife. Not only did Joseph prosper, but so did his master since Joseph was laboring for his benefit.
Verse 6 fills in a little more of the story. Joseph was handsome and he caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. She was not a faithful wife. She is exposed as being lustful (with the intent of being adulterous) and a liar. As she begins to pursue Joseph, he is faced with a fork in the road kind of decision. He could lie with her and enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin, or he could refuse, keeping his morality and being faithful to God. You’ve read the story, so you know the answer. But what I would like us all to realize is that we face that same decision many, many times in our lives. It may not be as life altering as it was for Joseph but we still face it in one way or another. We all face temptations, perhaps day in and day out like Joseph. Holding one’s resolve under relentless assault can be exhausting.
I don’t know how long this went on, but on the first occasion, Joseph stated, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (verse 9). He cared for his master and his responsibility to him, but he cared even more about his responsibility to God. And so, day after day, he refused her proposition. That is, until one day, it was intense enough that Joseph RUNS from the house and leaves a garment behind and she uses that against him. If he was not going to do what she wanted, she was going to get rid of him. Making the righteous choice was costly. Again, we can relate. Sometimes there is a cost to making righteous choices today, too. We must be willing to endure even at great personal cost!
You have probably read the story of Joseph multiple times and how all of this ends up. God was with Joseph. Joseph was faithful to God. And so God accomplished much through Joseph and sets the stage for some important future events (of which Joseph had some knowledge, Hebrews 11:22).
What kind of challenges to your faith have you faced? Have they come with heavy costs? Do not lose hope. Be faithful unto the end and receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
by Darrell | Feb 6, 2026 | Articles
A lot of this past week’s readings in Genesis involved the story of Jacob. I think it is a life story that many struggle with due to Jacob’s earlier life involving the birthright of Esau and the stealing of Esau’s blessing. Ultimately, these events result in Jacob running away from his brother. Genesis is written as a story or historical account without a lot of commentary and we must read it as such. We can resolve issues of his actions by our understanding of God’s nature elsewhere as well as the consequences that happened in the lives of those we are reading about.
When we get to chapter 35, there has been a terrible occurrence with Jacob’s daughter, Dinah. His sons dealt with the inhabitants harshly (and through deceit) which may have prompted the leaving and going back to Bethel, according to the word of the Lord. Consequences are very important in the narrative of Genesis. From the sin of Adam and Eve onward, there has been a very physical consequence of their sins and that became part of the Jewish understanding of sin in general. (That may give us a little insight as we study through the gospels as well. The Jews were looking for very physical signs of both sin and righteousness)
I think we see a lot of maturing on the part of Jacob through his story. He has to endure the deceitfulness of Laban, who doesn’t treat him like family but more like an indentured servant. He is still afraid of Esau, but Esau has matured as well. Their reunion is a heartening reminder that we can grow and mature, moving past our previous failures, sins, and even wrongs we see others committing against us. Life is about learning and maturing, repenting of sin and working to do better. Genesis has a lot of examples of those who sinned but learned from it. Abraham is certainly one of those as well.
When we reached chapter 35, Jacob is again at Bethel, and God renamed him from Jacob (meaning supplanter or one following closely), signifying his relationship with Esau, to Israel. There seems to be some question as to whether Israel meant “one who fights/contends” or “one who perseveres”. I can see both fitting but perhaps at this point of his life and for the people who would be his descendants the latter fits well. With ancient language, meanings can be difficult to nail down. After this, God reaffirms the nation promise to Abraham which will now continue in the line of Israel. “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.” (Genesis 35:11)
The end of chapter 35 includes the death of Rachel and the birth of Israel’s youngest, Benjamin. That will be important to remember later in the story of Joseph.
Abraham wasn’t perfect and neither was Israel (Jacob). No man has ever been perfect (sinless). We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The only one to walk this earth and never sin was Jesus, our Savior (1 Peter 2:22). You and I are going to make mistakes. The take home lesson is to repent, grow, and mature, relying on the Lord for salvation!
by Darrell | Jan 24, 2026 | Articles
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)
Our daily Bible readings have recently taken us through Matthew 6. There are several sections of this chapter in which Jesus addresses those who were simply doing things for the wrong reasons. Verse 1 indicates that even if we are doing the right things, if we are doing them for the wrong reasons, there may be no reward from our Heavenly Father.
In chapter 6, Jesus gives two situations where this may be an issue: giving to the needy and fasting. Both of them, as described by Jesus, could be done as an outward show in order to be seen by others and get accolades or pats on the back. There is no genuine concern for the needy. There was no genuineness of the fasting. Both are used to gain favor with others. It seems that Paul was accused of this in some way. He states in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This brings out a needful contrast — if your goals are to receive the approval of men, it will be very hard if not impossible to be a true servant of Christ.
Jesus didn’t suddenly start this discourse that is recorded in chapter 6 of Matthew. In chapter 5, starting with the beatitudes, He is correcting errors of theology but also errors of attitude. From lust to anger to loving your enemies, He challenges them to not just deal with outward appearances and sin, but to fix that which is deep down in a person’s heart. If one corrects the heart and attitude, then they can undertake righteous actions with righteous motivations.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4) We don’t need to be seen doing things. We don’t need recognition from anyone but God Himself, and He sees everything.
Let’s do the right things for the right reasons, laying up treasure in heaven, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
