Know God's Plan

Missionary Esther Thornton, Oregon

 

Do you look like your Father, God?  Has He entrusted to you a mantle of His anointing?

 

Wearing The Coat that my Father Has Given Me - the Mantle of God:

(Gen. Chapters 37-46)

 

Some years ago, I was with a friend in Tampa, Florida, at a Camp Meeting of Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne. And, Brother Rodney taught on the subject, “The Coat that my Father Has Given Me”. I do not remember his message, as it has been so long, but I will never forget the title of his message and the implication of it. I have taught on this subject in various nations of the world.

 

Scripture: Genesis, chapters 37-46

Jacob had twelve sons. But Joseph (next to youngest) was his favorite because he was the child of his old age. (Favor of God). So, he gave him a coat of many colors. (Our mantle and diversity of giftings).

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and hated him, so they were going to kill him and say that a wild animal had done it, but his older brother, Reuben stopped them. But, they decided to throw him into a pit (Enemies & Opposition). But, God had travelers to take him out of the pit to Egypt (God’s leading and provision in our lives).

He was accused of adultery and thrown in prison (false accusations leveled against us). But, he remained wise in prison and in use of spiritual giftings (us becoming stronger through oppression and remaining faithful). He interpreted dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker, relaying faithfully whether of grace or wrath. (We are to honestly proclaim the words of the Lord).

 

Then Pharoah dreamed and no one could interpret his dreams. So, the chief butler told him that he remembered a Hebrew in the prison who had interpreted dreams for them and Joseph was called to interpret the Pharoah’s dreams. The Pharoah was so pleased that he placed Joseph over his house, next only to him.

So, Joseph was promoted as second most powerful leader in Egypt (Promotion comes from the Lord). For, Pharoah had asked, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?“ And, then he said to Joseph: “There is none so discreet and wise as thou art.“ (God will place his chosen servants before kings)

Prov. 22:29 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings…..”

Mt. 10:18 “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”

 

Joseph had interpreted the dreams of Pharoah of seven fat years and seven lean years - as being seven years of plenty, but then seven years of famine. So, he gathered up much food from the cities and fields and stored it for the days ahead of famine.

So, when the famine came, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt and bowed their knees to him for food (God will make our enemies our footstool and we will feed our enemies). They did not know it was their brother, Joseph. Joseph kept his identity from them for a while but finally told them who he was with much weeping!

Joseph’s family was totally restored (God is bringing restoration in our lives because we have been faithful).

And, when the Pharoah heard that Joseph’s family had come to Egypt, he was pleased.

Genesis 45:17-20

 

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; [18] And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. (God‘s reward even from the ungodly on a man with character, such as Joseph).[19] Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. [20] Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.

 

There is no record that Joseph ever murmured or complained, even when times were hard (God’s Word says we are to give thanks and not complain). God can speak to the ungodly, as well as the godly, through dreams. (For He is God and loves all men and desires to draw them to God). The closeness of Joseph to God in that God could speak to him, even in prison. (The reward of faithfulness, even in hard places).

Joseph never accused his brethren (Jesus did not come to condemn but to save).

 

God is speaking to us that:

1. there will be a time now of harvest or fatness for the church (Joseph had 7 years);

2. then there will be a time, such as of “Jubilee” (freedom and restoration where even our enemies will be at peace with us). Why these things? Because God is getting things ready for the return of Jesus!

3. Following this, will be troubled times that will lead to the coming of the Lord and tribulation on the earth.

But we must note that during the years of harvest and fatness for the church, there will be a major contrast existing, between the harvest prosperity and what is going on in the world - sin on every hand - signs in nature, etc.

4. This is the time that God will take from the sinner and give to the godly.

Proverbs 13:22

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

5. This is the time that the places given over to satan will be restored for God.

Isaiah 58:12

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Genesis 26:18

And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

6. This is the time when unprecedented numbers of people will be drawn into the kingdom of God.

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

Joel 2:28-29

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days wilI pour out my Spirit.

A World War II army slogan said, “The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer.”

Make a covenant with yourself not to give up in times of discouragement, frustration or pressure. Unite yourself with people who are going in the same direction.

Jesus won the multitudes, but He also had time to win them, one-by-one.

Pat Robertson, host of the 700 Club on television has stated, “This is the time for the harvest of the nations. The greatest revival is yet to be seen and churches will never hold the increase unless they start thinking in the thousands.

S. African evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke began his ministry in Africa outside a hut with five people. He later went to a tent holding 10,000. Today, his tent seats 34,000. He calls it the age of the combine harvester.

Galatians 5:7-10

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. [9] A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded:

So we are to rise up! Take off and Put On! No more time to stop and wonder what to do! Move Forward! Let faith be your fuel! Shift into high gear and keep going! The prize comes to him that runs well!

Philip. 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

7. This is the time when signs and wonders will follow the preaching of the Word to confirm it.

Mark 16:20 And they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.

The 49^th verse says that Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, without number. (Time of spiritual harvest that is now upon the church).

Acts 2:17

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

Gen. 41:50-41:52 tell of Joseph’s two sons - Manassseh, “God has made me forget.” “forgetting those things which are behind. Joseph forgot the wrongs that had been done him by his brethren. (We, also will forget). The second child was named, Ephraim, meaning “fruitful”. After forgetting and pressing on, God made Joseph fruitful. (As we leave the past behind, we can press on into the new).

It is interesting to note that God changed Jacob’s name to “Israel”, meaning “Prince with God” during the hardest of times in his life which was a time of total helplessness on his part., when he thought he had lost Joseph and now Egypt was asking for his son, Benjamin. (When the world calls God’s people “weak”, God calls us “strong”!).

Vs. 14 speaks of “God Almighty”, which Jacob in his instructions to his sons, invokes with that all-powerful name. It means “El-Shaddai”, the “All-Bountiful” or “Supplier of all needs.” In effect, Jacob is saying, “I don’t understand what’s happening, but I believe God. (It is in the times of testing when we don’t understand what’s going on, that our faith is tested).

In Gen. 45, Joseph makes himself known unto his brothers. He says, “I am Joseph”. Then, he asks them to tell his father of the glories he has experienced in Egypt. So, they go and tell his father, “Joseph is yet alive”. (The dreams that God had given Joseph had not yet been fulfilled and so, God kept him alive).

Jacob then begins his travel to Egypt to be re-united with his treasured son. But, Jacob no longer plans or schemes but waits on the Lord. (God is changing his children into His likeness and maturing us). And, God tells him to fear not to go to Egypt. So, he brings with him his seed and his cattle and dwells in the land of Egypt. (We must live in the world and not fear as God is with us, but our sights must be set on Caanan).

Jacob meets Joseph for the first time in over twenty years! He will live 17 years longer in peace. Jacob considered his life as blessed as the lives of Abraham and Isaac, who were pilgrims wandering in a strange land with a view of another home.

Acts 7:3-7

And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. [4] Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. [5] And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. [6] And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. [7] And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

Two hundred and fifteen years had gone by since God had called Abraham. This was the halfway mark of the 430 years of the whole sojourn of the chosen race. (Gal. 3:17).

Jacob had not only seen Joseph again, but his sons as well. And, through the lineage that was to come, Jesus Christ would be born.

Jacob when old, lacking sight, and leaning upon the top of his staff, worships God and urges Joseph not to make his home in Egypt, as he fears the influence of Egypt on his sons. He earnestly points Joseph and his sons to the true riches - to make his home in Egypt but to set his heart in Canaan. (We live here in this evil world, but our hearts are set on Canaan)!

Hebrews 11:8-10

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. [9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: [10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Evan so come, Lord Jesus)!

Isa. 61:10-11 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For, as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (He has clothed us with a mantle of His glory. It is the coat that our Father has given us).

Isaiah 62:1-5

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. [2] And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. [3] Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. [4] Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

[5] For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

 

___________________

Global Evangelism Fellowship, Inc. www.clatskanie.com/gef

Rev. Esther Thornton etmorg@clatskanie.com

(503)728-3388 (503)728-2834 (Fax)

 

 

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