Joseph: A Young Man Who Didn’t Lose Faith in the Midst of Severe Trials

Genesis 45:5, 7, 8, Elohim sent me. Joseph was sold into slavery at age 17, was freed from prison and made ruler of Egypt at age 30, then seven years of plenty followed, and two years of famine had passed by the time he was reunited with is brothers. Only after 22 years in Egypt did Joseph finally figure out Elohim’s grand and wonderful plan for his life, and how it involved the saving of his family. Had Joseph lost faith along the way, become embittered over his misfortunes, and turned from Elohim, the nation of Israel may have never been preserved. Keeping one’s eyes on Elohim, and refusing to lose faith during the dark times can yield some amazingly triumphant outcomes, as we learn from the life of Joseph.

Joseph in prison

 

Joseph: YHVH’s Blessing and Favor in Adversity

Genesis 39:2, 21, 23, YHVH was with Joseph. This phrase is repeated three times in this chapter to emphasize an important spiritual principle. Even in the midst of Joseph’s unfair persecution first as a slave then as a prisoner, his faithfulness to YHVH insured YHVH’s divine protection and favor in these adverse circumstances. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but YHVH delivers him out of them all (Ps 34:19), and YHVH promises to accompany his people through the floods and fires of adversities (Isa 43:2). Joseph’s prevailing through adverse and unjust circumstances with YHVH’s help should be a great source of encouragement for every believer.

Joseph enslaved 20692041

Joseph…a successful man. Even as a slave, YHVH blessed and prospered Joseph. YHVH can prosper us in any work situation in which we find ourselves — even if we’re not much better than a slave. If we but will apply ourselves to work hard and diligently, while staying faithful to YHVH as Joseph did, YHVH will prosper and promote us. Laziness, greed, theft, covetousness and irresponsibility has never gotten anyone anywhere in any employment situation.

 

New Video: Abraham on Dealing With Struggles in Marriage & Ministries

The Bible is a book of life about real people with real struggles in the marriages, ministries, families, friends and associates. We can gain strength, comfort and wisdom from people like Abraham as this video explains.

 

When you take the test of life what grade will you get?

Genesis 22:1, Elohim did tempt Abraham. Trials and temptations show the disposition of one’s character and the true metal of the human heart, whether it is righteous or unrighteous, pure or impure. When tested do you whine, grumble, accuse others, defend yourself, backbite and resort to slander? Or do you submit to the purifying fires of YHVH’s spiritual forge? YHVH tested Abraham ten times. Sacrificing Isaac was the last and most severe test. His faith and obedience was steady. When was the last time you faced such a test? What was your response? Did you pass or fail the test?

Will you pass or fail the tests of life?

Will you pass or fail the tests of life?

This chapter recounting the near sacrifice of Isaac—called the Akeidah or binding of Isaac—is full of prophetic allusions pointing to the ministry of Yeshua the Messiah, the Seed of Abraham, whose first coming was still 2000 years in the future. Read this chapter and explain how the following things prophetically point to Yeshua:

  • verse 2: Of which famous verse in the Gospels does this remind you?
  • verse 2: Moriah
  • verse 2: burnt offering
  • verse 4: on the third day
  • verse 4: saw the place afar off
  • verse 6: laid [the wood] upon Isaac, his son
  • verse 8: Elohim will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering
  • verse 9: and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood
  • verse 11: the angel of YHVH
  • verse 13: a ram
  • verse 13: caught in the thicket
  • verse 13: horns
  • verse 18: in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (hint: see Gal 3:16).
 

New Video: 19 Tips to Surviving Evil’s Onslaught Against Us in the End Times

The world and the devil are in an all out battle to the death against Bible believers. This was prophesied to occur in the last days before the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah. This video gives tips on how to survive this onslaught of evil against the saints of YHVH Elohim.

 

19 Tips to Surviving Evil’s Onslaught Against Us

Standing Like a Rock in the End Times!

Presented to you by Hoshana Rabbah Biblical Discipleship Resources www.hoshanarabbah.org 

In these increasingly dark and evil days in which we are now living where evil is made to appear to be good, down is up and black is white, and where YHVH’s people are being increasingly marginalized, persecuted and even killed, what should we be doing in the face of evil’s onslaught against us? The following list provides the answer from the Scriptures.

Stand like a rock against evil!

Stand like a rock against evil!

  1. Watch and pray (Matt 26:41; Mark 13:33; 14:38; Luke 21:36).
  2. Pray that you might be counted worthy to escape YHVH’s judgments that will be coming on the earth because of wickedness (Luke 21:36).
  3. Endure to the end (Matt 24:13; Mark 13:13).
  4. Keep your eyes on Yeshua the Lamb and follow him wherever he goes (Rev 14:4).
  5. Occupy until Yeshua comes (Luke 19:13). Be busy doing what Yeshua has called you to do.
  6. Engage in intercessory prayer, though at this time, it may not do much good, since biblical prophecy has to be fulfilled as end time events occur. This means that things will be getting worse and worse until Yeshua returns and destroys Babylon the Great New World Order.
  7. Be an overcomer in every way possible. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21). Those who overcome spiritual evil will experience great rewards (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21)
  8. Be prepared to engage in civil disobedience as a last resort, if necessary. If civil laws violate YHVH’s laws, the Bible tells us to obey YHVH’s laws over men’s laws (Acts 4:19; 5:29; Ps 94:16).
  9. Be prepared to help persecuted brothers and sisters in any way possible. You might be next the next one to be persecuted!
  10. Continue to be salt and light to those around you in every way possible (Matt 5:13–16).
  11. Don’t expect things on earth to get better. Yeshua never said it would get better, but only darker before his return. He’s coming at the midnight hour when evil will be the most pervasive and rampant on the earth.
  12. Expect intense persecution of Bible believers (2 Tim 3:12; Matt 5:10–12; 10:22–25; 23:34; Mark 10:30; John 15:19–21; 16:2, 33; 17:14; 1 Thess 3:3–4; 1 Pet 4:12–16; Rev 7:14). Yeshua and the Book of Revelation prophesy this will occur in the end times.
  13. Be wise as serpents (Matt 10:16). Find ingenious ways to circumvent Caesar’s evil and unbiblical mandates without getting caught, while at the same time being obedient to YHVH’s higher laws.
  14. Love not your lives unto death (Rev 12:11). Be willing to lose some or all of yourself for Yeshua including your material possessions. Greater rewards await you for your faithful obedience to Yeshua (Matt 10:39; 16:25).
  15. Be inspired by the great faith heros of the Bible and the Christianity (Heb 11).
  16. Come out of Babylon more completely (Rev 18:4) starting with the spiritual aspects of this evil and ungodly worldwide system.  Eventually, this may mean leaving the cities and going into communal situations into the wilderness with others like-minded believers. Some of the Roman Catholic monasteries were started by those fleeing the corruption of Rome.
  17. The more evil intensifies against you, love the light of YHVH’s truth, love Yeshua more and run to and hold on to him — the Rock of your salvation — more tightly.
  18. Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you and pray for them (Matt 5:44).
  19. Finally…Put on the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Elohim; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints… (Eph 6:11–18)For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Elohim for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Cor 10:3–6)
 

Get Over Your Problems Through Yeshua!

Moses in his final words to the children of Israel pleaded with them to get over their carnality, stiff necks and hard hearts, so Elohim could bless them. This is the Father’s cry to his people today. With Yeshua’s help, you can overcome your problems and become victorious instead of being a perpetual victim!