Egypt Babylon Egypt: The Pride of the children of Joseph. Study 41
13/07/20
Self exaltation has it's origins in Lucifer who became Satan (the accuser of brethren). It's not a small matter to esteem oneself above others, the fruits of this spirit are then manifested in the form of racism, bigotry, discrimination and pride. The rise in cancel culture and mob mentality by those who deem themselves "woke", will inevitably result in persecution and bitter conflicts. The alarming cruelty between blacks on blacks is deep rooted, though the African was a slave in the US and could if united have gotten their freedom earlier but the hindrance to freedom was the mentality of self exaltation that burnt the brotherhood of the house slave and the field slave. The tribalism between Africans has cost the lives and has kept us in colonial poverty, we have nothing else to lose but the chains of self exaltation. Under the second seal of Revelation 6, the Red Horse could only be victorious by laying down it's life for brethren, the blood of Christians was like seed, when the mindset of self preservation was entertained, the Church became weak. The Chinese for example were also affected by imperialism but through their "unity" they are now as powerful as their former masters. A selfish mentality sees the African living a lavish lifestyle while his/her neighbour is eating the air pies of poverty. The same mentality is unfortunately also in the Church, we can be the answer to the prayers of our fellow brethren, the differences in opinion at Sabbath school study should not extinguish our love for each other, our common enemies are uniting and consolidating and marshalling their forces for a stupendous crisis. The land of promise is big enough, we should unite lest in our division we are consumed. The time has come for the remnant to unite their efforts under this "new normal", our world has changed since the beginning of the year, we can strengthen our comrades suffering from want, living is giving, loss is gain, the law of self preservation is the law of self sacrifice and the law of self sacrifice is the law of self preservation. You may be the sons of Joseph but your strength is not in the title but in practice of principle of brotherly love rather than the policies of self preservation.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. - Philippians 2:3-4
Another claim concerning the division of the land revealed a spirit widely different from that of Caleb. It was presented by the children of Joseph, the tribe of Ephraim with the half tribe of Manasseh. In consideration of their superior numbers, these tribes demanded a double portion of territory. The lot designated for them was the richest in the land, including the fertile plain of Sharon; but many of the principal towns in the valley were still in possession of the Canaanites, and the tribes shrank from the toil and danger of conquering their possessions, and desired an additional portion in territory already subdued. The tribe of Ephraim was one of the largest in Israel, as well as the one to which Joshua himself belonged, and its members naturally regarded themselves as entitled to special consideration. “Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit,” they said, “seeing I am a great people?” But no departure from strict justice could be won from the inflexible leader. - PP 513.3
His answer was, “If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if Mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.” - PP 513.4
Their reply showed the real cause of complaint. They lacked faith and courage to drive out the Canaanites. “The hill is not enough for us,” they said; “and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron.” - PP 514.1
The power of the God of Israel had been pledged to His people, and had the Ephraimites possessed the courage and faith of Caleb, no enemy could have stood before them. Their evident desire to shun hardship and danger was firmly met by Joshua. “Thou art a great people, and hast great power,” he said; “thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” Thus their own arguments were turned against them. Being a great people, as they claimed, they were fully able to make their own way, as did their brethren. With the help of God they need not fear the chariots of iron. - PP 514.2
Heretofore Gilgal had been the headquarters of the nation and the seat of the tabernacle. But now the tabernacle was to be removed to the place chosen for its permanent location. This was Shiloh, a little town in the lot of Ephraim. It was near the center of the land, and was easy of access to all the tribes. Here a portion of country had been thoroughly subdued, so that the worshipers would not be molested. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there.” The tribes that were still encamped when the tabernacle was removed from Gilgal followed it, and pitched near Shiloh. Here these tribes remained until they dispersed to their possessions. - PP 514.3
The ark remained at Shiloh for three hundred years, until, because of the sins of Eli’s house, it fell into the hands of the Philistines, and Shiloh was ruined. The ark was never returned to the tabernacle here, the sanctuary service was finally transferred to the temple at Jerusalem, and Shiloh fell into insignificance. There are only ruins to mark the spot where it once stood. Long afterward its fate was made use of as a warning to Jerusalem. “Go ye now unto My place which was in Shiloh,” the Lord declared by the prophet Jeremiah, “where I set My name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of My people Israel.... Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by My name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.” Jeremiah 7:12-14. PP 514.4
It is the will of God that union and brotherly love should exist among His people. The prayer of Christ just before His crucifixion was that His disciples might be one as He is one with the Father, that the world might believe that God had sent Him. This most touching and wonderful prayer reaches down the ages, even to our day; for His words were, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.” John 17:20. While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, it should be our constant aim to reach this state of unity. This is the evidence of our discipleship. Said Jesus, “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35. The apostle Peter exhorts the church, “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8, 9. PP 520.3
To be continued...
Study by Tarisai P Ziyambi
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