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“Why Do Ye Look One Upon Another?” – Genesis 42:1
by Micky Galloway
Jacob asked his sons this question during a time of bitter famine (cf. Genesis 41). It was 20 long years since Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery. He is now governor over the land of Egypt and at the peak of his power and influence. His brothers would soon come before him to buy grain for their families in Canaan (Genesis 42:6). The dreams of his boyhood are now at length to be fulfilled. The famine has reached the chosen family, and they look at one another perplexed and uncertain how to act or proceed. With the words “Why do ye look upon one another!” in such a helpless and undecided manner, Jacob exhorted his sons to bring grain from Egypt, to preserve his family from starvation. Note: When we are in trouble and want, it is folly for us to stand looking upon one another, that is, to stand desponding and despairing, as if there were no hope, no help. We often stand disputing either which shall have the honor of going first or which shall have the safety of coming last. We stand deliberating and debating what we shall do, and ultimately doing nothing. Often we stand dreaming under a spirit of slumber, as if we had nothing to do, we stand delaying, as if we had time at command. Let it never be said, “We left that to be done to-morrow which we could well have done today.” “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2).
Every accomplishment begins with vision. Jacob could see what had to be done. He knew that for his family to live meant someone had to go to Egypt and buy grain. The wisdom writer said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). The Lord’s people in every generation have been weakened and the Lord’s church has suffered because of a lack of vision.
Once it is seen what must be done, we must then act. Just as the sons of Jacob looked upon one another, each waiting for the other to take the initiative, we too, often wait upon one another to take any action. This displays a lack of leadership. Jacob as well as Joseph, were men of vision and leadership. In order for the church to grow, there must be proper leadership. For this cause, elders were to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23). These men must meet the qualifications (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Elders are commanded to “shepherd” or “tend” the flock, “exercising the oversight” (I Peter 5:2). It is wrong when sheep are leading the shepherds. If leadership is important, so is the responsibility to follow. The Hebrew writer said, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit (to them): for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this (were) unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
There are some pressing needs that require more than “looking upon one another.” These require vision and action.
Evangelism. The saying, “Go ye...” means “Go me...” is correct (cf. Mark 16:15). The apostle Paul said, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:16). While Paul lamented the condition of the unbelieving Jews, (Romans 9:1-3; 10:1-2), he submitted himself even unto persecution in order to teach them (cf. Acts 13). This was not something he simply wished someone else would do. The idea of the “professional clergy” teaching the lost is foolish. Christ died for sinners. Every Christian is to become a teacher of what he knows. The Hebrews were rebuked, “For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you...” (Hebrews 5:12). When Isaiah “heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah demonstrated vision and leadership.
Edification. If we wish to build up the church, our first job must be to build up ourselves. We must get rid of those things that hinder our growth, and cultivate those things that will help us. We grow or die! Peter said, "But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). "Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord " (II Peter 1:2). "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first." (II Peter 2:20). Growing in “grace” would include growing in those traits which brings God's favor upon us; we demonstrate these traits toward both God and man. “Knowledge” is not a gift for any of us; we acquire knowledge for ourselves through study. God will not dump any idle head full of facts. Further, we can recognize that this growth really has no end; it continues on and on! We have a responsibility to others also. Those new in the faith must be taught. Jesus taught the apostles to teach those who were baptized, “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). To stand looking at each other when such teaching is needed is foolish. Study and prepare yourself to teach others!
Watch for one another. Paul wrote, “Watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Elders “watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this (were) unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). We are to provide for the physical necessities of each other. In Acts 2:45 we read, “they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.” In Acts 4:34-35, “as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.” When a brother is overcome in sin we are to restore him. Paul instructed the Galatians, “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1; cf. James 5:19-20). We are also to pray for one another. James 5:16 says, “Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.” Paul called upon the Ephesians to pray for him, “that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19-20). Learn what to watch for. Let us help one another to overcome sin and go to heaven.
Provide an adequate place for worship. Yes, the building is stone and wood, but it is sanctified unto the Master’s use. We are commanded to worship, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting (one another); and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10:25). It is necessarily inferred therefore, that a place must be provided. A building is an authorized expediency in providing a place to carry out the command to assemble. Yet, there is maintenance to a building. Mowing the lawn, cleaning, repairs, etc. Do not sit back and complain, “I wish they would …” Do what you can, whether others do or not. Perhaps others will follow your good example, but even if they do not, you answer only for yourself (Romans 14:12).
If we sit around looking at one another, waiting for someone else to make the first move, then nothing is done. Ultimately, souls are lost and duties are neglected.
“What Shall I Render To The Lord, For All His Benefits Toward Me?” – Psalms 116:12
by Chris Simmons
Though David’s life was filled with times of trouble, grief and disappointment, he never forgot all that God had done for him. We read in Psalms 103:2-5, “bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” David was thankful to God that He is willing and able to pardon, heal, redeem, crown and satisfy the one who seeks after Him. David however did not just dwell on what God had done for him, we read in Psalms 116:12 that David pondered the responsibility that he bore in return unto God, “What shall I render to the LORD, For all His benefits toward me?” What can we render to the Lord for all that He has done for us?
We can offer acceptable worship to Him. David was glad to have the opportunity to go to the Lord’s house and offer praise and worship to Him (Psalms 122:1). We also can, and should, look forward and make adequate preparations to assemble with the saints and offer worship that is “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) at every opportunity. When we reflect on our pardon from sin and the hope of receiving the crown of righteousness, we should also be glad to go to the house of the Lord to worship. It should never be a burden (I John 5:3) to set aside time in our life to “turn back to give glory to God” (Luke 17:18).
We can share with others the good news of what God has done for us. Paul wrote to Timothy, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:1-2). In essence, we are to take the good news and pass it on. We read in II Kings 7:3-15 of four leprous men who, during a time of great famine, go into the camp of the Arameans and realize that, because God had caused them to flee, the camp was empty and therefore full of everything they had left behind. As the four men began to enjoy the benefits of this gift from God for themselves while their fellow countrymen yet suffered, they realized something. “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent; if we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household” (II Kings 7:9). We also have been blessed with the gospel, the good news from God. Can we also keep silent? Must we also “go and tell”?
We can give of our time. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:15-17, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” We can prioritize our time so that the idea of putting God first is more than just lip service but a daily part of our lives. We all are given the same twenty four hours in each day to choose to spend. Do we then give God what is only left over (cf., Malachi 1:8, 13) of our time or do we first set aside the time we need for prayer, Bible study, worship and service to others before the other discretionary matters of life?
We can give of our blessings. As God has blessed us with the material blessings of this life, we are to liberally and joyfully give back to Him a portion of that which He has blessed us with (I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 8:1-6; 9:6-8). And just as with our time, we must examine ourselves to see if we are putting God first in our giving or whether we are simply giving what is left over to God after seeing to our pleasures first (cf., James 4:1-3).
But beyond out time and our blessings, what God desires most of all is that we “render unto God” our own self and our own lives. Paul noted of the brethren in Corinth that what preceded the giving of their money was the giving of themselves. “For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord… not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” We are therefore urged by Paul in Romans 12:1-2, “… to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” This means that we no longer live to please ourselves but God as we consider “all of His benefits” that He has blessed us with.
Will we seek to accept the benefits (“all spiritual blessings”) that God has extended to us and not “render” our life in return?