How the children of Israel were symbolically saved by water and fire. Exodus 14: 19-30 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
I know how the Lord saved the children of Israel literally by water and fire but it took some digging to figure out how the Lord symbolically saved the Israelites. Looking in Corinthians it talks about how the Children of Israel were baptized by passing through the water in the Red Sea. We all must be baptized to return to our Heavenly Father; therefore he made it possible for the children of Israel to return to him. Corinthians also tells us that the pillar was also a way that the Lord baptized his people by fire. The student manual also tells us that the “overshadowing of the cloud or pillar of fire were clearly types of symbols of the baptism of water and fire” (pg. 121). This is congruent to the explanation by Paul in Corinthians 10. I think that by symbolically baptizing the children of Israel God was saving them with the water and fire. My question is why would he save them by water and fire? I think that by literally protecting Israel by fire the Lord was also showing them his glory; he was the warrior against the whole Egyptian army (student manual 121). By using fire God was showing the Israelites that he could and would protect them by any mean possible. To truly be cleansed you must be born of water and fire, this was Gods ways to truly make a new life and heritage for the children of Israel. With baptism of fire they now have the holy spirit with them. All of these may be contributing factors to why God would symbolically baptize the children of Israel.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Joseph Enduring his Trials Genesis 29-30, 35,37,39-41
Choice 3: Genesis 29-30, 35, 37, 39-41. Joseph Endured His Trials
A) Jacob’s 12 sons
1. Reuben (Leah)
2. Simeon (Leah)
3. Levi (Leah)
4. Judah (Leah)
5. Dan (Bilhah)
6. Naphtali (Bilhah)
7. Gad (Zilpah)
8. Asher (Zilpah)
9. Issachar (Leah)
10. Zebulun(Leah)
11. Joseph (Rachel)
12. Benjamin (Rachel)
B) What was the Coat of Many Colors? What were some reasons that Joseph’s brothers were envious of him?
The Coat could have been many different things; in the Institute manual it explains that it might have been many colors or simply a long coat that reached to Joseph’s feet and all the way to his wrists. It might have been made of animal skins or cloth, this isn’t clear. The coat might have been the symbolism of Jacob passing on the birthright to Joseph because Reuben had forfeit it. It also makes it obvious that Jacob favored Joseph above all his brothers. It is also apparent that the dreams Joseph had didn’t help with his brothers’ jealously.
C) Challenges of Joseph
Joseph’s first challenge was not being believed about his dreams. Then it was being thrown into a pit by his brothers, then his brothers thought it would be more “profit” if they sold him into slavery. Joseph was then sold to Potipher, the Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. I wonder how Joseph felt about all this because we don’t ever hear his thoughts the whole chapter, but judging from his attitude during the rest of his challenges he knows that what the Lord has in store for him, and he knows that he will be protected because the Lord is with him. I think he is sad either way that his brother’s hate him but knows that in end he will be serving them. Today’s youth might face jealousy, when we are doing as the Lord would do then it is noticed. It doesn’t seem to be taken notice that the person is humble but when they are receiving lots of attention it’s natural for other’s to think they are conceited or don’t deserve what is given. I hope that no youth is being sold into slavery but they can be abused for their beliefs and speaking the truth like Joseph did with his dreams.
D) Similar Phrase in Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23
“The Lord was with Joseph”
1. The reason that the Lord was still with Joseph because he didn’t fall to temptation and “lie” with his master’s wife. I think that this decition would have been made when we choose to follow the Lord. Joseph knows that you can’t follow God in some ways and not in others. When he understood that God would bless him and his seed he knew who to follow.
2. We learn from Genesis 40-41 that the Lord stayed with Joseph during his time in prison, we can see the evidence of this through the baker and butler. The Lord placed Joseph in prison so that in the end he could leave prison and save Egypt from the drought. If he had been but three days late then he couldn’t have met either of these men and showed them that the Lord was with him, making the interpretation of their dream impossible. I think that through Joseph’s faith and by not murmuring that we see how the Lord was with him so strongly during the terrible times in his life. I don’t know how he did it, it does seem that every time that Joseph did right he was punished but because of his faith he knew the Lord was with him and would bless him.
3. Unfortunately we are all going to have bad things happen, we will always be put in hard positions and by not complaining and by showing our faith we can be more than just workers we will become tools in the hands of God. We are often told that the Lord’s plan for us is so much larger than the one we have for ourselves, if we trust the Lord he will take us to places that we couldn’t imagine.
We can also learn how to forgive. I don’t know how Joseph found forgiveness in him for his brothers after then threw him in pit, sold him then told their father he was dead. It is an incredible feat to then look at them with love.
I also think we can remember that the Lord will bless us if we trust. It’s more that just knowing that the Lord will bless us but we have to remember that he will get us there on his time and in his way. The Lord’s timing is perfect and things will work together perfectly if we will just let him run the show. Joseph is a perfect example of this, he went where he was put and didn’t show anger at the Lord but trust because he knew that he was doing what is right.
A) Jacob’s 12 sons
1. Reuben (Leah)
2. Simeon (Leah)
3. Levi (Leah)
4. Judah (Leah)
5. Dan (Bilhah)
6. Naphtali (Bilhah)
7. Gad (Zilpah)
8. Asher (Zilpah)
9. Issachar (Leah)
10. Zebulun(Leah)
11. Joseph (Rachel)
12. Benjamin (Rachel)
B) What was the Coat of Many Colors? What were some reasons that Joseph’s brothers were envious of him?
The Coat could have been many different things; in the Institute manual it explains that it might have been many colors or simply a long coat that reached to Joseph’s feet and all the way to his wrists. It might have been made of animal skins or cloth, this isn’t clear. The coat might have been the symbolism of Jacob passing on the birthright to Joseph because Reuben had forfeit it. It also makes it obvious that Jacob favored Joseph above all his brothers. It is also apparent that the dreams Joseph had didn’t help with his brothers’ jealously.
C) Challenges of Joseph
Joseph’s first challenge was not being believed about his dreams. Then it was being thrown into a pit by his brothers, then his brothers thought it would be more “profit” if they sold him into slavery. Joseph was then sold to Potipher, the Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. I wonder how Joseph felt about all this because we don’t ever hear his thoughts the whole chapter, but judging from his attitude during the rest of his challenges he knows that what the Lord has in store for him, and he knows that he will be protected because the Lord is with him. I think he is sad either way that his brother’s hate him but knows that in end he will be serving them. Today’s youth might face jealousy, when we are doing as the Lord would do then it is noticed. It doesn’t seem to be taken notice that the person is humble but when they are receiving lots of attention it’s natural for other’s to think they are conceited or don’t deserve what is given. I hope that no youth is being sold into slavery but they can be abused for their beliefs and speaking the truth like Joseph did with his dreams.
D) Similar Phrase in Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23
“The Lord was with Joseph”
1. The reason that the Lord was still with Joseph because he didn’t fall to temptation and “lie” with his master’s wife. I think that this decition would have been made when we choose to follow the Lord. Joseph knows that you can’t follow God in some ways and not in others. When he understood that God would bless him and his seed he knew who to follow.
2. We learn from Genesis 40-41 that the Lord stayed with Joseph during his time in prison, we can see the evidence of this through the baker and butler. The Lord placed Joseph in prison so that in the end he could leave prison and save Egypt from the drought. If he had been but three days late then he couldn’t have met either of these men and showed them that the Lord was with him, making the interpretation of their dream impossible. I think that through Joseph’s faith and by not murmuring that we see how the Lord was with him so strongly during the terrible times in his life. I don’t know how he did it, it does seem that every time that Joseph did right he was punished but because of his faith he knew the Lord was with him and would bless him.
3. Unfortunately we are all going to have bad things happen, we will always be put in hard positions and by not complaining and by showing our faith we can be more than just workers we will become tools in the hands of God. We are often told that the Lord’s plan for us is so much larger than the one we have for ourselves, if we trust the Lord he will take us to places that we couldn’t imagine.
We can also learn how to forgive. I don’t know how Joseph found forgiveness in him for his brothers after then threw him in pit, sold him then told their father he was dead. It is an incredible feat to then look at them with love.
I also think we can remember that the Lord will bless us if we trust. It’s more that just knowing that the Lord will bless us but we have to remember that he will get us there on his time and in his way. The Lord’s timing is perfect and things will work together perfectly if we will just let him run the show. Joseph is a perfect example of this, he went where he was put and didn’t show anger at the Lord but trust because he knew that he was doing what is right.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Genesis 12-23 reading. Thoughts on Melchizedek
“The Prince of Peace” is a title that we reserved for Christ. I feel silly that I didn’t realize that this is actually referring to the most righteous King Melchizedek. I found this reading extremely interesting and helpful in understanding where Abraham came to learn and have the authority to do things in the name of God. I knew there was a man named Melchizedek but didn’t know anything about him, I feel silly saying that I normally leave the priesthood learning to the men. Obviously I am missing out on some really great knowledge.
As far as Shem and Melchizedek being the same person I don’t know. I wonder how it could be possible that Shem being one of about 8 people on the earth could possibly see the Earth grow to have several cities as well as many different races in his lifetime. It could be because those men were living to be about 900 years old. I don’t have enough experience or knowledge to give any kind of educated insight on this debate. I don’t see how they couldn’t be the same person if Melchizedek wasn’t named as one of the great patriarchs but Shem was (Pres. Joseph F. Smith's vision). He seems to be a great man and should be named so through all time.
As far as Shem and Melchizedek being the same person I don’t know. I wonder how it could be possible that Shem being one of about 8 people on the earth could possibly see the Earth grow to have several cities as well as many different races in his lifetime. It could be because those men were living to be about 900 years old. I don’t have enough experience or knowledge to give any kind of educated insight on this debate. I don’t see how they couldn’t be the same person if Melchizedek wasn’t named as one of the great patriarchs but Shem was (Pres. Joseph F. Smith's vision). He seems to be a great man and should be named so through all time.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Whom God Calls, He Qualifies
Whom God Calls, He Qualifies
(A) God describes that the people of Enoch’s “hearts have waxed hard and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off “(Moses 6:27). They are under the devil’s thumb as in making murderous oaths denying God and not keeping the commandments. When the Lord commands Enoch to go and reprimand them for their evil ways he is frightened because he is not loved by these people, he is also just a boy and “slow of speech” (6:31).
(B) Enoch found strength from the Lord in his speech because the Lord promised that if he would go that his mouth would be filled with the right worlds. The Lord also promised that no one would hurt Enoch and when Enoch went the Lord did as he promised and even though Enoch’s words made the people angry no one hurt him. Not only did they not hurt him but they listened to what he said and it made them stronger. When other nations wanted to attack the people of Enoch they could see the power of the Lord through Enoch and were also afraid. I know that these things are possible and that if we will stand by the Lord in righteousness we will be blessed. While my husband and I lived in Alaska we worked with a rough bunch to say the least. My husband however had the worst of it because he had to be in a warehouse with some foul language that wasn’t permitted in the store where I worked. In the warehouse they listened to angry and violent music and since my husband was the new kid he didn’t get the opportunity to pick the stations, despite how uncomfortable the music and language made him. Like Enoch he felt like a child among tough, violent people. We both felt that maybe he was put in this situation to be an example of the Lord. So my husband didn’t use rough language, laugh at the crude jokes and put headphones in when it was possible. At first he was ridiculed, then slowly, not like Enoch’s miraculous strength but strength nonetheless came. People watched their language and because of his hard work he was recognized. I found that because of his actions I was treated with far more respect from the other warehouse workers. People didn’t change or realize that it was the Lord’s work but they noticed there was something different. I think that without the Lord’s strength behind us we couldn’t have left there with our souls intact. I felt Satan’s presence more in my work place than any other dwelling I had ever been. But as the Lord worked on those around us he protected our mind and hearts from being corrupted. I know that because we asked for strength to make it through just one more day each night the Lord found ways to show others that we were different, which lead to questions and eventually some passing of Books of Mormon.
(C) In Moses chapter 6 27-29 the Lord tells Enoch to prophesy to the people that if they don’t repent they will be destroyed because the Lord is angry with them. Because of their hard hearts and dark oaths they make with the Devil they will surly be sent to Hell if they don’t repent. In chapter 7:1-21 it tells us that Enoch went to the mount Simeon and there the Lord showed him details of the generations to come. The Lord told Enoch to tell the people of the wars and famine that would come to the people of Canaan if they didn’t repent. Then of the people of Sharon that they would be killed by a curse if they didn’t hark unto Enoch, so Enoch prophesied these things and people began to follow him. When wars came Enoch was able to move mountain and command the rivers making the enemies of the people of Enoch frightened so they ran away. There were still wars but since the people followed the Lord they were blessed. Enoch build a city that was called Zion. Enoch asked the Lord if Zion would be safe forever and the Lord showed Enoch that Zion would be taken up into Heaven. In comparison to the Old Testament Genesis 5: 22-24 only tells us that Enoch walked with God and had sons and daughters then lived ill 365 but didn’t die he was simply “not; for God took him” (5:24).
(A) God describes that the people of Enoch’s “hearts have waxed hard and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off “(Moses 6:27). They are under the devil’s thumb as in making murderous oaths denying God and not keeping the commandments. When the Lord commands Enoch to go and reprimand them for their evil ways he is frightened because he is not loved by these people, he is also just a boy and “slow of speech” (6:31).
(B) Enoch found strength from the Lord in his speech because the Lord promised that if he would go that his mouth would be filled with the right worlds. The Lord also promised that no one would hurt Enoch and when Enoch went the Lord did as he promised and even though Enoch’s words made the people angry no one hurt him. Not only did they not hurt him but they listened to what he said and it made them stronger. When other nations wanted to attack the people of Enoch they could see the power of the Lord through Enoch and were also afraid. I know that these things are possible and that if we will stand by the Lord in righteousness we will be blessed. While my husband and I lived in Alaska we worked with a rough bunch to say the least. My husband however had the worst of it because he had to be in a warehouse with some foul language that wasn’t permitted in the store where I worked. In the warehouse they listened to angry and violent music and since my husband was the new kid he didn’t get the opportunity to pick the stations, despite how uncomfortable the music and language made him. Like Enoch he felt like a child among tough, violent people. We both felt that maybe he was put in this situation to be an example of the Lord. So my husband didn’t use rough language, laugh at the crude jokes and put headphones in when it was possible. At first he was ridiculed, then slowly, not like Enoch’s miraculous strength but strength nonetheless came. People watched their language and because of his hard work he was recognized. I found that because of his actions I was treated with far more respect from the other warehouse workers. People didn’t change or realize that it was the Lord’s work but they noticed there was something different. I think that without the Lord’s strength behind us we couldn’t have left there with our souls intact. I felt Satan’s presence more in my work place than any other dwelling I had ever been. But as the Lord worked on those around us he protected our mind and hearts from being corrupted. I know that because we asked for strength to make it through just one more day each night the Lord found ways to show others that we were different, which lead to questions and eventually some passing of Books of Mormon.
(C) In Moses chapter 6 27-29 the Lord tells Enoch to prophesy to the people that if they don’t repent they will be destroyed because the Lord is angry with them. Because of their hard hearts and dark oaths they make with the Devil they will surly be sent to Hell if they don’t repent. In chapter 7:1-21 it tells us that Enoch went to the mount Simeon and there the Lord showed him details of the generations to come. The Lord told Enoch to tell the people of the wars and famine that would come to the people of Canaan if they didn’t repent. Then of the people of Sharon that they would be killed by a curse if they didn’t hark unto Enoch, so Enoch prophesied these things and people began to follow him. When wars came Enoch was able to move mountain and command the rivers making the enemies of the people of Enoch frightened so they ran away. There were still wars but since the people followed the Lord they were blessed. Enoch build a city that was called Zion. Enoch asked the Lord if Zion would be safe forever and the Lord showed Enoch that Zion would be taken up into Heaven. In comparison to the Old Testament Genesis 5: 22-24 only tells us that Enoch walked with God and had sons and daughters then lived ill 365 but didn’t die he was simply “not; for God took him” (5:24).
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