How Not to Bow. Part [9] 07/17/2025 (Morning thought)

2nd Chronicles 18:7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

In this other instance in history political pressure was brought to bear against Micaiah the prophet to tell king Ahab only what he wanted to hear. Everyone in Ahab’s orbit was agreeing with his wishes, and thus, social, political, and peer pressures were employed in order to get Micaiah to bow down. But again, he refused, as did faithful Joseph. Let us say here that it will become more and more difficult to preach the unadulterated truth, as pressures will mount against the servants of God who do.

Again, when entreaty and peer pressure did not work, the king resorted to the use of force as he jailed the one who refused to bow down….. 2nd Chronicles 18:12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. 13 And Micaiah said, As the Lord lives, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

2nd Chronicles 18:14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand. 15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the Lord? 25 Then the king of Israel said, take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; 26 And say, thus saith the king, put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction, and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

2nd Chronicles 18:16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

How Not to Bow. Part [8] 07/17/2025 (Evening thought)

Genesis 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored.

Mrs. Potiphar would come into Joseph’s little office and just sit there staring lustfully at the young man. Her efforts may have included financial rewards and other such incentives for Joseph to depart from strict integrity. Day by day she would get more desperate in her efforts to exert maximum pressure, and then one day, when she couldn’t take it anymore, she tried choking Joseph into submission, until he had to run for his life with the stalker in hot pursuit.

So yes, Joseph suffered and endured tremendous pressure to bow down, yet he stood firm as a rock, not making excuses or provision for the flesh, as too many in our day often do….. Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master knows not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph, day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

Genesis 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

 May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!