Footsteps to Zion

Joseph of the Bible is probably most famously known today as “Joseph the Dreamer.” But more than being just a dreamer, Joseph was also described as a “fruitful bough (branch)” by his father, Jacob. “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall.” Genesis 49:22 But what does it mean to be fruitful? A person is said to be fruitful if he bears the fruits of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). A person is also said to be fruitful if he bears good fruits or brings excellent results in his workplace, community, family, or ministry. Joseph was described as a “fruitful bough” because he was so fruitful both in character and in his calling as a leader in Egypt. 1. Joseph was fruitful in character We can read in Genesis 39:1-6 that when Joseph had been taken down to Egypt as a slave, Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, bought him and made...

Have you ever watched a boxing match wherein both fighters were on the defensive? How long will you think the match would last until somebody finally gets to score? CH Spurgeon once said, “To be a Christian is to be a warrior. The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field. Neither must he reckon upon the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God. The Christian’s occupation is war.” Christians were given the armor of God to be used in war and these weapons are to pull down strongholds, to cast down every high thing that exalts itself against God. It brings every thought into submission and obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). The “belt of truth”, “breastplate of righteousness”, “feet shod with the gospel of peace”, “shield of faith” and “helmet of salvation” are all used as a defense against the attacks of the enemy. But there is one piece of the armor that is offensive, the “Sword of the Spirit”. Th...