The Genealogy

       There are those times when I take the family Bible, if you would call it that, as it is in German and really big.  It did have a number of things between its pages usually from family funerals, a few obituaries, a lock of hair of unknown origin and one banner from a casket.  It also had written down in the record section just a couple of names.  It wasn't filled out but it listed a few names.  The cover is actually wooden and covered with leather.  We sometimes become aware of our ancestors through family Bibles or other records.  In my mind, I can go back only about two generations and from there on it is all a blur.  Exodus 1:8 says, "Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph."  
      One might come to this point and ask the question, "How could they forget about Joseph?"  He was the "savior" of Egypt and yet the Pharoah didn't recognize who this Joseph was?  We would be no different, as we can only go back about 150 years more or less and tell who was there and maybe something that they did.  I know about two facts concerning my grandfather on my Dad's side and that is all.  We are fortunate to have a detailed account of the history of God's people.  Of course, it is the Bible and we can look in it and read about Joseph and then about Moses but we don't know nearly as much about the 400 or so years in between these two great men.  One of the things that amazes me about the Bible is that how God preserved His message through the ages.  We can remember that there are nations and individuals who have done all they could to ourlaw, ban, burn and keep God's Word from people.  God, on the other hand, has preserved His Word through all of this chaos in the world.  Israel was in captivity for 70 years even to the point that they couldn't speak Hebrew.  When Ezra stood up to preach, the Words had to be translated so the people could understand.  God's Word prevailed then and it prevails now.  We can find the history of Joseph in its pages, but also, we can find the way to heaven and how to find salvation.  We can find how we should then live this life and what to expect from others.  We can see God's plan clearly in its pages.  We can see man's problem and God's solution all in its pages.  So, put your trust in the Word of God and you will never go wrong.  Praise God today for His message to us and thank Him that you have a copy.