“And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, he said, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” Exodus 41:51
In the epistle to the Hebrews, we find a tremendous verse which speaks to us of how to run a race, a race that has been set before us by God. ” The author writes: “…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb. 12:1,2) In this directive, the Lord makes it very clear where we are to look in order to run this race, and as Paul put it, to “finish my course.” That place is the person of Christ, Jesus, the Beginning of faith, for He gives faith, and its conclusion, for one day there will be no more faith, for sight will take its place. Why is it so very important to look unto Jesus, and how is this to be done?
It is a fundamental fruit of the true worship of Christ, in Spirit and truth, that faith is strengthened, and love increased. It is in beholding Him that, no only is the believer transformed into His image, but the very life of Christ, by the Spirit reveals that Eternal Life of Christ in and through us. Also, Christ is the only viable, and certain point of reference for running this race, both in knowing the “rules,” or the ways of God in order to run it aright and not in vain, but also, in receiving all that is necessary in wisdom, strength, grace and mercy, to run well. Paul instructs us that in running this race, which like the warfare we are in, is to be run with faith, that we are to run in order to “win.” What does this mean? Does it mean that I can lose my salvation if I fall during the race, or make mistakes, or fail? No. It points to the attitude of heart that the believer is to have, in light of the glorious promises that God has given, by which His victory is to be known and realized. Why then must we consider the matter of “forgetting?” What is it about forgetting that is so essential to running this race?
When Joseph was brought down to Egypt as a slave, then sold into Potiphar’s household as such, there were many trials that he faced. Perhaps the greatest was that of being separated from his family, especially his father and younger brother. However, God had given to Joseph an indication of his calling and purpose in several dreams. In other words, God had a purpose for Joseph being brought “wrongfully” down to Egypt. It was to be for the salvation of his family, and even the nation of Egypt. However, Joseph could not live in two worlds, intensely longing for his former home, and at the same time, using well, and to the maximum, the opportunity that God was now affording him. We cannot imagine how much Joseph suffered during the thirteen years as a slave in Egypt. Nor can we imagine how precious were the indications that God gave him of His love and care of him. In one day, Joseph, would be brought out of prison to become a “father” to the young Pharaoh on the throne of Egypt. How was this possible?
Joseph named his first son Manasseh, because he said, “…God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” Why did God bring Joseph this way? If Joseph was to look only unto Jesus for the outworking of His will, it is imperative that he not look back. Only in Christ was his wisdom and strength.
The new beginning of God begins with, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” (Is. 43:18) Why? Because God desires and wills to do a new thing, which does not have its point of reference in the past, but only in the everlasting Christ. Christ is the way, and Christ the prize.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to behold. In Jesus’ name, Amen.