This Saturday’s HF was a combined one with the entire Hougang family coming under one roof hosted by Carol and Jerry. The atmosphere was filled with joy and laughter no doubt aided by a superb array of buffet spread from sayur lodeh, gado gado to bo bo cha cha. The entire house was filled with the Holy Spirit. Even Guinness the doggy was basking in the Spirit-filled atmosphere smiling from ear to ear and wagging his tail non stop. Boon Hoe and Jenny prayed for Cecillia and for my eye condition. Worship was ably led by our young adults and Pastor Darren commended them and also prayed for them.
Our discussion of The Word centred around Genesis 39-41 facilitated by Boon Hoe and Ivy. We were split into 3 sub groups each taking on a chapter. Some of the main themes were:
1) Temptation – arising from Potiphar’s seduction of a young handsome Joseph. Varied views came up like “This type very hard to avoid one” to “Potiphar might not be young and pretty so he ran away. No temptation”. Some also felt that Joseph ran away from danger – don’t play with fire. We came to the conclusion that Joseph did the right thing by being faithful to his master. The learning for us is that God is our master and we likewise need to be faithful to Him. In real life, we also need to run away from temptations. God never tempts but we need God’s help to resist temptation. Resist the devil and he will flee away from you.
2) Suffering – “Life is not a bed of roses” pretty much sums up Joseph’s life. Sold by his brothers into slavery, Joseph also had to endure many years of hardship in prison. Forgotten by people (the baker and the wine taster) but not by God. Despite all the trials, Joseph chose to trust God. In His good and perfect time, God will alleviate our suffering and give us His blessings. We need to let God mould us. I was led to ponder over my current situation. After 10 months and two eye operations, I’m still left with an inflamed retina. Its not great to go through tribulations but His mercies are sufficient for us. Lean on Him and on our brothers and sisters in Christ to journey through the valley.
3) Dreams - not all dreams are from God but some are. Indeed God does speak to us through dreams as our experiences indicate. And sometimes dreams do come true especially when they are from God. God gave Joseph the power of interpreting dreams drowning out all the magicians. Joseph prophesied with ease. It was also God’s perfect plan to not only bring Joseph out of the depths of despair but to alleviate him to the heights of power. Joseph became Pharoah’s main man, his “go to guy”.
We left the best to the last…. The parallel between the 2 Js expertly summarised by Ivy: similarities between Jesus and Joseph. Just to share a point or two:
a) Beloved by his Father – Israel loved Joseph the most whilst Jesus is the Father’s beloved Son.
b) Sold for silver – Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver and Jesus was sold for 30 pieces.
c) He will rule – the “sheaves bowed down to mine”; indeed Joseph’s brothers bowed down to him during the famine whilst Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father.
Have a fruitful and blessed week ahead.
George Lee
on behalf of Diakonia HF
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