Thursday: More Exiles as Missionaries
Daniel was an Israelite in involuntary banishment from Israel, as were Joseph and Moses in Egypt, Nehemiah in Babylon, and Esther in Persia. Their lives reveal that it is possible to live faithfully to God in spiritually and culturally unsupportive environments.
Image © Kim Justinen from GoodSalt.com
With God’s direction it was even possible to attain prominent administrative positions in these alien settings.
Each lived a creative and rich life, skillfully negotiating complex religious, social, political, and economic dynamics far different from those of their home culture. They not only were loyal members of exiled Hebrew communities—they were also in their own ways effective missionaries for the God of Israel.
Witness while in exile included both passive presence and active proclamation.
| Esther | Daniel |
| 1. Did not identify as a Hebrew until called to reveal it | 1. Identified as a Hebrew |
| 2. Kept her religion to herself until called to reveal it | 2. Made known his religious convictions |
| 3. God protected her and her family | 3. God protected him and his friends |
| 4. Witnessed in high places to save her life along with her people’s | 4. Witnessed in high places to save his life along with other people’s |
| 5. Helped establish religious freedom and the right to self-defense of a religious minority | 5. Indirectly influenced King Cyrus to allow exiled Hebrews to rebuild the Jerusalem temple |
Read through Genesis 41. In what ways was Joseph able to witness to the Egyptians? How does his story parallel that of Daniel and his companions in Babylon?
In what situations in which you find yourself can you witness for your faith? Are you giving a passive or active witness, or both? What are things you can either say or do that would make a more powerful impression on others about the goodness and love of our God?
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Apart from the early godly home training of Daniel and his friends it is unlikely they had much time for formal religious education before arrival in Babylon as youths (Daniel 1:10). In Babylon the formal education was mostly secular to fit the exiles for service in the king’s court and public service (Daniel 1:4).
The religious education which distinguished these faithful young men from their colleagues was obtained in their times of devotion attended by the Holy Spirit. Even their common knowledge and wisdom was improved by their devotional life and faithfulness to natural and spiritual laws. Hence they could ace the interview with the king (Daniel 1:18-20).
Exiles like Joseph and Moses lacked the privilege of formal instruction in a school of prophets. However like John the baptizer and Jesus, who did not attend the schools of the prophets, they were instructed by the Holy Spirit during their quiet periods of prayerful study in the home, woods and/or wilderness. The word of the Lord was hid in their hearts and they proclaimed it as the Spirit bid them (Psalm 119:11).
If you lack the qualifications and experience of the famous colleges do not decline to let the Holy teach you in your times of quiet study, but be prepared to be used.
Formal education is useful in both common and sacred things. Yet it is only those who find a partner in the Holy Spirit that truly fulfill God’s will. Among those who have mastered the classroom theology there will be need for an attitude like that of Paul who counted his achievements as equivalent to garbage (Philippians 3:4-8). He was content to know only Christ and him crucified, but the Lord gave him much and used him in immeasurable ways (1 Corinthians 2:1, 2).
God takes delight in working with and through the humble, both of the educated and uneducated.
As did Daniel, Joseph lived a Godly life before his captors no matter what, faithful in all things. Joseph had also been given the gift of interpreting dreams prior to Pharoh's dreams from God so therefore called before Pharoh. As was Daniel, Joseph was made a high ranking official in the government of which they were held captive. Both were recognized as having the Spirit of God in them.
Many times I find living my life quietly, like Esther ( me as a Christian SDA), is the right way, letting others see Jesus in me and a life different than others. Letting them watch, contemplate then ask questions, speaking out when the time is right. Other times and situations I'm right out there. In all, praying the Holy Spirit to lead.
This is my first time using this. I loved the picture (Visual clues) and the graphic organizer that was placed in this lesson. They help me to comprehend the information speedily.
Romans 8:28 says all things work together for the good of those who love him" so challenges that we face daily either good or bad we must know that God will still use us in situations to be missionaries.
Joseph's example while in the dungeon should challenge us not to hide our divine gifts,we should not be shy to give spiritual intervention to people in spiritual dilemma,we might not be good at dream interpretation but we can give counselling that we draw people to God and free them from the clutches of those false priests and prophets in our time.People are been fed with falsified and compromised biblical interpretations,so we are needed as the Josephs of today's spiritual Egypt to tell them the true words God has sent to humanity through the bible.Every opportunity must be ceased in announcing the God we serve,we must have in mind that our behaviour has alot to say about us and where our hopes are anchored.
I pray to Jehovah that he use me in this foreign land that I am staying with my family. Despite the hatred by locals and the daily killing and xenophobic behavior of some locals, I pray that I remain resilient to the truth and be used like Ester to reach out in my small way.
I say this to everyone especially Africans that continue to be displaced by poverty to foreign land. Let us avoid like what other are doing, they leave our seventh day teachings at the boarders of their countries and start to indulge in all forms of evil just to survive.
Great lesson we have before us:
1. Brighten the corner where you are
2. No situation or circumstance physical or otherwise can limit the usefulness and faithfulness of those who have indeed wholly committed their lives to God, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
3. God will finally turn our gloom into bright light