CSE Blogs

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: January 16, 2009
To: God
First read: Proverbs 15:23; 25:11

KH: Thanks, Lord. I needed that and you sent it right on time.
GOD: I always do, Son. I keep telling you I’ve got everything under control and not to worry, but you forget so easily! That’s why I had “fear not” in My Word 365 times. You’ve got one for every day. I also know that you are weak, human, and easily discouraged (Job 23:10; Ps. 1:6, 37:18, 44:21, 94:11, 103:14; Mt 6:8, 32; Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 3:20) so I will send a small taste of what is coming once in a while.
Your race is not over yet, and you could still stumble and fall before the finish line (1 Cor. 9:24, 27; Heb. 12:1), but it’s good to see a little of the fruit you are going to reap.
KH: Thanks, Lord, those four letters I got last night were so helpful. I was pretty down. It was my birthday, and I was getting discouraged again. My wife is scheduled to report to prison on Tuesday at noon. She’s terrorized, Lord, and I’m powerless to help her or comfort her. I haven’t seen her or hugged her for 13 months. They are still trying to seize the church ministry property and I was having a mini pity-party like John the Baptist did when he was in prison (Mt. 11:3). He wondered if his ministry had done any good.
I’m sorry, Lord. This has been the hardest test I’ve ever taken, and I was wondering if I was doing any good for Your Kingdom. Then, I got the mail. It’s amazing what a good encouraging word can do. Edee is 84 and writes me every week. What a blessing she has been to me. She writes to lots of other prisoners, too. Please bless her greatly, Lord.
GOD: Oh, I will, Son!
KH: That card from that Russian youth group that has seen my videos made me cry. There were signatures from 48 kids that had their lives changed and their faith in Your Word strengthened. Knowing that they are praying for me is a great help! I have wished a thousand times that I had heard the truth about Your creation when I was a teen. The evolution teaching caused me so many doubts, and for kids raised under communism it’s even worse! Thanks for letting those DVDs change Russian teens’ lives and…thanks for letting me find out about it down here. I doubt they know how much their little word of encouragement meant to me. Please bless them, Lord.
GOD: I will, Son. More than you know.
KH: And Michael’s letter from Canada…it’s dated December 19th. It got held up in the mail room for almost a month, but just arrived when I needed it. He is so excited that his sister got saved and is fired up for You; all because of a few little round pieces of plastic with teaching about Your Word. They are spreading those DVDs all over Canada, Lord. I had no idea. That letter came right on time. Thanks, Lord.
GOD: You are welcome, Son. I’m never late.
KH: I was feeling convicted about having a pity-party, but Aaron’s letter really broke my heart! He had to do a report at school of a modern day hero, and he chose me. Lord, you and I both know that I’m no hero. You told me to “fear not,” but I still fear. The enemy that has come against me is huge! I have no power or might to resist them. I miss my family and ministry and freedom beyond words. I was so encouraged that my bonds have made Aaron more bold (Phil. 1:14). It’s strange, but it really helps.
GOD: Yes, Son, a word fitly spoken is a real blessing. You need to do that more often to others.
KH: I know, Lord, I’m sorry.
GOD: It’s easy to be critical of others. Everyone has flaws and some are really easy to pick out, but most people, especially those in there with you, need a kind word spoken to them. The tongue has great power to hurt or heal (James 3:1-12; Mt. 12:36, 15:11, 18; Prov. 16:27). Use it wisely, Son.
KH: Lord, these letters have shown me again what a word can do. Thanks for letting me serve You in my faltering way. And thanks a lot for letting me get those letters tonight. I’m sorry that I need pumped up often, Lord. I’ll go look for someone to speak a kind word to.
GOD: Great idea, Son. Go sing now. I’ve got your back…and your wife’s and your family’s.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: May 4, 2009
To: Hophni
First Read: 1 Samuel 1-4

KH:  Good morning, Lord.

GOD:  Good morning, Son. You have been wondering about Bob, haven’t you?

KH:  Yes, Lord. His dad was a preacher. How did he turn out so evil?

GOD:  Lots of preachers’ kids turn out fine, Son. Each person makes their own decisions in life. You can’t always blame the parents. But they do have a profound influence, and sometimes must share in the blame.

Let’s go for a walk. Hophni is badly wounded by the Philistines and will die soon (1 Sam 4:11), but he may be able to help you understand…

That’s him leaned up against that tree. Go talk with him about his dad and childhood, Son. See if he can answer your questions.

KH:  OK, Lord…Excuse me, Mr. Hophni, can you answer a few questions for me?

Hophni (Hop):  I’ll try. I don’t have long to live.

KH:  What happened?

Hop:  It’s a long, sad story.

KH:  I’d love to hear it if I can learn from it (1 Cor. 10:6).

Hop:  Oh, there is a lot to learn from my story and family. Mostly on how not to raise kids.

KH:  Learning from others’ mistakes is better than repeating them.

Hop:  Well my dad was a priest of the Lord in Shiloh about 20 miles north of Jerusalem. He got us jobs as priests, too. My brother and I were not really in the priesthood because we loved or even knew the Lord (1 Sam. 2:12). We did it for the food and the women (1 Sam. 2:22).

KH:  Didn’t your dad scold you or fire you for your lewd conduct?

Hop:  No, and that’s part of the problem. Dad was really lazy. He spent most of his time sitting by a post (1 Sam. 1:9; 4:13; 4:18) or judging those who came to the temple (1 Sam. 1:14). He knew what we were doing, but never restrained us (1 Sam. 3:13). God even came and warned him through a man of God (1 Sam. 2:27-36), but it didn’t seem to phase dad. There was no repentance on his part that we could see. We just kept getting fatter and fatter from the offerings of the people. My brother and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to scam the people out of their money.

KH:  We have a few TV evangelists like that now in my country.

Hop:  What’s a TV?

KH:  Never mind. That would take awhile to explain. Anyway, what was your dad’s job in the temple?

Hop:  It was gravy job. He was supposed to teach people the Word of God and get messages from God for the people, but I never saw him talk to God or get a vision from God (1 Sam 3:1). He was supposed to keep the lamp burning (Lev. 24:2), but it went out all the time (1 Sam. 3:3). He was too lazy to fill it with oil. One lady brought her son to live at the temple to be trained as a priest (1 Sam. 1:24-28). Dad had him do most of the work. His name was Samuel. He seemed to really love the Lord (1 Sam. 2:26). We didn’t spend a lot of time with him. We were too busy chasing women and eating like pigs.

KH:  Did God ever speak to Samuel?

Hop:  God called him three times one night before dad figured out it was God calling (1 Sam. 3:2-8). God told that kid that He was angry at Dad and us boys for our behavior.

KH:  So how did you end up here on a battlefield, bleeding to death?

Hop:  We attacked the Philistines yesterday and they killed about 4,000 of our men (1 Sam. 4:1-2), so my brother and I went to get the Ark of the Lord to save us in battle.

KH:  Did you think it had magic powers or something?

Hop:  Well….we never read the Bible as kids, but I had heard that God lived in that box so we brought it to the battle.

KH:  Why would you think God lived in a box?

Hop:  We never saw Dad talk with Him anywhere else. He went to where the box was with a sacrifice once a year, so we figured that’s where God was. It seems sort of silly now that I think about it. Anyway, the soldiers all got excited when we brought the ark into the camp. They shouted so loud that the Philistines heard them (1 Sam. 4:5-8). They were scared.

KH:  Did it work to give you special power to beat them?

Hop:  No. That’s why I’m here bleeding to death. They beat us bad and stole the ark of God. Dad will be upset that we took it.

KH:  We have people in my country that think some charm on their neck or wall will protect them too. Some even put stuff on the dash of their car to have a good luck charm. It is silly, isn’t it?

Hop:  Yes…What’s a car?

KH:  Never mind. They won’t be invented for about 3,000 years.

Hop:  I’ll be dead by then.

KH:  Do you have any children?

Hop:  Yes, and my brother’s wife is due any day now (1 Sam. 4:19-22).

KH:  Do you have any advice on how to raise kids?

Hop:  No. All my advice would be on how not to do it. Dad let us get by with sin. He was lazy and didn’t have a real relationship with God. I would guess that things would be different today if those could have been changed. We also learned from him to treat God like a genie we could call on to get us out of trouble. That didn’t work.

KH:  What about Samuel?

Hop:  He is too young to have kids yet, but I worry for his kids when he has them. He never really saw how a normal functioning Christian family should work. Only time will tell how his turn out (1 Sam. 8:1-3).

KH:  Yes, a good example to follow is great, but many people are wicked, yet their kids turn out fine. Each person really makes their own decisions in life.

Hop:  I know. I made mine, and they were wrong. Now it’s too late.

GOD:  Let’s go home, Son. Does that help?

KH:  Yes, Lord. Even if Bob’s dad was a lazy preacher, it is still Bob’s duty to read and obey Your Word. He will have no excuse on judgment day, will he?

GOD:  None, Son. 

KH:  Lord?

GOD:  Yes, Son?

KH:  Thanks for helping my kids turn out to love and serve You. I’m a rich man aren’t I, Lord? Even my five grandchildren love You so far.

GOD:  Richer than you know. Go walk the track, Son. I’ve got your back.

Liberty is a precious thing, and so many inmates in our country’s penal system are non-violent offenders with no record of violence or criminality, yet are locked up and serving lengthy sentences.  A very important bill, HR 61, is before the U.S House of Representatives, and could reduce these sentences by 50% providing these inmates have a record of good behavior and non-violence.  This is a good bill to help good people.  If you would like more information on this bill, you can follow it or read the full text of it here. 

But most importantly, please ACT!  Click on this link to find your representative’s contact information.  This will take just a few moments, but will be so meaningful, and will make a positive impact.  Simply click on the link, click on your state, and then click on the representative from your district (if you do not know who your congressman is, submit your state and zip code here to find out).  Then give your congressman a call! 

To help even more: Each contact by a constituent is significant, and the more you contact your representative, the better.  If you are serious about this cause, and can invest a few more minutes, please utilize the other contact information to call your representative’s local office and D.C office, and also email your representative, and send a copy to your representative’s physical address.

A suggested message might read:

To the Honorable Representative _________________,
As a constituent who is concerned with our corrections system, I highly urge you to support HR 61 to reduce the sentences of non-violent offenders.  This is a good bill, and your support will be greatly appreciated.  Please co-sponsor and vote for HR 61.
Sincerely,
____________________________ (your name)
____________________________ (your physical address)

Dr. Hovind and many others will greatly benefit from this bill, and with your help and prayers, it can pass.
From the team at CSE, thanks for your vigilant support!

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: May 5, 2009
To: Rebekah
First Read: Genesis 24

KH:  Hey, Lord?

GOD:  Yes, Son?

KH:  It’s been 2 ½ years today since I got locked up.

GOD:  That’s correct, Son.

KH:  That’s over 900 days, Lord. The days and nights sure seem long sometimes. How much longer?

GOD:  I know, Son. I’ve been with you the entire time. We’ve had some great fellowship, haven’t we?

KH:  Yes, Lord. It’s been great, but…how much longer?

GOD:  Oh, Son, I’ve got that all under control. Lots of My hurting children down through history have asked Me that same question. Let’s go for a walk. Maybe Rebekah can explain it to you. She went through exactly the same emotions you are going through (Gen. 24; 1 Cor. 10:6).  That’s her by the camp fire talking with Abraham’s servant, Eliezer (Gen. 15:2). Go listen for a moment, and then ask her any questions you would like.

Rebekah (Reb):  Hey, Eliezer? How much longer?

Eliezer (Eli):  Oh, my child, you ask that every night. I know these hot days and cold nights in the desert are long for you. I also know that this is the first time away from home for you. It won’t be much longer, and every step brings us closer. It will be worth it all when you meet Isaac. I’ve known him since he was a baby. He’s an amazing man!

Reb:  Tell me about him again, please!

Eli:  Well he’s tall, handsome, and shy. He’s 40 and has never had a date or a girlfriend. His father Abraham is extremely wealthy and will leave it all to Isaac. He’s a very obedient son. He even was willing to let his dad kill him one time (Gen. 22)! His mom died three years ago. They were really close. He is very considerate and sensitive to the feelings of others. Oh! That reminds me. He wanted me to give you this note and gift tonight.

Reb:  Wow! He is thoughtful! This makes 14 nights in a row for a note and a gift! Let’s see…Wow! Those earrings are beautiful! He says, “Dear Bride, I can’t wait to see you and show you the home I’ve been making for us. I know that by now you must be so tired of the long trip on those smelly camels. I’m so sorry that you have to endure all of this, but it will be worth it all, I promise! Dad and I have prayed fervently for God to lead Eliezer to exactly the right one. I’m sure he did. I’ve known Eli since I was born, and I trust him completely – even to pick out my wife. He will also be praying, so you will be an answer to prayer. Eli will take great care of you on the trip. I hope you enjoy the soft blankets I sent for you to sleep on. I’ll have a hot bath and a great meal waiting for you when you arrive. I’ll provide your every need. Please be strong. It won’t be much longer now. Love, Isaac.
P.S. I’m preparing a home for you that is beyond your wildest dreams (Jn. 14:2-3)!”

Oh! That is so sweet! Thanks, Eli. I think I can make it another day now.

Eli:  You are most welcome, Rebekah. God did lead me to exactly the right one. You and Isaac are a perfect match!

KH:  Excuse me, Rebekah. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?

Reb:  Not at all. Have a seat, please.

KH:  Thanks. How long have you know this Eliezer?

Reb:  15 days now.

KH:  How long have you known this Isaac you are going to marry?

Reb:  I’ve never met him.

KH:  So here you are in the middle of a desert, on a trip to marry a man you have never met, with a man you just met 15 days ago. Is that right?

Reb:  I know it sounds crazy, but yes that’s correct. God has led every step of the way.

KH:  Could you tell me a little about yourself?

Reb:  Well, there is not much to tell. I’m a farm girl from Mesopotamia (Gen. 24:10). My dad, Bethuel, has seven brothers, so I have lots of uncles and cousins who watch out for me (Gen. 22:20-24). My grandpa, Nahor, has a brother named Abraham over in the Promised Land, but I’ve never met him. We are going there now so I can marry his son, Isaac. I’ve never met him either, but Eli tells me about him every night. I never tire of hearing it!

KH:  How could you agree to marry someone you have never met? Was it some kind of “online dating service” on the web?

Reb:  A what?

KH:  Never mind. My bad. Al Gore won’t invent the internet for 4,000 years.

Reb:  Who?

KH:  Never mind, just a joke in my century. Anyway, how did this all happen so fast?

Reb:  Oh, I love to tell the story! Eliezer came to my town 15 days ago with 10 camels. I was going down to get water at the well, and he asked me for a drink of water (Gen. 24:17). I gave him a drink, and then offered to draw water for his camels as well.

KH:  A thirsty camel can drink 10 gallons of water! You volunteered to draw 100 gallons of water out of a well with a bucket for a perfect stranger? That’s a lot of work!

Reb:  I know it sounds crazy, but yes I did. Mom and dad taught me to be a hard worker and to be kind to people.

KH:  My wife is the same way. And she’s beautiful like you.

Reb:  Well, thank you! I’d like to meet her one day. Anyway, after I watered the camels, the man put these gold bracelets on my arms and gave me these earrings. I didn’t know it at the time, but the whole thing was a test.

KH:  Sort of like a Miss America contest?

Reb:  A what?

KH:  I’m sorry. My bad again. America won’t be discovered for 3,500 years.

Reb:  Right. Anyway, Eli asked me whose daughter I was (Gen. 24:23), and asked if we had room for some travelers. I told him who I was, and that we had lots of room for his camels. He got all excited and began to worship God. He told my family that he had been praying for God to lead him to the perfect wife for his master’s son, and then told us about the test at the well. We all agreed the thing was from the Lord, and there was no need to argue with God (Gen. 24:50).

KH:  That’s for sure!

Reb:  They spent the night, and the next morning they asked me the final question, “Wilt thou go with this man” (Gen. 24:58)? I said I would, and here we are, hundreds of miles from home, in a desert with a bunch of smelly camels, and talking around a fire about a man I’ve never met, but am going to marry as soon as I get there. The more I learn about him, the more I find myself falling in love with him, sight unseen. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?

KH:  Not really. God sent His Holy Spirit into the far country to get a bride for His only Son. I’m sort of on the same journey as you, Rebekah. I agreed to go marry someone I’ve never seen or met either. He’s the obedient Son of the Father and is building me a house, too (Jn. 14:1-3). I can’t figure out why He chose me.

Reb:  Me neither. I’m not a Canaanite – that’s a plus. I’m willing to go (Gen. 24:58) – that’s another big plus. And I’m an answer to prayer.

KH:  Well said, Rebekah. How do you handle the long days and nights?

Reb:  I won’t say it’s always easy, but I try to focus on the wedding, and not the trip. I spend a lot of time talking with the servant about the son. I really enjoy studying him. I can’t wait to be his bride (Rev. 21:2, 9; 22:17). I don’t know the way or how long it will take, but he gives me new gifts every day (Lam. 3:23; James 1:17), and I reread his love notes quite often. That keeps me excited to continue the journey. The servant meets my needs every day (Mt. 4:4).

KH:  Thanks, Rebekah. Enjoy the trip, and congrats on the wedding.

Reb:  Thanks.

GOD:  Let’s go home, Son….Does that answer your question?

KH:  Well, sort of. I do enjoy the trip some, especially the great talks we have and the love notes and promises I find in Your Word. I really enjoy studying the few details You gave about the home You are building up there. I wish I could understand it better.

GOD:  Can you explain colors to a blind man or sounds to a deaf man?

KH:  No, Lord. They cannot receive the information.

GOD:  You can’t understand Heaven yet either, Son (1 Cor. 2:9). Just trust Me. It will be worth it all. I’ve got everything under control. Go walk the track. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: April 27, 2009
To: Robert “Bob” Hovind

KH: Good morning, Lord.

GOD: Good morning, Son. Are you ready to learn something today?

KH: Oh yes, Lord! I’m ready to learn whatever it is you want to teach me so I can go home! What on earth are you preparing me for, Lord?

GOD: It’s not just on earth, Son. Your whole life is just a job interview. I want you to rule and reign with Me for 1,000 years (Rom. 8:17; Col. 3:24; II Thes. 1:5; II Tim. 2:12; II Cor. 5:9-11; Rev. 3:21, 20-21). Not everyone gets that prize, Son. I’m the Father. It’s my job to bless, train, equip, chastise (Heb. 12:6-7) and prepare My children for the future they will face.

Let’s go for a walk, Son. Your earthly father explained it to you well…

Robert “Bob” Hovind (Dad): Hey boys! Let’s go for a ride.

KH: Where to, Dad?

Dad: Well, Sears is having a tool sale today. Let’s go see what they have that you need. I’ll let each of you spend $50 as long as it’s for tools.

KH: Wow! Again? This is great, Dad, but you just did that 4 months ago. I love getting tools, but why do you do this for us?

Dad: Well, Son, some dads buy their kids toys and games. I generally get you boys tools instead. I have to admit that my motive is a little bit selfish. You boys eat a lot! So, I want to teach you and equip you to do lots of things so you can make a living lots of ways. That way I won’t have to feed you for the rest of my life! Ha! Here’s the way I look at it, Son. If you put one hook in the water, the most you can catch is one fish at a time. If you put in a trot line with lots of hooks, you can catch more than one fish at a time. You need to know how to make a living lots of ways. Lots of people only know how to do one thing for a living. What happens to them if that line of work dries up or they get hurt so they can’t do that anymore?

KH: They have a problem!

Dad: That’s right. It’s always good to have several sources of income. Be sure that you have at least one trade you can do with your hands and another you can do with your head. What if you get in an accident and end up in a wheelchair? You can still do lots of jobs like drafting, teaching, writing, etc. Plus, the more skills you have, the greater variety of options you have. You can change jobs any time you like.

KH: Great advice, Dad! You have sure taught us boys a lot! We have designed and built our own house three times now. We can all do the entire job from pouring concrete to electric, plumbing, framing, and roofing. You also made sure we learned how to do just about everything on a car or motorcycle. Thanks Dad! How can we ever repay you?

Dad: You are welcome, Son. I only ask that you do one thing to pay me back.

KH: What’s that, Dad?

Dad: Do the same for your boys.

KH: I’ll try, Dad. I think the greatest thing I learned though is what you taught us without saying a word.

Dad: What’s that, Son?

KH: How to treat a woman. I’ve never seen you get angry or yell at mom. Don’t you two ever fight?

Dad: Ha! Not where you can see it or hear it, Son. We have our days. You will too. Trust me on that one. Let’s go shopping boys.

GOD: Let’s go home, Son…What did you learn?

KH: Oh, Lord! My dad bought us lots of the physical tools, but also made sure we had the mental tools to work hard, work smart, work fast, and to be honest. Thanks for the great parents you gave me. They sure worked hard to prepare us for life.

GOD: That’s the way I designed the family to operate, Son. Lots of people don’t follow My blueprint though. It sure causes lots of heartaches in the world.

KH: It sure does, Lord! I’m in here now with several hundred that had a “less than normal” childhood. When I listen to them talk and watch the way they act, I can’t help but think, “Where were your parents when you were growing up? Didn’t they teach you anything?” I don’t say it out loud though. Very few in here were raised with both natural parents in the house. Many were raised with cursing, yelling, drugs, and alcohol. It’s no wonder they are messed up. Some have no clue who their dad is!

GOD: In my perfect law (Ps. 19:7) I called for adultery to be punished by death. Do you see why now, Son?

KH: It seems harsh, but yes, Lord, I see more and more that Your law would make for a great society. What tools are you trying to give me through this prison time, Lord?

GOD: Well, Son, many people will live through the tribulation time that is soon to come on the earth. I will need My children to help Me rule them. Some will rule over 5 cities and some over 10 (Matthew 25:14-30). Even though Satan will be bound the entire 1,000 years (Rev. 20), the ones who lived through into the millennium will still have a wicked nature. That’s why I will need (and use) the rod of iron (Mt. 5:5, 10, 12, 20; 6:10, 19). Those faithful ones that I choose to rule and reign with Me will need lots of “tools” to deal with them like love, joy, peace, gentleness, etc. I wrote a whole book about the tools My children are supposed to be collecting.

KH: Oh, Lord, if I have to learn and master how to use all of those, I’ll never make it!

GOD: That’s right, Son. On your own, you won’t. But 40 years ago I began a work in you to transform you and renew your mind (Rom. 12:2) and make you into what I want you to be. I always finish what I start, son (Phil 1:6).

KH: What tools do I still need, Lord?

GOD: I’m keeping a list of what tools you have and which ones you still need. I know one of your desires (Ps. 37:4) is to have 1,000 acres for an awesome Creation Camp and Dinosaur Adventure Land. What do you think if I restored the earth like it used to be and you have live, friendly dinosaurs to use to teach people about My creation at your camp?

KH: Wow! That would be cool! Why just 1,000 years, Lord?

GOD: Even with Satan gone the whole time there will still be enough rebels when he is released for a little season that he will gather an army to come against me (Rev. 20:3-10). It is sad, but it will demonstrate to the world that I am just and fair in all My judgments. Then all My children get to see the new Heaven and the new earth (Isa. 65; II Pet. 3; Rev 21). Your little brain won’t hold that one yet.

KH: I can’t wait! Am I getting close to getting the tools I need to go home, Lord?

GOD: Well, let’s just say you can’t walk on water yet. Ha! You’ll be fine, Son. I’m watching every detail. Go read a book. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: April 1, 2009
To: Joseph, the husband of Mary

Kent Hovind (KH): Hey Lord?

God: Yes son.

KH: My niece Stephany broke her back almost 3 years ago and is in a wheelchair now for life. She doesn’t have an “outdate” like I do to look forward to. Joni Ericson Tada has been in one for over 40 years and doesn’t haven an outdate either. 300 of the men in the medium security prison next door have “deceased” as their outdate. I know that I shouldn’t complain about my situation. I’m really pretty free in here to read, write, witness and walk around, but…I didn’t want to come here and don’t want to be here. Can you at least show me a glimpse of why You allowed all this to happen to me and my family? Please? The legal system seems so slow, unfair, and even corrupt at times. Why would You allow Your servants to suffer?

God: Son, I love you and only give good and perfect gifts to My children (Jam 1:17). I gave hundreds of stories in My Word for examples to teach you lots of truth (1 Cor. 10:6,11). Let’s go visit Joseph and Mary in Egypt. He knows just how you feel and can help you understand (Mt. 2:13-16)…..

KH: Phew! This place stinks! Where are we Lord?

God: On a farm in Egypt, son. Go talk to that man with the hammer by the barn. That’s Joseph.

KH: Excuse me, sir, what’s going on here?

Joe: Oh, hi there. I’m fixing this gate. The cows broke it and the owner of the farm hired me to fix it. I’m a carpenter by trade up in Israel but down here I do odd jobs to make ends meet. These cows stink don’t they?

KH: It smells like a barnyard!

Joe: It is. Hey, watch where you step! How can I help you?

KH: God sent me here to talk with you. Who are you, and what are you doing here in Egypt?

Joe: I am Joseph of Nazareth and I’m only here because God told me in a dream to come. I hate it here!

KH: Why did God tell you to come all the way down here?

Joe: I’ve wondered that myself. I think it is for my family’s protection.

KH: From what?

Joe: King Herod back in Israel wants to kill my boy, Jesus.

KH: Oh yeah. I read that story in Matthew.

Joe: Who’s Matthew?

KH: Ah, that would take awhile to explain. Anyways….

Joe: There is no “s” in anyway.

KH: That’s right. My bad. Anyway, why does Herod want to kill your son? How old is he?

Joe: Well, Jesus is 4 years old. He’s not really my son. I married his mother, Mary, while she was pregnant, but that’s another story. Anyway, we had gone to Bethlehem to be registered for a tax and couldn’t find any rooms available, so a farmer let us sleep in his barn the night Jesus was born.

KH: Is that where the three wise men came to visit you?

Joe: The who?

KH: You know, the three wise men who brought you the gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are always in the nativity scene with the shepherds, sheep, and cows by the baby in the manger.

Joe: Boy are you mixed up! First, the shepherds came to visit us the night he was born but the wise men came two years later. Jesus was a young child and we were in a house by then (Mt. 2:10-11). Second, there were different gifts, not three wise men. A whole caravan of them came from the east to see the new king. They were following a star. It would be suicide for just three rich men to travel over 500 miles past scores of bands of robbers. Third, what’s a nativity scene?

KH: Ah…never mind. Anyway, why did the Lord tell you to come here?

Joe: Well, a few days after the caravan left, an angel of the Lord appeared to me in a dream and told me to take Mary and Jesus and come down here to Egypt (Mt. 2:12-13) so I did. Later I found out that Herod had sent soldiers to Bethlehem the next day and had all the babies 2 and under killed! Bethlehem is a small town, and my wife and I knew most of the families that lost sons. We got out of town just in time! It’s a good thing we listened to the Lord! It’s also a good thing we had the gold to pay for the trip and help us get established down here. God always provides.

KH: That’s for sure! So how do you like it here?

Joe: I hate it! God sent me here for my family’s safety, not our comfort. I was just getting enough work in Bethlehem to make ends meet and start saving to move back to Nazareth and live a normal life when, out of the blue, I end up down here in Egypt! This is the last place I want to be! The people here are dirty and godless. They speak a strange language, eat odd food, and have weird customs. I haven’t seen my friends or family for several years. It’s a good thing my dad taught me to do carpentry work. I can always make a living – even if it is fixing gates in a smelly barnyard.

KH: Wow! That’s quite a story. I hate where I am too, Joe. I know how you feel. Hey, if Herod wanted to kill Jesus, why would God make you go through the trouble of moving? Why didn’t he just kill Herod?

Joe: I’m sure He could have, and Herod certainly deserves it. He killed some of his own wives and sons! He is wicked! He’s an Edomite, and does not have God’s authority to rule the land. Actually I’m a direct descendent of King David (Mt. 1:6-16) and, if it weren’t for the sins of Jeconiah, my ancestor about 12 generations back, I would have the right to be king of Israel. God told Jeconiah that he would never have a descendant sit on David’s throne (Jer. 22:30). His dad, Jehoiakim, had cut out part of God’s Word (Jer. 36, Rev 22:19). Changing God’s Word in any way always makes God angry! But God has also promised that David would “never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel” (Jer. 33:17).

KH: That sounds like an impossible contradiction of God’s promises.

Joe: No problem for God. Mary is also a descendent of King David through a different son – Nathan (Lk. 3:31), and Jesus is the son of Mary. Anyway, even though Herod is wicked and has caused a lot of suffering for lots of families, including mine, God still loves him and wants him to be saved.
As I watched my wife and her son suffer on the trip down here I admit, I got some bitterness in my heart toward Herod. God had to work on me for a while about that.
You see Kent, God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish (II Pt 3:9). So, even though in my flesh I want to ask God to send down fire from Heaven (II Kings 1:10,12; Lk 9:54) and kill all those that caused this pain and suffering for my family, I also realize that God may be giving Herod more time to repent and be saved. Or, maybe his sins are not yet full. God told Abraham that He would leave his descendents – my ancestors – in Egypt for four generations because the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full (Gen. 15:16). He is a God of mercy (Ex. 33:19).

KH: I guess you are right, Joe. We already have God’s promise of eternal life in Heaven (Jn. 3:16) and tend to forget that God takes no pleasure when the wicked die and go to Hell (Ez 18:23). God is love (1 Jn 4:7-8), even to the wicked heathen that hurt us for no good reason.

Joe: I know. We tend to think that our sins are not as bad as others (Is 64:6), but God sees long term and knows how serious Hell is (Mk 9:44-48)! As much as I hate being in Egypt away from my family, it will be worth it all if Herod or some other souls are saved because of it. Maybe God can even reach some of those cruel Roman soldiers that killed the babies. They need the Lord too. Moses (Ex 2:12) and David (II Sam 11:15) were murderers and God forgave them.

KH: So, maybe God brought you to Egypt for your protection and to give Herod a chance to get saved. That’s a great way to look at it, Joe.

Joe: That’s the best reason I can think of. I know God loves me and will never give me more than I can handle (1 Cor. 10:13) so I’ll just try to learn to serve God here as best as I can until He calls me to go back to Israel. Hey Kent, hold the other end of that board up to that line for me, would you please? And watch your step! Cows live around here.

KH: I’d be glad to, Joe. And thanks for the insight into why God allows His children to go through problems. He sees a bigger picture than what we do. We should just trust Him to do right.

God: Let’s go home, Son. Does that help answer your question?

KH: Yes, Lord. I understand it, but I don’t have to like it, do I?

God: No, Son, you don’t have to like it. Just be still and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10). You have a pile of mail to answer, Son. Go get started. I’ve got your back.