Why teach Character?

Genesis 46:28-34

Why do you teach your children about character?  Why do you tell them not to indulge in a certain activity or behavior and you tell them to stay away from people who participate in those activities and behaviors.  Could it be that you know that the environment your child is surrounded by, will shape their character?  Do you remember when your mother or dad gave you advice like this; “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)  Or have you said something like this to your child; “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)   It is amazing how much the Bible has carried over into our training, and that is a good thing; God’s handbook on living life on earth, is to guide us to righteousness and away from sin.  That is why you and I have tried to influence our children, to develop and shape their behavior and character.

That is the same goal that God has for his promised people, they are entering into Egypt, and often in Scripture, when we see the word Egypt, it is referring to evil, to the flesh; a place that will steal your heart from God.  But God has promised to go with them into Egypt, and He is setting the stage to isolate them from the people of Egypt.  How can you live among a nation of people and not be changed by their customs and beliefs? 

First, Joseph, being led by God, tells them to go to Goshen and meet him.  Goshen is very good pastureland, it may be the very best in all of Egypt, and that is what they will need to flourish while in Egypt.  Joseph is going to tell Pharaoh that his brothers and father have arrived, and are in Goshen, because they are shepherds and have a large flocks and also livestock.  Goshen is a very suitable location, it is quite fertile and has few Egyptians living there and it is next to Canaan.

This is what Joseph told his brother to do: “When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”  (Genesis 46:33,34)

God’s plan was to bless them in Egypt, but to keep them from turning to the gods of Egypt.  And God has told Christians to do the same thing;  “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.  For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?  Or what fellowship has light with darkness.” (2 Corinthians 6:14)  We were called to be His ambassadors, and ambassadors always proclaim the message of the one who sent them.

Form the Back Porch,

Bob Rice