A Prophetic Witness // Thriving in Exile
Mark 1:1-3; Matthew 3:4-5; Luke 1:19,23; John 3:30; Matthew 3:1-2; John 1:29-30; Luke 3:10-14; Matthew 3:7-8; Luke 3:19-20; Daniel 2:4-5; Daniel 1:4-5, 8, 10, 12-13; 15, 18-20; 2 Kings 23:1-3; 2 Chronicles 34:30
Digging Deeper
Cultural engagement, a topic of great relevance in our modern world, is demonstrated by believers as we are a prophetic, faithful presence. In the Old Testament, Joseph's story in Genesis (Chapters 37-50) serves as a powerful example of working with and through a culture that was not centered around Jewish culture, offering us valuable insights for our cultural engagement today in a divided democracy.
Joseph had been sold into slavery and exile by his brothers and landed in Egypt, where he was put in charge of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar was blessed because of Joseph. Eventually, Joseph faced a situation where he would not compromise his morals and betray his master by sleeping with Potiphar’s wife. Joseph knew that compromising would be a “great wickedness and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). Joseph was unfairly put in prison after Potifer’s wife made up a story that Joseph had attacked her.
Once again, God blessed Joseph in prison. Joseph was put in charge of the prisoners and all that went on in the prison. One day, Joseph interpreted the dream of the Pharaoh’s cupbearer, but when the cupbearer was released from prison and restored to his position in the king’s court, Joseph was forgotten for two years. Finally, when the Pharaoh had a dream, Joseph was remembered by the cupbearer, and Joseph gave God the glory as he correctly interpreted the dream for Pharaoh. Joseph rose to power in the Pharaoh’s courts, even though he was an exile.
During all these challenging situations, Joseph demonstrated a faithful presence as he served various masters and governmental leaders. Joseph did not compromise what he believed, even when it was detrimental to him to do the godly thing. He continued to work hard and demonstrate excellence in the conditions and positions that God placed him. Joseph took positive actions and rose above his cultural situations, being a prophetic influence who always gave God the glory.
As believers, we are also to be faithful presences as we find ourselves in situations that are not fair, are not our fault, or are due to circumstances beyond our control. Like Joseph, we are called to give God glory, let our witness spotlight the one true God, and trust God to work through us.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
The Church is divided theologically, missiologically, and politically and is too much like the culture to enact immediate macro-cultural change.
Given that we won’t see an immediate swing or change, we are now rightfully forced to return to the Bible and relearn what it means to be the people of God in a foreign land.
We have to get back to faithful presence.
Three Pillars of Faithful Presence
Robust missiology.
Rough eschatology.
Rudimentary understanding of government.
In a post-Christendom and post-Christian culture, we need to embrace a prophetic witness.
Prophetic Existence
There should be a weirdness in how we look and what we do.
There should be this simplicity in our lifestyle.
There should be somewhat of a discomfort as this isn’t our home; this is still the wilderness.
Prophetic Duty
Our duty, our purpose, isn’t to:
Live for ourselves.
Make our lives more comfortable.
Prepare our own way.
Our duty, our purpose, is to:
Decrease so that Jesus can increase.
Make/prepare the ground for His return.
Prophetic Message
Sin and the need to repent.
Grace and mercy.
Prophetic Voice
Declare boldly how to live.
Call out sin.
Thriving in Exile Kit
God wants us to thrive, not just survive, in exile.
A sponge that is immersed in culture, but isn’t shaped or held by the culture.
An alarm that detects cultural assimilation.
A seed that appears not-threatening and subservient, but if left embedded can later on have great influence.
A passport that reminds us we belong to another kingdom.
A compass to remind us to trust the direction of the Lord.
A potted plant to bring blessing to the environment in which it exists.
This is the kind of faithful presence that not only survives in exile, but thrives!
LIFE APPLICATION
This week, make a list of ways that you can be a faithful presence and prophetic witness to God’s love, grace, and mercy in situations where there is division and even discord. Think through areas in your life where you are challenged for what you believe and what your responses will be as you face these challenges. Determine ways to be like Joseph and rise above these challenges and difficult circumstances, so that God is given glory and you cannot only survive, but thrive.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe a situation where you have heard a prophetic message.
What are the characteristics of those who deliver prophetic messages?
What are ways you can thrive in a culture so that you don’t suffer from cultural assimilation?
How can you learn about and trust the direction of the Lord in situations that are difficult?
Where are places you can bring blessings to the environment where you exist?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Surviving-Psalm 46:1; Psalm 34:17; Psalm 23:4
Day 2: Blessing-Hebrews 10:24-25; Psalm 31:24; Romans 15:2
Day 3: Influencing-Psalm 121:1-2; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8
Day 4: Trusting-Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:2
Day 5: Thriving-Psalm 92:12; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:18-19
PRAYER
Dear Lord, as I live in a divided democracy, help me to work for the good of those around me and be a blessing in the environment in which I exist. Let my faith in God inform and influence me as I live my life privately and publicly. May I always honor my Lord and King, Jesus, as I look forward to His return.
