Jun 1995 - Editorial

by Lawrie Burrows | Category: Editorial | Jun 1995

Our first objective in studying the life of Joseph is to view him as a foreshadowing of the Lord Jesus. So far we have looked at his home life, his subjection to his father and to his brothers, then as a servant and a prisoner. The typical outline becomes clear by simply listing these stages in his life. However, our contributors have enlarged on many features of interest in Joseph's life which are mirrored in the Saviour, "making our hearts glad as we meditate upon them. They add to our appreciation of the One who Himself said, 'Behoved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into His glory?' (Luke 24:26).

A secondary, but important line of teaching for the disciple is the fine example of Joseph when tested. In this issue we learn the lesson of endurance under trial. Joseph must have felt the Lord's heavy hand upon him through all those long years in the prison house, being unjustly punished, but he never gave way, his faith was unshaken. We are encouraged to do the same, regardless of any reward.

In a previous issue, Focus lamented the genocide inflicted on the defenceless people of Rwanda, which produced worldwide revulsion. It was generally considered that such awful crimes could never be repeated in a modern civilized society. On this page it was pointed out that equally inhuman acts had been perpetrated in the past and they were likely to happen again. It is important that Focus should now draw attention to the indescribable horror of the mass killings at Auschwitz about 25 years ago, recently described in some detail by the media. The apostle Paul, guided by the Spirit says, 'In the last days grievous times shall come' and, 'evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse ...' (2 Tim. 3:1,13). The Word of God thus flatly contradicts modern philosophy which asserts that the human race is slowly developing from a primitive barbarism to human perfection.

Lawrie Burrows | Jun 1995
Editorial