THE EGYPTIAN'S LAMENT: The World Mourns Michael.
THE EGYPTIAN’S LAMENT: The World Mourns Michael Jackson’s death
I must say that I am most definitely a fan of Michael Jackson's music. Like many fans, I "grew up" on it. He truly was an icon of my generation. He was both admired by and influenced by musicians prior to his "time" and will be remembered by so many for years to come.
Today, I watched the live internet streaming of his memorial service and noticed that Michael was at one point compared to Martin Luther King, Jr. by none other than MLK's children. I wondered, even though Michael did not represent Christianity like MLK, was he less important to the work of breaking down racial prejudices?
As I looked upon a multiplicity of teary-eyed ethnicities; a sea of sorrow seemingly drowning the internet as the memorial was broadcast across the nations to all the fans of the Michael Joseph Jackson, I sighed. I wondered why there is such a lack of understanding by Christendom that the world is mourning this man.... the King of Pop... or as Brooke Shield's said.. the Little Prince.
At the end of this day where Michael Joseph Jackson is mourned, I'm reminded of another Joseph and the “Egyptian’s Lament”. Have you heard of it? Abel Mizraim means Mourning of the Egyptians.
This term is mentioned in the book of Genesis. The backdrop is the death of Jacob (Israel) and his son, Joseph, prepares to bury his father. Now remember, this is the Joseph who was thrown into a well and sold into slavery by his brothers. And through the plan of God, Joseph sat as the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt. To make a long story short, Joseph saves his family from famine and brings them to Israel to live where there was both shelter and food.
In Genesis 50:1-6, Joseph’s beloved father dies in Egypt but Joseph keeps his promise to his father and takes Jacob’s body back to the land that flows with milk and honey; the land that Jacob had called home: Canaan.
But why do I mention this? Why am I reminded of this event as I watch broadcast after broadcast after broadcast of the news reporting the world mourning Michael? Well, let’s take a closer look at the death of Joseph’s father.
Genesis 50:7-9 (The Message Bible)
7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh's officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt
8 besides all the members of Joseph's household and his brothers and those belonging to his father's household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen
9 Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company.
Oh what a processional that was! A procession that included those who loved God as well as the who’s who of the Egyptians. Not just regular Egyptians but dignitaries of Egypt attended this service!
What was the Egyptian’s connection to Jacob? Why would they join in this glorious processional? Their connection to Jacob was Joseph. They mourned because he was mourning. They respected his position in their kingdom and showed him much support. “It was a very large company”.
The Michael Jackson memorial was one like no other. The who’s who of the world of entertainment and sports and politics attended Michael’s memorial service today while all the world watched.
Let’s look at the next two verses:
Genesis 50:11-12 (The Message Bible)
10 When they (Joseph and his great entourage) reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan , they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father.
11 When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning." That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim.
When the Canaanites saw the great multitude mourning LOUDLY and BITTERLY, they were amazed! So amazed that they named the place Abel Mizraim – Egyptian’s Lament. Why didn’t they call it Joseph’s Lament? Or the Lament of the Israelites or Hebrews? Wasn’t the object of their mourning a Hebrew?
What does this have to do with Michael Jackson and MLK? Well, note the contrast. The children of God were mourning the death of a well known and respected leader of their nation… Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. But, it was the sympathy and empathy of the Egyptians that made it even more noticeable. They mourned with Joseph and his family without criticism.
Christian Believers around the world were mourning the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Very few Christians thought it unusual that so many Believers and non-Believers alike would mourn this man because he represented Christ. But, for Michael’s mourners around the globe, there seems to be very little sympathy or empathy from Believers. You know the one’s who are representing Christ. Like Joseph, both Dr. King and Michael Jackson’s lives impacted unbelievers. But, unlike the Egyptians, we (Believers) criticize the world for their great sorrow. We want to tell them to stop worshipping Michael instead of also consoling them. Yes, some are worshipping but more are just grieving. We choose to speak about Jesus instead of acting like him. And we wonder why the world hates us!!!
When Jesus was approached about the death of a loved one, did Jesus preach a sermon or criticize those who were mourning? No, He comforted them. It’s a sad day when the unsaved (those who walk in darkness) can’t come to those who are the light of the world for comfort. Instead they get… criticized!
What is your responsibility when the Spirit of the Lord is upon you oh Bride of Christ!!!???
Isaiah 61:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
… GREATER WORKS my friends, has He commissioned you to do as He was purposed to do the things listed in Isaiah.
The miracles that they (the unsaved) see are NOT INSIDE THE CHURCH. They see these miracles outside the four walls. They see these miracles as they interact with Believers in their every day lives. They see compassion as well as correction. They see you feeding them as well as fighting tyranny. They see you preaching the gospel to them as well as plowing down ungodly propagation.
Let this mind be in you that was also in Jesus
If the Egyptians can lament and show sorrow for those who are mourning, then, why, oh why can’t you comfort those unbelievers who are mourning?
I Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Remember, comfort those who mourn with the same comfort that God has comforted you with!
OR
Would you prefer that Michael’s fans attribute this song lyric to Christians,
“All I wanna say is that they don’t really care about us!”
~Minister Tracy Busby~
Houston, Texas
I must say that I am most definitely a fan of Michael Jackson's music. Like many fans, I "grew up" on it. He truly was an icon of my generation. He was both admired by and influenced by musicians prior to his "time" and will be remembered by so many for years to come.
Today, I watched the live internet streaming of his memorial service and noticed that Michael was at one point compared to Martin Luther King, Jr. by none other than MLK's children. I wondered, even though Michael did not represent Christianity like MLK, was he less important to the work of breaking down racial prejudices?
As I looked upon a multiplicity of teary-eyed ethnicities; a sea of sorrow seemingly drowning the internet as the memorial was broadcast across the nations to all the fans of the Michael Joseph Jackson, I sighed. I wondered why there is such a lack of understanding by Christendom that the world is mourning this man.... the King of Pop... or as Brooke Shield's said.. the Little Prince.
At the end of this day where Michael Joseph Jackson is mourned, I'm reminded of another Joseph and the “Egyptian’s Lament”. Have you heard of it? Abel Mizraim means Mourning of the Egyptians.
This term is mentioned in the book of Genesis. The backdrop is the death of Jacob (Israel) and his son, Joseph, prepares to bury his father. Now remember, this is the Joseph who was thrown into a well and sold into slavery by his brothers. And through the plan of God, Joseph sat as the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt. To make a long story short, Joseph saves his family from famine and brings them to Israel to live where there was both shelter and food.
In Genesis 50:1-6, Joseph’s beloved father dies in Egypt but Joseph keeps his promise to his father and takes Jacob’s body back to the land that flows with milk and honey; the land that Jacob had called home: Canaan.
But why do I mention this? Why am I reminded of this event as I watch broadcast after broadcast after broadcast of the news reporting the world mourning Michael? Well, let’s take a closer look at the death of Joseph’s father.
Genesis 50:7-9 (The Message Bible)
7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh's officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt
8 besides all the members of Joseph's household and his brothers and those belonging to his father's household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen
9 Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company.
Oh what a processional that was! A procession that included those who loved God as well as the who’s who of the Egyptians. Not just regular Egyptians but dignitaries of Egypt attended this service!
What was the Egyptian’s connection to Jacob? Why would they join in this glorious processional? Their connection to Jacob was Joseph. They mourned because he was mourning. They respected his position in their kingdom and showed him much support. “It was a very large company”.
The Michael Jackson memorial was one like no other. The who’s who of the world of entertainment and sports and politics attended Michael’s memorial service today while all the world watched.
Let’s look at the next two verses:
Genesis 50:11-12 (The Message Bible)
10 When they (Joseph and his great entourage) reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan , they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father.
11 When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning." That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim.
When the Canaanites saw the great multitude mourning LOUDLY and BITTERLY, they were amazed! So amazed that they named the place Abel Mizraim – Egyptian’s Lament. Why didn’t they call it Joseph’s Lament? Or the Lament of the Israelites or Hebrews? Wasn’t the object of their mourning a Hebrew?
What does this have to do with Michael Jackson and MLK? Well, note the contrast. The children of God were mourning the death of a well known and respected leader of their nation… Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. But, it was the sympathy and empathy of the Egyptians that made it even more noticeable. They mourned with Joseph and his family without criticism.
Christian Believers around the world were mourning the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Very few Christians thought it unusual that so many Believers and non-Believers alike would mourn this man because he represented Christ. But, for Michael’s mourners around the globe, there seems to be very little sympathy or empathy from Believers. You know the one’s who are representing Christ. Like Joseph, both Dr. King and Michael Jackson’s lives impacted unbelievers. But, unlike the Egyptians, we (Believers) criticize the world for their great sorrow. We want to tell them to stop worshipping Michael instead of also consoling them. Yes, some are worshipping but more are just grieving. We choose to speak about Jesus instead of acting like him. And we wonder why the world hates us!!!
When Jesus was approached about the death of a loved one, did Jesus preach a sermon or criticize those who were mourning? No, He comforted them. It’s a sad day when the unsaved (those who walk in darkness) can’t come to those who are the light of the world for comfort. Instead they get… criticized!
What is your responsibility when the Spirit of the Lord is upon you oh Bride of Christ!!!???
Isaiah 61:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
… GREATER WORKS my friends, has He commissioned you to do as He was purposed to do the things listed in Isaiah.
The miracles that they (the unsaved) see are NOT INSIDE THE CHURCH. They see these miracles outside the four walls. They see these miracles as they interact with Believers in their every day lives. They see compassion as well as correction. They see you feeding them as well as fighting tyranny. They see you preaching the gospel to them as well as plowing down ungodly propagation.
Let this mind be in you that was also in Jesus
If the Egyptians can lament and show sorrow for those who are mourning, then, why, oh why can’t you comfort those unbelievers who are mourning?
I Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Remember, comfort those who mourn with the same comfort that God has comforted you with!
OR
Would you prefer that Michael’s fans attribute this song lyric to Christians,
“All I wanna say is that they don’t really care about us!”
~Minister Tracy Busby~
Houston, Texas
Comment
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Comment by Prophetess Sandra Dukes, a.m. on July 9, 2009 at 12:06am
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Dear Minister Busby,
This is a very powerful and loving message equipped with scriptures, it causes thought, prayer and meditation; it touch the heart and spirit. Thank you so very much for presenting the duties, the obligations and the privileges and honor of preaching the gospel. Thank you for being a minister of love, hope and charity; teaching self-righteousness is not righteous and not acceptable to the Lord. We should remember, although it is regrettable, we are the only bible some people have ever read, let us live by example of Jesus Christ’s love and forgiveness. God bless you woman of God.
Assoc. Minister Sandra Dukes
“The Word in me is the God in me”
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