Hurting Happiness

By Emmanuel Oghenebrorhie

Much as Josephs older siblings must have been happy that God used him to save them and their families from dying of starvation during the famine of their generation, there is no doubt that they lived the rest of their lives with regret that they had made attempt on Josephs life earlier. No one is usually happy to have to depend on his or her enemy for survival at any point in time. Many of us are merely enduring the help and support we live on because we lack the preferred alternative. Most of mans sources of joy have their allied regrets that he has to endure in order to enjoy the benefits in a sane manner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: May 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462870783

Emmanuel Oghenebrorhie

Rev Emmanuel Oghenebrorhie can be described as a Paper-pulpit Pastor and Bible Preacher by publication. He is divinely ordained to teach, preach and publish the Gospel of Christ Jesus and has been teaching and preaching since 1994. He began to publish in 2004 and presides over Emmanuel Oghenebrorhie Ministries, that encompasses several arms. He operates Christ Redemption Publications, based in Ibadan, Nigeria. He has been published by other publishers overseas. He makes the working word of God relevant to daily living, to prepare the saints for heaven. He hosts a monthly Bible Seminar every second Sunday at his Nigerian base, Ibadan. His audiences often comment that he gives a realistic interpretation to the word of God in a way they never heard or read previously and that he directs the word of God to where it matters in a man’s life when it matters most. He can be reached on [e-mail] or [e-mail] or 234-7037825522 or 234-8182022262 or 07055989850

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Emmanuel Oghenebrorhie.

ISBN: Softcover    978-1-4628-7077-6

ISBN: Ebook        978-1-4628-7078-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise indicated, scriptures are from the Good News Bible (GNB) also known as Today’s English Version (TEV), King James Version (KJV), New King James Version (NKJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), New International Version (NIV), Bible in Basic English (BBE) and American Standard Version (ASV).

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

0-800-644-6988

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

[e-mail]

301679

CONTENTS

Dedication

Appreciation

Introduction

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Other Published Titles by the Author

Dedication

Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen of England, Royal head of the United Kingdom and Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Appreciation

All glory to God that this is available for others to read. I like to reiterate that Lord, everything in this call and commission is Your doing and it is marvellous in my eyes.

God bless Cletus Okuguni my editorial assistant and Mrs Yvonne Olatunbosun who served as editorial consultant. Many thanks to Ejiro Irin for her encouragement. Barrister and Dr (Mrs) Kola and Sola Odole’s friendship is highly appreciated. May God swell your heavenly account richly, in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Introduction

There was the story of a man who had sent away his wife and the only son she bore him because he claimed that the woman had committed an unforgivable misdeed. The boy grew up to become the most influential son of his father but could not forget that his father sent him and his mother away when he was a child and thereby missed his father-figure benefits while growing up. This child was godly enough to send his father up-keep allowance because the Holy Scriptures admonish that he should care for his aged parents, but that was as far as he could afford to overlook his childhood maltreatment by the father. The father was partially happy that the son did not allow him to starve in his old age, but as long as the son did not bring him close like Joseph did for his father, Jacob, who spent the last seventeen years of his life in Egypt as the father of the Prime Minister of the nation, this prosperous man’s father lamented that if he had known that this same son would become the brightest star of his household, he would not have sent him out with his mother earlier in life. Perhaps, for the sake of the son, he should have tolerated his mother’s curious character. He wanted to be part of the glamour of his son’s enviable status but his past would not allow him. The time and tide of life had turned around and he was at the mercy of those who were at his mercy earlier and how he treated them had become the basis of how he is being treated. In his old age, this man was happy that he was getting partial gain from his illustrious son but sad that he was not getting full and overflowing measure. This means that a man can be happy and sad on the same issue and at the same time. This could have been tagged as Hurting helpfulness and happiness. Not all helpfulness gives the desired happiness. Also, it could as well be Happy but Hurting or Hurting Amidst Happiness or Happily Hurting or Hurtfully Happy".

Bible students know the story of Jacob when God told him to return from Haran also known as Padan-Aram to Canaan after twenty years sojourn. He was happy that he was returning richer and freed from Laban’s oppression but afraid that he was going to meet his brother, Esau, who might punish him for cheating him before he left their Canaan hometown for their uncle, Laban’s home in Haran. In addition, he was happy that he escaped Esau’s threat but unhappy that Laban tortured him throughout the 20 years he lived with him. The fact that God loved and chose him above his older twin brother did not spare him the mixed-feeling experience of hurting amidst happiness in his lifetime.

1 

According to Genesis 15, a point came that Abraham summed up courage to tell God that it seemed that he no longer derived joy from his riches knowing that he had no biological heir to inherit what God had given him. Yet, later on, Genesis 24:1 says a time came when it could be said that Abraham had been blessed in all areas of his life. This was when he decided to send his chief servant, Eliezer, a native of Damascus, to get a wife for Isaac, his God-ordained, covenant, biological heir. Abraham’s experience in this respect applied to the rich woman of Shunem and the Prophet’s widow. II Kings 4:1-37 reports their contrasting but highly instructive captivating story. The prophet’s widow could boast that her husband served God faithfully however, at his death, he left a huge debt for his children to repay, and as a result, his creditors were set to take their sons away to serve to repay the debts. This meant that this prophet served God amidst lack which pressured him to borrow from shylock money lenders who never cared about the need to be kind to orphans and widows like Job, Dorcas also known as Tabitha and Cornelius were famous for doing. And it is most likely that there are many of such persons in every generation. Some might even be known to you either directly or indirectly.

It is possible for a man to be gladly godly but hurting because of lack and associated ridicule. Also, a man could be happily rich but hurting because of the associated burdens. There are people who got involved in some spiritual exercises in order to get riches and the burden of servicing that spiritual ritual at regular intervals has become unbearable for their souls. They cannot give up the glamour of the wealth and fame, yet, servicing the spiritual force sustaining their wealth and fame is tiresome. In the story of Abraham’s complaint to God about his need for an heir, Genesis 15:1-6 says—

1 After this, Abram had a vision and heard the LORD say to him, Do not be afraid, Abram. I will shield you from danger and give you a great reward. 2 But Abram answered, Sovereign LORD, what good will your reward do me, since I have no children? My only heir is Eliezer of Damascus. 3 You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property. 4 Then he heard the LORD speaking to him again: This slave Eliezer will not inherit your property; your own son will be your heir. 5 The LORD took him outside and said, Look at the sky and try to count the stars; you will have as many descendants as that. same 6 Abram put his trust in the LORD, and because of this the LORD was pleased with him and accepted him. (TEV)

We read it partly to point out the fact that Abraham might not have shared this concern with anyone else. However, in his vision he was able to remember to tell God the extent to which he was unhappy on this matter. For him to remember to tell God in a vision about his hurt over lack of heir meant that it troubled his heart greatly. If he had gone to a secluded place to converse with God in prayers we can understand, you do not initiate visions from God. It came suddenly and he still remembered to mention his hurt to the Lord. Perhaps, he was worrying about it when God appeared to him in that vision so that they could discuss and settle it once and for all. And if so, then, it is an assurance that God is interested in our predicament at any time to the extent that whenever we are worried, He is eager to speak to us about our worry or worries.

Solomon was rich but unhappy. This is supposed to be strange mostly because I Kings 3:3-15 and II Chronicles 1:3-12 say that his wealth, riches and fame were given to him by God Almighty, the Maker of the universe with whom there is no variableness and shadow of turning and more importantly, when He makes a man rich He ensures that sorrow is not added. About this aspect of Solomon’s confession and confirmed experiences, I Kings 3:10-14, 5:12a and 10:21-28, Nehemiah 13:26-27 and Ecclesiastes 2:4-12 says—

10  The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, 11 and so he said to him, Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. 13 I will also give you what you have not asked for: all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king. 14 And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life.

12  The LORD kept his promise and gave Solomon wisdom.

21  All of Solomon’s drinking cups were made of gold, and all the utensils in the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. No silver was used, since it was not considered valuable in Solomon’s day. 22 He had a fleet of ocean-going ships sailing with Hiram’s fleet. Every three years his fleet would return, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. 23 King Solomon was richer and wiser than any other king, 24 and the whole world wanted to come and listen to the wisdom that God had given him. 25 Everyone who came brought him a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons, spices, horses, and mules. This continued year after year. 26 Solomon built up a force of fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand cavalry horses. Some of them he kept in Jerusalem and the rest he stationed in various other cities. 27 During his reign silver was as common in Jerusalem as stone, and cedar was as plentiful as ordinary sycamore in the foothills of Judah. 28 The king’s agents controlled the export of horses from Musri and Cilicia, 29 and the export of chariots from Egypt. They supplied the Hittite and Syrian kings with horses and chariots, selling chariots for 600 pieces of silver each and horses for 150 each.

26  I told them, "It was foreign women that made King Solomon sin. Here was a man who was greater than any of the kings of other nations. God loved him and made him king over all of Israel, and yet he fell into this sin.

4  I accomplished great things. I built myself houses and planted vineyards. 5 I planted gardens and orchards, with all kinds of fruit-trees in them; 6 I dug ponds to irrigate them. 7 I bought many slaves, and there were slave born in my household. I owned more livestock than anyone else who had ever lived in Jerusalem. 8 I also piled up silver and gold from the royal treasures of the land I ruled. Men and women sang to entertain me, and I had all the women a man could want. 9 Yes, I was great, greater than anyone one else who had ever lived in Jerusalem, and my wisdom had never failed me. 10 Anything I wanted, I got. I did not deny myself any pleasure. I was proud of everything I had worked for, and all this was my reward. 11 Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realised that it didn’t mean a thing. It was like chasing the wind— of no use at all. 12 After all, a king can only do what previous kings have done. So I started thinking about what it meant to be wise or reckless or foolish. (TEV)

Firstly, we have seen that God could answer a man’s prayer even more than the individual expects and yet the man’s problems would not be totally eradicated. One way to readily understand it is when people take drugs to cure one ailment and the same drug causes side effects which literarily generates another manner of ailment. I once watched a sort of documentary on wealthy Hollywood stars and producers and their reckless lifestyles. One clear impression is that doctors and pharmacists make merchandize out of them. They complain of one problem and they get prescription which generates another version of problem and they return to complain and they are given another drug to kill that side effect which causes another version of side effect and they are back again, until the drugs destroy rather than deliver them. Solomon got what he asked from God but it also attracted the very vices that destroyed his initial robust relationship with God. The fact that God’s blessing made him an extraordinary individual, also, it made everyone to desire to be with him, including women of all shades and I Kings 11 sadly says that it caused the hiccup which constrained God to punish him inevitably. Psalms 118:23, Matthew 21:42 and Mark 12:11 confirm that God’s doing is usually marvellous in man’s eyes. Therefore, God’s blessings in the life of any man would compel humans to consider such a blessed individual marvellous to behold. Also relevant is that Proverbs is that Proverbs 14:20 and 19:4 and 6-7 say wealth encourage many to seek friendship with the possessor. This is the root of the many women who accepted to have affinity with Solomon as I Kings 11:1-10 report this aspect of his story. In any case, kings came from all over the world to listen to his God-given wisdom bringing him gifts to increase his wealth while the one thousand women joined him to share in his wealth. It is the reason Ruth and Naomi were unanimous about Ruth becoming Boaz’s additional wife. It is the reason migrants flock to richer nations. The wisdom and wealth brought the fame as well as fetched the foreign women who came to share in his wealth. It is like when robbers and swindlers make attempts to steal from the wealthy repeatedly. Solomon contravened a crucial command to the ruler in Proverbs 31:1-9 which admonishes rulers never to give their attention to womanizing and wining because by virtue of the position, both are the commonest fringes they would get according to one of my former office colleagues. Because he could afford pleasure without stress he over-did it until God could no longer tolerate his self indulgence. One of the most pitiable interpretations of that fact is that the selfsame God who prospered him punished him. It is not the best for the same mouth that pronounced blessing to return to pronounce curse anyhow we look at it.

Secondly, this can be interpreted to mean that, on one hand, Solomon was happy that he was the greatest king who ever ruled in Jerusalem, yet, he was sad that he was not sure that his son and successor would be capable of managing his achievements and legacies after him. These cases teach that it is possible for sadness and joy to co-exist in the heart of an individual. Whether this is part of how God made life in order to flavour it and humble mankind no matter how great and at the same time, console the less privileged, we do not know. Some would refer to it as The Rich Also Cry. However, unfortunately for the poor, most of them think that as long as the rich can afford whatever they need, they cannot have any reason to be sad. Also, the rich are compelled to live a make-belief life of never portraying to the poor in particular that despite their wealth and affluence they have heart-hidden reasons to be sad and sometimes even sadder than the poor. It is part of what I call This Stage-managed Life We Live pretending that all is well with us when nearly everything is wrong with all humans. It is ridiculous that a man who gave his heart whatever it requested could still have regrets. We cannot trivialize Solomon’s opinion on any matter because he had the magnitude of wisdom that others never had. He got his unequalled wisdom from God yet neither his God-given wisdom nor wealth helped him to die a happy man. We emphasize the importance of his wisdom being from God because Job 8:8-10 and 15:8-10 say—

8  Look for a moment at ancient wisdom; consider the truths our fathers learned. 9 Our life is short, we know nothing at all; we pass like shadows across the earth. 10 But let the ancient wise men teach you; listen to what they had to say:

8  Did you overhear the plans God made? Does human wisdom belong to you alone? 9 There is nothing you know that we don’t know. 10 We learned our wisdom from gray-haired men—men born before your father. (TEV)

We see other sources of human wisdom. Again, however, despite the fact that Solomon got his wisdom