Dr. Jon Fielder on Genesis 50:20 -- "Living In A Broken Creation"

Show Notes

This week, Mark is delighted and honored to welcome his great friend, Dr. Jon Fielder, to the podcast. Having received his Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine in 1999, and completed his training in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Jon soon sensed the calling of God and moved to Kenya to serve with World Medical Mission and Africa Inland Mission focusing on the care of HIV and the training of Kenyan healthcare providers. Together, he and Mark have also founded African Mission Healthcare, a non-profit organization strengthening mission hospitals to aid those in greatest need. The passage Jon has selected to discuss today is Genesis 50:20.

Their discussion begins with Jon sharing his background and offering his perspective on what it means to be a missionary. He then describes his reasons for selecting today’s passage and, with Mark, explores how the themes of God’s sovereignty and paradox of faith are found not only in this passage, but throughout the world as well. He also provides stirring examples of those who have inspired him in his life and his work, and then offers some of the profound lessons which he has learned about mankind. Given Jon’s extensive knowledge of scripture, passion for his faith, and determination to put that faith into action, it is no wonder that he and Mark would end up as great friends. They are shining examples of committed leaders who bring the lessons of the Torah to life, and you will undoubtedly be moved and inspired by their conversation today.

Episode Highlights:

Jon’s background His perspective on what it means to be a missionary Jon’s reasons for his scripture selection Paradox of faith and God’s sovereignty in both this passage and in the world The inspirations in Jon’s life The lessons about mankind which Jon has learned

Quotes:

“Part of my Christian calling was to confront that suffering and to witness to God’s love the same way that I had experienced it as a Christian.”

“The most frequent commandment in the Torah, way more than anything else, is ‘fear not’.”

“The idea of forgiveness, which we take for granted, was invented by Joseph in the moment when he revealed himself to them.”

“The Bible tells us to walk in His ways, and that’s exactly what you were doing, what you are doing.”

“What appears to be meant for harm can actually be to our good.”

“God holds all the power and keeps His plans hidden until events come to pass.”

“The redemption may come much further down the line.”

“Where does such joy come from? It comes from the village, it comes from the church, it comes from family, faith, and it gives people hope.”

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.27?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

For More Information About African Mission Healthcare and to Donate visit: https://africanmissionhealthcare.org/donation/gerson-ubs-matching/