This Can Be Your Story - Part 25

Joseph’s life story exemplifies that there’s a phase coming in life where God is going to glorify you; though you may have suffered in the beginning, there’s a glorious phase ahead of you where you’ll reign with Christ on Earth.

God had blessed Joseph with wisdom and so, he was able to save his nation and other countries from starvation due to the famine that affected the whole world.  Joseph, in his wisdom, had ordered his steward to place his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack and that was an intentional move in order to bring them back. When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house this time, Judah pleaded with Joseph to let go of Benjamin and have him remain as a slave instead. Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Till then, Joseph’s brothers never realised that they were interacting with their own little brother whom they’d sold as a slave years ago. (this is analogous to Jesus revealing Himself as the Messiah in the New Testament)

His brothers were terrified by this truth, but Joseph reassured them saying not to be distressed, because it was to save lives that God (not his brothers) sent Joseph ahead of them to Egypt. He then told them that there would be famine for five more years and so asked them to go and bring their father as well, so that Jacob, his children and grandchildren, flocks and herds, and all he had could live in the region of Goshen and Joseph would provide and take care of them. Joseph overcame the evil that his brothers did to him with good! That’s what Jesus also did, and what we too ought to do in our lives. 

Genesis 45:16-20 
When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours."

Nobody can be a hindrance to you when God Himself has decided to honour you. That's what we see here in Joseph’s life and even in the life of Mordecai of whom we read in the book of Esther - even the sovereign head of the state is in favour of you. God honours those who honour Him!

Egyptians in general treated the Israelites with contempt as they were just a minority and were shepherds. But due to God’s favour, Pharaoh extended a royal welcome to Jacob and his family, even providing carts from Egypt. 

Genesis 45:21-24 
So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!

It's often seen in our society that though people live in unity and love during tough times, they tend to quarrel and fight with one another when God begins to bless them. Joseph knew his brothers well and so he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” That’s a word to us too. Though he was younger to them, he advised his elder brothers. In some houses, God blesses some with wisdom and maturity, that even the elders and their own parents will take heed of their advise and act accordingly. 

Genesis 45:25-26 
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.

Many times, parents destroy the dreams/vision which God gives their children. Sometimes, they can’t imbibe those visions/dreams and later struggle to believe when their children are exalted by God. 

Genesis 45:27-28
But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Jacob believed that his son Joseph was not in the grave, but alive when he saw the carts that Joseph sent to carry him back. Similarly, the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to us, is the proof that Jesus is not dead, but alive and is in glory, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.  Just as the carts were sent to carry Jacob back, the Holy Spirit is sent to prepare us who are His bride and to take us to our Bridegroom! The Holy Spirit on Earth is the reminder that Jesus is no longer under the grave but in all His glory, seated at the right hand of God. 

Genesis 46:1-4 
So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

The land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants by God.  But now, due to the famine, Jacob and his family are now going to Egypt for a brief period, contradictory to what he has heard all his life from his father, Isaac and grandfather, Abraham. He may have wondered if he was taking the right move in his life. On his way to Egypt, Jacob offered sacrifices to God when he reached Beersheba. And God spoke to him in a vision and He assured to go down to Egypt with Jacob. God was going to make him into a great nation there from a mere seventy people. 

Here’s a message from Jacob’s life to you: You may be the only person in your family who believes in the true and living God, but God desires to save many through you. You are not just a person, for God sees a nation in you! He’s got the big picture about your life and will bring it to fulfilment. Hallelujah!

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