<\/p>\n
Genesis 45:16-47:27<\/strong><\/span> Today in Genesis Chapter 46 we read about Jacob and his family\u2019s journey to Egypt!\u00a0 I really like that God speaks to Jacob in a vision at Beersheba \u2013 the same place where both Abraham and Isaac had worshiped God earlier in Genesis.\u00a0 As Jacob was about to leave Canaan, God reaffirms his covenant promises.\u00a0 Very reassuring for Jacob I am sure!\u00a0 I wonder \u2013 sometimes in our lives \u2013 as we are about to embark on something big:\u00a0 Maybe a new ministry.\u00a0 Maybe a mission trip.\u00a0 Maybe a new job.\u00a0 Maybe a new marriage.\u00a0 Maybe a new child.\u00a0 Does God speak to us?\u00a0 Does God reaffirm his love to us?\u00a0 Does God tell us that he will be with us on this new thing \u2013 as he did to Jacob in this chapter?\u00a0 I can\u2019t say that I\u2019ve verbally heard God speak to me during times of big change in my life.\u00a0 But, I have most definitely sensed amazing peace many times during big changes in my life.\u00a0 I do try to pray more than ever during times of change.\u00a0 I try to stay as absolutely close to God as I possibly can.\u00a0 Maybe I\u2019m kind of like a scared child trying to huddle up to my heavenly Father during times of change.\u00a0 Which I am okay with.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 And \u2013 it seems almost without fail, God does \u201cspeak\u201d to me with a peace that surpasses all understanding.\u00a0 If the peace is not there\u2026 then I do begin to worry if what I am doing is really God\u2019s will for my life.\u00a0 If the peace is there \u2013 I know without a shadow of a doubt that what I am embarking upon is God\u2019s will for my life.\u00a0 I will say this \u2013 that even if I cannot discern or sense the peace during a time of change, I still do not doubt that God will be with me.\u00a0 That he will not leave me.\u00a0 That he will be there.\u00a0 Do you believe that God is with you always?\u00a0 That he will go with you wherever you go?\u00a0 Below is a wonderful engraving by Gustave Dore of Jacob traveling to Egypt:<\/span> Verses 33 & 34 stood out to me in today\u2019s readings, as Joseph gives his brothers this instruction: \u201cSo when Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation, tell him, `We have been livestock breeders from our youth, as our ancestors have been for many generations.\u2019 When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the land of Goshen, for shepherds are despised in the land of Egypt.\u201d\u201d <\/em>I like Joseph\u2019s wisdom here.\u00a0 I guess you could look at this as Joseph being manipulative of Pharaoh.\u00a0 But I don\u2019t really see this.\u00a0 I see that Joseph is telling his brothers what to say \u2013 which is true \u2013 and that this will allow the nation of Israel to begin to grow and flourish in the land of Goshen, removed from the cities of Egypt.\u00a0 It seems like Joseph is definitely catering to Pharaoh\u2019s generosity \u2013 \u201clet your family come to Egypt!\u201d<\/em> \u2013 and Pharaoh \/ Egyptians prejudices \u2013 \u201cshepherds are despised in the land of Egypt.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0For a win \/ win.\u00a0 It\u2019s a Stephen Covey win \/ win business principle here!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42 Below is a map showing Jacob\u2019s family\u2019s journey from Canaan to Goshen:<\/span> In Genesis chapter 47 I find it very interesting that Jacob blesses Pharaoh twice.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t studied why this happens.\u00a0 My thought is that Jacob is indeed very appreciative of this current Pharaoh \u2013 for literally saving the Israelites by allowing God to move mightily through Joseph.\u00a0 We will see soon that there are future Pharaoh\u2019s who are not so kind to the Israelites\u2026\u00a0 So, perhaps Jacob realized that this Pharaoh was deserving of two blessings.\u00a0 Let me know your thoughts on these blessings in the Comments below?\u00a0 Below is an image of Jacob blessing Pharaoh: <\/span><\/p>\n We then read about Joseph\u2019s leadership and business skills during the famine \u2013 as things get really bad with the famine and people are on the brink of starving.\u00a0 Overall, I initially thought that Joseph was making wise decisions that ultimately ended up saving lives \u2013 and in verse 25 the people said the same thing.\u00a0 However, I have one good friend who was in a Bible study with me who felt that Joseph was being way too harsh.\u00a0 I can see both sides\u2026 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 \u00a0Did Joseph have other options \/ ways to do this?\u00a0 \u00a0We actually got into quite a heated discussion on this point in our Bible study on this topic a couple of years ago.\u00a0 What do you think?\u00a0 During this time of extreme famine, was Joseph being too harsh or being wise and even being compassionate?\u00a0 Below is a Victorian era painting from 1874 by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema titled \u201cJoseph, Overseer of the Pharaoh\u2019s Granaries\u201d:<\/span> Okay, I have to say that I absolutely love Bob Deffinbaugh\u2019s humor over at bible.org!\u00a0 Check out his commentary on Genesis chapter 46, with the awesome title of \u201cLife Begins at 130\u201d<\/strong> <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 I love it!\u00a0 Bible.org\u2019s commentary on Genesis chapter 47 titled \u201cA Proper Perspective of Poverty and Prosperity\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Matt Redman\u2019s song \u201c10,000 Reasons:\u201d <\/span>
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture on <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n