- Scripture: Genesis 46:28–47:12
In today’s passage, Joseph and Jacob reunite in Goshen. Goshen is the place that Joseph chose to be the family home because it was good for shepherding. Jacob sends Judah to go ahead of them to show them the way, and Joseph comes to meet them. When Jacob and Joseph met, they wept for a long time. Jacob, as Israel, says that he can die now that he has seen Jacob again. Joseph then makes up a plan to secure land in Goshen. He goes up to Pharaoh and tells him about how his brothers and father came to Egypt to see him. The plan is that the brothers will say that they are shepherds, even though being a shepherd was an abomination back in those times. When the time comes, they say that they are shepherds, and that they have come to sojourn because there was no food in Canaan. Pharaoh gave them the land of Goshen and even gave them his own livestock for them to pasture. Next, Pharaoh meets Jacob, and Jacob says that he has been living for 130 years, which have been few and evil. Jacob blessed Pharaoh as well. Joseph provided his family with food.
There’s a few things that I could write about, but I just want to stick with one thing today. Right now, I am really just feeling thankfulness because I see God present in my own life right now, and I also see God present in this passage as well. It is only by God’s grace and His sovereign plan that Joseph and Jacob reunited like they did in this passage. Also, God was definitely the one who gave them the land in Goshen. He blessed them with many years and resources. God’s blessings to Jacob made Jacob able to bless Pharaoh. It’s a chain of blessings upon blessings, and it’s so awesome to see God blessing people, even when they may not have deserved the blessings.
I am blessed like this family is blessed. Maybe not blessed in the same ways, but God has given me so many blessings like community, security, being privileged, and especially God’s presence. P. Abe asked this question earlier today during His sermon: “Is there anything better than us talking to God and God talking to us?” The more I thought about this question, the more I realized that God talks to us in many ways, like through His word, but also by other means, like through other people or through my thoughts. God helps me realize the most things, even just now at this moment. God talking to me gives me peace and comfort like nobody else can. Is there anything better? I think not.
Reflection
- You observed a “chain of blessings”—God blessed Jacob, enabling Jacob to bless Pharaoh. How does recognizing that your own blessings are meant to be passed on to others change the way you view the resources, community, and peace God has given you?
- You reflected on the profound question, “Is there anything better than us talking to God and God talking to us?” As you continue to walk through life, what specific practices are helping you “listen” to God’s voice in the daily circumstances, people, and thoughts you encounter?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the beauty of Your sovereignty that orchestrated the reunion of father and son after so many years of sorrow. Thank You for being the source of every blessing in my life—community, security, and the immense privilege of knowing You. Teach me to be a vessel of Your blessing to others, just as Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and keep my heart attentive to Your voice throughout my day. There truly is nothing better than being in constant communion with You. Amen.