Genesis Chapter 45: verses 26-28 (NIV -UK)
They told him, ‘Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.’ Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 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.’
Genesis 46: Verses 1-4 (NIV-UK)
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 same sons that had told Jacob that his beloved son Joseph was dead, now told him that not only was Joseph alive, he was second only to Pharaoh in the whole of Egypt. No wonder he was reluctant to believe it. Its interesting that once he allowed himself to believe it and was preparing himself to go to Egypt, he made an offering to God on the way, and God spoke to him. That got me wondering if he had ever spoken to God about what had happened to Joseph? Or had he been so consumed by the grief he had felt that he never sought the comfort he could have received from God? Or did he, even subconsciously blame God? We don’t know that, but we do know he spent many years in distress and mourning. Perhaps the sacrifice was to make sure that he was doing the right thing in going to Egypt. After all God had promised the land of Canaan to his ancestors so maybe he wanted to be sure he wasn’t making a mistake in leaving it at this time. God told Jacob to go ahead and reassured him he was doing the right thing. And what a reunion lay ahead.
I wonder if we always remember to seek God’s counsel and even comfort for our circumstances? If we allow ourselves to wallow in our difficulties, or feel sorry for ourself, we are denying ourselves the peace and comfort we can have if we make an effort to seek God. And when we do, he will guide and direct us.
Dear Lord,
How blessed are we that the comfort and strength You offered Jacob is open to us too through Your Holy Spirit. Help me not to get so consumed in my circumstances that I forget to turn to You. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.