Moved for a Reason

Moved for a Reason

Genesis 47: ¹⁸ When that year had ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is gone; my lord also has our herds of livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. ¹⁹ Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land may not be desolate.”

 

²⁰ Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s. ²¹ And as for the people, he moved them into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end. ²² Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had rations allotted to them by Pharaoh, and they ate their rations which Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their lands.

 

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Another year passed and the famine was still in full effect. The people had given Egypt all of their money and now they were willing to give up their land. Joseph bought their land in exchange for some bread.

 

My Observations:

• GOD used the famine to move people around who would otherwise never move.
• GOD had a long-term reason for moving the Egyptians to specific locations.
• GOD seemed to be guiding people with the famine to do things they would not have ordinarily have done,

 

Giving up the land that their ancestors lived for centuries was huge. The Egyptians may have had people who fully believed in the polytheistic ways and some did not. There may have been people who simply wanted to live life quietly while tending their land.

 

BUT GOD made a famine so severe that people had to give up their lifestyles and move to places built for them. Joseph must have created a massive building plan to move people into the cities of Egypt. GOD put the Israelites and the Egyptians in close proximity to each other for HIS incredible plan.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the request of the people of Egypt?
• Have you ever wondered why GOD has taken options away from you?
• Can you praise GOD for moving you to where HE wants you, so you can witness HIS deliverance firsthand?

When the Money Failed

When the Money Failed

Genesis 47: ¹³ Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. ¹⁴ And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.

 

¹⁵ So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.”

 

¹⁶ Then Joseph said, “Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.” ¹⁷ So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year.

 

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After putting his family in the best territory of Egypt, Joseph had to return to his duties of running Egypt. This as now year two- or three of a seven-year famine. The people came to Joseph with their money and bought bread. But they ran out of money.

 

My Observations:

• The famine could not be prayed away because GOD had a purpose for it.
• Joseph was put into leadership of Egypt and had to deal with some very difficult issues.
• Egypt prospered because of Joseph.

 

Horses, flocks and cattle were given to Egypt so that the people would survive. The Canaanites and the Egyptians who could care less about GOD, were losing everything. Meanwhile, the family of Israel prospered. They were placed over the herds that were given to Egypt.

 

When the money fails, it changed the people. Survival was the new mindset and the people gave up everything simply to survive. Joseph used the wisdom given to him by GOD to make the Egyptians and Israel strong.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the severe famine HE caused?
• Are you in the middle of a severe famine?
• What is GOD doing to make you prosper in the middle of the famine in your life?

Journey Through Life

Journey Through Life

Genesis 47: ⁷ Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ⁸ Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?”

 

⁹ And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” ¹⁰ So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

 

¹¹ And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. ¹² Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with bread, according to the number in their families.

 

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Joseph brought “Jacob” to Pharaoh and the first thing out of Jacob’s mouth was a blessing. Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was. Jacob’s answer was interesting.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob mentioned he was younger than his father’s age who died at one hundred eighty and his grandfather died at one hundred seventy five.
• Jacob said his days were “few and evil” as if he regretted being a swindler.
• Jacob finally changed into the leader GOD wanted him to be, so he blessed Pharaoh.

 

All of his adult life, Jacob pursued what he wanted. He tried to circumvent tradition from a swindler who gave him a wife he did not want. He took his brother’s birthright and blessing. He lived in fear of many people groups because of his actions.

 

Jacob seemed to have regrets. BUT GOD used him anyway. GOD was the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. HE is the same GOD to you and me. Once we truly realize we are inadequate to save ourselves, we can turn to CHRIST for salvation.

 

But it does not stop there. We then have to realize that we are HIS creation and our lives are not to be squandered with our own pursuits. As we approach the finish line, we have an opportunity to serve GOD to our fullest each day!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Jacob and Pharaoh?
• Have you ever looked back on your life in regret?
• Do you realize that today is given to you to start serving GOD despite the past?

Undeserved Favor Again

Undeserved Favor Again

Genesis 47: ⁵ Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. ⁶ The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.”

 

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After Joseph’s brothers told Pharaoh that they were shepherds, Pharaoh told Joseph to give them the “best of the land.” He also asked if there were others and if so, make them chief herdsmen.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s brothers hated him, BUT GOD showed them favor despite their actions.
• Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, BUT GOD raised Joseph to rule over Egypt.
• Joseph’s brothers lied about what they did as a cover up, BUT GOD blessed them to have the best land in Egypt during a famine that was causing people to starve.

 

There was nothing the brothers did to deserve this much favor. BUT GOD used their evil for good. This is an important lesson for us. We may talk bad about oppressors or avoid patching up a relationship, thinking we are doing the right thing.

 

GOD’s ways are higher than our ways. HE sees solutions way beyond the current situation. HE gave grace and favor to people who could care less about changing. HE did this for the ultimate purpose of saving you and me. If HE wiped out evil people, there would be no human who could open the scroll that sentenced Satan and redeemed humans. GOD sees around our shortcomings to achieve a greater purpose. That’s favor.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the favorable statement given by Pharaoh?
• Have you ever received favor and thought it was because you were temporarily being good?
• Can you praise GOD today for the undeserved favor in your life?

Occupation Preparation

Occupation Preparation

Genesis 47: Then Joseph went and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, their flocks and their herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan; and indeed they are in the land of Goshen.” ² And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. ³ Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?”

 

And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and also our fathers.” ⁴ And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.”

 

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After the wonderful reunion with his father, Joseph presented five of his brothers to Pharaoh. Just as Joseph warned, Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation/” They replied “Your servants are shepherds.”

 

My Observations:

• Joseph prepared his brothers to accept the lowest occupation in Egypt that was seen as beneath the Egyptians status.
• Pharaoh may have thought he was getting another blessing by having willing workers join his team.
• No one knew that GOD was orchestrating extreme blessing on the people of Israel.

 

Goshen was the best land for herds and flocks. It was probably spacious, flat and provided water for animals to thrive. But the Egyptians did not want to tend to animals and loathed anyone who did. So Goshen was a great place for shepherds and herdsmen.

 

GOD used the Egyptians superstitions and narrowminded thinking to bless Israel. Eventually HE would bless this area so much that it would almost burst at the seams. This occupation would prove to be exactly what GOD wanted them to do in order to provide blessings beyond imaginations.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s meeting with Pharaoh?
• Have you ever viewed your occupation as “less than” something you wanted to be?
• Can you praise GOD for the occupation GOD has you in because HE is preparing you for a major blessing?

Moved to the Best

 

Moved to the Best

Genesis 46: ²⁸ Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. ²⁹ So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.

 

³⁰ And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.”

 

³¹ Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. ³² And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ ³³ So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ ³⁴ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

 

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Jacob sent Judah as the guide to Goshen. All of their possessions were loaded on carts and their herds had to walk to Egypt. Joseph came out to be reunited with his father. He then told his brothers what to say in order to live in Egypt peacefully.

 

My Observations:

• The move to Egypt took a long time because seventy people and their cattle had to walk.
• Israel was delighted to see Joseph alive!
• Joseph gave the brothers insight into Egyptian culture from his vast experience with them.

 

Being reunited with Jacob was the pinnacle of Joseph’s life. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that he would ever see his father again. Jacob may have felt the same way. BUT GOD orchestrated a strange move that brought Israel to Egypt.

 

Goshen was a land made for cattle and sheep. The flocks would flourish there if the right people tended to them. Joseph told his brothers that shepherds are loathed, so tell the Egyptians that you tend livestock. He wanted them to put a positive spin on their occupation to live in the land in peace. GOD used what was meant for evil to bring good to the p[people of Israel.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about what Joseph did and said to Israel?
• Have you ever got a new occupation and did not know what to say?
• Is GOD using your experience to move you to a new occupation where HIS plan will continue through you?

Jacob’s Seventy

 Jacob’s Seventy

Genesis 46: ²⁶ All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. ²⁷ And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy.

 

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Jacob settled in the land of the Canaanites where his father Isaac was a stranger. There he raised his children. One wife, Rachel, had passed away giving birth to Benjamin. Joseph was hated by his brothers and was sold into slavery, ultimately to be raised by GOD to be the head of Egypt. Now Jacob and the entire family was ready to move to Egypt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD orchestrated the famine which in turn would send Israel to Egypt.
• GOD allowed evil thoughts and actions to come from Joseph’s brothers, but HE used them for good.
• GOD brought Jacob’s family back together in an unusual way.

 

Hindsight is twenty, twenty people would say. It is easy to question what GOD did and why HE did it when it comes to the move of Israel. But the account of history is more complex than you and I could ever imaging. GOD was preparing for JESUS to come as a human and needed certain people to be in certain places at the right time.

 

Israel would have never left the home he made for many reasons. He was old, Rachel was buried nearby and he had plenty. BUT GOD wanted him and his family to be somewhere else. This famine would last five more years, so Jacob had to go. He was delighted though. He would be reunited with Joseph.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD complete the recount of Jacob’s family to Moses?
• Have you ever gone through a difficult time and wondered why?
• Is GOD moving you to a place that HE needs you to be so HE can provide deliverance that you don’t understand yet?

Bilhah’s Seven

Bilhah’s Seven

Genesis 46: ²³ The son of Dan was Hushim. ²⁴ The sons of Naphtali were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. ²⁵ These were the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, and she bore these to Jacob: seven persons in all.

 

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The last account of the tribes of Israel was Bilhah’s children. Dan and Naphtali. Bilhah was Rachel’s handmaid given to her by Laban.

 

My Observations:

• Bilhah may have believed she was the property of Rachel and also believed in household gods.
• Bilhah worked for Laban, possibly to pay off a debt that her family made.
• Bilhah had Dan and Naphtali which would become smaller tribes.

 

The tribe of Dan was eventually removed from genealogies. Naphtali’s genealogy was short. Both sons came from Bilhah through Jacob. Rachel insisted he sleep with her handmaid because she saw how many children Leah had and was jealous.

 

This plot to have children seemed to make matters worse. The Bible does not say what Jacob’s relationship with Dan was, but Dan ended up as a tribe who committed idolatry. GOD was still with all of Jacob’s children, but Bilhah produced the fewest descendants.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Bilhah’s children?
• Has GOD ever put you in a situation where you were a substitute?
• Can you accept GOD’s grace that HE has on you?

Rachel’s Fourteen

Rachel’s Fourteen

Genesis 46: ¹⁹ The sons of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, were Joseph and Benjamin. ²⁰ And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. ²¹ The sons of Benjamin were Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. ²² These were the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob: fourteen persons in all.

 

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Jacob was told to go away from the women who were around him in the land of the Philistines. He was sent to Rebekah’s brother Laban to look for a wife. He fell in love at the first sight of Rachel. But he was given Leah as a wife because it was tradition. Jacob worked another seven years to finally marry Rachel.

 

My Observations:

• Rachel was the only woman labeled as Jacob’s wife.
• Rachel believed in household gods and magic from mandrakes.
• Rachel was barren the longest and died when she had benjamin.

 

Joseph and Benjamin were special to Jacob because he loved Rachel. He treated them differently than his other sons. This unequal treatment would cause jealousy amongst his sons that would cause Joseph to be sold into slavery, but ultimately rule Egypt.

 

Rachel did not raise Benjamin and barely raised Joseph who was a young teen when she died. Rachel did not experience her nephews attempted murder like Jacob. But she did experience the pain of watching everyone else have children when her husband was supposed to be the one who would produce many nations. GOD kept HIS promise, but not he way she thought.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Rachel being Jacob’s wife?
• What promise has GOD made to you that may look different than you think?
• Has GOD appointed you for something special but it looks way different than what you are used to?

Zilpah’s Sixteen

Zilpah’s Sixteen

Genesis 46: ¹⁶ The sons of Gad were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. ¹⁷ The sons of Asher were Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah, their sister. And the sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel. ¹⁸ These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob: sixteen persons.

 

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Leah had children, but wanted more. She became barren and decided to “own” her handmaid’s children as her own. Laban, her father had given her Zilpah as her handmaid, or property. Zilpah and Jacob had children.

 

My Observations:

• Zilpah was born in the land of the Philistines and picked up some of their ways.
• Zilpah’s beliefs influenced her children.
• Leah, Zilpah, Rachel and Bilhah all believed in magic and ancestor worship.

 

As GOD was moving the tribes of Israel to Egypt, HE also was moving a variety of beliefs. Slavery was a belief that was deep rooted. Zilpah may have considered herself as property, because she was told she was. She easily had children when Leah went barren.

 

Leah and Rachel had a sibling rivalry that also involved the handmaids. When one handmaid had a child the other was told to have another child. This rivalry and belief in slavery would shape the nation of Israel in a not so good way.  GOD knew who would truly follow HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Zilpah’s children?
• What limiting beliefs have you possibly picked up?
• Is it possible that you may have placed limits on GOD because you are forcing HIM to act a certain way versus how HE is blessing you?

Leah’s Thirty-Three

 Leah’s Thirty-Three

Genesis 46: ⁸ Now these were the names of the children of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn. ⁹ The sons of Reuben were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. ¹⁰ The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. ¹¹ The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. ¹² The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. ¹³ The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron. ¹⁴ The sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel. ¹⁵ These were the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Padan Aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the persons, his sons and his daughters, were thirty-three.

 

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Jacob was a swindler who cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing from Isaac. He tried to get Rachel as his wife, but ran into an equal swindler named Laban who gave Jacob Leah as his wife. Jacob had worked seven years as a deal to get Rachel. Jacob did not love Leah, yet he had the most children through her.

 

My Observations:

• Leah had the most children even though she was not wanted.
• Leah prayed and GOD heard her and gave her children.
• Leah gave birth to Levi from which Moses would be born and Judah, from which JESUS would come as a human.

 

Moving to Egypt required an account of Israel’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. An entire nation was about to move to Egypt, a land of unbelievers. Genesis is the book of beginnings. This move to Egypt was the beginning of the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

Jacob tried to circumvent tradition by working for a swindler. He got Leah as his wife and did not know that GOD’s promise would be through the one, he did not choose or like. We may feel the same way. There are things placed in our lives that we did not choose or like. BUT GOD’s plan does not look like our selfish plan.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the lineage of Jacob through Leah?
• Do you think your plan will work if it is not GOD’s will?
• Can you accept that GOD has a plan that may look different than your logic and is greater than your imagination?

Israel Moves to Egypt

Israel Moves to Egypt

Genesis 46: ⁵ Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. ⁶ So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. ⁷ His sons and his sons’ sons, his daughters and his sons’ daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.

 

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GOD promised Abraham that HE would make him a great nation. GOD also promised Isaac and Jacob the same thing. Jacob had twelve sons and one daughter. He also had many possessions and livestock.

 

My Observations:

• The move to Egypt was a focus on lineage rather than an inventory of people who went to Egypt.
• The herdsmen and personal servants must have stayed in the land of Canaan when Jacob’s family left.
• The famine had five more years, so there was probably no argument about leaving to go to a better place.

 

Moving can be difficult. BUT GOD wanted Israel to be in another place. HE moved this young nation to Egypt for HIS purpose. HE knew the nation was about to experience a period of plentiful living because HE chose this family to bless mankind with a Savior.

 

Not only was Judah blessed, but all of the families that came from Israel. Israel’s children, grand children and great grand children packed up and went to Egypt. This was the birth of a great nation, just as GOD promised. Humans may think it’s about numbers or race, BUT GOD saw it as a way to bring everyone back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention Jacob as Jacob and Jacob as Israel in the same sentence?
• Are you missing GOD’s plan because you cannot see why HE is moving you?
• Has GOD moved you to a temporary place to grow you and prepare you for the promised land?

Something About That Place

Something About That Place

Genesis 46: So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. ² Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!”

 

And he said, “Here I am.”

 

³ So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. ⁴ I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.”

 

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“Israel” packed up all that he had and began to move to Egypt. He had all kinds of animals, worldly possessions and servants. On his way to Egypt, he stopped at a very familiar place, namely Beersheba. There he offered a sacrifice to GOD and stayed the night. He got a vision from GOD.

 

My Observations:

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob heard from GOD at Beersheba, each being promised that they would be part of creating a “great nation.”

Israel would not have moved, nor would he have gone to Beersheba if it wasn’t for the famine.

“Jacob” was used when GOD spoke to him, but “Israel” was used when GOD was talking to the nation within him.

 

Israel is more than a place; it was the group of people GOD chose to become a human through. Because of Abraham’s faith in GOD and his obedience, GOD chose his family lineage to save all of mankind.

 

GOD reassured Jacob that HIS promise was still in effect. Beersheba was a chosen meeting place for this family. People came and went from Beersheba daily, BUT GOD spoke to this family at that location. Just like Jacob, GOD is moving you and me to the place HE wants us to be effective.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this encounter with Jacob at Beersheba?
• Has GOD declared something in your life that hasn’t come to fruition yet?
• Where is GOD taking you and have you allowed HIM to speak to you?

Shocked

Shocked

Genesis 45: ²⁵ Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. ²⁶ And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. ²⁷ But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. ²⁸ Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers left Egypt with the strong, well-engineered carts given to them by Joseph. They came back to Jacob and told him that Joseph was alive. Jacob was shocked. They showed him the carts, then “Israel” was no longer shocked.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob was called Jacob in the beginning of this paragraph and Israel at the end, possibly in reference to Joseph being the son of Rachel and everyone else was mothered by others.
• Jacob was shocked to hear that his son was alive after all these years.
• Israel originally was not willing to go anywhere, but after hearing that Joseph was alive, he felt that was enough to make him go.

 

Being shocked, in this instance, could mean disbelief, or overwhelmed. I believe Jacob had both. The news that his son is alive that he thought was dead for decades, drove him to disbelief and feeling overwhelmed.

 

He did not get mad about the lost time he missed with his son, rather he looked forward to seeing him before he died. We can get shocked when we hear unexpected news. This requires us to go to GOD for answers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses to use Jacob and Israel when referring to Joseph’s father?
• What is your normal first reaction to shocking news?
• When you are shocked or surprised by a situation, do you become overwhelmed and debilitated, or go to GOD for strength?

Do Not Be Troubled

Do Not Be Troubled

Genesis 45: ²¹ Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. ²² He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. ²³ And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. ²⁴ So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers got prepared to go home. Joseph gave them an overwhelming amount of food and other items to take back to Israel. He gave Benjamin multiple times more than his brothers. He sent them away and told them to “not become troubled along the way.”

 

My Observations:

• Joseph had to reassure his brothers that there would be no tricks like he did when he had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack.
• Joseph listened to Pharaoh and gave them the finest provisions of Egypt.
• Joseph’s brothers were probably overwhelmed with seeing him and receiving so many provisions.

 

So much had happened to the brothers, that they needed some assurance. Simeon had been thrown in prison and they were accused of being spies by Joseph. When they got the overwhelming favor, they may have hesitated. Same with us. We may hesitate praising GOD too soon or too loudly because we have been through so much.

 

GOD cleared the way for the sons of Israel to move to Egypt without worry. Joseph remembered his father by sending gifts. Female donkeys would be used to breed. The family received an overwhelming amount of gifts without deserving anything.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the gifts Joseph sent?
• Have you ever received a blessing but hesitated in your praise?
• Will you listen to GOD when HE says “Do not be troubled” so you won’t second guess HIS blessings?