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?