Expectations. We all have some level expectations that we work toward. Israel (Jacob) had expectations about Joseph, but those were based on the lie that Joseph was dead. Now that he knows he is alive, he got to do several things that he never expected. Read Genesis 48:1-12. Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.” Genesis 48:11 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.48.11.NASB God does unexpected things in our lives all the time. Just when we think we know what is coming, God turns the tables in a way that only He can. God’s plans, while not always expected,…

What do we associate with and where is our focus? Jacob had gone to Egypt and was going to live in Egypt, but he wasn’t of Egypt. He made that very clear with his final request. Read Genesis 47:27-31. but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.” Genesis 47:30 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.47.30.NASB Jacob knew that even though he and his family were here for now, this was not their home and this was not their promise. So Jacob asked to be carried back, in death, where he…

Grateful slaves. The people of Egypt went through one of the worst economic times ever and yet they lived through it. They were grateful for that. Read Genesis 47:10-26. So they said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my Lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.” Genesis 47:25 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.47.25.NASB Now, at the end, all that they owned belonged to Pharaoh, but they had their lives and would have had no way to survive the famine on their own. The had to rely on Pharaoh and Pharaoh relied on Joseph, who relied on God. The people were saved because of Joseph and what…

The blessing. Joseph brings his father to Pharaoh and there is a blessing that occurs, but maybe not the way we would expect. Read Genesis 47:7-9. Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Genesis 47:7 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.47.7.NASB Wait, what? Pharaoh, the ruler of the largest kingdom on earth at that time, has received a blessing from a old shepherd. That sort of seems backwards. We would expect to see the rich and powerful Pharaoh being the one blessing Jacob. However, Pharaoh recognized that Jacob was the one with the true power because he had God. Is God so evident in our lives…

Trust. We have seen how much the Pharaoh trusts Joseph with stuff and now we see an example of just how completely Pharaoh trusts Joseph regarding people. Read Genesis 47:1-6. The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.” Genesis 47:6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.47.6.NASB Joseph brings some of his brothers to meet Pharaoh where he learns their occupation and what they are desiring to do here in Egypt. Pharaoh trust Joseph so completely that he…

Happy New Year! New beginnings are a great and exciting opportunity to renew and restart our commitments. Even Joseph’s family was excited to start their new lives. Read Genesis 46:29-34. you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:34 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.46.34.NASB Joseph is helping them navigate some of the tricky political things of their new home. The first of which is actually where their new will be. Having someone who knows the “lay of the land” when dealing with…

Following. A lot of people have made a big deal about the importance of leadership in today’s culture, but without followers, there would be no leaders. Now, even Jacob becomes a follower. Read Genesis 46:8-28. Now he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out the way before him to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. Genesis 46:28 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.46.28.NASB As the Bible lists all the people who are making this trip from Canaan into Egypt, we see them following Jacob into this new country. Yet Jacob is simply following God’s command to him that we read about yesterday. Now, Jacob even follows his son Judah.…

When faced with a decision, do we check with God? Often we just decide to go in a certain direction and assume that God will tag along for the ride. Read Genesis 46:1-7. So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Genesis 46:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.46.1.NASB Jacob begins his journey, but he doesn’t head to Egypt, at least not a first. He heads to Beersheba where he can worship and pray and ask God what to do. When we are faced with a decision, we are not the ones who need to make it, that is…

Making right a wrong. It’s a whole lot easier if you aren’t the one who made it wrong in the first place. Unfortunately for Joseph’s brothers, they were the ones who made it wrong. Now they are headed back to tell their father the truth. Read Genesis 45:25-28. They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” But he was stunned, for he did not believe them. Genesis 45:26 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.45.26.NASB I’m sure that was a fun conversation. “So, Dad, remember how we told you that Joseph must have died and that whole bloody coat thing several years ago? Um,…

Word has spread! Joseph’s brothers are here! The Egyptians see and hear all that has happened and now even the Pharaoh tells Joseph that he must invite them all to live here in Egypt. Read Genesis 45:16-24. So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.” Genesis 45:24 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.45.24.NASB So Joseph sends them back to get Jacob and the rest of the family. Then he gives them this interesting command. No fighting or arguing. That’s a long trip and they have gone through a lot and they shouldn’t fight or argue about what is going on. How often…