Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Genesis 46 - Stopping for Directions

Jacob's heart no doubt leapt on hearing that Joseph was alive and living so well in Egypt. He had already made up his mind to go that way since he had packed up the family and set out, but when he got to Beersheba, he felt compelled to offer sacrifices and to thank God for this provision.

Maybe in his prayer he also asked for confirmation from God about this journey, but even if he didn't God graciously came to him in a vision and let Jacob know this was part if his divine plan and that one day God would bring them out of Egypt. See God knew the end from the beginning.

Jokes have been made about men's aversion to asking for directions, but Jacob has no issue with it. Not only did he ask God for directions (v. 1) - when he got to Egypt he asked Joseph for directions to Goshen (v. 28)! Jacob wanted to know he was doing right.

Another striking thing in this chapter was that Goshen was prime land; the best of Egypt and yet it was left to the shepherd who were considered detestable. How like God to bless us with the best when others might see it as suitable for the despised. It teaches us to consider our bounty from God's eyes and not from mans.

The lesson we can apply for ourselves in our stewardship here is that God may introduce new directions for your life but it is wise to stop and ask him for wisdom and to seek the counsel of trusted advisors. They too are a blessing from God and if they are wise they will seek God's face together with you.

Are you faced with new circumstances or a decision to be made? The God of Jacob is alive and well today. He has knowledge of what will come and can give you wisdom beyond human ability. Also build into your network trusted advisors who will pray with you and will look for Gods clear direction for you. Once you have God's direction for you, don't forget to praise him for his blessings and for the trials that have developed his character within you. He knows the end of your story and it is intertwined with his story to bring glory to himself.

Jacob enjoyed the deliverance from famine at God's hand, and later the nation of Israel would be delivered from Egypt and return to God's land of promise. We too have blessing here in earth at God's hand, but our true blessing lies in the hope of Heaven offered in the deliverance provided by Jesus Christ. Only God could work out the salvation we needed since we are sinners through and through. Believers receive a new nature from God -his spirit to live within us and the promised land of eternal peace with him in Heaven.

If you do not know that you have this hope, I pray you will look for directions in God's word, seek his forgiveness and even speak to another believer about your questions. You could have this same assurance for yourself.

May God richly bless you as you seek him and as you serve him.

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