Genesis 47 – Part 3 – PRAYING FOR OUR GOVERNMENTS

Can you see the Praying hands in this flag? Australian Flag and Praying Hands © Created by Ross Cochrane using PaintDotNet

Genesis 47 – Part 3 – PRAYING FOR OUR GOVERNMENTS 

Look at the picture above. Can you see the praying hands. That’s what this post is about. Praying for our Governments.

What else can possibly happen in our world! In Ethiopia over 109,000 people died in conflicts in 2022. The Syrian civil war has resulted in an estimated 470,000–610,000 violent deaths. The Yemeni Civil war with the Houthi rebels has resulted in millions facing famine and disease. Death and violence still persist with the Taliban regaining large parts of Afghanistan. There are tensions in the South China Sea with China, Vietnam, Philippines regarding territorial claims, particularly between Taiwan and China. In 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. Now there is a war between Israel and Hamas.  

According to Open Doors, Christians are the most at risk people on earth – 317 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecution. In 2023, 4,998 Christians were murdered, 14,766 Churches and Christian properties attacked, and 4,125 Christians detained.  

More than 365 million (one in seven) Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith – and persecution is becoming dangerously violent in various countries.  Attacks on churches and Christian properties sky-rocketed in 2023, as more Christians than ever recorded faced violent attacks. 

Most Christians murdered for their faith in 2023 were killed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria accounted for nine out of 10 religiously-motivated murders…. Many more Christians have also been forced from their homes. Of 34.5 million displaced people across Sub-Saharan Africa, around 16.2 million are Christians. 

More than 14,700 churches or Christian properties such as schools and hospitals were targeted in 2023. It marked a six-fold increase compared with attacks recorded the previous year. 

In China, at least 10,000 churches were closed. In India, Christian properties were raided by violent mobs. And in Algeria, where there were 46 official Protestant churches, only four remain open and they are now under intense pressure. 

In 2023, more than twice as many Christians were forced to flee their homes compared to the previous year. Political instability, war, extremism and natural disasters have all driven believers from their homelands across the Middle East and North Africa. 

Believers are often more vulnerable than other displaced people because of their faith. In countries like Syria, Christians are easy targets for violence. Extremists attack churches and leaders, and put pressure on Christians to move on. 

Yet the Bible encourages Christians to pray for our governments and to love our enemies. Apparently, they need all the help they can get and especially help from God.  

As if Governments didn’t already have enough to deal with in our world from natural disaster relief from things like earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and fires and health disasters such as the Covid 19 Pandemic which closed down whole countries. Then we have Terror attacks and Cyber Attacks and wars and conflict. Are Christians the only ones praying for our governments? Our governments certainly do need God’s help. 

Pharaoh in the time of Joseph was a person who showed great favour to those of faith from Jacob’s family. Far from persecuting them, he blessed them with hospitality as he took them in as refugees.    

HOSPITALITY AND FAITH 

Genesis 47:5-10 (NLT) says, Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court. 

Jacob blessed Pharaoh as he entered, and as he left. Perhaps the blessing was something like this… as in Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT) “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.”  

Genesis 47:5-6 (NLT) says, Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have joined you here, choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.  

Genesis 47:11-12 (NLT) says, “So Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt—the region of Rameses—to his father and his brothers, and he settled them there, just as Pharaoh had commanded.” 

Rod Mattoon points out that “The hospitality of Egypt toward Israel had a profound impact on the nation’s treatment of strangers in the future. The stranger was to be loved and not oppressed”. 

Later, Moses will say in Exodus 23:9 (NLT) “You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.” 

It’s interesting that Israel is still perhaps the only country in the Middle East which welcomes all religions and all nationalities to live there. Leviticus 19:32-34 (NLT) says, “…Fear your God. I am the Lord. “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” 

Deuteronomy 10:17-19 (NLT) says, “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.” 

1 Peter 2:11-14 (NLT) says, “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.  Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world. For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials He has appointed.” 

PRAYING FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY  

I wonder if Pharaoh ended up believing in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? We are not told. He was certainly blessed by God through Joseph in a very practical way concerning the famine, and now by Jacob’s words of blessing.  

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT) encourages us to pray for our political leaders, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” 

As Christians, we can pray for government leaders at all levels to be guided by wisdom, discernment, and moral integrity in their decision-making processes.  

We can pray for God to heal divisions between countries.  

We can pray for government protection and security, especially since Christians are the world’s most persecuted people group, but also others.  

We can ask God to watch over those serving in law enforcement, the military, and emergency services in their various duties.  

We can pray for a spiritual revival and awakening in our world, starting with government leaders and extending to all levels of society. We can ask God to work in the hearts of leaders, leading them to seek His guidance and follow His ways and give their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We can pray for peace and stability within the nations of the world and in regions affected by conflict or unrest. We can ask that God might intervene in situations of violence, oppression, and injustice, especially to Christians, but also others across the world. 

We can pray for governments to respect and protect the freedom of religion and conscience for all citizens. We can ask God to safeguard the rights of individuals to worship and express their beliefs without fear of persecution or discrimination. 

We can pray God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. God is in control, and even in times of uncertainty or upheaval, we can pray for His purposes to be fulfilled.  

We can pray that cursing will be turned to blessing in our world at the moment, and that God will work all things together for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.   

Romans 8:26-30 (NLT) says, “…the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.  

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, …”  
 
I invite you to come again as we continue the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. 

Pastor Ross 

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NOTE TO READERS: THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS SITE DOES NOT INDICATE THE AUTHOR’S ACCEPTANCE OF OR ENDORSEMENT OF THESE AGENDAS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE NOT PLACED ON THIS SITE BY THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS SEEKING TO SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE.  

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Genesis 47:7-12 – Part 2 – “LIFE WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE EASY”??

“Life Was Never Meant to be Easy”?? © Created by Ross Cochrane using NightCafe AI, PaintDotNet and Filter Forge

Genesis 47:7-12 – Part 2 – “LIFE WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE EASY”?? 

During a press conference back in 1976, former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser made the comment, “Life was never meant to be easy”. For Christians, it’s not so much that life was never meant to be easy, yet experiencing a hard life can instill important values, such as perseverance, and trust in God. Parents who have overcome adversity can model the development of a strong faith in God to their children. For a Christian, the journey of faith, with all it’s experiences, is what shapes us. 

With all Jacob’s failures as a father, he had modeled his faith in God to his children. Joseph, his favourite son, had responded to God by expressing a personal faith. Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, forcibly taken from home, and suffered deeply the pain of that separation; Joseph, who was eventually imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. A hard life. Yet his faith did not waver during testing times.  

Joseph’s brothers experienced a hard life due to their guilt. They only learned the value of repentance when they came to Egypt. During the famine they experienced testing, which brought them to their knees but eventually reconciled them to their brother and to God. 

Now they are all in Egypt. 

HARD YEARS 

Genesis 47:7 (NLT) says, “Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him. Jacob replied, “I have traveled this earth for 130 HARD YEARS. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors.”  

Job 12:12-13 (NLT) speaks of age and wisdom. It says, Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His.”  

Jacob and his favourite son, Joseph, have experienced many challenges. Joseph has experienced undeserved hardship, but Jacob, his father, has also had a hard life. He says “I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years”.  

• Jacob lived up to his name. Jacob means deceiver. He tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright and then later his blessing, but this meant he was hated by Esau. This made things difficult and he had to leave home for fear of his life. Joseph, Jacob’s son, was also hated by his brothers. He was sold into slavery by them and ended up in Egypt. 
• Jacob was deceived by his uncle Laban into marrying Leah rather than Rebekah. He was tricked into working for him for many years. You might say he was reaping deception after sowing deception, getting a taste of his own medicine. Joseph also deceived his brothers with a series of tests when they came to Egypt and did not recognise him.  
• When Jacob’s daughter Dinah is raped, he does nothing, so his sons step in and commit murder in Shechem. Jacob, however, was only worried about his reputation! Joseph refuses to sleep with Potiphars wife and suffers the loss of his reputation when he is accused of doing so. Yet even in prison, with little regard for his reputation, he gives glory to God and eventually testifies of God before Pharaoh and his court by interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. 
• Jacob loses his favourite wife Rachel in childbirth. He then loses his father Isaac. He has already lost his Mother, Rebekah, who favoured him. He loses his favourite son, Joseph, to what he believes is an animal. This causes him much grief for many hard years. Joseph, in Egypt, did not know about his father or brothers for many years. When his brothers come to Egypt and do not recognise him, he gives voice to the loss of his father when he asks his brothers twice “Is your father still alive?” Finally after revealing himself as their brother, he asks “Is my father still alive?” once again. 
• Jacob experiences a severe famine in the land God gave to him and his descendants, and has to rely on the generosity of Egypt. It has been a hard life for Jacob, but they all eventually travel to Egypt where Jacob is reunited with Joseph. 

Someone said, “Do not pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” Jacob’s life, and his son Joseph’s life, is characterised by trials, challenges, and difficulties that tested their faith. Despite these hardships, Jacob and Joseph also experienced the rich blessings of God. Jacob experienced reconciliation with his brother Esau. Joseph, Jacob’s son, also experienced reconciliation with his brothers. Divine intervention shaped both their lives in so many ways. 

What about you? Are you experiencing hardship? I share the following verse knowing that it has carried me through the tough times and the blessings. It has carried me through the times when I have asked “Lord where are You in all this? Is this an opportunity to trust in You, Lord, and allow You to turn the cursing of hardship into the blessing of shaping my life?”  

I must admit, that last question is the most important one, so through my life I have known the truth of Romans 8:28 (NLT) “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”  

That verse was written to those who have a relationship with Christ. Life with it’s blessings and hardships makes a whole lot more sense with Jesus in it. I am reminded that Jesus also experienced hardship. In Isaiah 53:5-6 (NLT) there is a prophecy about Christ. It says “But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.” 

On Resurrection Sunday we remembered the Cross, but also the victory over death. Jesus died for our sins, defeating death itself, so that we might experience life as God intended. I would encourage you to come under His authority as Lord of your life and allow Him to shape your life. Don’t believe that saying “Life was never meant to be easy”. It should be replaced with the words of Jesus in John 10:10 (NLT) which say, “The thief’s purpose (Satan) is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep.”  It doesn’t mean we won’t go through some tough times but “that God will cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

Pastor Ross 

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NOTE TO READERS: THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS SITE DOES NOT INDICATE THE AUTHOR’S ACCEPTANCE OF OR ENDORSEMENT OF THESE AGENDAS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE NOT PLACED ON THIS SITE BY THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS SEEKING TO SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE.  

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The Parable of the Very Hungry Caterpillar

Resurrection Sunday

Genesis 47 – Part 1 – “FOR A WHILE”

“… FOR A WHILE” HourGlass. © Created by Ross Cochrane using Blender 4.0, Unsplash and PaintDotNet.

Genesis 47 – Part 1 – “FOR A WHILE”  

Some years ago I received an unexpected phonecall asking me to consider being the Pastor of Whitsunday Baptist Church, at Airlie Beach, north QLD, Australia. My wife and I flew up to Airlie and found (apart from the idyllic scenery) a great little church with a big heart and a big vision to impact the Whitsunday area with the love of Jesus. 

On our return to Sydney, Whitsunday Baptist Church leaders called to offer me the pastoral position. We prayed about this and felt like this was God’s leading. 

Our children, young adults, stayed behind as they both felt their futures lay in remaining in Sydney, and continuing the lives they had been building over the last 3 years. This decision proved to be extremely hard for all of us, as we had never been apart before. We would only be in Airlie Beach FOR A WHILE.  

My wife’s Mother-heart grieved the separation from our children, but God gave her a promise : 

Psalm 37:3-4 says, Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. 

Jacob also had a promise that his family would return to Canaan, the promised land, after living in Egypt FOR A WHILE.  

Genesis 47:1-6 

Then Joseph went to see Pharaoh and told him, “My father and my brothers have arrived from the land of Canaan. They have come with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the region of Goshen.” 

By stating that his entire family has arrived and is staying in Goshen, he paves the way for them to remain there. But Pharaoh needs to grant permission. Always better to inquire than to presume. “It is better to ask for forgiveness than permission” is not an option for Joseph. Joseph believes that “Permission denied is better than forgiveness requested.” And this is even more important when it comes to God.  

Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?” They replied, “We, your servants, are shepherds, just like our ancestors.  

“FOR A WHILE” 

We have come to live here in Egypt FOR A WHILE, (“for a while” became quite a long time!) for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. So please, we request permission to live in the region of Goshen.” 

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING  

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have joined you here, choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.” 

It seems Pharaoh has livestock of his own. He has been blessed by Joseph’s leadership during this time of crisis during the famine. Why not be blessed by the family’s special skills as well? Although they would be guests only “FOR A WHILE”.  

God said to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 (NLT) “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you.”  

The Bible also speaks about kings and how He guides them, even foreign kings like Pharaoh…   

Ezra 1:1-2 (NLT) says “In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy He had given through Jeremiah. HE STIRRED THE HEART OF CYRUS to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build Him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” 

Jeremiah 27:6 (NLT) says “Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, WHO IS MY SERVANT. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control.” 

Proverbs 21:1 (NLT) says “The king’s heart is like a stream of water DIRECTED BY THE LORD; HE GUIDES IT WHEREVER HE PLEASES.”  

They were only staying “FOR A WHILE” and they could, of course, have left for home after the famine. Perhaps they stayed originally because Joseph would not have been able to accompany them home. After he died, a whole new generation of people knew only Egypt as their home, though the promises of Abraham still echoed in their ears. 

Home is where the family is, but home for Jacob’s family was the land of Canaan. God promised Abraham that his descendants would have a land of their own. 

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM 

Interesting that the phrase “Next year in Jerusalem” would later become a traditional Jewish expression used during the Passover Seder, which is the ceremonial meal that marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Passover. It reflects the Jewish people’s hope and longing for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the restoration of Jerusalem as the spiritual and political centre of Jewish life. It symbolizes the desire to return to the land of Israel. It has been uttered for centuries each Passover Seder.  

Living in Egypt FOR A WHILE for Jacob’s descendants took about 430 years! 

I am grateful that the promise God gave to my wife for us didn’t take anywhere near 430 years to be fulfilled. We could have died in “Egypt” (Airlie Beach). But it did take 10 years.  

Psalm 37:3-4 says, Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. 

FOR A WHILE…. 

10 years! It took 10 years for the Lord to fulfil that promise for us to return to Sydney! In those 10 years, my wife made many trips to Sydney to spend time with our children. Our children came up to the Whitsundays, bringing their friends for holidays in the beautiful Whitsundays. Wonderful times.  

The Church grew, doubling in size, and forged relationships within the community, as well as a relationship with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) which established a mission base in Airlie Beach. 

Our children had both married, and had started families of their own – we had become Grandparents!  

In 2009 we felt that God was leading us back to Sydney, so we informed the Church family, and headed off in January 2010.  

Nine months later, we moved into the house next door to our daughter and her husband and their sons where we stayed for the next 7 years. Not only had God fulfilled His promise to my wife, but He had blessed us beyond measure : He gave us a house actually next door to our daughter and her family, and only 20 mins away from our son and his family!! 

And now, 14 years after leaving the Whitsundays, we live in our own home in north-west Sydney, just 15 mins from both our children and their families. We have become part of a great local community church, NewHope Baptist Church – which just happens to be pastored by our son! 

Matthew 6:33 says, Seek first God’s Kingdom, and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.  

I invite you to join me next time as we explore further this incredible story of God’s faithfulness to His people. 

Pastor Ross 

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NOTE TO READERS: THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS SITE DOES NOT INDICATE THE AUTHOR’S ACCEPTANCE OF OR ENDORSEMENT OF THESE AGENDAS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE NOT PLACED ON THIS SITE BY THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS SEEKING TO SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE.  

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Genesis 46:28- Part 3 – A FERRARI CHARIOT AND DESPISED SHEPHERDS

A Ferrari Chariot and Despised Shepherds © Created by Ross Cochrane using NightCafe AI and PaintDotNet

Genesis 46:28- Part 3 – A FERRARI CHARIOT AND DESPISED SHEPHERDS

Recently, we had a family reunion in the Park to celebrate the birthday of the youngest family member. The Park was enormous and divided into themes from different countries. We were in the Chinese garden with a beautiful bridge over some water lilies. Chinese Elms shaded the table for us to enjoy our time together. It was a great day of catching up with people we hadn’t seen in quite a while. And of course the family photo had to be taken. 

Genesis 46 describes another family reunion, as Jacob’s whole family gets together. Not in the Park but in Egypt in the region of Goshen. It will be quite some time before they return home to the promised land. 

THE SCEPTRE OF JUDAH 

Genesis 46:28-29 (NLT) says, “As they neared their destination (Egypt), Jacob sent Judah ahead to meet Joseph and get directions to the region of Goshen.” 

Judah has become the leader of the family, not Reuben. Jacob’s blessing of Judah in Genesis 49:10 (NLT) suggests that he knew that Judah would be an ancestor of the Messiah. He says,  “The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the One to whom it belongs, the One whom all nations will honor”.

GOSHEN AND A FERRARI CHARIOT

According to many commentaries, the region of Goshen in Egypt is in the Northeast of Egypt an area of about 2,300 square km. It is the land closest to Canaan, the promised land.

For Joseph, the family reunion will be particularly satisfying. It has been around 20 years since Joseph was sold into slavery, 20 years since he has seen his father and other relatives. In Genesis 46:29 (NLT) “Joseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father, Jacob.” 

Joseph would have chosen the “Ferrari” chariot to travel to Goshen. As Governor of Egypt people expected him to travel in style, but I am sure his main consideration in taking a chariot was to arrive as quickly as possible. I wonder what was going through his mind as he raced towards Goshen?

When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time. Finally, Jacob said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen your face again and know you are still alive.”

SHEPHERDS

Genesis 46:31-34 (NLT) says “Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s entire family, “I will go to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘My brothers and my father’s entire family have come to me from the land of Canaan. 

These men are shepherds, and they raise livestock. They have brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’”

Then he said, “When Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation, you must tell him, ‘We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.’ When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, for the Egyptians despise shepherds.”

“THE EGYPTIANS DESPISE SHEPHERDS” 

It was just as well Shepherds were despised by Egyptians. This kept the chosen people separate from Egyptian gods for the next 430 years (There would be that incident with a golden calf). 

There were priests in Egypt to guide people in the worship of the Egyptian gods. You may remember that Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian wife, Asenath, who was the daughter of the Priest of On (Genesis 41:45). Joseph remembered his faith, however, always acknowledging God. He resisted assimilation into Egyptian culture and religion, and was careful to give his children Hebrew names. Priests will be mentioned again in Genesis 47:22 (NLT). 

Egyptians despise shepherds. 

DESPISED

Interesting…

Abel is the first Shepherd mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 4:2). Cain despised him.

Moses performed miraculous signs with a Shepherd’s staff, but Korah despised him and stirred up the entire community against Moses (Numbers 16:19). 

Saul was told to be a Shepherd of God’s people, Israel, but failed and was replaced by David. David, once a Shepherd boy, was despised by King Saul and later by his own son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12).

David writes in Psalm 23 that “the Lord is my Shepherd” 

Time and time again in the Bible, Israel is described as sheep without a Shepherd. 

Amos, in the Old Testament, was a Shepherd before being called to be a prophet. Amos was despised by priest Amaziah for his message of judgment and correction (Amos 7:10-17).  

After being told of His birth from an Angel of the Lord, Shepherds went to Bethlehem to see Jesus (Luke 2:8-13). Shepherds were a despised class by religious leaders who considered them ceremonially unclean, and were generally considered a lower class. 

At His birth in Matthew 2:6 (NLT) Jesus is described as “the Shepherd for My people Israel”, but He too was eventually despised and rejected. John 1:10-11 (NLT) says, “He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.”

In John 10:11 (NLT) Jesus says “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep.” He was talking about how He would be despised and would die on a Cross as a sacrifice to pay the price for our sins. 

THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Today those who follow the Good Shepherd (Jesus) can be despised for a number of reasons in Western countries ranging from perceived hypocrisy, to their Biblical and political stances on things such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights or other moral and social topics. 

Media portrayals today significantly influence public opinion. There are many negative portrayals of Christians in the media, some deserved, most sensationalised. 

Each person now is encouraged to have their own truth, with increasingly secular values and worldviews, all backed up by the algorithms of social media. To question some of the emerging worldviews can be regarded as hate speech or worse.

Hatred of Christianity worldwide is rampant. In fact Christians are still the most despised people in the world. According to Christianity Today, “more than 5,600 Christians were killed for their faith last year (2023). More than 2,100 churches were attacked or closed. More than 124,000 Christians were forcibly displaced from their homes because of their faith, and almost 15,000 became refugees. Overall… 360 million Christians live in nations with high levels of persecution or discrimination. That’s 1 in 7 Christians worldwide.” 

Christians are especially despised in countries with larger Muslim populations. These countries are characterized by their authoritarian nature and intolerance for other religions. 

In John 15:18-27 (NLT) Jesus says to His disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to Me, they would listen to you … But now they have no excuse for their sin …” 

In Matthew 5:10-12 (NLT) Jesus says “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers…”

Romans 8:34-39 (NLT) says, “Does it mean He (God) no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? … No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Matthew 5:44 (NLT) Jesus makes a surprising statement. He says, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

Praying for those who persecute us is better than doing the same thing that they are doing with their hate. 

I wonder if Joseph prayed for the Egyptians? Christians still find it difficult to live in Egypt, especially those who convert from a Muslim background. Let’s continue to love our enemies by praying for those who persecute Christians all around the world, that they will come to know Christ, the Prince of Peace. 

Joseph’s reunion with his father and family in the light of the Egyptians despising them will involve God’s wisdom and discernment. I invite you to join me again as we continue to follow the family of Jacob into Egypt.

Pastor Ross

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NOTE TO READERS: THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS SITE DOES NOT INDICATE THE AUTHOR’S ACCEPTANCE OF OR ENDORSEMENT OF THESE AGENDAS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE NOT PLACED ON THIS SITE BY THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS SEEKING TO SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE. 

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Genesis 46:8-27 – Part 2 – LEAVING A LIFE-CHANGING LEGACY

Leaving a Life-Changing Legacy © Created by Ross Cochrane using NightCafe AI and PaintDotNet

Genesis 46:8-27 – Part 2 – LEAVING A LIFE-CHANGING LEGACY

Back in Genesis 25, I wrote these words … 

“The artwork and design of my wife’s book on her family tree is magnificent. The storyline is clear and so interesting. Hours and hours of work, a labour of love. I am so proud of her. A legacy for generations to come.

In the prologue of her book, Julie writes “It seems a strange thing, almost a disrespectful thing, to reduce the lifetime of one person to a page, a line or just a photo in a book. If only we could go back in time and spend an hour, a day, with each of our forebears, and listen to each one express their lives in their own words – the highs and lows, the challenges and accomplishments, the disappointments and surprises, the heartaches and celebrations – not only would we know more about them, we could appreciate more of the valuable contribution each made to following generations, and understand more about who we are ourselves.”

FAMILY TREE

In Julie’s family tree we can trace back a history of ten generations and a history of faith in Christ for at least five generations. Who knows how many generations to come will seek to find a relationship with Jesus Christ because faith was part of their family heritage? Others in the family tree we know very little about, however.”

In Genesis 46 there is also a family tree. We have followed the stories of some of the names in our journey through Genesis. Other names are mentioned here and we will never know of their stories, except that they all went to Egypt as the descendants of Jacob with the promise that they would become a great nation. 

Genesis 46:5-7 (NLT) says, “So Jacob left Beersheba, and his sons took him to Egypt. They carried him and their little ones and their wives in the wagons Pharaoh had provided for them. (I love how Pharaoh blessed Jacob with wagons. In Genesis 12:3 (NLT) God says to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Pharaoh is a blessed man.)

They also took all their livestock and all the personal belongings they had acquired in the land of Canaan. So Jacob and his entire family went to Egypt— sons and grandsons, daughters and granddaughters—all his descendants.

Jacob’s servants are not mentioned in this passage, but he would have taken them too. The genealogy is only to do with the male direct descendants of Jacob and “daughters and granddaughters” are barely mentioned. 

DAUGHTERS AND GRANDDAUGHTERS

There are only 8 women mentioned specifically and one is not named. Dinah, Jacob’s daughter is mentioned by name, but Simeon’s wife who was a Canaanite is simply called the “mother of Shaul”. Then comes Asher’s daughter whose name is Serah. Then Leah, and Zilpah. Rachel is named as Jacob’s wife. Then Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, and Asenath, Joseph’s wife. 

They are not included in the number of descendants, however. Women are not included in Hebrew genealogies. This changes in Matthew 1, where a number of women are included in the genealogy of Jesus, and today, Jewish genealogies are all traced through women. 

The Bible is not so much concerned with equality, but with everyone fulfilling the purpose for which we were created, and living life to the full. Galatians 3:28 (NLT) says that it’s not so much about status, rights, or opportunities but about coming into a living relationship with Christ, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In John 10:10 (NIV) Jesus says, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

SONS AND GRANDSONS

Genesis 46:8 (NLT) says, “These are the names of the descendants of Israel—the sons of Jacob—who went to Egypt:

God has already spoken in Genesis 46:3 (NLT) – “I will make your family into a great nation”. So the descendants mentioned here are the children of that promise. 

REUBEN

The sons of Reuben come first, but Reuben, although the firstborn son, forfeits his birthright. The firstborn son was normally given a double portion of the inheritance, leadership of the family, and spiritual leadership of the family. 1 Chronicles 5:1 (NLT) says, “Reuben, since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to the sons of his brother Joseph. For this reason, Reuben is not listed in the genealogical records as the firstborn son.”

LEVI

Then comes the sons of Simeon and Levi. Levi, despite his part in the murder of the men of Shechem, was to bear sons who would be the priests of Israel. One of his sons, Kohath, was the grandfather of Moses. 

JUDAH

Genesis 46:12 mentions “The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah married a Canaanite wife and had three sons, two of whom died. In Hebrew culture, the wife of a son who dies, is then given to the closest male relative (Strange custom for Westerners). Judah promised Shelah, his remaining son, to the widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar, but then reneged. 

Tamar, after waiting many years, wanted children. She covered her face and posed as a prostitute (Genesis 38). Judah, her father-in-law propositioned her and as a result of their union, she had twin sons, Perez, and Zerah. Perez became the ancestor of Israel’s greatest king, king David, and therefore in the line of Jesus.

DINAH

Genesis 46:13-14 includes the sons of Issachar, and Zebulun. Then in Genesis 46:15 (NLT) it says, “These were the sons of Leah and Jacob who were born in Paddan-aram, in addition to their daughter, Dinah. The number of Jacob’s descendants (male and female) through Leah was thirty-three.”

Dinah is mentioned back in Genesis 34 when she was raped by the prince of Shechem who paid a terrible price for his sin. Perhaps that’s why she is mentioned here. She is not included in the final count however. 

It may also be that Jacob had other daughters but they had married and so did not migrate to Egypt. If they did migrate, their husbands would not be included in the number of direct descendants from Jacob, anyway.

ASHER

Then in Genesis 46:16-19 the sons of Gad and Asher are included. And Ashers sister, Serah is mentioned, but we are not told why. 

JACOBS WIFE RACHEL

Then “The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.”

Only Rachel is described as “Jacob’s wife” in this list although the names of other wives are mentioned. Perhaps because Rachel was the only wife he loved. 

BENJAMIN

Then in Genesis 46:20-26 we have the sons of Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali. 

Benjamin is about 30 years old. He has ten sons. No daughters are mentioned. He is always thought of as a boy because he is the youngest in the family. He probably married young or there were some twins.

SIXTY SIX 

The total number of Jacob’s direct descendants who went with him to Egypt, not counting his sons’ wives, was sixty-six. 

SEVENTY?

Genesis 46:27 (NLT) says “In addition, Joseph had two sons who were born in Egypt. So altogether, there were seventy members of Jacob’s family in the land of Egypt.”

Back in Genesis 46:26 there are sixty six. In the next verse there are seventy. So obviously this would include Joseph and his 2 sons and then Jacob himself. 

Apparently the Midrash (Gen. Rab. 94.9), a rabbinic mode of interpretation, suggests that God Himself was intended in the count of seventy, referring back to Genesis 46:4 where God says, “I will go with you down to Egypt,…” (Genesis 46:4 NLT) (K. A. Mathews). I like that thought.

The choices Jacob makes in his life give us an invitation to explore what it would look like if we believed in the promises of God. What if we, like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, believed in the promise that one day the nations of the world would be blessed through us. Jacob continues the LINE OF FAITH that one day will lead to the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ. 

What if you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, who died for your sins? What if you gave your life to Christ and came under His authority? What if you found the purposes of God for you and your family?

Genesis 46 is not about any old genealogy. It’s about LEAVING A LEGACY OF FAITH. Later Joshua would challenge the people of Israel with the words, “… choose today whom you will serve … But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NLT)

What about you?

Pastor Ross

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NOTE TO READERS: THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS SITE DOES NOT INDICATE THE AUTHOR’S ACCEPTANCE OF OR ENDORSEMENT OF THESE AGENDAS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE NOT PLACED ON THIS SITE BY THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS SEEKING TO SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE. 

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Genesis 46:1-3 – Part 1 – JACOB AND A BRIDGE TO THE UNKNOWN

Bridge into the Unknown © Created by Ross Cochrane using NightCafe AI, Unsplash and PaintDotNet

Genesis 46:1-3 – Part 1 – JACOB AND A BRIDGE TO THE UNKNOWN

Genesis 46:1 says, “So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac.” 

Recently, my wife and I made the decision to retire. We believe it to be the right time. It will be an entirely different life. I have been in my present employment for about 14 years and many years before that in ministry. It will be a big change. God has faithfully provided for us all our lives. 

As we cross this bridge into the unknown and this new part of our lives I know that God will be with us and help us as we continue to honour Him. Like Jacob, when we set out to do anything, may it be that we call upon the Lord for guidance.  Sometimes what seems to be His will are only our desires. “Lord, help me to see beyond our desires to what You want for our lives.”

THE BRIDGE OF BEERSHEBA 

Jacob is now an old man. He knows that the land of Canaan was promised to his descendants and yet he is about to move to Egypt. He has lived in this promised land for a long time now and no doubt leaving it has given him reason to pause and reflect. 

Is Jacob remembering the story of his grandfather Abram and how he tried to pass Sarai off as his sister in Egypt and got into all kinds of trouble. 

Is he thinking of his father Isaac who was warned to stay out of Egypt during a similar time of famine. Genesis 26:1-2 (NLT) says, “A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. …The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do NOT go down to Egypt, …” 

Is he thinking about his grandfather Abraham’s vision where God says, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years … ”

He had told his sons he was going and he was already on his way. Then he arrives at Beersheba. Beersheba was a significant place for Abraham, and Isaac. Both of them worshiped God in this place. Now Jacob comes before God. Was he acting prematurely? Would he ever come home to the promised land? Was he making the right decision? Perhaps these questions were going through his mind. 

Genesis 46:1-3 (NLT) says “During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” He called.

“Here I am,” Jacob replied.

“I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.”

This is the last time the Lord speaks directly in the book of Genesis. At Beersheba, a place of worship, Jacob’s doubts were quickly dispelled. At Beersheba, God spoke to him and confirmed the Covenant made originally with Abraham. At Beersheba, he is assured that God will go with him. It gives him absolute confidence to continue walking across this bridge and to continue his journey into the unknown strange new world, where he will die.

Many through the ages have come to the Lord for the answers they have needed for their lives. The Bible assures us of His presence and guidance into all truth …

Matthew 28:20 (NLT) says “…be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:6 (NLT) says “…we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

James 1:5-7 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

Psalms 143:10 (NLT) says, “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”

THE PROMISED LAND

Many years into the future, after Jacob comes to Beersheba, Isaiah will prophesy. By this time Israel had already returned to the promised land and had become a great nation but now they were in captivity in Babylon.

Isaiah 43:1-13 (NLT) says, “1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the One who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. 

2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 

3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 

4 Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to Me. You are honored, and I love you. 

5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west. 

6 I will say to the north and south, ‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. 

7 Bring all who claim Me as their God, for I have made them for My glory. It was I who created them.’” 

8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 

9 Gather the nations together! Assemble the peoples of the world! Which of their idols has ever foretold such things? Which of their idols can predict what will happen tomorrow? Where are the witnesses of such predictions? Who can verify that they spoke the truth? 

10 “But you are My witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord. “You are My servant. You have been chosen to know Me, believe in Me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be. 

11 I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. 

12 First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God,” says the Lord. 

13 “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of My hand. No one can undo what I have done.”

HEARING FROM GOD

Sometimes it’s difficult to hear the voice of the Lord, and we need discernment more than ever. Being intentional with reading God’s Word and being open to God’s guidance in prayer gives us the answers we need. 

Prayer for Families and the New Year: “Go with me and my family, Lord, all the days of our lives. Let us fulfill the purposes for which You have created us. Thankyou for Your Word, Lord. Guide this next part of our journey into the new year and beyond. Help us to cross the bridge into the unknown, knowing Your presence and guidance. 

Lord, help us to get to know You better and recognise Your Voice. We choose to hear Your voice among all the competing voices in this crazy world. Thankyou Lord that you know us personally. “Here I am, Lord”. 

in Jesus Name, Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

I invite you continue with me on this journey of faith, as we follow Jacob to Egypt Part 2 coming soon

Pastor Ross

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NOTE TO READERS: THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS SITE DOES NOT INDICATE THE AUTHOR’S ACCEPTANCE OF OR ENDORSEMENT OF THESE AGENDAS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE NOT PLACED ON THIS SITE BY THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS SEEKING TO SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE. 

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Genesis 45 – Part 4 – ALL DRESSED UP AND SOMEWHERE TO GO

All dressed up and somewhere to go © Created by Ross Cochrane using NightCafe AI

Genesis 45 – Part 4 – ALL DRESSED UP AND SOMEWHERE TO GO

Joseph has revealed to his brothers who he was and has pointed to the hand of God in his life. K. A. Mathews writes, “By Joseph’s recollection of his life’s course in the context of his father’s God, who made promises of presence and provision, he observed the higher purpose of saving others.” 

(K. A. Mathews, Genesis 11:27–50:26, vol. 1B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005), 807-808.)

PHARAOH INVITES JACOB TO EGYPT

In Genesis 45:16-22 (NLT) it says, “The news soon reached Pharaoh’s palace: “Joseph’s brothers have arrived!” Pharaoh and his officials were all delighted to hear this.”

It seems that Joseph’s Egyptian name, Zaphenath-Paneah, was never used again. Pharaoh is OK with this. It is clear that Joseph, who saved Egypt from famine, is recognised and respected by Egypt for his Semite origin.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘This is what you must do: Load your pack animals, and hurry back to the land of Canaan. 

Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces.’”

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt to carry your little children and your wives, and bring your father here.      

This is the first time wagons are mentioned in the Bible. No doubt Jacob and his family have never used them. 

Don’t worry about your personal belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”

BLESSING OR CURSING

What a great first fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. God had already told Abraham in Genesis 12:3 (NLT) “I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU AND CURSE THOSE WHO TREAT YOU WITH CONTEMPT. ALL THE FAMILIES ON EARTH WILL BE BLESSED THROUGH YOU.”

Pharaoh seeks to bless this family, not realising anything about the Abrahamic Covenant. All he knows is that he has been blessed by Joseph. He knows that God is with Joseph. And Pharaoh and his kingdom will continue to be blessed by God.

So the sons of Jacob did as they were told. Joseph provided them with wagons, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he gave them supplies for the journey. 

And he gave each of them new clothes—but to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and 300 pieces of silver. 

His brothers had once ripped off the beautiful robe that Joseph had been wearing and sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:23). Now Joseph gives each of his brothers new clothes as they leave Egypt. Is there a subtle jab intended here? Or am I reading too much into this.   

More likely it is because the brothers, after hearing that Benjamin was to be enslaved, had torn their clothes in anguish, a sign of great distress. After Judah’s incredible speech of sacrifice, Joseph was satisfied and ceased to test them. He revealed himself as Joseph. He then gave them all new clothes, perhaps to replace those that they had torn. Is he  saying “There is no longer any place for the darkness of grief or anguish. You can rest in the light of forgiveness”?.

NEW CLOTHES

Clothing in the Bible is often used figuratively to refer to what God has done for us.

Psalms 30:11 (NLT) says, “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,” Isaiah 61:3 also speaks of “a garment of praise” instead of mourning.

Galatians 3:26-27 (NLT) says, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes.”

Concerning our relationships, Colossians 3:12 (NLT) says “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

1 Peter 5:5 (NASB) says, “…clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) says of a Godly woman, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, …”

Revelation 3:4-5 (NLT) says, “… All who are victorious will be clothed in white.” 

THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Bible also refers to a robe of righteousness which speaks of us coming into relationship with God.

Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) says, “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. ….”

The robe of righteousness speaks of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When a person trusts in Jesus as their Saviour, they are justified by faith, and they receive the righteousness of Christ. In other words, believers are seen as clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and their sins are forgiven. Instead of God seeing our sinfulness, He sees what Christ has done for us on the Cross to forgive our sins. He sees the defeat of sin and death.

We are made righteous in the sight of God, but it is not because there is anything that is good about us! It is completely and utterly due to the righteousness of Jesus Christ!

DON’T QUARREL?

Genesis 45:23-28 (NLT) says that Joseph “also sent his father ten male donkeys loaded with the finest products of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other supplies he would need on his journey.”

So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, “Don’t quarrel about all this along the way!” 

I have looked up this Hebrew word, translated here as “quarrel”. It is rarely used to describe quarreling of any kind. It is used of being anxious or troubled, to tremble, shake with fear, be disturbed. I am no Hebrew Scholar, but it seems to me that this is describing that the brothers might be thinking that once again that this is all a trick. Was this all a ruse for the final act of retaliation and revenge? 

Joseph, it seems, puts their minds and hearts at ease – “Don’t be troubled or anxious about all this…” rather than “Don’t quarrel about all this…”?

GOOD NEWS

And they left Egypt and returned to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan.

“Joseph is still alive!” they told him. “And he is governor of all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned at the news—he couldn’t believe it. 

At first Jacob does not believe them, and no doubt he has reason to doubt them. He does not have a good relationship with his sons. 

Over 20 years ago, when Jacob saw a blood stained coat, he believed that Joseph had died from an animal attack. Back in Genesis 37:35 (NLT) “His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.”

In Genesis 42:36-38 (NLT) Jacob is still mourning and blames them, “You are robbing me of my children! Joseph is gone! Simeon is gone! And now you want to take Benjamin, too. Everything is going against me!… My son will not go down with you. His brother Joseph is dead, and he is all I have left. If anything should happen to him on your journey, you would send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave.”

So to convince Jacob that Joseph was alive will take some doing. Did the brothers confess their sin to their father about what they had done to Joseph? 

But when they repeated to Jacob everything Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, their father’s spirits revived.

Then Jacob (Israel) exclaimed, “It must be true! My son Joseph is alive! I must go and see him before I die.”

(Somewhere down the line this story was written down, or passed down by word of mouth. Did Jacob write all this down? Did Judah keep a record of all this in consultation with the brothers? Did Joseph himself write down this story?)

FAMINE

Was God testing Jacob’s character by sending a famine? Was this testing related in some way to his favouritism of Joseph and Benjamin and the treatment of his sons who would one day form the tribes of Israel? We’ll never know, but he has not been called Israel for a long time and now the name Israel is used again. In any event, he was ready to get on with the purposes of God in his life. 

Psalms 105:1-23 (NLT) says, “… He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. He always stands by His covenant— the commitment He made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant He made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac. HE CONFIRMED IT TO JACOB AS A DECREE, AND TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AS A NEVER-ENDING COVENANT: “I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAND OF CANAAN AS YOUR SPECIAL POSSESSION.” HE SAID THIS WHEN THEY WERE FEW IN NUMBER, A TINY GROUP OF STRANGERS IN CANAAN. … HE WARNED KINGS ON THEIR BEHALF: “DO NOT TOUCH MY CHOSEN PEOPLE, AND DO NOT HURT MY PROPHETS.” 

He called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply. 

… He sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. 

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. He could instruct the king’s aides as he pleased and teach the king’s advisers. 

Then Israel arrived in Egypt; Jacob lived as a FOREIGNER in the land of Ham.”

What about you and me? God loves you and me and has a purpose for our lives. As we cooperate with Him we begin to see those purposes unfold. Sometimes we just can’t see it …  

Perhaps that’s why Ephesians 3:17-20 (NLT) says, “… may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Pastor Ross

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NOTE TO READERS: THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS SITE DOES NOT INDICATE THE AUTHOR’S ACCEPTANCE OF OR ENDORSEMENT OF THESE AGENDAS IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THEY ARE NOT PLACED ON THIS SITE BY THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR IS SEEKING TO SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE. 

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The Window of Christmas

This is a story about Christmas I wrote some time ago.

The Window of Christmas © Created by Ross Cochrane using NightCafe and PaintDotNet

GENESIS 45 – Part 3 – TREAT OR TRICK?

Some of Joseph’s brothers © Created by Ross Cochrane using NightCafe and PaintDotNet

GENESIS 45 – Part 3 – TREAT OR TRICK?

K. A. Matthews gives an overview of Joseph and his remarkable life. I love how beautifully he writes. 

He says… “What the dreams did not make known was that grace, love, and forgiveness—not submission enforced by power—achieved the benevolent outcome of the ruler over his subjects.  

The estranged “men” become Joseph’s “brothers” again. That “his brothers talked with him” (v. 15), when before the brothers could not speak kindly to him (37:4), portrays the mending of the family fracture. 

Yet it is not Joseph who initiates the reconciliation. Remarkably, it is Judah’s moving speech of self-sacrifice, of his love for his father and family (44:18–34), that incites Joseph to move the family beyond its pain of the past to a new beginning. 

(K. A. Mathews, Genesis 11:27–50:26, vol. 1B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005), 807-808.)

“COME DOWN!”

Joseph named his older son Manasseh, and said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family” (Genesis 41:51 NLT). Now Joseph’s only thought is to remember his father’s family and see his father again.

He says in Genesis 45:9-15 (NLT) “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! 

Joseph says “Come down” to Egypt to save his family from famine. One day God will tell Moses to “Go down” to Egypt to save His people from slavery. 

You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 

I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.’”

Then Joseph added, “Look! You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph! 

 Go tell my father of my honored position here in Egypt. Describe for him everything you have seen, and then bring my father here quickly.” 

Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. 

Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.

Did Joseph discuss everything that had happened to him in Egypt – about Potiphar and Potiphar’s wife, of his time in an Egyptian jail, of interpreting the dreams of a baker and cupbearer, of interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams? Did he introduce his wife and two sons? Did he ask questions of his brothers, about his father, about their families? We will never know. But we do know that they finally talked freely with him. 

TREAT OR TRICK?

I wonder if the brothers thought that there may be more to come. They had already been tricked by Joseph a number of times which had caused them great anxiety. Who was to say that there wasn’t something else around the corner. 

Treat or trick? Afterall, Joseph has known the severest kind of strife with his brothers. There is a history that can’t be erased. When he was young, Genesis 37:4 (NLT) says, “his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”

For now, however, they talk freely. 

FATHERS, FRICTION AND FAMILY

Sin has a way of causing rifts in families and in the Church. These rifts have a way of leading to further escalating acts of sinfulness.

That’s why 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) says, “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”

Did Jacob, their father, have a part to play in the events that have transpired? Did His favouritism of Joseph contribute to leading his other sons to become rebellious and hard-hearted? Was Jacob critical of everything they did, and critical of them, finding fault in them? In the long run, of course, they each made choices to hate Joseph. In the end, we too, make choices as to how we respond to others. 

Years ago, back in Genesis 37:18-20 (NLT) it says Joseph’s brothers … made plans to kill him. “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

They ended up throwing him down a cistern and in Genesis 37:25-28 (NLT) but “… Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? His blood would just give us a guilty conscience. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. … Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.”

The only thing that Joseph could cling onto was that the Lord was with him. When he reached Egypt and was sold to Potiphar, Genesis 39:2 (NLT) says, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did…” 

K. A. Mathews writes, “By Joseph’s recollection of his life’s course in the context of his father’s God, who made promises of presence and provision, he observed the higher purpose of saving others. 

There is not much ground for recriminations when our offenses are placed in the rising tides of God’s gracious purposes (and his example, cf. Rom 8:29; Heb 2:11–12, 17). Does this mean that Joseph indifferently dismissed their crimes? No, he will forever be “the one you sold into Egypt” (v. 4), but God’s greater purpose of preserving life supplants any thought of revenge (cf. 50:19).” What about us? Let’s choose to see life through the eyes of the Cross and God’s purposes. 

(K. A. Mathews, Genesis 11:27–50:26, vol. 1B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005), 807-808.)

Pastor Ross

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