By Our Love

Genesis 47

Joseph not only got reunited with his family in chapter 46 but we also now get to see Joseph taking care of the family. What great character Joseph had to not only meet his family again but also he is taking them in because of the family. He could have said, “I am done with you all.” “If you die because of lack of food, that’s not my fault.” He could have said numerous things out of revenge towards his brothers but didn’t. The brothers go before Pharaoh and basically thank him for letting them live in Goshen and they are protected from the famine, Pharaoh’s asked, “What do you do for a living.” They responded, “We take care of animals and we can take care of yours too.” Pharaoh did not laugh at them but said, “Cool deal” They have a job and a place to stay and food to eat, how great or what? Jacob and his sons were indebted to Pharaoh in his generosity but Pharaoh was indebted to Joseph for God’s wisdom being poured out on him. 

The famine was bad…

The famine was getting really bad in all of the land that people not only wanted food but needed food. Joseph was so smart that he saved plenty of food to last these seven years of famine that people were coming from all over to get food. They would give their money in exchange for grain. Since everyone gave Egypt all their money now they were giving all their animals and all their stuff. Egypt was getting wealthy. Not Egypt but Pharaoh was receiving everyone’s land. What they had to do was give Pharaoh a fifth of the harvest that they would grow from the seed they received from Joseph. This was how Joseph and his family were able to eat. God took care of them. I personally think it was because God blessed Pharaoh because he heeded the advice of Joseph and this was God’s plan. The family of Israel was growing and Jacob lived to be 147 years old.  

By our love- 

 I am reminded of love throughout the story of Joseph but not just any love an Agape (unconditional, no strings attached) type of love. Joseph demonstrates it on his cruel, undeserving brothers. He had true love on them. I know I have said this in the past blogs but I could not help but to say, “I would have had to vent somehow by yelling at them, or ask why, or something.” He never did.  John 13:35 tells us, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” True love is denying yourself even when you have been wronged and someone needs to pay for it. I know this is always a hard thing to grasp because I always have to remind myself. The price has already been paid by Jesus on the cross. He loves me, a wretched sinner, saved by Grace. He loves you. I challenge you to share that love by how you are to those who have wronged you. I challenge you to show forgiveness. I challenge you to even go out of your way for those people so they may know God by our love.