City Life Starter

Written by Blesson Selvanesan

The Word

²⁸ Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, ²⁹ Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. ³⁰ Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.” ³¹ Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. ³² The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ ³³ When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ ³⁴ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

Genesis 46:28-34 (ESV)

Interpretation

Jacob was surprised and did not believe that Joseph was still alive, but after seeing the travel arrangements and assurances from his sons, he believed. He planned to go to Egypt not only to survive the famine but also to be reunited with his son Joseph. Judah, the same brother who betrayed Joseph and sold him to the Ishmaelites and separated Jacob and Joseph is tasked to lead and unite the family.  Joseph and Jacob meet in Goshen after more than two decades. Jacob in an emotional embrace told his son that he can now die in peace. Joseph then introduced his family to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

Application

Joseph the boy with robes of many colors was thought to be dead, but he in fact was the prime minister of Egypt. Several promises are being fulfilled in this pivotal moment. Jacob thought all was lost in the world when he lost his son Joseph, but he was able to meet him face to face. God’s promise to Abraham was that his line will become many nations. By going to Egypt, they all survived and thrived fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Joseph’s dream that his family would bow down to him and he will be over all of them came to pass. Joseph as a prime minister dressed in royal robes with all his power, grandeur, and might, graciously forgave his brothers and welcomed them, and provided the best for them. The ‘dead’ Joseph came back to life with power and glory, dead dreams came back to reality, dead livelihood came back to prosperity and providence, and dead relationships were restored. This is in fact possible when we follow the will of God. Job understood this principle when he said “I know that You (God) can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” God’s hand was and is on all the events of our lives.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you can bring back what was lost and mend all our broken relationships. Give us hope every day that the best is yet to come, and we have a glorious future in You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.