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Daily Devotion: Genesis 45:9-12

Genesis 45:9-12    "Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you." 

Joseph had revealed himself to his brothers. He instructed them to be witnesses of what they had seen and heard. Knowing the distress of his father, he told them to hurry back to him to set his heart at ease. Notice he did not say Pharaoh had made him lord of all Egypt, but rather that God had done this. 

Knowing that God was with Joseph would certainly be an encouragement to his father, Israel (Jacob). Not only was Joseph alive, but Joseph had just sent Israel proof that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was still keeping His promises. He told Israel to not delay in his coming. There was a land in Egypt that was set aside for him, his family, his flocks, and all that he had. Coming to this place also held the promise of being near Joseph.

Joseph promised that he would provide for (nourish) Israel and all his family and flocks. Even though this was a glorious time of rejoicing, there were still five years of famine that had to be endured. While all was well with Joseph, that did not mean that everything was perfect in the world. In Jospeh’s instruction there was also a warning: if they did not come, they would find themselves in ruin (poverty).

Joseph reminded his brothers that they had now seen his face and knew who he was. They had heard his voice, seen him speak, and knew that his word was true. It was time for them to go home to their families and friends and tell them of the great things Joseph was doing for them. The return trip to gather their families and their belongings had to have been one made with wonder and great joy.

When Jesus reveals Himself to us, we need to share that with those around us. He has made us a special place to dwell where we will be near Him. This does not imply that things will suddenly be perfect (there was still more famine ahead of them than behind). It does, however, fill us with hope and peace that we have one who is Lord over this world, and His deliverance is sure. He will nourish us and deliver us from ruin while we dwell in the land that He has prepared for us here.

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