July 18 - Genesis 46:28-34

July 18 - Genesis 46:28-34

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https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whengodwhispers/episodes/July-18--Genesis-4628-34-e270ao4

Heavenly Father, this story is so amazing and sweet, and I can only imagine the thrill Jacob felt at seeing his son, not only alive and well, but thriving as the leader of all of Egypt with only Pharoah above him.  There were so many years that Jacob lived with the loss of his son believing him to be dead, but You allowed him to live long enough to see this miracle and know his family would be okay.  How gracious You were to Jacob, and how gracious You are to us today to love us, care for us, heal us, comfort us, and most of all, forgive us.  Thank You, Father for all You do for us.  Give me wisdom to see Your mighty works and give me courage to share them with the world.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen!

 

Again, we see Joseph blessed with wisdom. He knew exactly what his brothers should say to Pharoah when questioned about their occupation. The Egyptians had a great distaste for shepherds. This distaste for shepherds would allow the family of Jacob to live apart from the Egyptians. This separation would allow the family to maintain their religious beliefs and practices. They would not be immersed in the Egyptian culture and pagan religious practices.

Have you thought about how you live your life and the need for distinctions in your lifestyle so that you, too, would be set apart?

What things of the world do you allow into your life that maybe you should turn away?

Genesis 46:28-34

²⁸ He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. ²⁹ Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. ³⁰ Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.” ³¹ Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. ³² And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ ³³ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ ³⁴ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”