An Embrace

O.T. #101  "An Embrace"
August 7, 2013
Genesis 46-Part 2
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him, and he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.
Genesis 46:29

LET IT GLOW

They moved on. They got in their wagons, on their donkeys, put their shoes on and moved on. Remember there had been an ongoing famine for two years. Joseph and his family were purchasing their food from Egypt, from Joseph the long lost son of Jacob, which was called Israel. Here come the caravan, not a U Haul, of Joseph's family, which he had not seen in 22 years. This included his father and all his nephews and nieces, and wives of his brothers. Perhaps Joseph could see the cloud of dust at a distance as the wagons rolled on. Jacob sent Judah ahead of them for directions to their new home, the land of Goshen.

Here we are-land of Goshen. Joseph jumped in his chariot and drove lickedy split straight to his father.
What a tender moment! Verse 29 says that Joseph fell on his father's neck and wept on his neck a good while. Yes indeed! Take all the time you need guys. We'll wait. Can you see them in your mind?

It was in November of 1986 when I was last greeted by Dad with a hug on the porch. How precious are those memories of long ago. Then in January, Mom called informing me of Dad's sudden death. I had a 6 hours drive to get home to my family. It wasn't Dad that met me on the porch with a hug that day. It was my brother. We wept on each other's neck. No words were needed, just the embrace. While Dad was joyfully embracing His Savior, I was embracing sorrow.

Joseph's embrace with his father was different from mine. It was one of joy. Who knows how long it lasted, nor does it matter. Jacob said, "Thou art yet alive."

Then, Jacob was ready to die; he was completely satisfied, nothing else remained as a desire. (Falwell)
 He had lived 22 years for the day he could embrace his son again. And then it finally happened. Jacob actually lived 17 more years after this occurred.

Jesus is alive! Can you imagine the joy we will feel when we finally get to embrace the One who died for us? I can only imagine! Are you ready to meet Him, friend?

Do you have an embrace that is forever in your mind?

LET IT GROW

The MacArthur Bible Commentary says:

Joseph's instructions about his preparatory interview with Pharaoh were designed to secure his relatives a place somewhat separate from the mainstream of Egyptian society. The social stigma regarding the Hebrews, who were shepherds also, played a crucial role in protecting Israel from intermingling and losing their identity in Egypt.

So when Pharaoh asks what their occupation was, the answer was not shepherd, but herdsmen of cattle. Shepherds were detestable to the Egyptians. Joseph knew the culture in which he had lived some 22 years. He knew what was acceptable and unacceptable.

Is Jesus your Good Shepherd, as in John 10:14?


LET IT GO

Move on, leaving the past behind.

Go on with Jesus. Embrace Him and His teachings.

Trust Him to provide.

Allow Jesus to be my Good Shepherd.