August 8, 2013
Genesis 47-Part 1
Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. Genesis 47:1
LET IT GLOW
What a difference one day can make. My hometown is normally a quiet little town. You can hear the train going by, a few sirens now and then. Not much traffic is down town and one can count on their hands the people walking on the sidewalks. This particular day was different. As we pulled into town, state, county, and city police were around, the fire trucks were out of their station and on Main Street, as well as newspaper and television cameras.The highway into town and the streets to the church were lined with American flags. In two days, my little hometown had changed. When I came into town, on the afternoon of Ben's funeral, local people lined the streets waving USA flags.
Ben was a local guy, only 19 years old, an active Marine when he died. He graduated year before last from our local school. He had worked on a milk farm in the area. He was a member of my little country church and had been a part of our youth group. Yet, his life was taken from him while Ben served his country. That meant something to the locals. He was a hero. Though people would ask, "Ben who?" he was loved by his family, classmates, and church family. What a difference one day can make.
Can you imagine the extra noise in the Egyptian city when Jacob and his family pulled into town? (On wagons, that is.) Parking spots were all taken, places to eat were full, stores were crowded, supplies ran out, entrances to the palace were blocked, children crying and stinky animals pooping on the walkways. (Maybe that's a little too modern.)You name it. New problems and inconveniences to the citizens were about to pop up. How would they handle it?
Joseph met with Pharaoh. The second in command met with the king of this large nation. Apparently, the king was interested in Joseph's family, and who was new in town. So Joseph took 5 of his brothers and his father, Jacob to converse with the head honcho. Wouldn't that have been quiet a thing?
The day before Ben's funeral, the mayor met with several people involved with the funeral. We had gotten wind that the group that often protests at military funerals was headed our way. Local officials of the town and those involved with the funeral were informed of procedures so big problems could be prevented in our little town. As it turned out, all went smoothly and nothing out of the ordinary happened. Thank the Lord for that! The local newspaper had several pages featuring Ben's recognized departure. The tv station covered it, also.
There was 66 of Jacob's clan, which increased to 70 as Joseph's family grew. Over 400 years in Egypt, the population rose to over 2 million. Though there were no cameras that day when Jacob and his family came into town, they did meet with the king.
Are you ready to meet with the king, which is King Jesus? One day we all will stand before Him. Are you prepared?
LET IT GROW
Joseph had already met with Pharaoh and got permission for his family to move into Goshen. Now that they arrived, Joseph and five of them met with Pharaoh, then he brought his father.
Pharaoh asked them two questions:
- What is your occupation? They answered, "Shepherds. We came here for a while because the famine in Canaan is severe and there is no pasture for our flocks. Please let your servants settle in Goshen." Pharaoh's answer was for Joseph to settle his father and brothers the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. Let them live in Goshen. If any among them were competent men, chief herdsmen, put them in charge of Pharaoh's livestock. (They also had cattle.)
- How old are you? Joseph presented his father, Jacob, to Pharaoh. Jacob answered Pharaoh that he was 130 years old; then he blessed Pharaoh and left. Joseph settled the family into Goshen and provided them with food.
LET IT GO
Be prepared to meet King Jesus one day.
Use my abilities for the glory of God.
Daily thank God for all He gives me and my family.
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