The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Genesis 47:1,
"Joseph went and told Pharaoh, 'My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.'"
In chapter 46 the Lord tells Jacob to go down to Egypt. From this verse in chapter 47 we see that Jacob packed up everything, "lock stock and barrel." With all of his faults, Jacob was a man of faith, of great faith. God said go and go he went!
"Joseph went and told Pharaoh, 'My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.'"
In chapter 46 the Lord tells Jacob to go down to Egypt. From this verse in chapter 47 we see that Jacob packed up everything, "lock stock and barrel." With all of his faults, Jacob was a man of faith, of great faith. God said go and go he went!
To me Jacob exemplifies all people of great faith. They all have their faults but they express their faith through the actions they take. As the account provides, Jacob is already en route to Egypt when God speaks to him about going, but clearly Jacob is taking the direction God wants him to take. Rather than arranging for periodic supplies of grain from Egypt to sustain his household in Canaan during the famine, Jacob heads to Egypt where God will make a great nation of him.
My perspective is not that these men of faith had special qualities about them, but that they had a special view of our wonderful God. Our faith is inspired by God himself because of who he is, what he is like and the wonderful things he does. His acts of kindness, mercy and love demonstrate his unique heart and the respect and reverence he engenders within us comes from his holiness, righteousness and justice.
Men and women of faith are moved to do great things for God – not because of something special about themselves but because of something special about God himself!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
My perspective is not that these men of faith had special qualities about them, but that they had a special view of our wonderful God. Our faith is inspired by God himself because of who he is, what he is like and the wonderful things he does. His acts of kindness, mercy and love demonstrate his unique heart and the respect and reverence he engenders within us comes from his holiness, righteousness and justice.
Men and women of faith are moved to do great things for God – not because of something special about themselves but because of something special about God himself!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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