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 43:1-2,
"Now the famine was still severe in the land. So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, 'Go back and buy us a little more food.'"
Jacob and his family were experiencing the hardship of a severe famine. They were so desperate that despite "losing" a brother, Simeon, during their first visit to Egypt, they are now faced with the prospect of having to return.
These are the patriarchs of God's chosen people, Israel! These are the ones who were given promises of blessing by God and yet, look at the hardship they are going through. The dialog in the chapter mirrors what we might expect to hear within families today who experience desperate times. "Why did you…?" Accusations fly, defensiveness, and an eventual shrugging of the shoulders by Jacob, "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
With the perspective of 20-20 hindsight offered us in Moses' account we can see clearly that the Lord is manipulating events in order to bring about some very important things he wants to have happen. But Jacob and his family have no idea what is going on or why.
"Now the famine was still severe in the land. So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, 'Go back and buy us a little more food.'"
Jacob and his family were experiencing the hardship of a severe famine. They were so desperate that despite "losing" a brother, Simeon, during their first visit to Egypt, they are now faced with the prospect of having to return.
These are the patriarchs of God's chosen people, Israel! These are the ones who were given promises of blessing by God and yet, look at the hardship they are going through. The dialog in the chapter mirrors what we might expect to hear within families today who experience desperate times. "Why did you…?" Accusations fly, defensiveness, and an eventual shrugging of the shoulders by Jacob, "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
With the perspective of 20-20 hindsight offered us in Moses' account we can see clearly that the Lord is manipulating events in order to bring about some very important things he wants to have happen. But Jacob and his family have no idea what is going on or why.
I am reminded that in our lives any of us face the prospect of desperate times. As we endure those times we need to be mindful that we may not know why certain events occur as they do.
During such times it is instructive to keep in mind that, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. This is because our Lord has a tremendous love for us, such that to plumb the full dimension of it becomes a life-changing experience, as Paul prays, "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
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.
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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