The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Genesis 42:1-2,
"When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, 'Why do you just keep looking at each other?' He continued, 'I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.'"
There was a severe famine that took place during the days of Jacob. We learn it was a famine that lasted seven years and afflicted all of Egypt, Canaan and other parts of the world. The famine was prophesied through two dreams God gave Pharaoh which were interpreted by Joseph (as God gave him the interpretation.) As Joseph interpreted the dreams for Pharaoh, he told him that God would cause the famine and that it was certain to happen, "The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon." Genesis 41:32.
As we see the famine take place and the events leading up to it, we see God doing a number of things. The first is that the famine was the vehicle God used to move Jacob and his family from Canaan to Egypt. This was an important move for the family, to facilitate the growth of the family into the great nation God promised Abraham.
We also see the famine became the context in which God would bring about a remorse from Joseph's brothers for having sold him to slave traders, "They [Joseph's brothers] said to one another, 'Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come on us.' Reuben replied, 'Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.'" Genesis 42:21-22.
Additionally, the famine was also the cause of some events that brought some much needed clarity to Jacob who had played favorites with his sons, "Their [Joseph's brothers] father Jacob said to them, 'You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!'" Genesis 42:36. Jacob cried this out as he struggled in frustration to learn an appreciation for all his sons. (I might be reading a little bit into this, but it is clear the context of the famine had its impact on Jacob regarding his sons).
Only God knows all he was accomplishing through the famine he brought during the days of Jacob. Clearly multiple objectives were achieved by God through his actions in bringing this famine. Objectives that took place in various ways and at various levels. Some larger in scope and smaller in others.
It is hard to tell what all God accomplishes in the stroke of a brush. When he makes a move it might affect one of us (and directly to us as seen/felt from our own personal perspective), and yet possibly a number of us all at one time in varying and different ways for different purposes.
In any event, I am reminded that when God moves, all kinds of objectives may be accomplished in one of his actions.
There was a severe famine that took place during the days of Jacob. We learn it was a famine that lasted seven years and afflicted all of Egypt, Canaan and other parts of the world. The famine was prophesied through two dreams God gave Pharaoh which were interpreted by Joseph (as God gave him the interpretation.) As Joseph interpreted the dreams for Pharaoh, he told him that God would cause the famine and that it was certain to happen, "The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon." Genesis 41:32.
As we see the famine take place and the events leading up to it, we see God doing a number of things. The first is that the famine was the vehicle God used to move Jacob and his family from Canaan to Egypt. This was an important move for the family, to facilitate the growth of the family into the great nation God promised Abraham.
We also see the famine became the context in which God would bring about a remorse from Joseph's brothers for having sold him to slave traders, "They [Joseph's brothers] said to one another, 'Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come on us.' Reuben replied, 'Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.'" Genesis 42:21-22.
Additionally, the famine was also the cause of some events that brought some much needed clarity to Jacob who had played favorites with his sons, "Their [Joseph's brothers] father Jacob said to them, 'You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!'" Genesis 42:36. Jacob cried this out as he struggled in frustration to learn an appreciation for all his sons. (I might be reading a little bit into this, but it is clear the context of the famine had its impact on Jacob regarding his sons).
Only God knows all he was accomplishing through the famine he brought during the days of Jacob. Clearly multiple objectives were achieved by God through his actions in bringing this famine. Objectives that took place in various ways and at various levels. Some larger in scope and smaller in others.
It is hard to tell what all God accomplishes in the stroke of a brush. When he makes a move it might affect one of us (and directly to us as seen/felt from our own personal perspective), and yet possibly a number of us all at one time in varying and different ways for different purposes.
In any event, I am reminded that when God moves, all kinds of objectives may be accomplished in one of his actions.
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!
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