Genesis 45 & 46: Will God Save You?
Verse of the Day: (45:7) And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
1. Save (45:1-15)
So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. (45:8)
Joseph finally revealed to his brothers who he was and assured them that he had already forgiven them of their wicked deeds of casting him to the pit, and then selling him to the Ishmeelites, as he knew now that God was in control of everything. Indeed, all things including bad things, work together for good to them who loves God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). From man’s perspective, Joseph had a bad deal, but from God’s perspective, he had a good deal. Without Joseph being in the pit, and then in prison, he would not have been called to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams at his palace, and subsequently became the most powerful ruler, next to Pharaoh, to save not only the Egyptians, but the world, including his father, brothers and their families from starvation!
2. Silver (45:16-28)
To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. (45:22)
Joseph demonstrated his great love and generosity for Benjamin, his younger brother from the same mother, Rachel, as he gave him three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of raiment, while he only gave the rest of his half-brothers changes of raiment.
3. Shepherds (46:1-34)
That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. (46:34)
The Egyptians hated the shepherds as they were associated with the people of Israel, and in particular with the God of Israel, who was often referred to the great Shepherd who led Israel. (Psalms 80:1). This was why Joseph told his brothers to introduce themselves to the Egyptians as traders of cattle, instead of shepherds. As a result of Joseph’s wisdom in interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams as well as saving Egypt and the rest of the world from starvation, Pharaoh rewarded Joseph by giving him and his family all the cattle and sheep and vast amount of pasture land. Indeed, it is not just how well we start, but how well we finish our Christian race. Like Joseph, let us keep on looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, and despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2).
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for saving me from fiery hell to Your home in heaven.
