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Reliance on God brings blessings
The divine plan unfolds one event at a time. The individuals that are used in the development of the eternal plan are those whom most people might not have chosen. These unlikely ones are often those who are able to see their limitations, yet rely upon God, rather than natural ability. The man, Joseph - against all odds - became second to Pharaoh. Genesis 41:39-43. This son of Jacob, who was despised by his brothers (Genesis 37:5,11), was given the responsibility of gathering grain from over the whole land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty, so that food would be available during the coming seven years of famine (Genesis 41:46-48, 54-56). When the former slaveprisoner was placed in the governmental position, he was given a wife of the upper level of society. Genesis 41:50. This marriage produced two sons. The oldest was Manasseh, the youngest was Ephraim. Genesis 41:51,52. During the famine, Jacob sent 10 of his sons into Egypt to buy grain. Genesis 42:1-3. When these men made their second trip into this land of plenty, Joseph made his identity known to his brothers. Genesis 45:1- 3a. Naturally, these men were disturbed at this revelation. Genesis 45:3b. Finally, he was able to convince his captors (Genesis 37:18-28) that he was the one whom they had sold. Genesis 45:4. The attitude of Joseph toward all the events of his life was expressed in a directive that he gave to his guests. "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life ... And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." Genesis 45:5,7. Joseph sent for his father. Genesis 45:9. Upon hearing of his lost son, "Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not." Genesis 45:26c. Finally, the patriarch was convinced of the fact. Genesis 45:27,28. The trip into Egypt included a stop at Beersheba, where Jacob offered sacrifices to God. Genesis 46:1. During the night, this man heard from God. "And he said, I am God, the God of thy father; fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation; I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again; and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes." Genesis 46:3,4. The record listed the names of the family members who made the journey into Egypt. Genesis 46:8-25. There were 66 people in the group. To this number must be added Joseph, his wife, and two sons, so that the total family number is 70. Genesis 46:27. The area of Egypt selected by Joseph for his family was the land of Goshen. Genesis 45:10. When the caravan arrived in Egypt, Jacob sent "Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen." Genesis 46:28. Naturally, there was a highly emotional meeting between Jacob and his lost son. Genesis 46:29,30. After this reunion, Joseph arranged for five of his brothers to meet with Pharaoh. Genesis 46:31, 47:2-4. Jacob was, also, brought before Pharaoh. Genesis 47:7. The patriarch was now 130 years old. Genesis 47:9. We are told that "Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh." Genesis 47:10. Thus, the family was now safely and securely placed in a land that would sustain them and their cattle - in the area of the delta of the Nile River. As pleasant as the circumstances must have been for Jacob, he knew that he would not live forever. He received a promise from Joseph that the patriarch would not be buried in Egypt (Genesis 47:29), "But I will lie with my fathers ... and bury me in their burying place (Genesis 47:30a,c). Before his death, Israel saw the need of getting his house in order. Joseph received the message that his father was sick. Genesis 48:1. The ruler-son carried his two sons before their grandfather in order that they might receive a portion of the family blessing. Joseph was to receive two portions of this blessings through his two sons. The greatest of his portion was to be the inheritance of the eldest. When Joseph presented his sons before the patriarch, the positions were such that Manasseh would receive the larger part. However, Jacob crossed his hands, "And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraims head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manaseh was the firstborn." Genesis 48:14. The blessing was pronounced. Genesis 48:15-18. It was, then, that Joseph took note of the actions of his father. "And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him." Genesis 48:17. He, then, expressed his displeasure. Genesis 48:18. "And his father refused, and said, I know, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people; and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Genesis 48:19. The blessing concluded, "In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim, and as Manasseh; and he set Ephraim before Manasseh." Genesis 48:20. Jacob called all of his sons together in order that each would receive a personal blessing. He began with his eldest, Reuben. Genesis 49:3. As he had a family roll call, some of the blessings seem to have a greater significance than do others. However, we view the statements from the perspective of history, while these individuals had to live out their lives in order to find the importance of each promise. Since we know the rest of the story, our focus in this list turns more readily to the son, Judah. Jacob said, "... Thou are he whom thy brethren shall praise...thy father's children shall bow down before thee ... The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." Genesis 49:8,10. We know that the ultimate fulfillment of this prophetic statement came when God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to be the savior of the world. Thus, we are, today, reaping the benefits of this promise made centuries ago. However, if this promise is to be personal, you must accept the forgiveness for sin that is needed by all mankind. Romans 3:23.
This acceptance is based only, on he fact of the blood of Jesus Christ can can sin. 1 John 1:7,9. This act is based, completely on faith. Acts 16:31. This needed faith comes as a gift from God. Ephesians 2:9,10. Then, the verbal witness of this fact is necessary. Romans 10:9,10. Please accept this divine provision today.
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