Genesis 47:1 – 12 “So Joseph went and told Pharaoh: “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.” And he chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh. “What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.” Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to you, the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They may dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any talented men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.”
Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. “How many years have you lived?” Pharaoh asked. “My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from his presence.
So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.”
The story of Jacob and his sons is a story about many people who just couldn’t stop making problems for themselves! Jacob spent years away from his family because he twisted and manipulated. During those years, Jacob suffered a great deal, all because of his own actions. Jacob’s sons were no better! Having sold a bratty younger brother into slavery, the rest of the sons spent years watching their father behave as though he had lost everything and as though they counted for nothing. And at night their consciences might have kept them awake, tormenting them as to the evil of their actions. All of this suffering took place due to a cycle of manipulations, unforgiveness, a desire for revenge, more evil, and more unforgiveness.
Joseph broke that cycle by forgiving his brothers. Those long nights in prison had given Joseph plenty of time to think about what a mouthy youngster he had been and how he had hurt his older brothers. In the stillness, God was speaking to Joseph’s heart, changing Joseph and making him into a man He, God, could use.
When we forgive, wonderful things can happen. Just as holding grudges can be contagious, so gratitude and forgiveness can also be contagious as well. And here we see a graphic demonstration of the results.
Jacob and all his family have made it safely to Egypt and Pharaoh has given them the best part of the grazing land for their livestock. Pharaoh also is offering to employ Joseph’s brothers to supervise his livestock as well. The family has been saved and now has the opportunity to grow and expand.
APPLICATION: Have there been times in your life when you knew that God was blessing you in an unusual way? Have there been other times when you have looked back to realize that God tried to bless you but that you blocked the blessings? So many times we think we know best; meanwhile, we are just making more messes for ourselves!
Many times we want to blame God for our problems when we are the source of the trouble in the first place. Ask God to show you if there are any attitudes that you have picked up from your family, your friends, or perhaps from associates at work that have warped your thinking, leaving you unwilling to forgive others or to be thankful for the blessings God has already given you.
PRAYER: Father God, help us to search our hearts. Open our eyes to see the many blessings you have already given us and the ways we have blocked other blessings. Show us if there is anyone whom we need to forgive or anyone from whom we need to seek forgiveness. In the mighty name of King Jesus. Amen.
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