V 1- 5 – It happens just like Joseph had said. Pharaoh asks Joseph’s brothers’ exactly what Joseph had explained, and they replied how Joseph had told them to. And Pharaoh indeed allows them to live in the land of Goshen.
We have first to remember that all this is God’s plan. It’s God’s purpose being fulfilled, but personally, I also see how God causes everything to fall into place through Joseph. Joseph is the Lord’s servant in all this. All of God’s plan for the young Israelite “nation” is hinged upon Joseph’s life. God leads Joseph to understand the times and seasons, and He even understands the words that must be used to reply to Pharaoh’s questions whenever He asks anything.
God’s plan and purpose will be fulfilled in our lives. So that He can provide for us, He will cause other people and us around us to know what to say, how to act, where to go, and even how to answer questions… just like how He does this for Jacob and his family at this time.
For me, this is very reassuring. God’s got the details. God does the “heavy lifting.” In fact, in all life situations, God does the heaviest work. Our part is so small. The burden He gives is so small. He asks that we trust in Him, we walk with Him. We love Him and make Him the absolute center of our lives.
This is what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Jacob does this. A small example – After reaching Beersheba on his way to Egypt, in Genesis 46, Jacob stops there and offers sacrifices to God. And look, God speaks to him and assures him that the decision to go down to Egypt is his will.
What is the posture of your heart? Do you completely trust Him? Do you feel the Lord leading you in all your daily activities? Remember, God is not quiet. If you don’t hear him leading you, then you need to go deeper. Take this time to evaluate your walk with the Lord. Have you surrendered everything? Are you walking according to His word? Do you spend quality time with the Lord every day in his word, meditation and prayer?
V 7 – 10 – Jacob is a blesser. He carefully blesses the people God uses to provide for His needs. In this case, He blessed Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.
When the Lord uses something or somebody to provide for your need, remember to bless. Pray for these people and bless them. Because in your heart, you understand that, indeed, it’s the Lord who has provided for you, but there is a person who he has used to do this. Let your heart rejoice and be very thankful that God cares for you, and also, thank God for choosing and using that person/organization/hiring manager etc etc….to meet that need. Pray for their life and, most importantly, pray that they would personally grow into a deep relationship with Jesus.
V 11 – 12 – God gives us all we need. He gives Jacob and his family food according to the number of our dependents and shelter by settling them in the region of Rameses. Blessed be God in the Highest, who provides for our every need. Look at what
Hebrews 13:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT) says:
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”