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The Life of Joseph – Day 29

Genesis 45:28

And Israel said, “I am convinced! My son Jospeh is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

The Thought

Understandably, Jacob’s first reaction was disbelief that Joseph was not just alive, but that he had such a high position in a foreign country and was living in luxury! We can imagine each one of the brothers repeating small anecdotes as well as the big ones about their time in Egypt, and eventually Jacob was convinced.

There is an expression often used:- “seeing is believing”. That is what happened to Jacob:- But when hesawthe carts Joseph had sent to carry everything back, Jacob’s spirit revived (verse 27).

Much later in Israel’s history, the writer of Proverbs told us Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12). That is what happened to Jacob; he gained a new lease of life!

Another proverb in the same chapter could be used to describe Joseph’s life: Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things (Proverbs 13:21). Joseph himself had done nothing wrong to be treated the way he was by his brothers, he could not be described as “a sinner” just because he related his strange dreams to them, but he was certainly rewarded with “good things”.

Action

Read Proverbs 13 again today, and consider each verse slowly. Some of them will speak to situations you know about. Be encouraged, and praise God for His word that is alive and meaningful every day of our lives.

Imagine this very numerous family preparing to emigrate! What would they discard? What would be essential? How difficult would it be for any wives who were pregnant? How long would the journey take?

Pray for anyone you know who is about to move house, or has just moved to a new area.

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