Genesis 45: 16-28
Joseph was finally satisfied that his brothers had grown enough to accept their father's love for Benjamin, and to realize that Jacob did love all of his sons, but in different ways. As all parents do.
Then when he finally came to the point of honestly revealing to them who he really was, the release of all the pent-up passion that Joseph had for his brothers came out in such a flood of emotion, that the whole neighborhood around Joseph's house could hear it.
And now that Joseph has revealed himself, his personal servants didn't have to keep it a secret any more, and could tell Pharaoh's servants, too, who informed the king.
(16) When the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
Since Joseph is so much loved and highly regarded by Pharaoh and his servants, they were glad for him to have his brothers come.
(17) Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, (18) and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.'
Now Pharaoh himself is telling Joseph to do what Joseph wanted to do with his family, to bring them all to Egypt, so they would no longer be estranged from him.
(19) "Now you are ordered, 'Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father and come. (20) Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.'"
So the Pharaoh is doing his thing and giving orders, telling his servants to provide these things; and telling Joseph to tell his brothers that he'll give them everything they need, so pack light.
(21) Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. (22) To each of them he gave changes of garments, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. (23) To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and sustenance for his father on the journey. (24) So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, "Do not quarrel on the journey."
So Joseph gave them all the proof they will need to convince their father, and, knowing his brothers, cautioned them to not quarrel on the journey! He knew that their mothers quarreled and the boys learned that from them.
(25) Then they went up from Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. (26) They told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." But he was stunned, for he did not believe them.
This is quite a development after decades believing Joseph is dead, no wonder he's incredulous. This is why Joseph sent so much with them. To convince him that not only is he alive, but he is the lord of Egypt they've been dealing with.
(27) When they told him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.
Jacob is experiencing all the depression and doubt of decades falling away! He finally has hope again, and grows tremendously in his faith and trust in the God he's been holding on to all his life.
(28) Then Israel said, "It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."
Jacob is now more Israel as he trusts God more, and decides to take action on this new information he believes is true.
God told Jacob, the Deceiver, that he was a Prince with God, when he was on his way back from Padan-Aram to Canaan with eleven of his twelve sons, when they were still small (Genesis 32: 28). And he has been struggling for so many years to accept that concept.
Now he is finally realizing the full impact of how God has seen him already, and is now taking action to move on this increased faith.
So it looks like they will be moving from Canaan to Egypt.
O my Father, You will move Heaven and Earth to grow Your children. You took all the time that Jacob needed, even to sustaining his life and health into extreme old age. Nothing is impossible with You.
My Father, I know Your love for me is just as real and practical as Your love for Jacob/Israel. You know each of us individually, and You love us each as You made us. You know that we all need to grow up in our faith, and You give each of us all the time we need to grow. So, Father, help me not to waste any of the time You are giving to me, so that I will grow into the mature Woman of God You made me to be, and grant me to have a godly influence on my children and grandchildren, as my flesh has gotten in my way so often.
O Father, grow all Your children up in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, until we all together reach the full stature of the Body of Christ, as His body parts. Complete Your heavenly Temple of which we are the living stones.
Send out all Your children, Father, to reach every living person in the world; that they may all understand how You love us all, and have already sent Your Son to be our Savior, meeting all of our most fundamental needs, and all the peripheral needs, too. You have given us abundant life, to enjoy both here and forever. Please bring all Your babies to the birth into Your family, and grow us all up to be Your sons and daughters, to inherit all the glory and blessings of Your abundance.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, forever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
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