January 16, 2023 - Genesis 47-50

Jacob and his entire family arrive in Egypt, and Jacob has a meeting with the pharaoh. With the pharaoh’s approval, “Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded” (47:11). We might respond, “Well, how ‘bout that! The best of the land!” The apostle Paul closes his prayer for his readers: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). And, of course, this appointment to the best of the land must be considered in tandem with Joseph’s declaration to his brothers: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (50:20). And what about the promise of Matthew 6 in which Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow because God cares for us and will provide!

O God of Bethel, by whose hand

thy people still are fed,

who through this weary pilgrimage

hast all our fathers led.

Through each perplexing path of life

our wandering footsteps guide;

give us each day our daily bread,

and raiment fit provide.

O spread thy covering wings around

till all our wanderings cease,

and at our Father's loved abode

our souls arrive in peace. -- Philip Doddridge (1736)