A Father's Love?

Gen 48
On goes the adventure for Joseph and for the Lord's people. As we come to the end of Jacob's days we see the passing of the baton. To stay with the theme of looking at the minor's, I was struck with the "who" of the blessing and the response of Joseph. Jacob pulls Joe's boys into being his own, according to the plan of God (v. 5). Now it's time for the blessing and of course Joseph is sure to put the older on the right of his dad and the younger to the left (13). But, now the ever surprising work of God unfolds. Jacob crosses his arms to lay the primary blessing on the younger - Ephraim (14). Now for the father's love - Joseph is "displeased" (17) and tries to correct the situation (18). But father knows best and assures Joseph that all is right. Right? How can it be right? The blessing has gone to the younger, not the older.

We can only conjecture, but was Joseph so concerned because of his own experiences? He was the loved one and the blessed one by Jacob, so many years ago. Joseph had lived out the consequences of that. And though he had seen the good hand of God and understood how it was God's work, it seems the heart of a father is seen here as he reflects back and looks forward and sees the blessing going to the younger. Perhaps Joseph thought, "Will he have to suffer as I have?"

How am I doing? As some know, we have some unexpected blessings with our son, but even if we didn't. What a reminder to not assume I know the best for him when I see things I don't think are right. Alas, I must rest in the Sovereign and know that as He works and moves, it is all perfect and the absolute best... even if it causes pain. On we go - what can we say, but "bring it!"

The Plot Thickeneth...

Gen 47:
So, the family is gathering and the usual lessons are continuing. On the minor lessons though, things continue to get more interesting... albeit unexpectedly.
Gen 46 ends with, "for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians." Why did the Lord include this? His sovereign hand using every situation and even every wrinkle of every situation continues to provide marvel and amazement. Here's the slave turned jailbird turned sovereign (not in the capital sense), Joseph, who is entrusted with caring for no minor affair - the country. His family shows up (the major lesson of God's sovereign care) and now we are introduced to one of the lessons for Pharaoh and his nation. This man who has been put in charge not only has the amazing background we all know, but comes from a family of shepherds. The Egyptians now know that they are reporting to one who is not only not one of them, not only a former slave and so much more, but he is from a family of the worst type - shepherds. Now the excellence of the hand of the Lord on this young man Joseph becomes even more apparent. It didn't even seem to matter that the fam was from this most loathsome of occupations. Oh the lessons... I must mention just a bit - obviously the background doesn't matter, but the work of God does. We don't have to be able to name drop, or come from certain stock. We have to serve the Lord, follow Him fully, rest in His sovereignty and allow Him to make of us what He will. I have much more, but it's probably best for us to ponder the principles...

Gen 45 - How's Your Serve?

Joseph sees the purposes of the Lord and expresses the rock solid trust in the Lord that provides us a main lesson of Joseph. However, I was struck today by the service of Joseph. How does the employee know when he has done his job with excellence - he is recognized. How do we know Joseph served the Lord with his whole heart? He served Pharaoh with all he had. How do we know Pharaoh was pleased? Vv. 16-20 - Pharaoh would give the best of Egypt to the family of his servant. I wonder, how is my service...