Genesis 46:31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me.
I’m pretty confident that Joseph would not have chosen to be sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt, but had Joseph’s brothers not sold him into slavery, the entire family would have died in this famine, Joseph included. This seems to me an illustration of Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him….”
Genesis 46:32 The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’
I have seen it in my own life, too. There were things that I really wanted (or really didn’t want) that did not work out the way that I hoped or planned, and yet, God has given me a beautiful life with a family I love, a fulfilling career, and friends I wouldn’t trade for anything. He worked it all out for my good. I have tried to give Him the glory.
Genesis 46:33-34a When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’
Precious Savior, Thank You, once again, for the reminder that Your thoughts are nothing like my thoughts, and Your ways far beyond anything I can imagine (Is 55:8). When life doesn’t go the way I plan, help me to process and keep going, knowing that You can and will and do work all things to our good and Your glory. Amen.
Genesis 46:34b Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
Have a blessed day.