Genesis 47:1 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.”
Now is the time when I hit (yet again) the “Are we *still* talking about Joseph?” point of the story. It feels like we have been talking about Joseph and his brothers for a very, very long time. And yet, we are still here. There must be a reason.
Genesis 47:2 He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.
There has been more than once in my career where I was so miserable with the way things were that I prayed, “God, Open a door, any door, and I will walk through it. Clearly this is not where You want me.” And yet, no other doors opened, so I remained where I was. Sometimes, God says wait.
Genesis 47:3 Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?” “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.”
Precious Savior, It’s hard to be in a season of waiting. It’s tedious and boring and incredibly frustrating. And yet, just like Joseph and his brothers, sometimes that is exactly where You need us. Help us to remember always that You are with us in the waiting. Give us strength and hope as we wait. Amen.
Genesis 47:4 They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.”
Have a blessed day.