The 10 errant sons of Jacob have finally come to the end of their trials, and they now find themselves the bearers of good news: “And they told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.’” (Genesis 45:26a NKJV)
Jacob reacted in a manner most of us could understand, given he had believed his son to be dead for the past 10+ years: “And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them.” (Genesis 45:26b NKJV). It took a bit to convince the still-grieving father, but in the end, Jacob rejoiced: “Then Israel said, ‘It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’” (Genesis 45:28 NKJV)
Emotions were surely running high, and a short way into the journey, Jacob recognized that he was running on emotions alone, and he did something that we should ALL do at ALL times: He sought God’s opinion on their trip! “So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.” (Genesis 46:1 NKJV).
Here is the beautiful part: When we seek God with all of our hearts, He answers! And He didn’t disappoint Jacob: “Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’So He said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.’” (Genesis 46:2-4 NKJV)
Jacob wasn’t just going to Egypt because he wanted to see his son, and he wasn’t going because they needed food. Now Jacob was going to Egypt because God told him to go! And he was relieved. Now he could anticipate the reunion with his long-lost son without worry as to whether or not this was the “right” thing to do!
And what a reunion it was! The Bible records, “Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.’” (Genesis 46:29-30 NKJV)
Do you find yourself facing a major decision, one that could have long-standing consequences? Are you feeling a bit insecure? Are your emotions telling you something different from your reasoning?
I was. I was contemplating having solar panels put on our house. My reasoning said it was a good thing and that the deal I was being presented with was a good deal on a good product. My emotions, however, screamed otherwise. I simply had no peace about it. So I decided to follow in Jacob’s steps: I sought God! His response? “Wait!!!” And so I pushed “reason” aside and I waited. Some time later, I was approached by a different company about going solar. Again “reason” screamed it was right, but again, my emotions were in turmoil. After all, hadn’t God just told me to “wait”? So again I followed in Jacob’s steps: I sought God in worship. This time His response was different: He told me the former company was just leading up to the one I should go with! Again, I had no peace, despite God’s response, so I continued to worship Him and seek His will. Again, God reached out to me and assured me that this was the right thing to do, and I was filled with peace to continue with this company.
No matter what it is you face, don’t rely on emotions or on reason. Follow Jacob’s example and seek God’s opinion. When you do, you can rest assured that you are doing the right thing, despite what reason and your emotions scream!
Join us next Saturday for another lesson from the life of “Teacher Joseph”!
In His love,
Lyn Chaffart
Acting Director, Author, Moderator, Answersw2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Teacher Joseph” mini-series, click here!)
