I’m continuing on in the Good Morning Girls project of reading/journaling through the Bible. We are getting close to the end of Genesis, a book I’ve read before, full of stories I’ve heard my entire life, and it’s so cool when something obvious takes on a new meaning.
Today, in Genesis 43:26 we read “When Jacob came home, they {his brothers} presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.”
I knew the story of Joseph and his brothers. His dad favored him over the others in very obvious ways. When Joseph had 2 dreams that revealed his family would one day bow down to him (Gen 37), the brothers became furious. They plotted against him and sold him into slavery, telling their father he was attacked and killed by a wild animal.
Fast forward through many years of slavery and imprisonment for Joseph. His ability to interpret dreams eventually lands him the most coveted job in Pharaoh’s kingdom. A famine is raging throughout the land and his brothers end up coming to Egypt in hopes of buying grain. Next thing they know, they are face to face with their long “lost” brother.
Guilt, heartache, joy, regret, forgiveness, and restoration surround them all. It becomes clear that what the brothers intended for harm, God was able to work for the good of His people. The new Israelites will survive the famine, thanks to Joseph and his position in the kingdom.
God was in control all along. God is in control now. I too had dreams about my future that I questioned when we moved to Florida. Was I wrong about what I thought God wanted me to do? Did I misunderstand? What am I supposed to do now? Through the life of Joseph, I understand that I am only asked to obey each day. He remained faithful to God during the trials and it brought great rewards. He was right about his dreams all along. I believe my dreams will come to fruition as well. In the meantime, I will do what He calls me to do in the small stuff and be thankful He’s not asking me to “wait it out” in a desert prison cell!
