He is Alive

DEVOTION

GENESIS

HE IS ALIVE

Gen 45:16-28

16 When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.' 19 "You are also directed to tell them, 'Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'" 21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!" 25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

NIV

The story of deliverance continues but was even a more likeness to Jesus then we could have imagined. Joseph’s situation arrives to the ears of Pharaoh and he is pleased that Joseph’s brothers have come to Egypt for food. He is pleased that Joseph family, his father his still living and commands that Joseph provide the best for them. He commands provisions for their journey to retrieve the rest of the family and bring all of them back into the best land in Egypt. When the brothers arrive back at the family encampment and tell their father that Joseph is alive, at first he does not believe them. However after seeing all the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, his spirit was revived. He believed he was dead, and now he believes he is alive. This is the same story about Jesus. His disciples believed he was dead, and they were so saddened, afraid, alone and despondent, much like Jacob was over the death of his Joseph. But Jesus rose from the dead, and at first they did not believe, but after seeing him, their spirits were revived. The Pharaoh commanded Joseph provide everything for their journey. The father commanded Jesus to provide everything for our journey. First for our journey from the city of sin and darkness into the city of light and love. Then for our journey from the corruptible to the incorruptible, the perishable to the imperishable, from the grave to heaven. Joseph provided all they needed for their journey to the best Egypt had to offer. Jesus has provided all we need for our journey to the best heaven has to offer, the new city of Jerusalem. Before we knew Jesus, our spirits were as good as dead. Our spirit was not only depressed, it was oppressed by darkness itself. But when Jesus found us, our spirit was revived. He is alive. We might even get to go see him before we die. But even if that is not to be, we will still go see him when we do die. So either way, as Jacob will go see Joseph, we will go see Jesus. He is alive.