Provision for the Journey

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

PROVISION FOR THE JOURNEY

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

Although this is a story about the natural events surrounding Joseph making provisions through the blessings of Pharoah to bring his father and all the family into the best of Egypt, there is a story of a higher purpose. Pharoah was pleased that Joseph's family was well, and he wanted them to come to Egypt and he would give them the best of the land so they could enjoy the fat of the land. Pharoah represents the Father and Joseph shows us the part of the Son. The Father tells the Son to make provisions to bring the family to the best part of the kingdom of God, so they can enjoy the fat of the land. This is our story. We were once living in a land full of famine, starving, and without food, we would die. The Father sent Jesus to feed us, himself, the very bread of life. He came to make provisions for us to go to the land of plenty, the Kingdom of God. Just as the brothers told Jacob, “Joseph is still alive”, we can say, “He is alive, Death is defeated, Sin has retreaded, From the power of the Son and He is alive. The enemy is faded, The battle still rages, But the war has be won, Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive”. He has been sent to bring us back to the kingdom of heaven and give us the fat of the land. We have all we need for the journey because we have Jesus. Although Pharoah told Joseph to send carts and donkeys loaded with earthy goods for their journey to Egypt, we will not need anything of this world for our journey to our heavenly home. All we need is Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name. We have all the provision we need for the journey home.