From the time Jacob learned that Joseph was alive until the long-awaited hug, time must have dragged on. You know how that is when you are waiting for something to happen, like summer vacation from school when you were a kid. It seemed like it would never come.
Reunited at last. It was good to see all the brothers, nieces, cousins and such that Jacob’s family, his tribe really, had become. That was some family. I suppose when you are descended from Abraham, who was promised to be the father of many nations, at some point, your descendants begin to explode in number. Continue reading “Genesis 46:1-34 – The Wait is Over”
Word travels fast, and soon Pharaoh was involved with the reunion. Because Joseph had been such a blessing to him and his people, Pharaoh wanted to give back. He wanted for all of Joseph’s family to move to Egypt and be given only the finest things. It was Joseph’s families’ turn to be blessed.
Was it just me, or did you get a little misty-eyed when you read today’s passage? I suppose coming off a week involving a funeral in our family as I write this doesn’t help my emotional stability. Being reunited with family is such a beautiful thing. I knew this reunion was coming for Joseph, but I’m trying to read each day’s passage as if it’s the first time I’ve ever read it. That can be a challenge when you’ve studied the same passage in Sunday School, church, Bible studies, etc.
If I’ve learned one thing over the past couple weeks reading through Genesis — don’t suggest that someone die if they are found to be guilty. If they had listened to the brothers, Benjamin would be dead. You may recall an earlier story that would have killed Rachel should the idols be found. Of course, the brothers here were also blown away by the mere suggestion they had done something wrong. Again. Deja vu. It wasn’t possible.
Do you know that rumbling in the pit of your stomach when you have reason to fear being caught for something? Guilt. Dread. It’s not a fun feeling. You can bet the men in our story were experiencing that as they headed back to Egypt with Benjamin. When they were whisked off to Joseph’s quarters, you can bet that feeling intensified.
