Genesis 46:1-4, 28; 47:1, 6
From our text, Jacob and his family, having gone through several rough times, were in the midst of a terrible famine which shook thewhole world. They couldn't have had any other plan to surviving it, than buying food from the only place which had enough to sell- Egypt. But the Lord had a different plan, which included nourishing/sustaining them for the rest of their lives- Goshen.
God is concerned about you. He knows your name, history, background and life challenge; andHe has promised to give you the best of the land, not because of anything you have done, but because He cares about you. Egypt in this context, represents this godless world; and we know that our language, belief, dressing, government and system is different from that of the world. But because we are in it, the Lord has prepared a place for His elect and chosen people to dwell. This place is the Presence of the Lord - our Present Day Goshen. Therefore, if we are to survive in this world, we need to dwell in the presence of the Lord(Goshen); and He will always be available to thosewho seek Him. He promised to be with us in this world.
Egypt could have been buried in hunger, starvation and waste if the Lord hadn't raised Joseph to the post of prime minister. And with this man, the Lord secured the future of the world at large; especially His people, Israel. And in this land, they enjoyed freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17tells us that where the Lord is, there also is liberty. Forget your pain, disappointments, discouragements, failures of the past, mistakes and much other limitations and look onward unto the Lord for the strength to live in His presence, for therein is salvation. And with His salvation comes your freedom, even in Him. What made Goshen different? It was the presence of the Lord. If you desire to enjoy this year, then come under the shadow of the Almighty. The world might have a completely different mindset concerning this year and its turn out, but for those in Goshen, there is liberty, salvation, help, security and provision. When we read this story, we'll realize that the Egyptians, men and women of that soil (owners of the land), sold their properties, lands and lives just for the food which the Israelites enjoyed plentiously (in a land that wasn't theirs) -Genesis 47:13-22; and when the Lord's plagues were upon Egypt, His people at Goshen were safe from it all- Exodus 11:4-7; 12:13-23. Oh covenant children of the Lord, men of a royal priesthood...you are different! 1 Peter 2:9. For the Lord is He who has called you out of darkness, into His marvelous light-Colossians 1:13-14. The Israelites were different because they trusted in the Lord;they could run to Him and be safe-Proverbs 18:10. The Name of the Lord is a place of guaranteed security for every true child of God. For those who make it their habitation, a thousand may fall by their left and ten thousands by their right, yet no evil shall come nigh them-Psalms 91:1-16. Thisname connotes His power, presence and authority. And in it can we find salvation and thus, freedom-Romans 10:13. The Lord's hands are not shortened that He cannot save, nor His ear heavy that He cannot hear the cry of His people. It is our sin thatlimits Him, separating us from Him-Isaiah 59:1-2.His thoughts towards us has always been those of good. Therefore, it is up to us to decide to be reconciled to the Father, that our future be secure.Friend, 'believe, trust and depend on Him that you will be sustained with long life'. The Lord is not the devil who rewards not his servants who faithfully follow Him. There are benefits in serving the Lord- Exodus 23:23-25; Genesis 13:14-18. And He has always made known His promises for those who live in holiness, righteousness, and purity, both inwardly and outwardly- Isaiah 54:1-5. Even at Joseph's death, these Israelites yet enjoyed the land of Goshen; because the Lord was set on making a difference between His people and those of Egypt. This is His desire even for our day; to set a difference between His people and those of the world, in 2022. Therefore we must run to Him, and make His presence our habitation, that He might accomplish His plans concerning us and our families. And when this happens, we will be able (and ought) to tell others suffering in the world of the goodness and plentious supplies available in Goshen- The Presence of the Lord.
Conclusively, just as Joseph was the one used by God to save the people of Israel from famine; the Lord is our Saviour (our present-day Joseph). And in His name, we are safe-Acts 4:12. I charge you brethren, that we go to the Lord who dwells upon the mountains; that we learn of His ways and be healed from the infirmities of our heart, mind, soul and body-Isaiah 2:1-3; Obadiah 1:17-18. Upon Hismountain, redemption, forgiveness, freedom, peace, prosperity, help and salvation are found; and the Lord, the Bishop of our souls, will write His laws in our hearts, and cause that we walk in His paths-Micah 4:1-2; Hebrews 8:10-13. There is no need to carry about the sins, condemnations and pains of the past. Jesus has promised to forgive and forget them, rolling the old away that He might give you a new life. He says, "...from the least of them unto the greatest...I will forgive their iniquity (sin), and I will remember their sin no more..."Jeremiah 31:31-34. He invites all to Goshen, that all be saved. When we seek first the Kingdom of the Lord, every other thing will be added for our sustenance- Matthew 6:31-33.
In this Goshen, plagues have no way in; and the blessings of God are fully guaranteed.
REMAIN BLESSED.
Pst Ig Nwabuo