Genesis 46 - 3.29.2024

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Genesis 46:29-30
Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father[h] and wept for a long time.
Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

I was drawn to this passage because I almost pictured a movie scene as Joseph wrapped his arms around his dad and wept for a long time as the Word says. It is a longing that I too have deeply embedded within me, having lost my father when I was a teen, and seeing this reunion play out in my mind sparked - something - in me. 

But as I grappled with my own version and vision of what it may have been like when Joseph and his father finally saw each other after all those years a stray thought hit me. Thinking of the parable of the prodigal son, I began to wonder if this story might not represent some of the emotions and thoughts that God the Father and Christ the Son experienced thousands of years later, as Christ walked on earth, died, and then rose again.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

I think about the deep longing I have to be with my own dad, to see him one more time, and the mixture of grief over not having him here on earth and the relief of knowing he is in heaven, overwhelms me. When Israel see’s Joseph again after all those years thinking his son had died, he tells Joseph he can finally die, finally be at peace, knowing that his son lives.

Israel, the father, is at peace because the son lives.
Just like the Father is at peace because the Son lives.
And perhaps, like my dad who is at peace, because I found Christ, and therefore his son lives.

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

Grant me peace today Lord, peace like a soothing balm, that only you can provide. May my spirit rest today knowing that my loving father is and has been in Your embrace for all these years. And grant me peace this morning, because like Israel who was ready to go be with You when he finally found his son alive again, my hope is that my father is at peace knowing that the rest of his family found Christ Your Son, and so we too will all live.

I thank you for Your Word this morning. And I thank You the Father and Christ the Son, for what you both did for us. You willingly gave your Son for us. And the Son was willing to be separated from you for us. I thank You both for the greatest gift one could ask for, more time spent with our loving Creator.

In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee