As we discovered in Part 2 of our series on “Grace in Goshen”, Joseph made some very specific promises of provision to his brothers whom he had recently forgiven and with whom he was now reconciled. These promises and the grace He demonstrated by making these promises can be really easy for us to overlook if we don’t focus on them one by one.
Remember that Joseph made all these good promises to his brothers without any expectation of them doing anything good for him in return AND after all the evil they had done to him because of their jealousy, all the time he had suffered in slavery when he should have been free, and all the unjust imprisonment he had endured for so many years. Now that’s GRACE!
Let’s also recall that Joseph is a type of Christ. This means that the way that Joseph provided for his brothers then is how we can expect Jesus to provide for us now.
So, let’s examine Genesis 45:10-11 (NKJV) again (in more detail) to see the first three promises of provision and the abundant grace that Joseph showed in these promises:
10 “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have.
11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.”
The word translated “provide” in verse 11 is the Hebrew word ‘chul’ (kool). Chul means to maintain, nourish, provide food, bear, hold up, protect, support, defend; to supply the means necessary for living.
Do you see the promises?
(1) Jesus Promises to Provide Us With Generational Blessings
In verse 10, the words, “…you and your children, your children’s children…” indicate Joseph’s desire to provide for his brothers, their children, AND their children’s children! So, because of God’s grace, and because Jesus IS our Provider, we also can expect to receive generational blessings – a legacy of God’s blessings that are passed down from one generation to the next!
(2) Jesus Promises to Provide Us With Shelter, Refuge, and Protection
In verse 10, the words, “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen…”, indicate Joseph’s desire to provide a place of shelter, refuge, and protection for them. So, again, because of God’s grace, and because Jesus IS our Provider, we also can expect to receive shelter, refuge, and protection! Therefore, we have nothing to fear!
(3) Jesus Promises to Provide Us With Intimacy
In verse 10, the words, “…you shall be near to me…”, indicate Joseph’s desire for closeness and intimacy with them. And because of God’s grace, and because Jesus IS our Provider, we also can expect to have a close relationship with Jesus that’s filled with intimacy with our Father and fellowship with the Holy Spirit!
In our next post, we’ll focus on more promises of provision!
Glenn
Thank you Glen, that is good teaching.