As we continue to examine the promises of provision that Joseph made to his brothers, those of us who think that people get, or should get, what they deserve may be struggling with these promises because of the grace that he showed his brothers. After all, Joseph’s brothers did not deserve it! What they deserved was everything that Joseph himself had experienced – years of slavery and imprisonment – because of their jealousy and betrayal!
But the key to understanding the motivation behind the grace and believing all the promises that Joseph made to his brothers (and that Jesus made to us) lies in the meaning of Goshen. As we recall, Goshen is the land that Joseph gave his brothers. The word, “Goshen”, means “drawing near”. Joseph wanted his brothers to live in a land of “drawing near” because he wanted to have an intimate relationship with his brothers (promise #3 from yesterday).
But Joseph knew that his brothers’ thoughts about what they had done to him in the past would get in the way of any relationship. So, in order to get them to draw near to him, he knew he had to demonstrate his own love for them. So, while they deserved and expected punishment, instead he gave them GRACE!
There is grace in drawing near! There is grace in drawing near to someone who has betrayed, hurt, or offended you. Giving someone what they deserve when they have harmed you will not cause them to draw near to you, but will instead push them away from you. But giving them grace will bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration to the relationship.
So, let’s examine Genesis 45:11 (NKJV) again to see the next two promises of provision and the abundant grace that Joseph showed his brothers:
“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.”
Do you see the next two promises (#4 and #5)?
(4) Jesus Promises to Provide Us With Perpetual Provision
In verse 11, the words, “There I will provide for you…there are still five years of famine”, indicates that Joseph would not just provide for them initially, but during the entire time of famine.) So, because of God’s grace, and because Jesus IS our Provider, we also can expect to receive perpetual provision AT ALL TIMES!
(5) Jesus Promises to Provide Us With Prosperity in the Midst of Famine
In verse 11, the words, “…lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty, for there are still five years of famine”, indicates that some people would indeed come to poverty during the famine, but not them. So, because of God’s grace, and because Jesus IS our Provider, we also can expect to receive prosperity in the midst of famine. Others may come to poverty during an economic crisis, BUT NOT US!
In our next post, we’ll focus on more promises of provision!
Glenn
Thank you Glenn!
God is so faithful at all times… And we need to believe, expect and speak Gods word — at all times … Especially during difficult times..
Something I’m still learning .. New mercies every morning!!!
Thank you for this great word.
The grace that Joseph showed his brothers is so amazing to me: I’m better than I use to be, but, I realize that I have not arrived yet..