GENESIS 45
6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.
– Genesis 45:6-9
GENESIS 45 JOSEPH EXPLAINS GOD’S PLAN
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verse
When Joseph revealed about his true identity to his siblings
He explained to them the famine that had been in the land
God gave Joseph wisdom to interpret Pharaoh’s dream
Which also landed him that position to save the land.
In those years of famine, God wanted to preserve remnants
It was through Joseph that many will be kept alive and survive
Joseph explained God’s plan to his brothers and told them to hurry
He commanded them to get their father Joseph quickly down to Egypt.
In this account, we clearly see God’s wisdom through Joseph. If God wasn’t with him, he would not be able to discern the famine and how to go about preserving God’s people. It was in Jacob’s descendants that God promised a Messiah to save the world. It was through Joseph that he preserved the twelve tribes of Jacob, who is also called Israel. Who would have thought of that brilliant plan if it didn’t come from God? God prepared Joseph for this big task of managing the resources of Egypt all those seven years of plenty so that when the seven years of famine came, it would sustain those remnants of Israel.
It must have left the brothers dumbfounded. This younger brother of theirs knew God’s plan. This brother whom they mocked and plotted to kill is the one saving their lives and has all the authority over them now. What a twist of circumstances.
REFLECTION
- As Christians, do we know God’s plan for our lives? What is his plan for you?
