Thur.’s Devo - Jacob Comes to Egypt

Read: Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19 Jacob traveled to Egypt but stopped at Beersheba where there was a well of living water. Abraham had dug the well, and Isaac had re-dug it. God spoke to Jacob and told him to not be afraid of going to live in Egypt because that was where God was going to make him a great nation. He would die there and Joseph would be there when he died. God would be with him in Egypt bring him back again. *** Jacob took all he had to Egypt and there were 70 in his family that traveled with him. Joseph met them in Goshen and had a very heartfelt reunion with his father. Joseph instructed them that when they met the Pharaoh to tell him they were farmers. Since the Egyptians despised farmers, he would let them live in Goshen. They met with the Pharaoh and followed Joseph’s advice. Jacob blessed the Pharaoh and he gave them the land of Goshen. He provided their food for all of them from his provisions. Being apart from Egypt, Jacob’s family wouldn’t assimilate into Egypt and they could worship God their way. *** Jacob was 130 years old when he met with the Pharaoh and lived 17 years after that. When he died, Joseph was there to shut his eyes. *** As the famine continued in the land, the people ran out of money to buy grain and came to Joseph asking if they could give theirselves and their land in exchange for grain. He agreed and bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. The people became slaves of Egypt. He did not buy the land belonging to the priests and they were fed from Pharaoh’s own provisions. *** Joseph gave the people grain and told them to use it to farm. When the harvest came in, one fifth would belong to the king and they could keep the other four-fifths for themselves. The people were grateful. *** In Goshen, God’s people acquired property and were fruitful. They grew in number quickly. Notice the difference between those in Egypt and those in Goshen. God’s people did not even suffer during the famine. They were blessed instead and prospered. That is true about now in the time of harvest. The evil people are being harvested out of the world and we are being blessed with more than enough. *** In Matthew, Jesus had drawn the attention of the Pharisees and teachers of the law who came to see him. They asked him why their disciples ignored the ritual of hand-washing which was a tradition made up by the Pharisees long ago. Jesus answered them with a question. He asked them why they violated one the ten most important commandments which was to honor their father and mother. The Pharisees, because of their greed had made a law that said you didn’t have to care for your elderly parents if you wanted to give the money you would have given to care for them to the Temple. They taught that to give to the temple would give them status with them and with God. *** Jesus told them that their worship was a farce just like Isaiah had prophesied. They taught man-made laws as if they were God’s laws. He ended it with, “It is not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; but every word that comes out of it.” *** Jesus’ disciples came to Jesus and asked him if he knew that he offended the Pharisees. (You think?) Jesus told them not to worry because God would uproot them. They were nothing but blind guides leading people to fall off the road with them. *** They asked him what he meant by words coming out of your mouth being what defiles you. Jesus explained that eating food with unwashed hands would only go into your stomach and come out of your body as waste, but the things that are in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth as words and it is your words that will defile you. *** Jesus went to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory, and one of the women there came to him asking for mercy for her daughter who was possessed by a demon. The disciples urged Jesus to send her away but Jesus addressed the woman. He told her that he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel, but she continued to worship him and ask for his help. Jesus told her that it wasn’t right to take the food from the children and throw it to the dogs. She agreed, but reminded him that even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table. Jesus loved her faith and healed her daughter. *** This woman was asking for something that was ahead of time. Jesus came to save the Jew first but eventually the whole world - Gentiles and Jews. This woman’s faith got her what she asked for even if it wasn’t time. Mary did the same thing when she came to Jesus at the wedding and asked him to turn the water to wine. Faith moves mountains. Faith is the key to getting prayers answered. This woman demonstrated that for Jesus. *** Lord, may we grow in faith and please you in all we do. Thank you that you provide for us abundantly in this time of great harvesting of evil.