then he (Judah) drew near...

The reading from two weeks ago was Genesis 44:18-47:27.


Here's my summary:


Chapter 44:
Judah makes the plea of his life, starting from how they were required to bring Benjamin, to how their father is in anguish because of his sons, and how he will be the substitute for Benjamin.


Chapter 45:
Joseph finally reveals himself, tells his brothers how God was sovereignly over everything, and to bring the whole family; the brothers weep in reunion.
Pharaoh hears about Joseph's family, and gives them gifts.
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The brothers report to their father, Jacob faints and does not believe.
The brothers show them the gifts, Jacob's spirit revives, and Israel believes and takes his household to Egypt.


Chapter 46:
On the way to Egypt, Israel stops at Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God of his father Isaac.
In a vision at night, God gives Israel words of comfort.
Jacob and company goes from Beersheba to Egypt.
The children of Israel going to Egypt is listed.
There are 66 people with Jacob going to Egypt.
Total number of house of Jacob in Egypt is 70.
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Judah is sent to notifty Joseph.
Joseph arrives with his chariot to greet Israel in Goshen.
Joseph preps his family about what to say to Pharaoh.


Chapter 47:
Joseph introduces 5 of his brothers to Pharaoh.
Pharaoh grants the family the land of Goshen.
Joseph brings Jacob before Pharaoh, Jacob blesses Pharaoh.
Pharaoh asks Jacob's age; Jacob is 130 years old.
Jacob blesses Pharaoh, and goes out.
Joseph places his family in Ramses.
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Because of the famine, Joseph gathers all the money in Egypt.
The money fails, and Joseph gathers all the cattle.
Then Joseph buys out the properties in Egypt except the priests'.
Joseph gives the people seeds to grow crops,
and decrees a fifth to be given to Pharaoh.
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Israel lived in Egypt, at Goshen, and their possessions grew exceedingly.



This reading essentially concludes the story of Joseph.

Rather than focusing on Joseph, I was reflecting on Jacob/Israel:

*How he was given life by his parents, Isaac -the promised son of Abraham, and Rebekah -the girl willing to water camel after camel at the well in Haran.
*The struggle of being the heel-catcher and conniving the birthright from his brother Esau.
*Running away to Haran, and falling madly in love with Rachel.
*Being deceived by his uncle/father-in-law Laban.
*Having children after children with his wives and their maids.
*Losing Rachel with Benjamin.
*Losing Joseph, his beloved son.
*Hearing of Joseph being alive and moving to Egypt.

There is a lot about Jacob with which I can closely identify myself,
especially of his behaviors before he knew God, and even after
knowing and walking with God.

Through the struggles he had with people and with God, God has shaped Jacob/Israel to be an effective and essential part of His plan. This shaping process is not always fun or exciting, but we know that this is a good thing,
as we know that

God is good.


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