A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/68

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE                    

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

          GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD 

                      PART LXVIII     

"I, Jacob, father of twelve sons, was so pleased to have eleven of them safely return to me earlier today... They had been to Egypt to buy grain... I was so relieved that none of them had been kept behind in Egypt this time... They then told me a story I could not believe... They told me that my favourite son Joseph was not dead but is alive!!.... I wanted to tell them off for telling me such a story.. But they insisted that they were not telling me a lie.... They told me they fully understood that I could not believe them... However, they told me they had proof that Joseph is alive... And not only is he alive... He is the so-called "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution in that country...I asked them to show me their proof...However, I did not expect to see anything I might need to consider... But they then showed me the carts Joseph has sent to take me and my family to Egypt...Seeing the carts and everything else that Joseph has sent me has convinced me!!... My son Joseph is alive!!... God is good!!... He has preserved the life of my son.... The dreams my son had when he was seventeen years old have come true....His brothers have bowed down to him when they came before him to buy grain from him.... I had chosen to forget these dreams Joseph shared with us at that time...I should not have done that.... I should have trusted God to bring them to pass in His time... I must now get ready to go to Egypt and meet my son... I cannot wait to embrace him."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob sees evidence that his favourite son Joseph is still alive...

 

                     ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                            PART LXVIII

The eleven sons of Jacob, who have just returned from Egypt with the news that Jospeh is still alive, know their father needs more proof to be convinced that Joseph is not dead as he has believed for the last twenty-two years as you can read in Genesis 45:27-28

But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, "I am convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Once Jacob hears from his sons all the details of their conversation with Joseph and sees the carts that he has sent with them, he gladly accepts the fact that his son Joseph is alive and that he will see him. 

Read Part Sixty-Nine HERE   

 

                                                                          

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/67

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                         PART LXVII 

"I, Jacob, am the father of twelve sons, one of whom is no more... I have not seen him for twenty-two years... I believe he was killed by an animal... His name is Joseph... He was my favourite son... I have mourned his loss daily... My youngest son does bring me a measure of comfort, though... That is why I never allowed him to leave me... I need him too much at my side.... However. I had to let him go to Egypt with his brothers... That was never my plan... As far as I was concerned, he would stay with me always... But the circumstances forced me to change my mind... Unfortunately, we suffer from a famine.... This has been going on for two years already.... A year ago ten of my sons went to Egypt to buy grain for our family.... They came back without my Simeon....They told me Simeon would only be released if Benjamin went with them the next time... I was determined that was never going to happen... But we have run out of grain again so I had no choice but to let my youngest son go with his brothers to Egypt....I have been anxiously waiting for their return... Today they finally came back... I am so relieved to see all of them, including my youngest son Benjamin....They all looked tired.... But otherwise they looked well....It seems that this time they have been treated well by the official in charge of the grain distribution...They told me a story that I simply cannot believe!!... They told me that my favourite son Joseph is, in fact, still alive!!.. And not only is he alive!!... He is the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution...Impossible!!... What has happened to them that they tell me such nonsense!!.... Have they forgotten that they brought me my son's many coloured coat with blood on it as evidence he had been killed by a wild animal?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob's sons return home and tell their father that Joseph is still alive and is the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution...

                 

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                                  GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                 PART LXVII

When the brothers arrive back in Canaan from their trip to Egypt, they have something important to tell their father Jacob as you can read in Genesis 45:25-26

So they went up out of Egyt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt."Jacob was stunned: he did not believe them.

Jacob, whose eleven sons, including Benjamin,have returned from Egypt, is so thankful that they have all safely returned. But the news that his long-lost son Joseph is well and living in Egypt is not something he can accept.

Read Part Sixty-Eight HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/66

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

         GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                     PART LXVI

"I, Joseph, the so-called "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, am so thankful for the kindnes of the Pharaoh... He told me that my family should move to Egypt so they can live near me... This is, no doubt, because he knows that the famine will last for another five years... So they could run out of food in another year or so again... And die of starvation... Having my family near me will mean that I can take care of them... I am especially grateful that my father is still alive....So I will be able to take care of him in the last years of his life... Pharaoh told me as well that my brothers should bring some carts with them when going back home.... For that will make it easier for their families to travel to Egypt...How very thoughtful of him.... I have just seen my brothers off.... Before they went, I gave each brother a new set of clothing.... But to my youngest brother Benjamin I gave a gift of silver as well as five sets of clothing....He is the brother who is closest to me.... All the other brothers know... I believe they do not mind that I treated Benjamin in a special way... They have changed!!... I hope they will not quarrel on the way back home...They have to consider what to say to their father... And how to present the truth to him....I would not want one brother to accuse another brother about what has happened to me... For God has used it for good... If I had not been sold as a slave to Egypt then I would not be here today to save my family from starvation...That is all what matters to me."...Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the so-called "Egyptian" official prepares everything for the return trip of his brothers back to Canaan...

 

         ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                   PART LXVI

Joseph, who is in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt, gives carts to his brothers to travel in as you can read in Genesis 45:21-24

So the sons of Isreal did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothing. And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt and ten donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"

Apart from the carts, Joseph gave his brothers new clothing and special gifts for his father.

Read Part Sixty-Seven Here

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/65

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

               GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD 

                          PART LXV

"I, the Pharaoh of Egypt, just had a meeting with my official in charge of the grain distribution... I had learned that among the people who had come before him to buy grain had been a group of men from Canaan.... They too had come to buy grain... For they too are being affected by the famine... I was told that they are the brothers of my official... I am so delighted that my official has been re-united with his brothers... I have been told as well that his father is still alive... My official will be so happy to know that his father has not died as yet.... No doubt, he will want to see him... However, he has an important task to fulfill so he knows cannot travel to Canaan.... That is why I have invited the father and his brothers with their family to move to Egypt.... That way they will not starve to death because of the ongoing famine... Moreover, I will give the brothers carts for their families to travel back to Egypt in... That will make their move to my country hopefully a little easier... And they do not have to worry about their belongings.... They can leave anything behind that they might not be able to carry with them... All I want to do is to bless them with all that Egypt can offer them."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the Pharoah offers for Joseph's brothers to take some carts with them to Canaan to be used for transport for their families.....

                  ATTACHMENTS A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                    GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                PART LXV

Pharoah, the ruler of Egypt, wants to make sure that Joseph's family can travel from Canaan to Egypt in the best possible way as you can read in Genesis 45:19-20

"You are also directed to tell them, "Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours."

Pharaoh wants to bless Joseph's family and does so by providing suitable transport for them so they will be encouraged to move to Egypt.

Read Part Sixty-Six HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/64

                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

          GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                      PART LXIV 

"I, the Pharaoh of Egypt, heard this amazing news today... I learned that my official in charge of the grain distribution has a large family.... I have known for some years already that he is not an Egyptian but a Hebrew... I learned that fact when I had him come before me nine years ago....At that time God had given me a number of dreams that he was able to interpret for me... I then realised that not only had God given him the understanding of my dreams... He had given him wisdom to know what kind of system should be set up so that grain could be stored up for the time of famine...So I gave him a very important position just below me... And he has not disappointed me in any way.... Moreover he has adapted very well to the lifestyle here in Egypt.... He eats Egyptian food and wears Egyptian clothing.... But he does not worship our gods... He only worships his God....So, apart from his worship, I would nearly forget that he is a Hebrew... Earlier today I learned that a group of men had appeared before him to buy grain...That is nothing unusual... The fact that they have come from another country is not unusual either...For the famine is affecting other countries, apart from Egypt...These men have come from Canaan, the country of origin of my official.... What I learned earlier today is that these men are my official's brothers.....I have never asked him about his family... I did not think it was right to ask him too many questions about his background...How he arrived in Egypt....There have been rumours going around that he was sold by his brothers to merchants who took him to Egypt... And that he ended up as a slave to a man named Potiphar.... How he then was put in prison for something he had not done...Whatever his backgroud I trust him completely...And I am more than pleased that he is re-united with his brothers...I must invite my official's family to come and live in Egypt... I will make sure they will be given the best of the land so they can prosper even here.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the Pharaoh of Egypt learns that the official in charge of the grain distribution has been re-united with his brothers...

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                             PART LXIV

Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, hears the good news that Joseph has been re-united with his brothers from Canaan and invites Joseph's family to live in Egypt as you can read in Genesis 45:16-18

When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharah and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, "Do this:Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land and you can enjoy the fat of the land."

Pharaoh promises Joseph that when his family comes to Egypt from Canaan he will take very good care of them by providing them with the very best of the land that is available in Egypt.

Read Part Sixty-Five HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/63

  

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                          PART LXIII

"After I, Joseph, the so-called "Egyptian" official, had spoken with my brothers about the need for my father to come to Egypt, I turned to my youngest brother Benjamin... He has changed.... That is not too surprising since he was only little when I was taken to Egypt.... I embraced him.... And we both wept.... I then turned to my other brothers... I did not say anything.... I just embraced each one... And I wept over each one of them...Words cannot express what I felt when I embraced them... But my tears said it all..... Tears that had been locked up on the inside of me for many, many years... They were finally shed... Only then did we sit down and talk... It was good to hear all the news of my family... In all my years in Egypt I had never dared to imagine that one day I would have a conversation with them.... After all, I had become a slave in Egypt.... They were shepherds in Canaan... Humanly speaking it would, therefore, be impossible for us to ever meet up again....But God has made the impossible possible....I can only thank Him for His goodness."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph turns to his brothers and weeps over each one of them as he embraces them...

              ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                            PART LXIII

Joseph, who is in charge of the distribution of grain in Egypt, then turns to his youngest brother Benjamin and embraces him as you an read in Genesis 45:14

Then he threw his arms around Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterwards his brothers talked with him.

Joseph not only embraces his youngest brother Benjamin, he embraces all his brothers. Then it is time to talk. There is much to catch up on after twenty-two years of separation.

Read Part Sixty-Four HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES; GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/62

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

             GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                       PART LXII

I, Jacob, am the father of twelve sons, one of whom is no more... I have not seen him for twenty-two years.... I believe he was killed by a wild animal... His name is Joseph... He is my favourite son... I mourn his loss daily... My youngest son Benjamin does bring me a measure of comfort, though... That is why I never allowed him to leave me.... I need him too much at my side... However, I, recently,  had to let him go to Egypt with his brothers.... That was never my plan... As far as I was concerned, he would stay with me always... But the circumstances forced me to change my mind... Unfortunately, we suffer from a famine....This has been going on for two years already... However, we heard there was grain in Egypt... So a year ago ten of my sons went to Egypt to buy grain for our family....They then came back without my son Simeon.... And they told me that Simeon would only be released if Benjamin went with him the next time they went to Egypt to buy more grain...I was determined that was never going to happen... But we have run out of grain again... So I had no choice but to let my youngest son go with his brothers...I have anxiously been waiting for their return... Today they finally came back...I was so relieved to see them, especially my youngest son Benjamin...They all looked tired... But otherwise they looked well.....It seems that this time they have been treated will by the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution...They told me a story I simply cannot believe""... They told me that my favourite son Joseph is still alive!!... And not only is he alive!!... He is the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution!!.... Impossible!!.... What has happened to them that they tell me such nonsense...Have they forgotten that they brought me my son's many coloured coat with blood on it as evidence that he has been killed by a wild animal?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob learns from his sons that his favourite son Joseph is in fact alive and is the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution...  

                     ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                    PART LXII 

Joseph, who is in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt, knows it is important that his brothers tell their father Jacob in great detail what they have seen in Egypt as you can read in Genesis 45:13

"Tell my father about all the honour accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."

Joseph understands that his father Jacob will need much evidence to be convinced that he is not dead but is alive and well.

Read Part Sixty-Three HERE