There was probably never a morning over the last 20+ years that Jacob did not dread waking up. The loss of Joseph, the struggles of the other kids and the growing famine were all things that made living a chore. On this day, however, Jacob would see his entire perspective on life change. I am sure he was sitting by his tent when the precession of camels and donkeys came into view. He was probably asking himself what in the heck are all the carts and livestock? Then as his sons, all his sons, including Simeon and Benjamin came close he was at least relieved to know he had not lost more sons.
What happened next was unbelievable. The brothers presented Jacob with the news that Joseph was alive and ruler over all of Egypt. I am sure that had to rattle Jacob. It says he was stunned and in complete disbelief. But then the reality of what was before him set in and for the first time in nearly 30 years he felt joy and elation. He literally was revived.
There would be a lot to deal with in the days ahead, but God was giving Jacob his very heart’s desire at the end of his days. Jacob was glad to leave Canaan and go see Joseph before he died. He was glad to have his entire family together and live in peace and without struggle. Jacob would truly see and sense God’s honoring their covenant and Jacob would again walk in trust and faith as he had when he returned to Canaan.
It is a great thing to have hope restored. We see in our daily lives a great number of days with struggles and troubles. Sometimes it hardly seems worth it to continue. The Word reminds us, however, that as we continue to follow the Lord, He will give us the faith, hope and love that we need to continue the journey. He also sprinkles in days of restoration so that we never lose our hope trust in Him.
We can never give up, never give in, and always remained focused on God and His plan for our lives. If we will, we will have days that he reveals Himself and restores all the world and our enemy attempts to take away!
God Bless You
17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’
19 “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. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’”
21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels[b] of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 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. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Walking With God 