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Genesis 47:1-6 Goshen - God's greenhouse - Day 45

Good morning brothers and sisters,

Today's reading started a new gospel (Luke) and a new letter (1 Corinthians).  Approaching the end of Genesis.  

This is the 6th time in the last 7 years  that I have used M'Cheyne plan.  The other year, I did a chronological plan.  But this is first time I have highlighted this passage.  There are always new treasures to be discovered in God's Word.

Hopefully you are seeing the value of Luther's four strand meditation process.

Blessings,

Jeff

 It just so happened that Egypt had this river that started in the mountains far to the south which the Egyptians never saw.   It was the source of Egypt's bounty due to annual floods.  It was also a highway. But the delta was not navigable, so not very valuable.

It just so happened that Egyptians really don't like shepherds and they are sent off to Goshen.  The Nile delta, the best of the land.  Seems like an odd thing to send detested individuals off to the best of the land.

It just so happened that Israel's sons had a lot of livestock.  So they get sent off to Goshen as well.  Where they hang out with the other detested outcasts of Egyptian culture.

Joseph brings only Jacob and 5 of his brothers to Egyptian court.  They would be the only ones to see the grandeur.  And the Egyptians would only see a poor group of shepherds.

Or is it God's plan to keep Israel isolated from Egyptian culture?

Instruction - God's greenhouse.  Grow Israel into a mighty nation in the relative isolation and safety of Goshen in preparation for transplanting into the Promised Land.  Starting a garden from seed isn't done outside in the middle of March.  Likewise, Israel's sons would be fighting off the Canaanites if they had stayed there.  But none of this was obvious at the time.  The inscrutable ways of the Lord.

Thanksgiving - the good shepherd watching over His flock wherever they are.  When I can't see where events are going, I still can know that You are with me.  Psalm 23.

Confession - complaining about being stuck in Goshen.  We are just this tiny minority in this rocky ground called New England.  Outcasts from the culture around us.  Why don't You do something about this?  Forgetting the lesson of this passage.

Petition - Making disciples would not be just a slogan, but what we actually do.  As you are going about your daily activities, make disciples..

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