GENESIS 45 HE SAW THE WAGONS The scene was very touching as I watched Joseph reveal himself to his terrified brothers. Now not only are they back before the governor, but they find out he is the one they rejected, threw in a pit, sold for twenty pieces of silver, was made a slave and was imprisoned. How true is the fact that our God is a Sovereign God! He is not limited by human thought nor dictated to by human plans. He who knows all is able to fulfill His plans in ways we could never think of. Joseph had already understood God had sent him before his brothers to preserve their lives. He knew the promises of God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and that there was a future for the tribe of Israel. It is very satisfying to be able to look back and see God's ways with us and how He has been willing to use us in bringing to completion some work He has given us.
The impact on the generations following these twelve sons would be made because they would learn the story of how God brought blessing out of despair. God brought plenty in a time of famine. God brought good out of what seemed bad! We may not know at the moment, the results of labor and unappreciated effort. But God can use what we think is insignificant and unknown to fulfill a purpose beyond what we could think would be possible. When finally, things become clear to us as to what God has been doing through us, it is appropriate that the children and grandchildren know what was behind all the unexplained events of our lives. As a father, I can greatly appreciate what I see God doing through my children. It may not be what I had expected and may be very different from God's ways with us, but I can praise God for using them to bring blessing to others and glory to God.
The plans that unfolded before the family of Jacob were so different and far removed from what was expected, that Jacob could not grasp the reality of what he was hearing. The eleven brothers had heard the voice of Joseph and through their terror at being exposed in his presence, could hear words of forgiveness and blessing to them in spite of their great sin. There are times when our failures seem so great, we think that we are finished and are on the scrap-heap of God forever. Then we are made to remember through some word from God in the scripture, or some word ministered to us by someone else, that God can use our very weakness to bring us to understand the fullness of His strength.
I learned a lesson even from the Pharaoh of Egypt, that "the stuff" we think is important can be all left behind us. What is really important in this life is people. The great joy of being reunited with those long missed, the wonder of seeing the changes in those long missed; the wonder of seeing the changes in those we knew long ago can be momentary. When the time is taken to communicate in a heart to heart way, is when the wonder of reunion is really grasped. "The stuff" of a lifetime that we gather and think so much of can all be lost in a very short time. The relationship we have with others can be nurtured and can develop and grow. The fellowship of reunion and communion feeds our souls and strengthens our walk. The joy that remains is the joy we get from one another in the family of God.
Some things that happen to us are hard to believe. When one has lived for years with the grief of an untimely death like Jacob did, that is not something one can ever fully recover from. Others who look on or are even personally involved in a lesser way, will not be able to fully understand what you are going through day after day. The lost potential, the youthful exuberance, the brightness that seemed to be in the personality are all only faded memories that will never go away.
When the eleven brothers returned to Jacob and their families with the news that Joseph was alive, it would have stirred the whole tribe to hope. Jacob could not believe the news. He had been grieving over his loss for years - until he saw the wagons. That was proof that his son was alive in another country. The wagons would have been of a different kind. They would have the evidence on them of all the fullness of his son Joseph as governor of Egypt. I do not know very much about heaven. But I know my Lord Jesus Christ is there because from time to time I can "see the wagons." I listen to the words, the songs, the prayers, the preaching of those I knew before God saved them and the proof is there - they have seen Joseph. I see a young person come toward me with the Bible open to a particular verse that has given them the light of salvation, and I know - he has seen Joseph. I watch young people in the prime of their lives, use their intelligence, their education, their learning and their abilities - go to the harvest field of the Lord and I say, "It is enough; Jesus is alive - and I will go and see Him whom having not seen - I love."
They are all standing out there before the gate. Those wagons are there so I will no longer wait To leave my stuff and go to where He is. The bounty on those wagons is totally His.
There is one filled with peace that calms the soul. That peace can make a broken heart become whole. Peace when it starts seems like a very small river' But its flow enlarges and goes on forever.
Another has joy in it that comes from within. A joy that comes from the knowledge of forgiven sin. Now that joy becomes greater because I know the Giver. And the joy of the Lord, it too goes on forever.
Meaningful living fills another wagon that is there. Now I can understand more of why I am here. From the One who sent the wagons comes a great commission. And each day passes in some way I can please Him.
In another wagon there is abundant life. That kind of living rises way above strife. There is a quality to life that defies description, But each event has some meaning as we rise to meet them.
From His fullness have we received, I know and trust Him in whom I have believed. I may not know all about Him but I am sure - These evidences of Him will make me to endure.
"Father, I praise Thee this morning for all the fullness that has come to me from Thy gracious hands. I know Jesus is alive. I know that all provision has been made for my every need. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I thank Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."