GENESIS 46 ISRAEL TOOK HIS JOURNEY It was plain to me that there was both anticipation and fear when the tribe of Israel started the journey to Egypt. From Hebron to Beersheba wasn't a problem to Israel. But the fear of the journey and of going to a strange land, brought them to stop while Israel sought his God. A double call from God, was very assuring to Jacob. Now he was sure God was with him and now he was sure the tribe of Israel would return again to the land God promised. Fear can paralyze one as we look into the unknown. A strange land, strange people and a strange language can cause us to question God's leading. Jacob may have remembered what happened to Abraham in Egypt. Whenever God directs us to make a move, we must go ahead and do what is made plain to us. To hesitate or refuse to go is to doubt God's ability to care for us.
It is possible to settle down in comfort and forget why we are in the world in the first place. To make our decisions and act on what we feel is to our advantage, isn't necessarily assurance of God's guidance. He may lead us into difficult places and difficult circumstances. That does not mean God has forsaken us. It means He can trust us to do a necessary work. There are times when it is more difficult to serve God in favorable places and circumstances in life, than when there is adversity. It is my responsibility to be in touch with God so He can direct my going. "Burning bridges behind us" is never an easy thing to do. To have to walk away from a place God has used one is very hard. I must remember the actions I take will not only affect me, but my children and their children behind them. It is very hard not to second guess decisions made in the past, in the light of the present. I may have to go back over decision-making times to be assured that God led me here.
Once the assurance was given by God to Jacob, he was ready to resume the journey. Israel, the prince with God, was following the leading of the Lord. However, the leading of God did not lead them to be assimilated into the culture of Egypt. They were to dwell alone even though surrounded by all the strangeness of the Egyptian world. The world I live in has its prejudices too, against those who are following God. To be in the world but not of the world, means that I do not fit in the worldly culture around me. It is strange to the world to hear the words of hymns being sung. They are generally moved by the sound of the music more than the message. The quiet thoughtful singing that edifies both the singer and hearer makes them uncomfortable enough to either scorn or tune out those that give themselves to praise. Thoughtful messages that make one search the scriptures are not well received. People want answers but they don't want to assume the responsibility of personally getting those answers from God Himself. So instead they will read what someone else says about the scriptures or listen to another's person's opinion about them, rather than take the time to listen to the voice of God through the Word of God themselves. That is the Egyptian way. Find the seer, the sages or the magicians that make things look dramatic and you can feel the emotion of the moment. That is so much easier than "Buying the truth and selling it not."
Israel journeyed to Egypt it is true, but the object of his greatest interest wasn't Egypt, or Pharaoh or even the land of Goshen where he was going to live - but it was Joseph, his son! Long years had passed and he had all those years he had thought Joseph was dead. He had only memories of a special son wearing the princely coat of many colors. Now here embracing him with tears, words of affection and protection - was Joseph. Now Israel could see clearly the future was secure. The whole purpose of God could be seen now. Now there was clarity when before there was obscurity. Now, in His own time and way, God let them see what could not have been seen in any other way.
There have been, and probably still will be, times when we wonder why this has happened. What is behind this disappointment? Why has God allowed this to come upon us? All of the events in life have a purpose behind them as far God is concerned. It may be that when we take matters into our own hands without acting or waiting in faith, that God will let our mistakes and failures run their course until we surrender our will to His. Of this one thing I am sure - the life of faith of a child of God and the life of one living for the world's success, are incompatible. They cannot mix. We either serve God or mammon. We either live for the eternal future or for the present world. There is no way to combine the two. If God be God, then follow Him. Even in the land of Egypt, the journey of Israel brought him and his family to a place of separation. It was from that place of separation they were promised by God they would return to the promised land as a great unique nation - with their identity still intact.
It may not seem like much to some to be different from those around. But when one is in the family of God we listen to a different sound. The voice of God is not always in thunder or in fire so dramatic. The still, small voice of God may be heard, and the quietness is more emphatic.
When God calls a person and you know He means you as the object of His intention. Never ignore that call because something important is coming as He seeks your full attention. He may have a work for you to do that is very different from what you are doing. Or He may be trying to get you to turn from your course and where you are presently going.
Give God the credit for having the right to tell you what to do or be.
He has the big picture of your existence in view, He wants to get you ready for eternity. God knows the world has attractions that appeal but will someday bring you down. But if you allow God to do His will through you, you will gladly His sovereignty own.
It may be down the road a way, maybe even twenty years or more - That you will find out why things happened this way and what God has in store For you and yours if you yield your will and ways in life to Him. He can make you understand why these things happened, and life begins again.
To start a new life in a new place after many years have rolled their course - Is not easy to do unless we realize that God's will is at the source. Then the wise person will say, "Let God's will be done. Here am I send me." The results of such surrender will often help us understand what life was meant to be.
The place God leads you to, the work you do, may challenge all preconceived notions. And as we make changes that are uncomfortable to us it will affect our emotions. We will find ourselves getting child-like again, not someone with all the answers. God will be the center of our daily walk, doing what He wants, our spirit enhances.
But we will be able to rest in peace, knowing God has placed on me His hands. And wherever He will lead me, and whatever He chooses, to me it will be Beulah-land. There on the high ground of spiritual life, even though Egyptian attractions are there - The assurance is given, God has made His will known, and He is the One who sent me here.
"Heavenly Father, even though I live in this wilderness, I find it a great pleasure to know I am in the place to which Thou didst send me. I bow to Thy will. And I thank Thee for allowing me to be here. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."