GENESIS 48 GOD MY SHEPHERD I saw Jacob lying on his bed. For fifteen years after the famine, he and his family were able to pursue their lives as shepherds in Goshen without fear. Joseph was still the governor. From seventy persons in the family, the number was rapidly increasing. From people who were in danger of losing everything because of the famine, they now were prospering and the future seemed bright. God had truly been a Shepherd to Jacob. He could see clearly his dependence was on God alone, not on his scheming and dishonesty. It is a good thing when we stop to count our blessings and we see where it all came from. When we finally realize that God is our Shepherd and we trust in His provision and care - then we stop trying to grab everything for ourselves.
Lying on his death-bed, Jacob could see things clearly. He recalled to Joseph the promise of God when He appeared to him at Bethel (Luz). He recognized God was the Almighty God and everything that he had was from the hand of God his Shepherd. Now instead of Joseph being added to his family again, he claimed Joseph's two sons as his own. They each had a portion in Jacob's family so Joseph got a double portion. It is a comfort to know when things seem dark, God is still for us. "If God be for us, who can be against us." Neither Jacob or Joseph knew at first the reason they were apart for years - Jacob thinking Joseph was dead, and Joseph wondering if Jacob was alive. Above all of the tears and disappointments, God was guiding them as a shepherd guides and leads the sheep of his pasture. Now the two young sons are brought before Israel, the prince with God. Now as God's man, he brings these two, born in a far country from an Egyptian mother, raised in a different culture, into the place of blessing among God's people. When they took their place among the tribe of Israel is not clear, but it probably happened after Joseph died.
When God sets His hand upon one and chooses them to fulfill His plans, He goes deeper than we can. He goes deeper than appearances or whether one is older or younger. He goes deeper than the traditions we may have thought were so important that it offended us when they were deviated from. He goes deeper than a person's position or occupation. He can use the person least expected, the less obvious choice by our standards and use them to carry out the plans He made. Often the "weak things" are used to "confound the mighty." The qualifications we expect of ourselves or that others expect of us do not thwart God's plans. He can make one whose appearance is not attractive to be a mighty spokesman for Him. He can use one with a bad temper to learn divine wisdom and be able to shepherd His sheep. He can use one who may be of a phlegmatic nature to open doors for God's glory. Don't count others out because they don't meet your expectations. And don't count yourself out even if you think you are a failure or are unable to do what you think you should. God is able to take a laborer sent into the harvest and make of that person one to suit His purposes and who will not take glory to himself.
As I saw in my mind's eye those three generations together, I thought of the wonders of God's grace. An old man now on his death-bed started out his life as a conniving scheming deceptive young man who was totally self-centered. But God was a Shepherd to him all through his life and through him blessings still flow today. The middle-aged man, a noble leader among the nation, began as a pampered favorite son, with a coat of many colors given as a sign of his father's expectation of future leadership. Now it has come true, but by way of rejection from jealous brothers who sold him as a slave; by way of slavery and the sinful enticement of a worldly woman; by way of years spent in prison - falsely accused and condemned. Through it all to the throne of Egypt, God led him as a Shepherd. Now two young sons, starting out, find themselves part of the tribe of Israel, not Egyptians. Our lives as people of faith my lead us to places we never intended to go. They may be led by God into a work we had never planned for. The results of our lives may be so different from what we first thought, that we hardly recognize ourselves. But with God the Lord as our Shepherd, the pastures will ultimately be green and the water good, even though He may have to lead us through dry deserts at times.
Shepherding people is similar at times to work of shepherding sheep. There are enemies around who want to claim their lives, but the shepherd is there to keep Them from harm and danger that lurks all around; the world is not a safe place. But the Great Shepherd of the sheep is there to feed and protect them by His wisdom and His grace.
There are times when the sheep seem to get out of hand, they are likely off their feed. The shepherd is there to watch them each day and he knows what they really need. Good healthy feed is not always as tasty as some of the noxious weeds around. But the Good Shepherd is there and moves the sheep to where good pasture is to be found.
To live among sheep may not be the nicest place for a shepherd to continually dwell. There may be the sounds of a lot of complaining, and of course there is the smell. In spite of all that, the potential is there for the sheep to produce a good return. So the Chief Shepherd is there to calm them and guide so the sheep His voice will learn.
Through the years of living there is getting and giving, the Shepherd is there to guide. Sometimes there is opposition and challenge and we find no place to hide. The Shepherd knows how to step in and remove hindrances to His plan. He has at His disposal powers that are His, none of which are given to man.
When the subtly of temptation plays its music, it has a different tone. It may not seem so bad at all, but the Shepherd has one of His own. When the two try to mix there are discordant notes that fix our ear upon which one is right. The Shepherd's tone is the one to follow for those who walk by faith not sight.
There come times of stormy weather in this journey of life when we need a place of shelter. Voices call out loudly, "Come to this place," and before long everything is helter-skelter. Then the voice of the Shepherd comes loud and strong, "This is the way; walk ye in it." And the fear and uncertainty are no longer there, and calm comes in less than a minute.
The Shepherd of our life isn't a shepherd of strife, He leads in a way most serene. Where we are today is much different then if left alone where we would have been. Looking back, I can see where He has led me through dangerous places in peace. I didn't know all the pitfalls, the marshy ground; He has brought me here by His grace.
"Gracious God my Father, I praise and worship Thee this morning as I look back and see the way Thou hast guided me until now. There is no doubt I would have made a total mess of life if You were not my Shepherd. I thank Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."