"Overwhelmed" Genesis 46:28-47:31 Pastor Allan Wooters, D.Min.
In our last message in this series, I considered the theme of being blessed. One of the points I made was that the fullness of God’s blessings extends beyond our imagination. In this message, we will delve deeper into that point looking at the biblical teaching concerning God’s blessings. My prayer is that understanding such blessings will give you a true sense of rock-solid confidence and hope. Now, to our text.
The aged Jacob had been given the news that his beloved son Joseph was still alive. More than that, Joseph was ruler in Egypt, second in command to Pharaoh himself. How in the world could that be possible? Jacob immediately made his way to Egypt. Let’s read 46:28 – 34.
What a moment it was when Jacob and Joseph laid eyes on each other after twenty years of separation. I doubt that at first any words were spoken. Sobs mixed with intense joy would have been the first rection. But slowly, the words came. “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive” (v.30). His words remind us of Simeon who, according to Luke’s gospel, upon seeing the infant Jesus declared, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace… For my eyes have seen Your salvation….” (Luke 2:29 – 30). Simeon’s life was complete and so was Jacob’s. So, Jacob didn’t want to die literally. He surely wanted to live and spend time with Joseph. His words reflect that he now had all he needed in life. Nothing else needed to be added. Joseph was alive standing right there in front of him. What more could he ask? What more did he need? And how did the others react at this reunion? I’m sure there were plenty of smiles!
I think of the reunion videos of our military men and women returning home from months and months away from their families. I especially love the clips of a young person being honored for something only to have their military father or mother unexpectedly show up and surprise them. It’s hard not to tear up seeing such a thing. I don’t know what single word could describe all the emotion of such moments but overwhelmed would come close. When that loved one appears and the tears flow and hugs abound, what else is needed? What wife, when her husband returns says, “Hey nice you’re back but I need a new pair of shoes!” No, all she needs is him and all he needs is her and the kids. But such a reunion as that of Jacob and Joseph point us to one of God’s ultimate blessings namely, that we are promised a glad reunion in eternity.
We Are Promised a Glad Reunion in Eternity
Reunions in this life are wonderful things but they will come to an end. Death makes sure of that. But God assures us that for His people, there will be a reunion day; one that will never end. God’s Word in 1 Thessalonians 4 gives us one of the greatest promises in all Scripture:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus… For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
How does such a promise comfort us? Let me count the ways!
- It means that death is not the end. We say that but when was that last time you let that truth really sink in? There is life beyond this life and that is absolutely amazing.
- We have God’s truth to help us deal with the pain of our losses. Grief hurts! Sadness easily grips our soul when death claims someone we know and love. But in Christ we have been given the truth about death and eternity and we can use that truth to talk to ourselves about our feelings. Our souls do not have to be painted black but can have the light of hope.
- We gain peace about our own dying. Because of God’s promise, our death will not be a leap into the dark but a step into the light, the light of God’s presence, love, and an incredible reunion with our loved ones.
Such promises I can tell you from personal experience make all the difference. When I was a young teen, my great-grandmother died. At her funeral, the minister spoke of heaven. I was not a Christian. I knew really nothing about the Bible. Thus, his words about heaven meant nothing. I couldn’t relate. But a few years later when I had become a believer and my grandmother passed, at her funeral, all talk about heaven resonated with me powerfully. Now I got it. Now I could hold onto God’s truth and by that I had peace. Well, I could spend more time on this subject of God’s promise of a joyful reunion but let’s move on. Another blessing that we see is noted in 47:28 – 30 whereJacob is given an audience with Pharaoh.
Jacob is greeted by Pharaoh, the most powerful man in that part of the world. Now the meeting is somewhat strange. It’s sort of a downer. Oh yes, at first, Jacob blesses Pharaoh. We’re not told what the blessing was but according to Kent Hughes, the widespread custom in the ancient Near East was to wish any king a long life; something like, “Long live the king!” 1 Perhaps he said it twice because we’re told Jacob blessed Pharaoh when they first met, (v.7) and when they parted (v.10). If wishing the king long life was part of the blessing that might explain why Pharaoh asks Jacob about his age. But more likely is the fact that in those times, age was esteemed, it was seen as a sign of being favored by God or the gods as it might be. Jacob’s response is a bit shocking. “I’m 130 years old!” But those years have been “few and unpleasant” he says. At least Jacob didn’t add, “What’s it to you, whipper-snapper!” But wait! Few? He’s 130! If I live that long, it means I’m middle aged! But I digress. It’s the nature of their conversation that is fascinating and rather sad. It’s all negative. “I’m 130 but my life has been “unpleasant.” Was he trying to get some sympathy from Pharaoh? Was he simply being honest? His life had been hard. But he had met the king thanks to Joseph. He had his long-lost son back. Unpleasant? Not totally. And now he meets the king. Just so with us, we have been given access to the King of the Ages.
We Have Been Given Access to the King of the Ages
Jacob apparently met the king just once. There’s a finality to the words in v.10, “And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence.” We’re never told that they met again. Perhaps you have met some important, famous, or powerful people in your life. I’ve met a few but only one time. I’m not in their contact list. Yet it is not the case with God. We have full access to Him anytime, anyplace, under any circumstances. Again, that’s a truth most of us know full well. But again, how often do we meditate on that truth? I can go into God’s presence this moment. Yes! Not only that, but I don’t have to go crawling but because of Jesus, Hebrews 4:16 says we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Why do we have such a blessing? The answer is because we have a Meditator. With Jacob, it was his relationship with Joseph that afforded him an audience with the king. Just so, because of Jesus, we have our ongoing, never-ending, audience with God Almighty.
Therefore, it is indispensable that you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. No one, not me, not you, has access to God apart from Jesus. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus Himself affirmed this in John 14:6 saying that “no one comes to the Father but through Me.” We don’t have God on our terms but His. God placed Jesus as our Savior and along with that as the only One to establish an ongoing relationship with God for us. We don’t have this relationship with God just because we say we believe in God or try to be a good person or go through some ritual that we think gives us an audience with God. We have God one way and one way only, that is by giving our life to Christ and through Him gaining unending access to God the Father.
Now, when I hurt, when life seems short and full of pain, or when life is happy and good, we have Someone to whom we can turn with our needs and thanksgiving. We have God Himself with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20). So, if you’re not a Christian, it is time to become one so you will know beyond doubt that God is with you along with the fact that your sins are forgiven. But even with this incredible blessing of our endless access to God comes one other truth. It is that we are given overflowing provisions for life by our Lord.
Given Overflowing Provisions by Our Lord
In vs. 13 – 26, we read how Joseph dealt with the people of Egypt as the famine grew worse. He sold food first for cash, no surprise there. Then, when the money was gone, Joseph offered to sell grain in exchange for the people’s cattle then later their land. Time fails me to delve into this but surmise it to say that his dealings were not harsh but merciful. That is how the people saw it. In v.25 they rejoice over the exchange because Joseph had saved their lives. But then there’s this note in v.27: “Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous.” Earlier, Joseph’s family had been given “the best of the land.” He also “provided [for] his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to their little ones” (v.12).
They had more than they needed. Of course, we do too. Let’s be honest, we don’t need much of the stuff we have let alone the other blessings we’ve been given that are not material. But we have them. Paul told the Philippians, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (4:19). Note that Paul says God supplies us, blesses us, not simply based on our need, but “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God has so much to give that His provisions often overflow to us. God gives us more than we need because He loves us and because He can.
So, never feel guilty because of your abundance! Never feel like you don’t deserve something with which you are blessed. You don’t deserve it by the way and neither do I. But take such abundant blessings as a sign of God’s power, riches, and grace. Don’t look at yourself and say, “How unworthy!” Rather look to God and say, “How great!” We have an amazing reunion day coming, along with constant access to the King Eternal. Finally, we have abundant provisions. Be overwhelmed! Be grateful. Worship! It’s all because of Jesus. It’s all because of grace.
For Further Reading
The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God’s Delight in Being God, John Piper