Genesis 45 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“G_d sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but G_d. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over the land of Egypt.” Genesis 45: 7-8

With great generosity, Joseph reassures his brothers by pointing out G_d’s purpose and plan, which has overruled their crime. This event foreshadows Yeshua’s first statement from the cross:

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

Was it a crime for Jacob’s brothers to abuse and sell him into slavery? Yes. Did they suffer consequences of their sin? Of course, they did. But was their consequence as great as it “should” have been, were it reviewed by an impartial judge? No.

Here we see, perhaps, the greatest similarity between Joseph and Yeshua. Biblically, this combination of Grace & Mercy was completely without precedence until Joseph revealed his intentions to his brothers. Here was a man who had undergone severe physical, social, emotional, and financial hardships…completely undeserved. Yet, Joseph’s response was formulated solely out of his belief in G_d’s promise.

Yeshua, in the garden of Gethsemane, prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done!” Yeshua had faith that the grave could not hold down those, to whom the L_rd would pronounce, “Arise!” It was His faith in G_d’s Word & character, which allowed Messiah to endure the cross, free of any entanglements this World might otherwise hold. Yeshua held no malice that would compel Him to keep “souvenirs of hate” towards those who crucified Him.

Who could be offended by so great a love, shown towards us? I can identify with Joseph’s brothers, in that I once had difficulty coping with the reality that I was REALLY forgiven!

As G_d told Abraham to leave his father’s house and go to the place He would show him (Canaan), so also Joseph told his brothers to leave everything in Canaan, to quickly receive the fullness of their deliverance from famine. Of course, Moses led the deliverance from Egypt!

Likewise, Yeshua charges all who would follow Him: “Leave everything and follow me.” Have you “partially” followed Yeshua? That is, have you enjoyed a proximity to Him, without actually committing to know Him in a saving way? Until you do so, you are not “fully delivered”. And nobody wants to be left outside of salvation: Matthew 7:21-29 If you haven’t already, I urge you to fully receive Yeshua, today! It is time to become a FOLLOWER, instead of just following Him around. Today is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Monday, February 24, 2014