Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Genesis 46:28-30 – Peace experience through reunion

Jacob with his entourage, and the wagons with the provisions made by Pharaoh, were on the way to Goshen in Egypt. Meanwhile Judah was sent to Joseph to seek direction to it, and they finally reached their destination. When news came to Joseph that his father and his whole clan were in Goshen, Joseph dressed his best and sped there. The anticipation of the reunion must have brought both pleasure and apprehension to the father as well as the son. Bear in mind that they had not met for more than two decades.

As soon as Joseph met his father, Israel, he fell on his neck and wept. It was a tearful moment but the tears shed were tears of joy. It was a substantially long hug between father and son. Everyone looked on with real joy. Finally the patriarch lifted up his head, focused on his son and said, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.” This time around the word “die” takes on a different meaning. Since news of Joseph’s supposed death, he had a sorrowful death wish. Now that Joseph was well and good, he was prepared to depart this earth in peace. It’s a declaration of satisfaction and delight.

Reunion is always a joyful experience. If reunion with an earthly father is satisfying, just consider how much more satisfying it would be when we are reunited with our Heavenly Father. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God is always seeking for our return to reunite with Him. Sin always put a wedge between us and the Heavenly Father. When left undealt, with the passing of time, coming back to the father is a loathsome thing. Hence, we must keep short accounts of our life so that the union with the Father will not be affected. Reunion with the Father was and still is the desire of Jesus for us. John 17:21 captures His desire for us. He prayed “…that they (meaning us) may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. Our unity with the Father has the potential to make great impact in the lives of others.

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