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Day 16 or January 16.

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God really does know the beginning from the end.

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Our thought today is taken from Genesis chapter 45 verse 5.

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And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,

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because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

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Now the big picture surrounding this verse.

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In the tense atmosphere of Joseph's residence, he dismisses all his staff and declares his

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identity to his brothers.

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The emotional relief is tangible, and a situation that seemed hopeless is now filled with security

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for the whole of Jacob's family.

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They return home with the good news to bring Jacob to be reunited with his son he thought

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he had lost.

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His first stop is to give thanks to God at Beersheba.

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Then at God's beckoning, the whole family continues to Egypt, which will be their new

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home and where they will have security and enough to eat.

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Here we have the essence of the twelve tribes of Israel, who will multiply into a great

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nation in Egypt.

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They become shepherds for Pharaoh, and are given a great area of land called Goshen.

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Joseph takes his father to meet Pharaoh, and he blesses the ruler.

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Pharaoh is amazed that anyone could live to 130 years old, and is honored with a second

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blessing.

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Not long afterwards Jacob, that is Israel, dies, but not before getting a promise from

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Joseph that he will not be buried in Egypt, but will be laid to rest in the land God has

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given to his people, and where they will thrive as the children of Israel.

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And now our action step for today.

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Joseph even saw a positive aspect in him being sold into slavery.

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He had total trust that God would always bring something good, even out of what seems to

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be a disaster.

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Years later the Apostle Paul would reflect on these words in Romans 8.28, and we know

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that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called

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according to his purpose.

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Looking at a doughnut, they would both have seen the dough, but some people only see the

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hole.