WEBVTT

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Day 16 or January the 16th. God really does know

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the beginning from the end. Our thought today

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is taken from Genesis chapter 45 verse 5. And

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now, do not be distressed and do not be angry

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with yourselves for selling me here, because

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it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of

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you. Now, the big picture surrounding this verse.

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In the tense atmosphere of Joseph's residence,

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he dismisses all his staff and declares his identity

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to his brothers. The emotional relief is tangible,

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and a situation that seemed hopeless is now filled

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with security for the whole of Jacob's family.

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They return home with the good news to bring

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Jacob to be reunited with his son he thought

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he had lost. His first stop is to give thanks

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to God at Beersheba. Then, at God's beckoning,

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the whole family continues to Egypt, which will

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be their new home and where they will have security

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and enough to eat. Here we have the essence of

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the twelve tribes of Israel, who will multiply

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into a great nation in Egypt. They become shepherds

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for Pharaoh, and are given a great area of land

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called Goshen. Joseph takes his father to meet

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Pharaoh, and he blesses the ruler. Pharaoh is

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amazed that anyone could live to 130 years old,

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and is honoured with a second blessing. Not long

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afterwards, Jacob, that is, Israel, dies, but

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not before getting a promise from Joseph that

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he will not be buried in Egypt, but will be laid

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to rest in the land God has given to his people,

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and where they will thrive as the children of

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Israel. And now, our action step for today. Joseph

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even saw a positive aspect in him being sold

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into slavery. He had total trust that God would

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always bring something good, even out of what

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seems to be a disaster. Years later, the Apostle

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Paul would reflect on these words, in Romans

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8 .28, And we know that in all things God works

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for the good of those who love him, who have

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been called according to his purpose. Looking

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at a doughnut, they would both have seen the

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dough, but some people... Only see the whole.