The favour of God

Genesis 47

It’s clear that the hand of God was mightily manifested in the lives of Israel right from Abraham to Jacob and Joseph. He has a special love for His own that no one can obstruct. In Malachi 1 God said that Jacob He loves and Esau He hated. Nothing can separate him from the love of His Father. God has a way of preserving His own from destruction. He sent Joseph ahead of the famine to make a way for His people. Thus, they stayed in the land and grew as God wanted for them and declared to Jacob in Genesis 46:3-4.

What can we learn?

#1. God favours His people even in times of crisis. (Genesis 47:1-12)

God can favour His people even in times of crisis. Whilst there was severe famine, He sent Joseph ahead of time to secure His people and brought all of them to Egypt to be preserved. They got a good part of the land to stay and care for their livestock. The favour of the Lord maketh rich and adds no sorrow to it. God owns everything so He can lead His people to dwell in green pastures. When Elijah declared drought in the land of Samaria and there was severe famine, God fed him everyday with bread and meat. He never leaves His own to starve and die.

#2. God can grant us wisdom to deal with crisis. (Genesis 47:13-26)

The next lesson we can glean from this chapter is that God grants His own divine wisdom to solve complex problems. Joseph became a national hero taking care of an international economic crisis. He was so favoured with wisdom that nothing could be done without him. Every level of the international economic crisis was brought to his doorstep. Divine wisdom makes us stand out amongst our peers. The magicians and so-called technical experts of Egypt could not match him. God makes us stand out for His glory.

#3. God can put us to peaceful rest. (Genesis 47:27-31)

The last lesson we can pick from the chapter is that God is able to grant us long life and peace. The Psalm 91 says that with long life, the Lord will satisfy us. Jacob enjoyed the favour of God to the extent that he was now negotiating where he wanted to be buried. He spoke to Joseph to bury him with his fathers when he died. The Lord can truly give us peaceful rest if we rest in Him. The man was so old but still enjoying life from God.

God asked Israel to dwell in Egypt so that He proceeds to make them a great nation as promised to Abraham. He is well able to execute whatever He says. Nothing can stop God’s agenda from coming to pass.

Take Action: Thank God that He is always with us to favour us.