“And God said to Jacob: “I will go down with you to Egypt…..”. Genesis: 46:4

In many ways Jacob’s life was fraught with difficulties, pain and sorrow; however of all the great men mentioned in the Bible, he is the only one whose name God changed from “Jacob” to “Israel”. Why God chose Jacob to be the Father of such a great nation as Israel I do not know but to my amazement God did! So I have to agree that God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than mine to the point where I must confess, “I know nothing”! However, after reading again the story of Jacob I’m moved by the Holy Spirit to say to everyone reading this message, if you are in grief, hurt, hated, cheated, criticized, separated from family and loved ones, deceived, lied to and manipulated by others who want to use and control you, then read the life of Jacob who God called Israel”! It will inspire and motivate you to believe that you are a special child of Almighty God. With God there is always reconciliation, beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, healing and an amazing future waiting for each of us.

Egypt! Jacob didn’t want to go there! His father Isaac didn’t go there even in the famine he experienced! God told Isaac; “Do not go down to Egypt” (Gen: 26:2)! Therefore he sowed in that famine and reaped in the same year a hundred fold. (v12). Jacob didn’t like Egypt even though he had sent his sons there to buy grain and supplies. He was a man in deep grief since Joseph (his favorite son), had supposedly been killed by a wild animal according to his jealous brothers. Now they wanted to take Benjamin back to Egypt with them and he was especially precious to Jacob because Rachael died at his birth. It’s all too much for Jacob! Now his sons tell him “Joseph is still alive and is governor over all Egypt”! Is this another deception, another lie, another trick? He didn’t believe them and just fainted in grief! (Gen: 45: 26). “But, when he saw the wagons (v27) Joseph had sent to take him to Egypt, his spirit revived”! God said; “I will go down with you to Egypt, and make you a great nation there”.

Dear friend, I do not know the sorrow and pain you are presently enduring. But God does! Hallelujah! Behold His “Wagons” are waiting to transport you to a joyous reunion of Abundant Blessings! Yes, our miracle often exists where we do not want to venture.

In His Grip

+ Harry