Once again Joseph’s brothers started for home, but this time they had happier hearts than ever before. Their sin had been confessed, and they knew that Joseph was alive, but above all they knew Joseph’s heart. We can imagine the surprise of poor Jacob when he heard the wonderful tidings, and saw all the provision for the journey. How often we, like Jacob, are inclined to faint under the difficulties of the way, but as we learn our own weakness, we learn that the Lord never changes. Jacob, or rather Israel (his new name), exclaimed, “It is enough!” It is a grand thing to meditate upon all the Lord has done for us, and then we, like Jacob, can rest satisfied in His abundant provision for our journey to glory.
Remembering God’s Promises
Then Jacob went to Beersheba (the well of the oath), and there he remembered God’s wonderful promises in connection with the land of Canaan. There the Lord appeared to Jacob, calling him by name, and giving him the assurance that He would go down into Egypt with him. This settled everything. If the Lord was going to be with him, he need not worry, for the sense of His presence always gives rest and peace.
Dear young reader, perhaps you are being called upon to make some important decision, and you wonder what you should do. Why not do as Jacob did? The first thing he did was to go to the place where the Lord had made His promises to Abraham long before. We, too, need to get to the place where we realize all the Lord has done for us and own His claims over us. Then, like Jacob, we can worship there. Next, we should await the word from the Lord telling us what to do and promising that He will be with us in it. Sometimes we would like to have guidance, but we are not in the place, or state of soul, where we can get it. There is a good word for us in Psalm 36:9, “In Thy light shall we see light.” Too often we are like the Jews of old who asked Jeremiah to enquire of the Lord for them, but when he told them what the Lord had said, they refused to hearken (Jeremiah 42-43). God will not guide us unless our wills are broken in His presence, and we are ready to say, “Teach me to do Thy will” (Psalm 143:10).
Bringing All to the Lord
On the previous occasion when Joseph’s brothers had come into Egypt, they had brought a little balm, a little honey, and other things for Joseph. At that time they had not known Joseph or his heart toward them, but now in the fullest confidence they brought all they had to him. Oh dear young believer, do not be afraid to bring all to the Lord, for you will never regret it. The little hymn expresses it so beautifully:
Were the whole realm of nature ours,
That were an offering far too small;
Love that transcends our highest powers,
Demands our soul, our life, our all.
They brought their little ones too, and it is a fine thing when a family sets out all together to seek the Lord, as these men were seeking the face of Joseph. Joseph prepared his chariot, and went out to meet Jacob his father, and it surely was a happy meeting after those many years. It reminds one of the time when the Lord will appear and make Himself known to His people Israel in a coming day.
Further Meditation
1. Why did Joseph’s brothers have happy hearts as they returned home?
2. Being filled with the promises of God is a wonderful way to fill our minds and hearts. What does the Apostle Paul say about the subject in Philippians 4?
3. In the pamphlet Making Room for God’s Blessings in Your Life: The Right Way and the Wrong Way by B. Anstey, you’ll find some wonderful instruction for joining with Joseph’s brothers’ happy hearts.