Genesis 45-46 / Psalm 27

READ: Genesis 45-46 / Psalm 27

Verses chosen for meditation: Genesis 47:7-11  

7 Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and stood him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.  8 And Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How many are the days of the years of your life?"  9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning."  10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.  

REFLECT

It was a strange conversation between a mighty King and a broken man who just managed to reconcile with a lost son. It was apparent that Pharaoh treated Jacob with great respect; expectedly so since the Egyptian King had loved and trusted Joseph. Hence, Pharaoh asked the Patriarch a respectful question: “How many days of the years of your life?”

If it was a younger Jacob being asked the question, it would have solicited a very different answer. It could have been tainted with deception like only giving Pharaoh "half-truths". For example, a younger Jacob could have trumpeted before the Egyptian king that in those years, it had been nothing but a blessed journey. Despite the deception of his uncle Laban, God had blessed him with great material wealth and a large family of his own. Despite a brother trying to kill him, he had managed to solicit forgiveness with his wit and prayer. Despite losing his favourite son, God had found him back and he was so proud that Joseph became such an influential man in Egypt. Jacob could have tried to hold his head high before the King. After all his favourite son was then an important court official.

Yet we read here that at 130 years old, Jacob would have none of that. His response to Pharaoh’s question was probably the most authentic and humble one we have seen so far. “Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning." (Genesis 47:9)

It was a humble reflection of his own life. One where Jacob realised that without the extraordinary grace of God; it would have been disastrous. This strange confession to a stranger, was something he had not done in the past. Here, Jacob acknowledged his own evil and sinfulness and spoke the truth on how he would see his life. It wasn't that Jacob was not grateful to God for His grace. It was rather a humble admission of how he had been so depraved.

This seems to reflect that at this point of his life; Jacob had matured in his relationship with God. At a ripe old age; when perhaps the sparkle in his eyes were gone from the days of his youth; his heart was humbled but strong in the Spirit. And so with that powerful sense of humility and truthfulness, the Lord used him, to bless the most powerful person in the land. A broken and humbled man, blessing the most powerful in mighty Egypt. What a paradox! (Genesis 47:10)

RELATE

Personally, what Jacob said to Pharaoh touched my heart. This is because after all that Jacob had been through; God did not abandon but helped him to stay in the faith. From being an arrogant, selfish and deceitful man, Jacob was humbled to be a man who sought after God's own heart. Even after realising that Joseph became second to none in Egypt; that did not make him prouder than he should. Instead, he took it in a mature way. Knowing that once again, God is at work. 

At that moment in time, it probably did not matter to Jacob that an important person was talking to him. It probably did not matter very much that Joseph became all powerful and wealthy. What mattered was that broken relationships were restored and the witness that God's promises came to pass. At the end of the day, we found in Jacob, a person who was more obedient to the voice of God (Genesis 46:1-5).

Questions which I sometimes ask myself are: "Who would I become in 10 or 20 years? How would my wife and children see me?" "Would they see an older person who although grow in age; but none in my relationship with God?" "Or would they find in me someone who grew closer to God?" How would my relationship with God impact them in their own journey with the Lord?" 

I definitely hope to be spiritually more mature as I age. Yet, I also know that it is not something natural. It is not something that will happen just because of the passing of time.  It is something that takes commitment. It is something that takes a strong sense of self-awareness and the willingness to surrender.

Hence, it is my prayer that I will have the humility like Jacob, to acknowledge that I need the Lord and hence be the clay in the Potter's hands. It is a comfort to know that after all that Jacob had done; God continue to provide a sanctuary for him to grow. Similarly in Jesus Christ, I know that God love me the same and I can rest in His teachings, grace and molding. 

Indeed, may the Lord help me to be able to see and act upon such wisdom from above. This is so that I can learn and be a good example to those whom I shepherd as well as my own children. 

REST

Lord my God, even as I age, help me grow closer to You. Help me to act upon the resources You have so graciously given; in order that I can be sanctified and You be glorified. This I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

Jason Phua