C3 Network Podcast Episode 122: Genesis | Week 24

Genesis 47 is a pivotal chapter because it sets us up for the back story of Exodus because Moses answers the question: “How did the Israelites end up as slaves in Egypt?” This is a fascinating chapter, and it gives the details of the settlement of Jacob's family in Egypt during a severe worldwide famine.

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Transcript

welcome back I'm Dan Holland and we're working our way through the Book of Genesis now we just have two weeks left and today we're in Genesis 47 now my job is to set the table for a great conversation yours is to keep the conversation going right where you are a Genesis the book of Beginnings lays the foundation for the story of God's relationship with Humanity it's authored by Moses Genesis provides an historical account of creation the early and of all the early Patriarchs Adam Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph now this week we're reminded that Genesis isn't just an historical account but a Timeless lesson in Divine Providence wise stewardship and the importance of trusting God's plans this is a big one now why is that important because sometimes when when you do what you have to do you end up in a hard place for a very long time Genesis 47 is a pivotal chapter because it sets us up for the backstory of Exodus because Moses answers the question how did the Israelites end up as slaves in Egypt now this is a fascinating chapter and it gives the details of the settlement of Jacob's family in Egypt during a severe worldwide famine now Pharaoh recognizing Joseph's pivotal role in averting disaster graciously welcomes Jacob and his sons Joseph's family arrives in Egypt and is given the best part of the land Goan this part of the story highlights the importance of planning of foresight and having wise stewardship of your resources and Joseph's foresight and god-given wisdom enabled him to store up grain which ensured surv Revival not only for Egypt but also for his own family it's how God accomplished his promise as you read the chapter notice that at first people bought grain using money and when that ran out they traded their livestock when that ran out their land and it says in chapter 47: 21 it says Joseph reduced the people to servitude I think was referring to the Egyptians and not the Israelites at least that's the indication we're given as you read through it and then he gave them seed and the people returned one of all the crops like I said sometimes when you do what you have to do you end up in a hard place for a very long time now let me be clear it's one thing to become dependent on government to take care of you for basic needs because you don't have any other options and quite another if you willingly give yourself to it because well because you're lazy and simply want something for nothing with no strings attached as Solomon wisely cautions the borrower becomes a slave to the lender now that's not true some of the time it's true all the time and I'm curious about your key takeaways from this chapter now mine include first however dark however bad life gets I can be calm and trust God that's number one stay calm and trust God are you out of food stay calm and trust God are you out of money out of possessions stay calm and trust God now this is a lesson we humans have to relearn every day the first thing I can do is be calm and trust God my second takeaway I can think and plan ahead see Joseph meticulously planned ahead Joseph's strategy of saving a portion of the produce during the years of plenty ensured survival during the years of scarcity his actions teach us the value of being prudent and of prudent Financial Planning and saving we're encouraged to save and plan for the future times of abundance can be preparation for future challenges it's very important Joseph's story encourages us to act wisely and responsibly with the resources entrusted to us preparing for the future while relying on God's unfailing provision as we navigate our own seasons of abundance and scarcity we can find inspiration I think and guidance in the example that set by Joseph and The overarching Narrative of God's faithfulness all the way through Genesis all right my third takeaway I can live according to the plan listen your plan doesn't have to be perfect George Patton said a good plan violently executed Now is better than a perfect plan executed next week in other words don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today if it's part of the plan James said don't merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves do what it says so be calm and trust God make a plan and do the next right thing trust God's provision while also being diligent and responsible stewards of what we're given one more thing how we live affects others Joseph's wise and compassionate management of resources ensured that not only his family but also the Egyptian people survived the famine his approach balanced generosity with sustainability now I would just say that in our efforts to help others We should strive for wisdom and sustainability and to ensure that our assistance empowers them rather than creates creating dependence now remember whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much Jesus said that Jesus also said from everyone who has been given much from him much will be demanded now to start the conversation say whether you agree or disagree with the following statement it's a big one being taken care of by the government over a long period of time even for legitimate needs always leads to dependence for the Next Generation do you agree or disagree now let the conversation begin