Where We Need to Be

01.17.12

Genesis 42.1-2 1 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” 2 He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” NASB

Jacob, the patriarch of his clan, was the leader as well. It was not only his familial responsibility, but also his cultural obligation to lead. However, it was also his obligation to teach motivation and to motivate. Leaders motivate and teach motivation. Jacob motivated but he didn’t do such a good job at teaching.

Jacob’s sons seemed to be kinda waiting around for someone (Jacob) to spell out the next move. Jacob said, “What’re you boys doing – you look like bumps on a log! Get down to Egypt and buy us some food!” So they loaded up the donkeys and made their move. The boys knew they were running out of food; they just didn’t seem to be too motivated to do anything about – at least until the old man said so.

Joseph on the other hand seemed to have it in hand: he was now the Prime Minister of Egypt and was doing quite well ordering around the citizens of Egypt. My question is, why didn’t he escape back to Canaan? Why didn’t he just chuck it all and go back home? I guess it’s because he knew what his brothers failed to do the first time, they might succeed at the second time. The other thing is Joseph seemed to know that where he was, was where he was supposed to be. He seemed fine with that. Maybe God was making him into a leader as well.

The difference between Joseph and his brothers was they seemed to be focused on their father and he seemed to be focused on God. Now, granted, life in Egypt wasn’t so bad as the number 2 dude in the country with two sons, a trophy wife, a Samoyed, and a Volvo. And Joseph was doing what God had guided him to do. The big factor though, was his reverence for God in all he did. The brothers revered the old man but in my estimation, not necessarily God.

So what about us – are we doing what God has guided us to do or are we focusing our attention on the boss, the job, the trophy wife, yada, yada, yada? Proverbs 3 says this: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Vv. 5,6 NKJV) Joseph was doing just that. He could’ve cut out for Canaan but Joseph caught wind of the bigger picture and seemed accept that he was where he needed to be. That’s a leader: self-directed and self-motivated.

Life really is what we make of it. I know I use phrases like that all the time but it’s true. But life gains a whole new perspective when we allow ourselves to be directed by God because we purpose to trust in Him. Joseph trusted in the Lord in spite of his treatment and God guided him to the place of (small ‘s’) savior. The rest of the story includes not only food for the family but ultimately protection, shelter, and one day, a (capital ‘S’) Savior. The ripple effect of our lives is guided by God as we trust Him, and He puts us where we need to be…