THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Jose came into Texas from Mexico and robbed a bank. Then he escaped back into Mexico. A Texas Ranger followed him, and finally found him in a small town. He approached Jose, and put a gun to his head, saying, "Tell me where you hid the money."
Jose could speak no English, and the Texas Ranger could speak no Spanish. But there was a little boy nearby who could translate. He told Jose what the Ranger said.
Shaking in fear, Jose quickly told the little boy where he had hidden the money. The Ranger asked, "What did he say?"
The boy said, "Jose is a brave man, he said he is ready to die!"
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Gen 46:26-30
26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
KJV
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In verses 8-25 of Chapter 46 there is a list of all Jacob's family that moved to Egypt. And in verse 27 above, we are told there were a total of 70.
This was some 200 years after God had promised Abraham that his descendents would be as many as "as the sand of the sea." And the family will spend 400 years in Egypt. But when they left Egypt under Moses, there were over 3.5 million!
God ALWAYS performs His promises!
Jacob sent Judah before him to get directions and find out where they were to be located. They came to the "land of Goshen." This area was on the East side of the Nile river, filled with plains and very accomodating to raising sheep and cattle. God had put Joseph in a position to guarantee this land to Jacob. Though Jacob's family was rather small at this point, they had MUCH cattle and sheep.
God always provides the BEST for His people!
Joseph took time to have a happy reunion with his father, Jacob. Joseph, a symbol in the Old Testament of our Savior, went out to greet his family. One day, my friends, our Savior will appear in the clouds to greet ALL His family. We shall be called up to Him, and there "shall we ever be with the Lord." (1Thessalonians 4:17)
Take note of Jacob's statement "...Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive." ONLY when we surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior are we prepared for death. But when we are properly prepared for death, THEN we are ready to live, serving our Lord.
Our Savior LIVES! He arose from the grave and has VICTORY over Satan, sin, shame and death. He is prepared to share that victory with all who receive Him as Lord.
Live today, my dear Christian, knowing that Christ has prepared you; and live in service to Him.
Love ya,
Bruce