The Land of Goshen
And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; ~Genesis 45:10-11a
Most immigrants come to the United States as the land of opportunity for them and their family. They envision a life where success is possible with hard work and seizing opportunities. In our devotion this morning, Joseph made possible the opportunity of a lifetime for his brothers. The known world was experiencing a terrible famine that eliminated their crops, food resources, and job opportunities. Joseph knew his brothers would not survive this horrific famine unless they made a strategic move to an area known as Goshen. Just as Joseph beckoned his brothers to settle down in an area that was fertile and plenteous for growing crops and raising cattle and sheep, God beckons us to settle down where we can flourish in our Christian life and see ongoing sustainable success. This morning, we want to see why it is important to choose Goshen for your life.
There is the principle in Goshen.
Goshen means “drawing near.” Goshen is a symbol of the importance of closeness to the Lord. We cannot prosper in the Christian life if we are rooted in the wrong place. Our roots must be deeply embedded in the Word of God, personal prayer, and a daily walk with God. Dwelling in Goshen implies that we must move away from the place of famine and draw close to the Lord. Joseph told his brothers, “Thou shalt be near unto me....” The nearer we are to the Lord, the deeper our roots will be in Him. Are you dwelling in Goshen?
There is the promise in Goshen.
Joseph said, “And there will I nourish thee.” Joseph pledged to take care of his brothers in Goshen. Their food supply and land resources for their cattle and sheep would be well-taken care of in Goshen. Their soul would not famish. Their children and grandchildren would feel safety. When we choose Goshen for our spiritual habitation, the Lord more than takes care of us. It is there where our soul is refreshed. It is there where preachers get their messages from God. It is there where our children are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is there where our marriages are anchored and cared for. It is there where God supplies all our needs.
There is the practice in Goshen.
Living in Goshen required plowing, sowing, and reaping. The inhabitant had to work the land and the flocks. They would observe the seasons of the year. To succeed spiritually, we must diligently work at it. We must be up early and sometimes stay up late. We must labor in the Word and in prayer. We must be sure that the spot we are to pray at is not neglected. We must redeem the time and not allow ourselves to be drawn away into things that will hinder God’s blessings.
There is the profitability in Goshen.
In Goshen, the crops would always abound and supply their need. In Goshen, rain would always fall. While everyone outside of Goshen languished, those within Goshen succeeded. Determine this morning to dwell in Goshen. Draw near to the Lord, and He will draw near unto you. Build your life and your family in Goshen, the place where God blesses!
Have an abounding God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 1-3