It’s time.

Jacob and Joseph are about to be reunited. After years of believing that his son was dead, Jacob is about to be face to face with a son that he had grieved and mourned and “lost.” As Jacob sets out on his journey to be reunited to his son Joseph, what do you think he does?

He worships.

“So Israel {Jacob} took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.” (Genesis 46:1) And what do you think God does?

He responds. He reminds. He promises

“And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’ Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.’” (Genesis 46:2-4) And Jacob sets out.

Wait for it. Wait for it.

“Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.’” (Genesis 46:29-30)

Reunited. I get emotional when I close my eyes and picture this scene. Joseph literally falls on his father’s neck and weeps. Jacob has such peace that he is now ready to die. It’s one of those sweet, rear view moments where you get to see God’s perfect plan. Today at church my pastor was talking about most of life being in faith. We drive and continue moving forward looking through the windshield in faith. We don’t always get it. It doesn’t always make sense. And then, sometimes, there are moments where we get to look in the rearview and it comes together and makes sense and we see God’s perfect sovereignty.

For Joseph and Jacob, this was a rearview moment. A sweet reunion and a sweet reminder. Reunited with one another. Reminded of God’s promises to the family line. What a tremendous moment of joy.

Let’s Get Journaling:

1. What enables you to continue “driving” forward looking through your “windshield of faith?”
2. Why do you think life is 90% windshield, 10% rearview?
3. What does God want to teach you by not allowing you to be all-knowing about the future?
4. Where do you need to surrender the future to Him?
5. Where do you need to be reminded of rear-view moments to reinforce the truth of God’s goodness and sovereignty?