Take Two: Genesis 47, Proverbs 7

Quick post today...as I am already behind for meeting my party downstairs to go to the Conference.

In Gen 47, we see the provision of God...through Pharoah...for the Israel and his people (Gen 47:12). Who would have thought? (Only God...)

A good observation I noted from the passage:
Gen 47:15-16 gives us a principle of work and reward. Joseph could have just given away the provisions...but did not. Why? I believe it is because the principle in Proverbs is true. If a man does not work...he should not eat. It was important for the people and for their dignity (and appreciation) that they work for what they would receive. To give it away, implies that the value of what they would receive was waning.

The final thought in in Gen 47:29-31. Jacob wanted a promise that he would rest with his fathers in Canaan. Jospeh made the promise and it is incredibly important in a developing theology of blessing and land covenant.

Proverbs 7:2 is the takeaway today. We are told to treat the wisdom of God as the "apple (pupil) of our eye." I don't know of any part of our bodies that we instinctively protect with more vigilance than our eyes. May we guard the wisdom of God with the same care.