'And Israel said, “I am convinced! My
son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”' Genesis 45:28. What Jacob
now believed revived his spirit, (v 27). A parent who loses a child they love
never recovers from the loss of that loved one. Though it is undoubtedly a
comfort if they know where that child is and they experience God's closeness
and reassurance, there is ever a deep wound, as when a limb has been wrenched
from its socket. The scar will always remain; they will always be aware of the
absence of that limb. All the parent can do is try and adjust to living with
the loss.
Jacob knew not where his son was,
believing that he had been devoured by some wild beast (37:33). He never
recovered or adjusted to the loss and always feared it happening again, (42:4).
Once convinced that Joseph was alive, his spirit lifted. Again we see a
parallel with the resurrection of Jesus and the joy and excitement that took
the place of sorrow and depression once the disciples were convinced that Jesus
was alive. It is something of the transformation that a person
experiences when they discover Jesus for themselves.
One thing that struck me forcibly about
verse 28 was how Jacob's one concern for going to Egypt was that of seeing
Joseph. The brothers may have been more concerned about the food that they
would have, or may have been excited at the sight of all the 'best things of
Egypt' having glimpsed a sample on previous visits. Jacob's one concern was
that of seeing Joseph. With all that awaits us in heaven, the one thing the
devoted Christian wants more than any other is to see Jesus face to face. 'Now
we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror,' says St Paul, 'then we shall see
face to face.' 1 Corinthians 13:12. God bless you all.
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