Jacob in Egypt
This is an audio recording of Jacob in Egypt the Day 9 entry in Today: Devotions for Seafarers (Vol. 2) by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Donielle Hart Goad or read the text below:
“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.” Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.”
Have you been on board a ship where crew members were in conflict with each other? Disagreements might last for just a few hours, but they can also last for days and weeks, even until the end of a contract. Maybe you know a crew member who carried a grudge for many months.
For all of us, the hardships and conflicts of life can accumulate on our souls, making us bitter and resentful. When we cannot forgive and move on, we develop soul-destroying grudges. As one writer noted, "Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and then hoping that the other person dies." The deep desire to see someone suffer ends up as a curse over our own heads.
In the Bible, Jacob had lots of reasons to hold a grudge: his days had been difficult, especially with a recent drought in the land. He might have despaired, letting the bitter bile of resentment gouge his heart. But we find that his perspective was quite different.
He framed the "few and difficult" years of his life in the context of a pilgrimage. He knew that life was not just an accumulation of one problem after another but was a journey directed by God himself.
This pilgrim perspective was all the more useful for a man who left his homeland to live in a foreign country, where there was no guarantee of peace.
As Jacob found peace in the prism of life as a pilgrimage, so can we. Whether we move about or stay in one place, God is shaping us, sharpening us, calling us to live for him. Life has its challenges and trials, but we find comfort in the love and care of our heavenly Father.
For Further Thought
Have you held a grudge against someone?
How did that affect you?
Why is it important to forgive people who have hurt you? How can you live in peace with the others on your ship?
Prayer
Great Comforter, my life is often difficult. I need your support and power. Please send your Spirit so that I don't become bitter and resentful. Help me to be grateful for your blessings. In Jesus' name, Amen.
