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Don't Quarrel on the Way

Words of Faith Final

Don't Quarrel on the Way
Words of Faith 8-5-2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2022
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Genesis 45
[16] When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. [17] Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, [18] and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.'
[19] "You are also directed to tell them, 'Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. [20] Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.' "
[21] So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. [22] To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. [23] And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. [24] Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"
[25] So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. [26] They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. [27] But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. [28] And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

What a joyous time! Pharaoh was so pleased with Joseph's work saving Egypt that he invited the entire family of Israel to come and settle in the land. They were to enjoy the "fat of the land," the very best of the best. They would settle in the land of Goshen, the richest part of the Nile River valley, where they could grow and prosper. What an invitation! Don't even bother to bring your things because the best of all Egypt will be yours!
Joseph sent his brothers off to gather the family from Canaan. He sent them with a tremendous blessing. They all received new clothing, carts, and every provision needed for the journey. There were even more provisions and extra donkeys for the ride back. Of course, Benjamin, Joseph's full brother, received even more blessings. Benjamin received five sets of clothes and 300 shekels of pocket money!
Joseph sent his brothers with a single curious instruction, "Don't quarrel on the way!"
It seems that Joseph knew his brothers well. Even after being forgiven of great sin, sent with enormous blessing for their journey, and knowing a fabulous home lay ahead of them, it was still possible they would break out in quarrels along the way!
The truth is that when families travel, they can often quarrel! But this was more than "He touched my part of the seat!" The brothers might easily fight over their guilt and sin, even though it was in the past. The brothers could easily become jealous of Benjamin's extra blessings just as they had been jealous of Joseph many years before. They might have quarreled over their own blessings, given the relative size of their families. Joseph was clear. Don't lose sight of the goal here! Bring the family back to this place of great blessing!
This is an interesting image. We have been forgiven and assigned to a similar journey as believers in Christ. Our task is to return to the world and bring home those who are part of the family of God! We are to rescue the family from certain death in the desert. We are to retrieve those God has chosen and bring them out of famine to a permanent place of immeasurable blessing.
For the journey, we have also been blessed in varying ways. Some have more money for the journey and others have more clothes to wear. So what? The difference in these blessings is irrelevant because everything we need is provided, and the big blessing is to come! So the instruction from our Brother is similar, "Don't quarrel on the way!"
Jesus prayed for our journey: "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me and have loved them even as You have loved me (John 17:23). The Apostle Paul prayed: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5). Paul exhorts us to "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephes. 4:3) and "over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Col. 3:14).
If you think about it, most of our quarrels in the Body of Christ are because we have lost sight of the goal. Our calling is to gather the family of God-- those the Lord is saving-- and bring them to a much better place. How much pocket money Benjamin has is really not very important.

Lord Jesus, I give thanks that You have forgiven me. You have washed me as white as snow. I am ready for the journey today. Help me to see those You are calling and saving to Yourself. Show me what You need me to do. I will do my best not to quarrel with my brothers and sisters. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2022 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.