GOSHEN BLESSINGS (1)

“You shall DWELL in the LAND of GOSHEN, and you shall be NEAR TO ME…” – Genesis 45:10a

God’s Circle of Blessings is epitomised by what we may call GOSHEN BLESSINGS: “You shall DWELL in the LAND of GOSHEN, and you shall be NEAR TO ME, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. THERE I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine” (Gen.45: 10-11). This was the genesis of Goshen. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he was ultimately lifted by divine providence, to prime minister-ship in Pharaoh’s court. When a famine hit the land of Canaan, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to purchase food. Joseph revealed himself to them and told them that God had sent him ahead of them to preserve life (vv.1-4).

Joseph wanted his family to dwell in Goshen, which means “drawing near.” He wanted them in a place of nearness to him and assured them, “THERE I will provide for you” (v.11). Joseph was convinced that he was sent ahead of his family to Goshen, a land of plenty, to prepare the way for them: “But now, do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you SOLD me here; for GOD SENT me before you to preserve life” (v.5). The paradox of Goshen: His brothers SOLD him into slavery, but God turned this around for good, to reveal him as a SENT One.

When Jacob’s family arrived in Egypt, they were met with open arms by Joseph and the Egyptians: “And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the BEST of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded” (Gen.47:11). Historically and geographically, Goshen was a very fertile land in the Eastern Nile Delta. That the Pharaoh gave Jacob and his entire family the best land in Egypt to dwell and prosper in, illustrates how God prepares and sends destiny helpers the way of His people. God would have us understand and apply Goshen principles to our lives, and by this, receive Goshen blessings!

Goshen means “drawing near,” “in the place of nearness,” or “the best of the land.” Goshen has become synonymous with “a place of comfort and plenty”; the place where we can experience prosperity in the midst of a crisis. Romans 8:28 is a New Testament Goshen Principle: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The term “Goshen Blessing” describes the abundant provision of God as typified in the story of Joseph. But it all started with SEPERATION!

Goshen was such a blessed land because it was separated from the rest of Egypt for the Israelites to dwell in. The Egyptians disdained shepherds and people who worshipped God, so they kept the Israelites separated from themselves: “the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians” (Gen.43:32b). Joseph took advantage of this: “So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our brothers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians” (Gen.46:34). This prevented God’s people from assimilating and losing their culture and religion, thus setting them up for the Goshen blessings!

Blessings sometimes require separation. Goshen is a place of separation; a spiritual place that is set apart from the rest of the world. In order to access Goshen, we must be willing to separate ourselves from the world’s lusts and sinful ways (2Cor.6:14; 1Jh.2: 15-17). Separated in Goshen, God provided for His people and protected them from the plagues that afflicted the rest of Egypt. Amidst the world’s famine of abundant life, Jesus, our heavenly Joseph, wants us close to Him, to experience and enjoy the fullness of Goshen Blessings.