GOSHEN BLESSINGS (3)

“The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the BEST of the LAND; let them dwell in the land of Goshen.” – Genesis 47:6a

GOSHEN BLESSINGS involve transiting from the worst situations to the Best of the Land: “Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the BEST of the LAND; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock” (Gen.47:5-6). Jacob and his sons were facing famine in their homeland and were forced to go to Egypt in search of food. Little did they know that this would open a new chapter in their lives. To their surprise, Joseph had been divinely elevated to the Place of Power, Affluence, and Influence in Egypt. Through Joseph’s wisdom and strategy, Pharaoh approved their occupation of Goshen, which became their new home.

Goshen is the place – spiritual, metaphorical or physical – where we can dwell and enjoy the best that God offers, even though the world may be passing through the worst of times. However, Goshen is not attained through self-effort. In reality, God sometimes permits crisis and discomfort as platforms of preparation for Goshen seasons. Without some measure of discomfort, we may never develop the ‘inspirational dissatisfaction’ to make life’s strategic moves. Challenges can be catalysts for life’s critical changes. It’s during such times that we are forced to step out of our comfort zones into unfamiliar territories. Willingness to embrace change translate into the discovery of our Goshen.

The Bible contains many other examples of God’s people being blessed in the midst of crisis. Left to Haman, Esther and the whole of Israel were scheduled for genocide, but divine providence turned the table against the enemy: “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai…” (Est.7:10a). Esther and her people were delivered from destruction by the king’s decree (Est.8: 3-14). In a sense, Goshen Blessings descended on the city of Shushan: “…and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them” (Dan.8: 15b-17).

Daniel and his friends also experienced ‘Seasons of Goshen’ in Babylon. They were saved in the fiery furnace into which they had been cast for defying idolatry. The appearance of the Fourth Man in the midst of the furnace neutralized the violence of fire (Dan.3:16-29). Rather than being burnt or consumed by the fire, the supernatural deliverance brought them promotion: “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon” (Dan.3:30). Again, Goshen manifested when God delivered Daniel in the lion’s den after he had been cast into the den in defence of his consistent devotional life before God (Dan. 6: 10-23). Similar to the case of Esther, “the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den” (Dan.6:24).

These testimonies remind us that we can always trust in God’s protection and provision no matter the types of darts Satan throws our way. Facing difficulties in life is no reason to be discouraged. It may just be the beginning of a new and exciting episode. Sometimes we have to be shaken uncomfortably to move into life’s assignment and align with God’s Will. When we trust in His protection and provision, and embrace change, we might just be discovering our Goshen: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isa.1:19).