GOSHEN BLESSINGS (5)

“Then he sent JUDAH before him to Joseph, to point out before him the WAY to GOSHEN…” – Genesis 46:28a

Praise is the secret key into the diverse bundles of benefits encapsuled within GOSHEN BLESSINGS: “Then he sent JUDAH before him to Joseph, to point out before him the WAY to GOSHEN. And they came to the land of Goshen” (Gen.46:28). This was Israel’s response after he received the message from his other sons that Joseph was still alive and had summoned for them to come to Egypt as there would be five more years of famine. He had also warned that if they did not come, they would be utterly destroyed. However, if they moved to Egypt then they with all that they had would be preserved, for God had send Joseph before them to make a way for them.

Jacob having spiritual perception, understood peculiar principles and therefore sent Judah before them to point the way to Goshen. This makes no sense in the natural. From Israel’s twelve children he chose a very specific son to go before them and lead them into Goshen. Not Joseph, the one already living there, nor the eldest, but Judah – which means Praise! The weapon of Praise is the secret key that’s given to every believer, which if used correctly, will lead one into Goshen: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psa.100:4). Praise will lead us right into the courts of God. This implies that praise will bring our circumstances into heaven, where we will not need to struggle or fight but we shall be preserved and our enemies will be put to shame.

Scripture teaches that this as a divine strategy for warfare: "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand” (Jud.1: 1-2). Judges 20:18 reiterates the same divinely-ordained principle: “Then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God. They said, “Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?” The Lord said, “Judah first!”. So, when we find ourselves facing a battle of any sort, we must remember to let our praise to God go up first and our victory is already determined.

David walked in this principle of sending Judah first as access to Goshen Blessings. He ordered his soul to praise the Lord: “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psa.103:1-2). Here are few of the numerous benefits of dwelling in Goshen – based on scriptures – for which we must always offer praises to God:

Supernatural provisions, fruitfulness and multiplication: “Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly” (Gen.47:27). Goshen represents a land of plenty, where God meets needs supernaturally.

Favour: “And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed” (Exo.3:21). God gave His people unprecedented favour in the sight of the Egyptians, as part of their Goshen blessings and benefits.

Miracles of Distinction, Deliverance, Divine Defence and Protection: “I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth” (Exo.8:22). The dwellers in Goshen are recipients of God’s miraculous manifestations.