Are we willing to go the second or even third time to see what God has for us?
24 He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. Genesis 42
A Connection had been made between Joseph and his brothers, but they were UNAWARE of who he was or what was going on. Sometimes first contacts may not seem to be encouraging and may even cost us something. Simeon wasn’t allowed to return with his brothers when they went back to Canaan.
25 Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, 26 they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.
On the positive side they returned to Canaan with the grain they so desperately needed and the silver they’d brought with them. There was some encouragement and food to keep them going for a time in the famine, but it wasn’t a breakthrough situation.
5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17
Elijah went to the stream of Kerith, his supply at that time was a stream and the ravens brought him morsels of food. God may choose for a time to feed us in bite sized portions, to keep us looking to Him every morning and evening. HE DOESN’T OPEN HIS HAND FULLY because it may not be the Kairos moment or we might run off in our own direction. Elijah’s call was to turn the nation of Israel back to God and it would involve a powerful confrontation with the prophets of Baal and Asherah.
19 Now summon the people FROM ALL OVER ISRAEL to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.’ 1 Kings 18
Elijah’s calling was to a nation, but for a time he sat alone at a brook, hidden from a king and his wife Jezebel, who wanted to take his life. The bigger the Calling the more important it is to wait for God’s release.
Joseph didn’t reveal himself TO HIS BROTHERS and sometimes that may be wisdom for us. If God has a plan and a Calling on our lives, we may have to remain hidden for a time, but we need to keep going or going back on the path He’s set for us.
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”