There are a lot of personal struggles behind my reflections on this passage. Let’s just say God has me in a place right now where I am powerless (I don’t like that feeling) and must trust Him to show Himself strong and provide comfort and strength not only for myself, but for others I care about. It is not easy to have circumstances break your routine. I think I see in Jacob some of what I should be. It is easy to stay in the Promised Land and starve. It is tougher to let God lead you to a strange land to be fed there.
Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.
Genesis 47:27
Take me to Egypt
to the foreign land
with strange people
and circumstances
that I can't understand
if in Egypt
I will find health
and blessing beyond
my present famine
and thrive in Your wealth
then take me there
by what means You choose
and in Your time I know
that what I will gain from You
will be worth the routine I lose
and temporary Egypt
may be just the place
where finally I find comfort
and health and food again
as mercy shines in Your grace
Take me to Egypt
and let me grow
beyond my comfortable home
and my desires and plans
by faith, Your grace I'll know.
