Moving to a new area

Genesis 46:1-4

Moving your family to a new area is not uncomplicated and it comes with many challenges!  It has many disadvantages, like moving away from family and friends, and moving from what is normal, and in our case Corpus Christi was home our entire life.  Jan and I lived in Odem, Texas, about 30 miles from Corpus Christi, on what we called the Oleo Ranch, it was a little over five acres, and The Oleo Ranch meant “Cheap Spread.”  I had worked for 3M BPSI for 16 years and was informed that 3M Company was getting out of the office equipment business.  I would need to look at other divisions of the company and that would require moving.  At first, we were not open to a move, but after giving thought to being homeless and hungry, it became the only thing to do.  I was offered a job by the Electrical Markets Division, in Houston or West Texas; I told my soon to be boss, that I would not go to Houston, but would take the West Texas job.  But God’s plans for our family were in Houston, and that is were we lived for 23 good years.

Israel/Jacob and his family have little option but moving to Egypt, where Joseph can provide for his family.  But Israel/Jacob is a man of prayer and he and his family go to Beersheba and offers sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.  “And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.”  And he said, “Here am I.”  Then he said I am God, the God of your father.  Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.  I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

What great promises, first, God tells him I will make you into a great nation and I will go down to Egypt with you.  But we also have promises of forgiveness, in 1John 1:9, the promise of guidance by the Holy Spirit in John 16:13, and blessing in Matthew 6:33, and many, many more.  Often, I forget those promises and I forget that God has a plan for me, so I now ware a ring with Jeremiah 29:11 inscribed on it.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice