Oasis

Genesis 47:1-12

Five selected brothers come before Pharaoh. By protocol, he begins the conversation. He starts the conversation the way zillions of conversations have started, with something like, “So what do you guys do?” We’ve heard that shepherds are looked down on, but they admit to this. Although the brothers say they have to come to live here “awhile,” the response to the request leads to the suggestion of a more settled sort of life than any family in Genesis we’ve got to know. There is even the possibility of some of them becoming his majesty’s royal ranchers.

The “awhile” theme is picked up in the moving conversation between Pharaoh and Jacob. Pharaoh asks another question. This is one many seniors love to be asked, or they even prod you to guess how old they are. Here, Pharaoh just asks it. Jacob answers in such a way as to indicate not just a length of time but the duration of a pilgrimage, a life of sojourning that he intimates has been tougher than before. Jacob, like his father and grandfather, has been living by vision and promise. As life wears on it can get harder to be sustained by it. Each blow makes you wonder if it’s real. And lately he’s had some biggies.

“It’s no fun getting old,” I often hear. Or, “The golden years aren’t what they’re cracked up to be.” Meanwhile everything you hold dear is changing, even the church, for crying out loud (maybe literally).

Others have visions that seem to be so slow in coming into view. People get disillusioned without even little victories to celebrate, against the influence of some who seem bent on handwringing and looking for problems. Celebrating victories is seen as papering over the problems. Living by vision can be really, really tough.

But now Jacob and the boys get a break from all that. Good for them. “Awhile” indicates they know that this is a not Freedom 55. But it’s a nice break from the usual sojourn.

Prayer:
Lord our shepherd, thank you for leading us to the green pastures and clear waters we need to sustain us for our sojourn. Keep us looking up so we can look forward with confidence. Through Christ the Way. Amen.