LIVING IN GOSHEN

PASTOR EMMANUEL DANSU

[biblegateway passage=”GENESIS 45:9-11 ” display=”GENESIS 45:9-11 “]

Goshen was a region in northern Egypt where the Israelites lived from the time of Joseph when he was the Vizier of Egypt till the Exodus. The word ‘Goshen’ means ‘Drawing near’. On the other hand, Egypt is a type of the worldly system that has no respect for God. As such, Goshen is a symbol of being in God’s will in spite of the surrounding ungodly system. Goshen symbolizes an oasis in a desert. It talks about light in darkness and even prosperity in the midst of recession. Goshen reminds us of the fact that there is divine nourishment for us even in the time of famine and chaos.

[biblegateway passage=”GENESIS 46:1-4 ” display=”GENESIS 46:1-4 “]

[biblegateway passage=”GENESIS 46:28-34″ display=”GENESIS 46:28-34″]

Just like Jacob had God’s assurance of nourishment, safety and protection in the the land of Egypt, we as believers have nothing to fear in the world as much as we are on the same page with God. Just like he knew that the right place to be was Goshen, we must always realize that the best place to be in every situation is in the very centre of God’s will for our lives.

Our occupation as believers is an abomination to the world. Our desire to do God’s will does not make sense to unbelievers. They cannot comprehend why we have chosen to follow God. They may hate and persecute us but they can only drive us closer and closer unto God.

[biblegateway passage=”GENESIS 47:1-6″ display=”GENESIS 47:1-6″]

“And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.”

GENESIS 47:27

God promised to go with Jacob into Egypt and to take him out again. That tells us that we must never forget that we are sojourners in the world and we cannot afford to perish with the world. We are pilgrims in this world and so we must not be carried away by the benefits we enjoy here.

We must never be ashamed of who we are. We must be bold witnesses of God’s grace and goodness. We must be proud of our vocation as shepherds of the souls of men constantly stirring their hearts to long for God.

God has preserved the choicest things for us even as we do His will. In the short run, that may sound ridiculous but if we do not faint, we are sure to enjoy the benefits of God.

[biblegateway passage=”EXODUS 8:20-23 ” display=”EXODUS 8:20-23 “]

Goshen is a kind of City of Refuge. To be in Goshen is to be shielded from evil. Our preservation is only guaranteed when we stay where God has placed us. The safest place on earth is where God has put you. No matter how safe you think you are, you are exposed outside of God’s will. There will always be a difference between Goshen dwellers and the people of Egypt. God will always put a mark of difference between those who are His and those who are not His. Troubles are sure to come but only those that abide in God shall stand.

[biblegateway passage=”EXODUS 9:23-26 ” display=”EXODUS 9:23-26 “]

The world will continue to witness turbulent times like never before. Strong nations and economies will collapse. A lot of griefs still await Egypt but Goshen will always serve as a shield. There will be storms but those that draw near to God will always remain standing. We must know that as God’s people, we do not need to fear what the Devil does to His people because we have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows role. We must be fastened to the Rock which cannot move. We must be grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

[biblegateway passage=”PSALM 91:1-16″ display=”PSALM 91:1-16″]

God has promised us peace in the midst of turbulence and we have to latch unto that promise by staying stuck with His will.