Travails of the Wicked
Gen 47:21 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. 22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands. 23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
What can the wicked expect but to sow, to work on a land that is not theirs … to be dispossessed of their own property …
Ecc 2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Have you observed the wicked rich, how they fuss, plan, worry and put so many ventures into place, only at the end to see it all as a meaningless travail. The sinner does not know the God of Israel. His ignorance is not an excuse, as he travails for Pharaoh, sows on a land that is not his …he has been under the yoke of bondage which he does not recognize. He harvests, but is unsure of how much he will enjoy. His days are full of travail. He is dislocated from his family and sent to farm the land in another area … he misses his family and groans under burdensome … but there is a famine and he must do all that is required to survive. These are the travails of the wicked … and not meant for you. The wicked have been sold to evil … to Pharaoh to farm his lands. This is the dispensation of modern commerce.
But you have not been sold to Pharaoh, you are a specially preserved people of God. Do not forget this. You are different. You are chosen. Ponder over these verses to appreciate the difference between the lot of the rest of the world and the chosen family of Israel in these times of famine. The difference is not earned by merit … It could not be merit …what would you say the brothers of Joseph did to deserve this? It was grace and all favor. To be in the family of God and not the camp of the wicked groaning on the farmlands of Pharaoh, sold to sin and foolishness … it’s all grace. Observe that the best that the sinner can expect no matter how sugar coated or gold plated it may appear – is travail. There is grace to come out of sin.
Song.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Refrain: Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?
Prayer: Lord, what an amazing grace, what a marvelous grace that spared my life from the travails and the yoke of mammon. I thank You, Lord. May your grace be always more than sufficient. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
