PASTOR’S NOTES
All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy.”
Here is a beautiful thing about the invitations of God, when one is invited many often tag along. We see the far reach of God’s invitation all throughout the scripture. God will invite one into faithful living, and that one invitation will extend to many. From Jacob in this week’s text, Abraham and Moses in the Old Testament, and even the jailer in the gospels, God uses the call of one to ultimately invite many to follow Him.
Just read over this week’s long list of names that left the famine to journey to Egypt. I know it’s overwhelming to read the numerous names that are hard to pronounce, but take a moment to imagine how many people found new life through the invitation of one man! Joseph told his brothers to bring his father to the place of provisions and fellowship, and just look at all the people who came with him. God used the sin in chapter 37 and the redemption of chapter 44 to change the lives of countless families that had nothing to do with the initial conflict between a couple of brothers. Through repentance and redemption, many found life!
This is such an amazing story and picture of how God works in the lives of His people. It’s also a truth that should shake us to our core in the importance of our influence. For each invitation given, many could follow. Not only is this a truth about how God works, this was the Great Commission that Jesus gave us. For those who have been invited, go and invite others. Like all those who followed Jacob to the land of provisions, who has followed you in the same way?
EXTRA READING THIS WEEK
Read Acts 16:25-40 as we see how the invitation of one led to the salvation of a family.
