A Reunion In Goshen

A Reunion in Goshen

Preached - Sunday, July 20,2003 - Thompson Family Reunion Worship Service

Rosemary Missionary Baptist Church - Reverend Clarence Sanders

Camden Alabama

Scripture: "And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

Genesis 46:28-29

Introduction

This morning, I want to talk about "A Reunion in Goshen". The New International Version says of this text: Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen. Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arm around before him, he threw his arm around his father and wept for a long time." "A Reunion in Goshen."

My brothers and sisters, saints and sinners, bond and free children of the Most High God, all of you that love the Lord, and to all of you in your respectable places. We do greet you in the name of the unparalleled, incomparable, and matchless name of Jesus, and do share with you his word of inspiration, wisdom, and hope. For his word is rich and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that we might be equipped for every good work.

A Reunion in Goshen

Family is considered by many as the closest bond on earth. I can remember going to Grand-momma’s house. I remember playing hide-n-go seek, freeze tag, kickball, dodge ball, I even remember playing church. I remember going into the house and asking for a Popsicle on a hot summer day. I remember whippings and lectures after getting into trouble. I remember going to Sunday school and morning service. I remember carrot cakes and potato pies. I remember harvesting corn and okra from Granddaddy’s garden. I remember the warmth of the smiles and the joy of laughter. But I also can remember the heartache and pain we felt at separating time. I remember the sad faces and tears that engulfed us when time to go our own separate ways comes.

Some of my relatives left home. Some went of to college, others to the military. We even lost some to the grave.

I missed running and playing with my cousins. I missed the joy they brought into my life, because it is now gone. But there is hope. For once a year there is a three-day family get-together, that we call the "Thompson Family Reunion." Aunt-tees, uncles, cousins, parents, and grandparents come together for fellowship, fun, and food, cookouts, church, and celebration.

I can see Cousin Charles talking about the good old days. I can see Cousin Otis sitting at a card table. I can see Daddy standing over a grill. Aunt-tee Texas and Aunt-tee Marsha is somewhere playing dominos. Scooter and A.B. are playing football and basketball. Joyce is somewhere stirring up some laughter. The music is blasting. The sun is shining. Even a Bud-wiser is sliding down somebody’s throat. We are having a mighty fine time.

Exposition

When the Holy Ghost shines his light on this Text, we find Joseph having a family reunion. This reunion is a very joyful time for him, because he hadn’t seen Poppa Jacob, Momma Rachael, Stepmomma Leah, and the 10 bullies he called brothers plus one little tike of a brother. Let me bag back into the corridors of the histories, and pull out a chronicle title: "The Life and Times of Joseph" and dig out of it some spiritual nuggets to deposit into your spiritual bank account.

Joseph, the 11th son of Jacob, was the Rachael first child and Jacob’s favorite son. This is most clearly shown by the special coat, which Jacob gave to him. This favoritism eventually brought severe trouble for the whole family. Joseph’s ten older brothers hated him because he was daddy’s favorite and because he had dreams which he interpreted t his brothers in a conceited way. It is no surprise that they hated him enough to kill him.

Joseph and his family were shepherds in the land of Canaan. One day, the Bible says that, Jacob sent Joseph to search for his brothers, who was tending the flocks in the fields. When Joseph found them, they seized the chance to kill him. The only opposing voice was Reuben’s, but they decided to sell him into slavery to passing merchants.

To hide the deed from their daddy, Joseph’s coat of many colors was dipped in animal blood. When Jacob saw it, he was convinced that a wild animal killed Joseph.