JUST SHEPHERDS

“Pharaoh said to his brothers, ‘What is your occupation?’ They answered Pharaoh, ‘Your servants are shepherds, both we and our ancestors.’”
Genesis 47:3

Ya’akov and his sons, and their families, had made it to Egypt. From Yosef’s instruction, they had made their way to the land of Goshen. It was here in Goshen that Yosef insisted that they live, for the land produced the best fields and crops for their animals, but also because being a shepherd was an occupation frowned upon by the Egyptians. But even this idea took planning. Knowing how Pharaoh would react, as well as other Egyptians, Yosef spoke with his brothers ahead of time. It was in this time of chat Yosef had advised his brothers to admit to their occupation of shepherding. And it was because of these skills that Pharaoh also asked the men to care for his animals as well. While the brothers were honest in sharing that they were ‘just shepherds’, Adonai was working behind the scenes to protect and work with His people.
Sometimes I find it hard to admit. The questions arise as to if I am divorced, who has custody of the kids, how much do I pay in support, who filed against who and why, and do I ever plan to get married again. While I have answers to all these questions, as well as the others I am constantly still asked, I always find myself leaving the conversation with the idea of ‘failure’ in mind. It is as if I am standing before Pharaoh and being asked, “What is your marital status?” With timidity I find myself responding, “I am divorced.” How great of an answer is that? If I am embarrassed to share it at times, how can any good come from it? It is in those moments I have to open my eyes and see my Goshen.
Goshen wasn’t the land that Adonai had promised, but it was the land in which Adonai preserved His people. And although it would be four hundred years before they returned to their homeland, it was four hundred years of His people thriving off the best that Egypt had to offer. I have learned to see it the same way. Divorce was never the route I expected, but it has been the route that has brought me the closest to Adonai. And although it may be a few more years before the right woman comes around, I know that Adonai will preserve me and allow me to thrive in His blessings as a single man until He sees fit to change it. They may have been ‘just shepherds’, and I may be ‘divorced’, but Adonai has everything in His hand and will work it all out for His glory.

Genesis 46:28 – 47:10