"But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. 28 Then Israel said, "[It is] enough. Joseph my son [is] still alive. I will go and see him before I die." -Genesis 45:27-28
Unfortunately revival has become something that we talk more about than actually experience. We hear about great revivals in the past centuries; the great awakenings of the 1800's, the Welsh revival of 1906, and the Jesus movement of the late 60's which Calvary Chapel was birthed out of. But I believe the Holy Spirit hasn't stopped moving and reviving people. We still see it through the land every time one lost sinner receives the gospel message and surrenders his/her life to Christ. We see it every time a believer allows his/herself to be filled with the Holy Spirit and overflows with joy and power.
In these verses Joseph's brothers are sent back home to Canaan from Egypt with the task of bringing the good news to Jacob that Joseph is alive and to bring him back with them. It is interesting that Jacob revived after hearing this news. I imagine Jacob had been bitter for decades feeling down on himself and possibly even resentful towards God for taking away his son. Think about it why would someone need to be "revived" unless they were dead inside. The things used to revive his heart are no different than the things we use today to revive the hearts of others. First Joseph didn't go himself to tell Jacob he was alive, he sent his brothers to give the news of life. Second Joseph sent chariots and many blessings to show for it. It is no different today, Jesus sends us out to bring the dead back to life and to Him. We are His hands and feet, and also His mouth. We give the good news that Jesus is alive, He is not dead for He has risen from the grave. And He wants to bless you abundantly, He has a plan for your life. These are the words that bring people back from the dead as they once did for Jacob. Believers need to be refreshed by these words as well. We need to know that God isn't done with us yet, that He loves us immensely and wants us to walk with that same resurrection power that once raised Him back from the dead.
In these verses Joseph's brothers are sent back home to Canaan from Egypt with the task of bringing the good news to Jacob that Joseph is alive and to bring him back with them. It is interesting that Jacob revived after hearing this news. I imagine Jacob had been bitter for decades feeling down on himself and possibly even resentful towards God for taking away his son. Think about it why would someone need to be "revived" unless they were dead inside. The things used to revive his heart are no different than the things we use today to revive the hearts of others. First Joseph didn't go himself to tell Jacob he was alive, he sent his brothers to give the news of life. Second Joseph sent chariots and many blessings to show for it. It is no different today, Jesus sends us out to bring the dead back to life and to Him. We are His hands and feet, and also His mouth. We give the good news that Jesus is alive, He is not dead for He has risen from the grave. And He wants to bless you abundantly, He has a plan for your life. These are the words that bring people back from the dead as they once did for Jacob. Believers need to be refreshed by these words as well. We need to know that God isn't done with us yet, that He loves us immensely and wants us to walk with that same resurrection power that once raised Him back from the dead.
- HAVE YOU EVER LED ANYONE TO THE LORD? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME? DO YOU EXPERIENCE A RUSH OF JOY YOU WHEN SOMEONE GETS BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEAD?
- "Revival awakens in our hearts an increased awareness of the presence of God, a new love for God, a new hatred for sin, and a hunger for His word." -Del Fehsenfeld Jr.