Genesis 45:25-28 - Pessimism
Scripture:
Genesis 45:25-28
25 Then they went up from Egypt, and came to the land of
Canaan to their father Jacob.
26 They told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and
indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." But he
was stunned, for he did not believe them.
27 When they told him all the words of Joseph that he
had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that
Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father
Jacob revived.
28 Then Israel said, "It is enough; my son Joseph is
still alive. I will go and see him before I die."
NASU
Thoughts:
Jacob comes off as somewhat of a pessimist in these
verses. Perhaps this is why the scriptures do not use
his new name Israel at all points here (verse 25), as
Israel implies prayer (Genesis
32:24-31). Instead it refers to him as Jacob,
which literally means "heel-catcher" and implies the
flesh and human ambition.
Depending on your personality and gifting, pessimism can
be an easy and even frequent door to enter. In
essence, it is the opposite of faith. It can foresee
nothing but dark circumstances on the horizon. What a
powerful hold it can have on the mind!
Prayer:
God, cure me of the pessimist in me. Help me to look on
my circumstances with eyes of faith, not with
rationalizations of my mind.
Amen