God's Abundant Love
Scripture Reading — Genesis 41:44-49
Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain; … it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
—Genesis 41:49
This is not just a story about smart economics, creating an enormous “rainy day” fund for the time when rains would be scarce for seven years. Nor is it simply a story of a king’s trust in a prisoner’s interpretation of a dream.
No, at its core this is a story about the abundant love of God, immense and free. This account is a picture that points to the infinite love at the very core of God’s heart, revealed to us ultimately in Jesus. In Ephesians 3:18-19 we find a prayer asking that Christians may have the power “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.” Joseph’s immeasurable stockpiles of grain picture for us a tiny part of God’s amazing, infinite love and care.
A measureless supply, prepared in advance for the benefit of many people who would be affected by famine, including Joseph’s family, and among them his enemy brothers—this is also a picture of God’s boundless love stored up in advance for us while we were still his enemies (see Romans 5:10).
In the meantime, also reflecting God’s goodness, Joseph’s heart will be a warehouse of overflowing love, waiting to be reconciled with his brothers and united with his family again.
Is God working out some reconciliation in your life too?
O God, thank you for the stockpiles of grace and love you have in store. Help us to reflect your love. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Kenneth D. Koeman
Rev. Ken Koeman is a pastor at Bellevue, Washington, Christian Reformed Church. He has written Today devotions in past years and has also authored numerous articles for The Banner, the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church. Ken and his wife, Kay, live in Bellevue and have two children and five grandchildren.
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