# 425 A Plea For Unity

The Book of Genesis

Day 425

Ge 45:24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, "See that you do not become troubled along the way."  25 Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father.  26 And they told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt." And Jacob's heart stood still, because he did not believe them.  27 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."

Here’s a father who for years has grieved over a lost son whom he imagined had been mauled to death by a wild animal, and now, in one lightning bolt moment, finds out he is alive! Try to imagine the emotions he must have been experiencing!

Now imagine your own heavenly Father, who has seen you sold into the slavery of sin. Oh how He grieves for His lost children. He loves you and I so much that He sent His only Son to die for our sins and redeem us. And oh the joy in heaven, when just one child repents and comes to faith in Jesus Christ! Jesus tells us in  Lu 15:7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

It was likely a very emotional moment for you when you came to saving faith in Jesus, but it is an even more emotional moment in heaven!

As we conclude this chapter in Genesis, I think there is one more vital lesson for us. It’s found in Joseph’s parting advice to his brothers: “See that you do not become troubled along the way.” The King James says, “see that ye fall not out by the way.”  In other words, “see that there are no “falling outs” between you on your way home.”

Are you listening church? Do you hear the plea for unity here? It is reminiscent of Jesus’ prayer for unity  in  Joh 17:20,21  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

Jesus was praying that you and I would not “fall out by the way.” That we would have unity on the way home to our Father! Why? That the world may believe!. This is vital! This is a key to powerful evangelism!

Unity without sacrificing essential truth will go a long way in winning souls to Christ.