Nougat 18

Hello my dear

I have been blessed. Throughout my life, God has opened unexpected doors for me that have in turn, benefitted others. Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to think about what we do when favour is extended to us.

“Then Joseph died, and all his brothers, and that whole generation … Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1:6, 8‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Knowing who and whose we are is ultra important. And in some instances, it is equally important to be known by others, that right others. It’s often described as favour.

Favour involves getting special gifts, concessions or privileges from another because of our identity. In some cases, favour is on our own merit, sometimes not. And favour is not always assured. Falling out of favour is not uncommon, as many politicians can attest to.

For the children of Israel, they benefited from the favour extended to their fore-father Joseph. But then came a pharaoh who was not impressed with Joseph or his economic legacy. He was interested in another bottom line – there were too many migrants in the land! (Sounds a bit familiar? Remember there’s nothing totally new under the sun).

Joseph had assimilated, although his faith seems to have remained in his God. But a few generations later, that was not enough to save his descendants! We may gain favour from others on “someone else’s ticket”, but we usually have the responsibility of cultivating and maintaining the relationship. Perhaps the children of Israel had maintained the relationship with the Egyptians, we do not know. It is unlikely, as they were all living in their own separate community. What we do know is that God’s favour rested on them!

And that’s what really matters; that we obtain God’s favour, then in turn create a legacy for others. We are all already blessed by God’s grace, although favour doesn’t always seem evident to us. Yet it’s there, especially in life’s unexpected moments. Like the time when someone unexpectedly ‘opened a door’ on our behalf in the nick of time, or overlooked the time when we submitted a late assignment, or gave us a call just when we needed encouragement.

Despite having gained favour of God and humanity, Joseph the son of Jacob is not included in the formula Moses received at the burning bush. Perhaps because the tribes had been established and Moses was not a direct descendant of Joseph. Nevertheless, his legacy lived on among his people. He gained favour and used it to bless others.

Are we walking in favour and how are we using it to bless others in this season?

In Christ’s love and grace . . .