It Is Enough

And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

—Genesis 45:28

It is enough, I read the words of Jacob (also called Israel). 

Enough. I let the word seep into my soul. Enough. Jacob’s final wish before he died…his only wish…his only prayer was to see his son alive who he had believed was dead.

I have read the story many times, but never before had it impacted me as much as when I read it earlier this week. When I read how Joseph’s jealous brothers sold him into slavery and then deceived their father into thinking he had been killed by a vicious animal (Genesis 37:12-33), I was outraged. When I read the account of Jacob’s grief (Genesis 37:34-35), my mother’s heart ached for him. I tried to imagine how he must have felt, but I could only shudder at the thought of losing one of my own.

If you have read the book of Genesis, you know the rest of the story. You know that through a turn of events Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret a dream, which was a prophetic vision of an impending famine that would ravage the land. Subsequently, Joseph was appointed as ruler over Egypt and implemented a plan to make provisions for the time of famine.

Joseph’s brothers traveled from Canaan to Egypt to purchase grain for their family. When they came in contact with Joseph, they did not recognize him, but he knew who they were. When Joseph eventually revealed himself to his brothers, they worried that they would suffer consequences for their wrongdoings. Instead, Joseph saw the bigger picture:

“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life (Genesis 45:5)…God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:7).

Joseph recognized that his life story had been written by God. Every experience, from being sold into slavery to being falsely accused and thrown into prison, had been used by God to bring Joseph to Egypt at that exact time. Joseph recognized God’s hand upon him through it all and offered forgiveness and provision to his brothers. He sent his brothers back to Canaan to pack up their families and bring them to settle in Egypt.

That brings me to the passage I read this morning—where Jacob receives word that Joseph is alive.

It is enough.

Once again I tried to imagine how Jacob must have felt. The son he thought was dead was still alive. Of course, he would have said, It is enough! Had that been my plight, my life story, I would have said the same. If I had lost one of my children, my only wish…my only prayer…would be for a miracle to once again see them alive.

Suddenly my stomach knotted. I knew it was true— I have my miracle. I have my children. All of my children—and my grandchildren—are alive and well. And what do my prayers consist of? Wishes for more. Wishes for other miracles. Wishes for stuff. But I have enough.

Tears bled down my cheeks and sobs racked my body—and shook me—and shook me—and shook me to pray, It is enough.

I would not want to trade places with Jacob…or Joseph…or even you. I know I am here at this place at this time because this is the story that God has written for my life. And it is all to serve His purpose. And you are at this place at this time because this is God’s story for your life. Is it enough?

Dear God, thank You for children and grandchildren and grace and forgiveness and provision. Thank You for my life story and the plan You have for my life. May I live it well. For it is enough. Amen.