God’s Invitation to You

So they feasted and drank freely with him.
—Genesis 43:34

Finally, we see the conclusion to Joseph’s story of redemption and reconciliation. The Bible says that Joseph “washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, ‘Serve the meal’” (Genesis 43:31). His brothers were brought into a great banquet room in the governor’s house. “They were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment” (v. 33). They wonder, how in the world did the governor know our exact birth order? There are nearly 40 million possible combinations of 11 place cards and yet Joseph got it just right. How did he know?

There they are seated around the table. They had been subsisting on grain and now they’re at a banquet. The food keeps coming and coming. “So they feasted and drank freely with him” (v. 34). They had come before the governor with fear and trepidation, but to their surprise, the governor offered them grace and generosity.

Can you just imagine the scene? The brothers are seated with Joseph, feasting until the early morning hours. You can’t help but read this and see that it is a foreshadowing of another feast that is yet to come. It’s a feast that is talked about in the book of Revelation called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. When Jesus Christ returns and sets up his kingdom here on earth, the first thing on the schedule is going to be a great feast. Believers of all ages are going to be invited to come to the banquet, and we’re going to be there to honor the Lord Jesus Christ, who made it all possible. Can you imagine what that’s going to be like, to be with the believers of all the ages?

But have you ever wondered how we are going to be seated? I have a sneaking suspicion that God is going to seat us at tables according to our families. We will all be seated around that table together, laughing, feasting, rejoicing now that we know the final chapter in the story. We’re going to enjoy that reunion and then we’re going to honor the One who made the reunion possible, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a great feast that is going to be!

But do you know the best part of it? We don’t have to wait until we die to enjoy that kind of reunion with God. God says, “If you will simply empty your hands of your pride, of your fear, and just admit your sin and your need for a Savior, I stand at the head of the banquet table. I invite you to come. Come and dine. Come and enjoy the banquet. Come and feast with me.” This is God’s invitation to you today.

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “Come and Dine!” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2009.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.