the name of the second he called ephraim, “for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction. [genesis 41:52]
joseph calls names his second son a very interesting name–despite what blessings of wealth and power he has received in the land of egypt, he still calls it “the land of my affliction”. in acknowledging his affliction, he also acknowledges God’s sovereignty in his calamity.
for a people shall dwell in zion, in jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. and though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. and your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “this is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. [isaiah 30:19-21]
the Lord certainly blesses us, but he also gives us affliction so that he might show himself glorious–it is when we are in the midst of our affliction that our eyes and ears are opened to God.
joseph understands that despite the good things that are happening to him, he is not home, and still longs for the day that he will be united with his father. those who are in Christ can learn something by adopting this attitude–this world is not our home–this world is the land of our affliction, but one day we will be united with our heavenly Father.
and in the land of our affliction, there are good things to be had here: we can experience the deep joys and blessings that God provides, we can bear fruit and see fruit that God allows and provides, but we still long for the day when we will be united to Christ, and with paul we can exclaim-”to die is gain!” [phillipians 1:21]. as you rest in the presence of the living God, thank him for making you fruitful in the land of your affliction, if you are experiencing suffering, know that the affliction is temporary–
for this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [2 corinthians 4:17]
–and that it prepares us for our heavenly home.
to God be the glory!
~ ce