Last night a part of our county was under a tornado warning. One of the areas listed in the path was Goshen Grove. The thing though was no one that I knew had ever heard of Goshen Grove. Hmmm Well….
What is a Goshen? A land or place of plenty and comfort.
What is a Grove? Small wood or forested area, usually with no undergrowth.
What follows is the scripture associated with the word “Goshen,” a post I read just today by Amanda Shiflett of what the Lord said to her. It got my attention since Goshen isn’t a word we hear every day. And then I write what I feel the Lord said to me as I read her post and studied the Word of God.
Scripture and background
We read about the land of Goshen in Genesis 45:10. In Genesis 45, we see the account of Joseph who has been sold into Egyptian slavery by his brothers. He has since risen as a high official in the House of Pharaoh and we read here of him revealing himself to his brothers.
1Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:
10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
From Amanda Shiflett
“I heard the Lord say, ‘I have called forth My Watchmen Prophets in this hour, out of mercy for My house and My people…to warn them, to keep them protected from the many things that are coming. Just as in the days of old, I have prepared a “Goshen” for My people, if they will listen and heed My true prophets. Do not be wise in Your own eyes, or think that You know My heart in its fullness. Many things are coming that My body has not been prepared for, but I am sending forth those that will help prepare them for the days to come. If you will listen and heed the many that I am raising up with the voice of a Watchmen, as one crying in the wilderness, they will prepare the way of the Lord for you, and you will walk in My Divine Protection. Now is not a time of fear, but of faith in Your God, for I will not leave You or forsake you, but you must follow Me, and heed My voice. You must listen, and follow the instruction of My Spirit. Now is the hour to listen to My watchmen!'”
What I heard the Lord say
I heard the Lord say, “I have prepared for my people a Goshen, but my people must prepare the Grove.”
I felt in my heart like He also said prepare the way to the Grove and prepare the Grove by getting rid of that undergrowth. The undergrowth is there because of years, days, even hours and moments of neglect. It takes up space and drains essential nutrients from the ground. He said to start the cleanup and you will be amazed at the quick transformation. And then He said most importantly after it is all cleaned out…do the work of upkeep!!!!
The undergrowth He highlighted was
- Any known sin (big or little). He said don’t list – as you already know what He’s speaking of.
- Distractions that are causing apathy. Distractions can be bad things that have happened, but they can also be good things taking you out of His presence and drawing you away from His call on your life.
- Sinful attitudes such as jealousy, bitterness, competition
Goshen Grove!!!
a lamp and a light 