Gen 47:6 | KingComments | STEP | Joseph tells Pharaoh about the arrival of his family and the place he assigned them in the land of Goshen. He is not ashamed of them (cf. ). Joseph took five of his brothers with him. The names are not mentioned. The emphasis is therefore on the number five. Five is the number of responsibility, what a person does. Pharaoh’s question is: “What is your occupation?” They say they are shepherds. It means caring for what is weak and unable to ward off danger. The Lord Jesus is “the Good Shepherd” ( ), “the Great Shepherd” ( ) and “the Chief Shepherd” ( ). He cares for all believers, whom He calls “My sheep” ( ). The brothers say that they have come to live in the land as sojourners. It is not their intention to settle there, because their actual residence is in Canaan. They want to stay in Egypt as long as the hunger lasts. Pharaoh tells Joseph that his family can live in the land of Goshen. The consent of Pharaoh is in accordance with Joseph’s wish. Thus the Father grants every request the Son makes with regard to those who belong to Him. The best of the land is for his family. The brothers’ request, to be allowed to live in Goshen, ties in with what Pharaoh has already promised Joseph.. In this way God wants to give us what He has purposed to give us in His counsel on the basis of our prayer. Pharaoh asked Joseph to ensure that capable shepherds from his family are put in charge of his livestock. The Lord Jesus has given the church “shepherds” ( ). They have a responsibility to look after the livestock ( ; ).

‏ Genesis 47:6

The Brothers with Pharaoh

Joseph tells Pharaoh about the arrival of his family and the place he assigned them in the land of Goshen. He is not ashamed of them (cf. Heb 2:11). Joseph took five of his brothers with him. The names are not mentioned. The emphasis is therefore on the number five. Five is the number of responsibility, what a person does. Pharaoh’s question is: “What is your occupation?” They say they are shepherds. It means caring for what is weak and unable to ward off danger. The Lord Jesus is “the Good Shepherd” (Jn 10:11 ; 14), “the Great Shepherd” (Heb 13:20) and “the Chief Shepherd” (1Pet 5:4). He cares for all believers, whom He calls “My sheep” (Jn 10:27).

The brothers say that they have come to live in the land as sojourners. It is not their intention to settle there, because their actual residence is in Canaan. They want to stay in Egypt as long as the hunger lasts.

Pharaoh tells Joseph that his family can live in the land of Goshen. The consent of Pharaoh is in accordance with Joseph’s wish. Thus the Father grants every request the Son makes with regard to those who belong to Him. The best of the land is for his family. The brothers’ request, to be allowed to live in Goshen, ties in with what Pharaoh has already promised Joseph.. In this way God wants to give us what He has purposed to give us in His counsel on the basis of our prayer.

Pharaoh asked Joseph to ensure that capable shepherds from his family are put in charge of his livestock. The Lord Jesus has given the church “shepherds” (Eph 4:11). They have a responsibility to look after the livestock (1Pet 5:2; Acts 20:28).