Genesis 47
Genesis 47:1-12: Pharaoh's Generosity; Jacob Presented to Pharaoh In this passage, Joseph formally introduces his family to Pharaoh and arranges for them to settle in the land of Goshen. Joseph shows respect both to Pharaoh as the ruler and to his family, even though they had once treated him badly. Pharaoh welcomes Joseph's family, offers them the best land, and even suggests that some of them could care for his own livestock if they have the right skills. Jacob, as the head of his family, blesses Pharaoh and honestly describes his life as a journey filled with struggles. Joseph continues to care for his family, showing God’s faithfulness to provide for His people even in difficult times.v. 1: Joseph goes to Pharaoh and reports that his father and brothers have arrived from Canaan and are now in Goshen (v. 1 a). Even though Joseph is Pharaoh’s favorite and a powerful leader, he still shows respect by not settling his family without informing Pharaoh first. This teaches us to honor leaders and follow proper procedures (Matthew 20:23 b). v. 2: Joseph selects five of his brothers and presents them to Pharaoh. Although Joseph is important, he is not ashamed of his family. This shows that we should not look down on relatives who may have less worldly status. v. 3: Pharaoh asks the brothers about their work, and they answer honestly that they are shepherds, as their ancestors were (v. 3 c). Pharaoh wants to make sure they will be useful and not idle. This reminds us that everyone should have a purpose or job in society. v. 4: The brothers explain that they have come to Egypt only to stay for a while because there is no food for their animals in Canaan due to the famine. They ask Pharaoh for permission to live in Goshen (v. 4 d). v. 5-6: Pharaoh tells Joseph that his whole family is welcome and offers them the best land in Egypt, Goshen. He even suggests that if any of Joseph’s brothers are skilled, they can help care for Pharaoh's own cattle (v. 5-6 e). This shows how Pharaoh valued Joseph and was grateful for his help. – v. 7: Joseph brings his father Jacob to meet Pharaoh. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, showing respect and also praying for him. Even though Pharaoh is richer, Jacob as a man of God has spiritual authority (v. 7; Psalm 105:15 f). v. 8: Pharaoh asks Jacob about his age, which was a common and respectful question, especially because Jacob looked very old after a hard life (v. 8; Leviticus 19:32 g). v. 9: Jacob replies that he is 130 years old. He calls his life a "pilgrimage," meaning he sees himself as a traveler on earth. Jacob says his years have been few and difficult compared to his ancestors (v. 9; Job 14:1 h; Psalm 90:12; Hebrews 11:13 i). v. 10: Jacob blesses Pharaoh again before leaving. This is both a way to show thanks and a spiritual act, as Jacob prays for Pharaoh’s well-being (v. 10; Ezra 6:10 j). v. 11: Joseph settles his father and family in the best part of Egypt, called the land of Rameses, just as Pharaoh commanded (v. 11 k). God is using Joseph to provide for his family, just as He promised. v. 12: Joseph takes care of his father, brothers, and their families by giving them food according to their needs (v. 12 l). This shows Joseph’s kindness and reminds us that God provides for those who trust Him, even in hard times (Psalm 37:19 m). Genesis 47:13-26: Distress Occasioned by the Famine This passage describes the severe famine that struck Egypt and Canaan, and how Joseph managed the crisis. Joseph’s wise leadership not only saved his own family but also protected the whole kingdom of Egypt from disaster. The Egyptians had to give up their money, cattle, land, and even themselves to survive, but Joseph made sure they were not completely ruined. Instead, he set up a fair system where the people could still work their land and survive, while Pharaoh received a portion of the crops. Through all of this, God’s care for His people is clear, as Jacob’s family had enough, even when everyone else struggled. This story shows the importance of wise planning, faithfulness in leadership, and trusting God in hard times.v. 13: The famine was so bad that there was no bread in Egypt or Canaan. People were weak and desperate because of hunger (v. 13 n). This reminds us how much we depend on God's daily care for our needs. v. 14: Joseph collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan in exchange for grain. He brought the money into Pharaoh’s treasury (v. 14 o). This shows Joseph was honest and did not take the money for himself. v. 15-17: When the people ran out of money, they came to Joseph for food. Joseph told them to give their cattle in exchange for bread. They traded their horses, flocks, herds, and donkeys for food to survive that year (v. 15-17 p). – – v. 18-19: The next year, when they had nothing left but their bodies and land, the people offered to become Pharaoh’s servants and give up their land in exchange for food and seeds, so they would not die and the land would not become empty (v. 18-19 q). – v. 20-21: Joseph bought all the land for Pharaoh, as the Egyptians sold their fields because of the famine. He moved the people into cities across Egypt. This helped Pharaoh control the land and the people (v. 20-21 r). – v. 22: Only the land of the priests was not sold, because they received food from Pharaoh and did not need to sell their land (v. 22 s). This shows that people often respect and support those who serve in religious duties. v. 23-24: Joseph told the people that he had bought them and their land for Pharaoh, but he gave them seed to plant. He set a rule that they would keep four-fifths of the crops for themselves and give one-fifth to Pharaoh (v. 23-24 t). This arrangement helped both the king and the people survive. – v. 25: The Egyptians were grateful to Joseph, saying he had saved their lives. They gladly became Pharaoh’s servants, thankful to be alive (v. 25 u). v. 26: Joseph made this system a law in Egypt, so Pharaoh would always receive one-fifth of the crops, except from the priests’ land (v. 26 v). Joseph was faithful and fair in his work, protecting both Pharaoh’s authority and the people’s lives. Genesis 47:27-31: Jacob's Charge Concerning His Burial This passage tells us about the last years of Jacob’s life in Egypt and his final wishes before his death. Even though the Egyptians suffered during the famine, Jacob and his family were blessed and grew in number. As Jacob neared death, he focused on being buried in the promised land of Canaan, showing his faith in God’s promises for his descendants. He asked Joseph to promise to bury him there, and Joseph agreed. Jacob then worshipped God, thankful for all the blessings he had received. This story teaches us to trust God’s promises and to prepare our hearts for the end of life with faith and gratitude.v. 27-28: Israel, also called Jacob, lived in Goshen with his family. They had land, became prosperous, and their family grew greatly. Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen more years, reaching the age of 147 (v. 27-28 w). God provided for Jacob in his old age, just as Joseph had cared for him, just as Jacob had once cared for Joseph (ch. 37:2 x). – v. 29-30: As Jacob knew he would die soon, he asked Joseph to promise not to bury him in Egypt but to carry his body back to Canaan, to be buried with his ancestors. Jacob wanted to be buried in the land God had promised, to show his faith in God’s word (v. 29-30; Hebrews 11:14 y). – v. 31: Joseph made a solemn promise to do as his father asked. Jacob then bowed in worship at the head of his bed, thanking God for his blessings and trusting Him for the future (v. 31; Hebrews 11:21 z; Psalm 22:29 aa).
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